14 April 2019

Dear Parents and Guardians

Last week Primary teachers and principals overwhelmingly rejected the latest offers from the Ministry of Education to settle their collective agreements.

The solution is in the Government’s hands. We would all prefer to be in our schools focussed on teaching and learning, but members have sent a very clear message that they want to see change now. That’s why our next step is discussions with government to see how we can make progress.

Union Meetings

NZEI Te Riu Roa members at our school have been invited to a further paid union meeting on Wednesday 8th May at 1:30pm.

Importance of these meetings:

• These meetings will provide NZEI members with an update on how the Kua Tae te Wa campaign is progressing, and the chance to vote on whether to accept or reject the latest offers from the Ministry. We will also be voting on whether to take strike action should the offers be rejected.

• These meetings are being held to discuss any new offers from the Ministry or Government, and for teachers to consider the next steps in the Kua Tae te Wa campaign.

• These Paid Union meetings are not strike action and the law allows for two paid union meetings every year.

What does this mean for me?

Lemonwood Grove will remain open for the afternoon however in order to allow staff to attend this meeting, we would really appreciate it if you could pick your child/ren up at 1:30pm on this day.

If you are unable to collect your child at 1:30pm on Wednesday 8th May, we have arranged a modified programme for the remainder of the afternoon with Busy Bumbles.

There will be no charge for this service, but you must advise the school. Many thanks to Rebecca Scott and her team at Busy Bumbles who will be providing this programme.

For safety reasons, we can not send children home unaccompanied unless we are notified otherwise.

Please complete this form to indicate the arrangements you have made for your child by Tuesday 30th April.

We greatly appreciate your continued support as we continue our campaign to ensure every child gets the best possible teaching and learning.

Regards

Sean Bailey

Principal