Court ruling may have significant impact, North Canterbury schools say
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
An Employment Court ruling around teacher working hours could have major implications, North Canterbury schools say.
The New Zealand Post Primary Teachers’ Association successfully argued that a school is ‘‘not open for instruction’’ during weekends, public holidays, vacations and outside of 8.30am to 4.30pm on school days, in a recent Employment Court hearing in the North Island.
But principals said there needed to be flexibility in a teacher’s day to ensure work/life balance and being available for meeting with parents.
Rangiora High School board of trustees chairperson Simon Green was unaware of the ruling, but said it would be ‘‘disappointing’’ if it became binding.
The teaching day was structured from 9am to 3pm and then it was ‘‘flexible’’, Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney said.
To accommodate the Employment Court ruling, Kearney changed the start time for staff meetings from 8.20am to 8.30am, ‘‘but you can’t put rigidities around the end time’’.
Some teachers might choose to start earlier or to remain at school after 3pm, while others needed to go and pick up their children after school and took home marking to do later in the evening, he said.
Schools also relied on teachers being available to run cultural activities and coach sports teams outside of teaching hours.
‘‘Teachers are paid a salary and there is a flexibility built in, and it is about how we can best serve our students,’’ Kearney said.
Oxford Area School principal Mike Hart said the ruling was about fairness in recognising an eight hour working day as the accepted limit for teachers.
Collective agreements had a ‘‘call back’’ clause, which gave provision for attending evening meetings, such as those with parents, or for staff training during term breaks.
‘‘Employment law is the guiding document, but we have to remember there are 12 weeks in a calendar year where we don’t expect teachers to do an eight hour day,'' Hart said.
‘‘It is a choice, where teachers can work out what is best for their work/life balance.
‘‘Some may choose to work longer hours during term time and take a break, while others choose to work a consistent number of hours throughout the year.’’
Kaiapoi High School principal Jason Reid said many teachers worked long hours with burnout a major concern, particularly for new teachers.
He said his advice for new teachers was to ‘‘pace yourself’’ in the first two years.
‘‘The challenges of doing this job are incredibly complex and it will absorb as much time as you will throw into it.’’
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64.2% Yes
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33.2% No
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2.6% Other - I'll share below
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Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
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