The NZEI Union is currently negotiating with the government about resourcing, pay and conditions for teachers and principals. As a result of these negotiations the teachers and principals have made the decision to Strike on Thursday 16th March.

As a result Te Ahi Kaikōmako Rolleston School will be Closed on Thursday 16th March as we do not have the staff to safely open the school.

The industrial action is based on dissatisfaction with the Ministry's response to negotiations around pay and conditions in the primary sector. NZEI members are seeking parity with our secondary colleagues, including how our schools are staffed and resourced.

Here is an example of the current inequity between primary and secondary schools. A primary school with a roll of approximately 620 students receives a curriculum staffing entitlement of 26.6 teachers. A secondary school with the same size roll receives curriculum staffing entitlement of 35 teachers. This is more than 8 extra teachers which for our kura would mean that our current classroom group sizes could be reduced.

Equitable resourcing in this example would have a huge impact on teacher workload, not to mention positive outcomes for our learners. Secondary schools also receive a greater allocation of management/leadership staffing and more than twice as many management units (a salary entitlement awarded to recognise curriculum leadership) compared with a primary school with a similar roll.

I apologise for the inconvenience that this industrial action will cause. 

Thank you for your support. 

Simon Moriarty