Professional development, administration, illness and family wellbeing of staff are just some of the reasons why we need to have relievers in our school.

Due to a combination of factors we have seen a number of relievers in our school of late. It is not just staff illness that necessitates the employment of relievers. Unseen reasons for relievers are the great amounts of administration required around special needs education and the ongoing development of new systems for assessment and reporting  to replace National Standards. 

As much as we try to ensure consistency of relievers throughout the school this is becoming increasingly difficult due to - and you may have heard about it in the news - the teacher shortage. 

The days are gone where once we may have been able to book the same reliever for a sustained period of time or even have a favourite reliever or two on call. All YMS staff use an online booking system that enables them to quickly find a suitable reliever. Please be assured that whenever possible all staff book relievers ahead and leave them with planning and instructions. 

YMS management also hover when there are relievers within the school. We also expect that our students will rise to the occasion when a reliever is present and ensure that they continue to behave as YMS Heroes.

It is hoped that the current NZEI union and Ministry of Education negotiations will lead to more staffing for schools which will in turn help alleviate the issue.  In the meantime the situation will continued to be monitored and improved wherever possible.