29 May 2019

Strike Day – Wednesday 29th May SCHOOL CLOSED FOR INSTRUCTION – ALL DAY

ABOUT EVENT

Kia ora Parents / Caregivers and Whānau

Deanwell Board of Trustees wishes to inform you that our primary teacher and principal New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) members have voted to undertake unprecedented further strike action this term. This is following the NZEI members’ overwhelming rejection of the Ministry’s offer of recent. Members voted in favour of further strike action.

The decision to take further strike action was not taken lightly as we are aware of the impact strike action can have.  We need to ensure the Government understands how serious we are about the need for urgent changes now. Schools are facing a teacher shortage, with over half of schools reporting they don’t have enough teachers. There has been a 40% drop in people training to be teachers, while school rolls continue to climb.  

The Ministry is currently engaged in an international recruitment drive, in a desperate bid to meet needs.  Schools struggle daily to find enough teachers to meet their relief teacher requirements. There is also a critical need for increased support for children with additional learning support. NZEI need to make sure teaching is an attractive, sustainable profession so that we can retain and attract great teachers. This is what this campaign is all about.

Thanks in advance for your support. The Board of Trustees can’t provide teaching for students during the upcoming strike. The NZEI has advised the Deanwell Board of Trustees that the principal and teachers at our school will be taking strike action all day.

The Board has carefully considered the availability of teaching staff, and unfortunately decided that we can’t provide the normal teaching services during the strike. It’s important that you make alternative arrangements for the care of your child/children on the day of the strike. The school will be closed all day on Wednesday 29th May during this strike. The Board understands that this is an inconvenience for parents / whānau and students alike, but please be assured that student safety is our main concern.

Thank you for your understanding.