Date: 29 May 2023
Dear Parents/Caregivers/Whanau
I wish to advise that on Wednesday 31 May our teachers will be required to attend a paid union meeting to discuss the latest information from the NZEI Te Riu Roa collective agreement negotiations and to determine the next steps forward. On this day school will close for instruction at the end of block 3 (1:00pm).
As you are all well aware the NZEI and PPTA Teachers Unions have been in negotiations for some time around resourcing, pay equity, needs support and conditions. Unfortunately, these discussions have not gone the way we had hoped and we continue to work through negotiations as we attempt to find a way forward in the collective bargaining process. This is disappointing as evidence is very clear that teacher conditions in NZ are not great, pay rates are on average 20% less than for our Australian colleagues, there is a teacher shortage, and the challenges that the number of high needs students within our schools continues to grow.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and seek your support to make arrangements for your child to accommodate this early finish. If the early finish will cause a serious difficulty for your family, please contact the school office and we will try to work through some alternative options with you. The Ministry funded buses will run at the usual time on this day. All OOSPA Music and Drama lessons will also still take place at the usual times on this day.
We thank you for your continued support.
Yours sincerely
Nathan Leith
Principal
