Kia ora koutou

I am writing to let you know that secondary school teachers are taking industrial action over term 2. The action is outlined in sections 2-5 below. It is being taken because of the stalled negotiations between the Ministry of Education and the PPTA, the Post-Primary Teachers' Association, the secondary teachers' union. 

I am sending it now at the start of the second week of the holidays to give our community early notice for preparation.

1. Ministry of Education Teacher-Only Day - Thursday 4 May

This training day in week 2 is not connected to the industrial action but is mandated for teacher training in the NCEA changes for 2024 and beyond. The school will be closed for instruction on this day. (Note the first point in #4 below.)

2. One-Day Rolling Strike: Canterbury - Tuesday 9 May

This national strike will take place throughout week 3 of Term 2, with each region doing a different day. Canterbury is striking on Tuesday 9 May. The school will be closed for instruction on this day.

3. Ban on Out-of-Hours Meetings: All of Term 2

This ban limits the time teaching staff spend at work beyond an 8 hour day (e.g. 8:30am - 4:30pm). This does not affect either our Open Night in week 7 - Tuesday 6 June, or the Whānau-Teacher hui in week 8 - Thursday 15 June, 2.30-7pm.

4. Rostering Home: Weeks 2-7 - Term 2

Nationally, students in each year level will be rostered home on the dates below in weeks 2-7. School will remain open for instruction for all other year levels on these days.

• Week 2: Thursday 4 May - Yr 11s not at school. (However as in #1 above, this is our school's MOE Teacher-Only Day so school is closed for all year levels on this day.) 
• Week 3: Tuesday 9 May - Yr 12s not at school 
• Week 3: Thursday 11 May - Yr 13s not at school
• Week 4: Tuesday 16 May - Yr 9s not at school 
• Week 4: Wednesday 17 May - Yr 10s not at school                  
• Week 5: Thursday 25 May - Year 11s not at school
• Week 6: Tuesday 30 May - Year 13s not at school 
• Week 6: Thursday 1 June - Year 12s not at school
• Week 7: Tuesday 6 June - Year 10s not at school  
• Week 7: Thursday 8 June - Year 9s not at school

5. Relief Ban — All of Term 2

This action seeks to ensure that all PPTA members receive their contracted non-contact hours per week. Teachers will not be covering the classes of absent staff in their non-contact periods. 

6. Updates

I will notify you as soon as practicable if any of the above actions change or will no longer go ahead.

Ngā mihi nui

Richard Edmundson
Tumuaki-Principal