Please read this important information regarding our teaching staff attending a paid union meeting on Tuesday 20th March.

You may be aware of the nationwide crisis in recruiting and retaining teachers.

Children need teachers with enough time to teach so they can give each child the attention they deserve, and children need talented and inspiring people to be attracted to teaching.

Children are missing out on some opportunities to learn because teachers are bogged down in administration or are struggling to get enough support for children with additional learning needs.

Teachers at our school are joining an NZEI Te Riu Roa campaign, called Kua Tae Te Wā – It’s Time to address these issues.

Our goal is to free teachers to teach, and principals to lead, by getting the additional support and staff that schools need. And we’ll attract more people to teaching by respecting and paying them as the professionals they are.

NZEI Te Riu Roa members at our school have been invited to a paid union meeting on Tuesday March 20 at 1:30pm, so that they can plan and discuss the campaign and their upcoming collective agreement negotiations.

We would really appreciate it if you could pick your child/ren up at 1:00pm on this day. If this is impossible, can you please let Sarah know by emailing her at office@lemonwoodgrove.school.nz 

We will arrange alternative supervision at school for the afternoon.

The meeting schedule has been planned so that teachers and principals across the country can work out the best meetings for them to attend, including the option of groups of teachers attending meetings at different times. This is to help reduce disruption to teaching programmes, children and parents.

Our children deserve the best education in the world, and New Zealand can afford to provide it. It’s just a matter of priorities.

Thanks for your co-operation in this important matter.