Dear Level 3 Classroom Teacher Association Members and new Level 3 colleagues,
The year’s end is always the moment to reflect on the past year and to look ahead. For our new Level 3 colleagues this is probably especially pleasant! Many congratulations again. I hope you’re enjoying your success and looking forward to making the most of your role next year. Those who were already L3CTs have reported having a particularly busy year, from what’s been shared through our workshops and surveys. Many have been supporting L3 aspirants and/or teachers developing portfolios for AITSL recognition. Some have been involved in assessment for L3. All have been busy in schools leading initiatives and classroom learning and often sharing skills and knowledge within and across schools.
The Level 3 Classroom Teacher Association was formed when the L3CT role was first created and its main role is to create a formal platform for Level 3 Classroom Teachers to interact with our employer, the Department of Education, on educational matters. It is vitally important that teachers have a voice and that professionalism is recognised. There needs to be a channel of communication between teacher leaders and Department leaders in addition to the links between schools and the Department through administrative personnel. The L3CTA provides such a channel and is different from, but complements, other networks, subject-based associations and the SSTUWA. The Level 3 Classroom Teacher Association was asked this year to be part of the Department’s review group related to its new Leadership Strategy. You can read about this through the link on the Portal. Learning First conducted the research and in its report L3CTs are clearly recognised as teacher leaders and it is noted that the selection process is more rigorous than that currently undergone by aspirant Principals.
Celebration Event
This was held at Herdsman Lake Wildlife Centre on Monday 28th November as a welcome function for new Level 3s and an affirmation for those already in the role. Guests included the Director General, Sharyn O’Neill, the Director of Workforce Clifford Gillam, the Minister for Education, the Honourable Peter Collier MLC and the Shadow Minister, the Honourable Sue Ellery MLC. The Minister presented certificates and both he and the Shadow Minister gave brief addresses acknowledging the importance of the L3CT role and congratulating the appointees. A highlight of the event was the entertainment by the Indonesian Dance Group from Bentley Primary School. Photographs of the event including recipients receiving certificates and family groups are available for purchase from the fotoworks website www.fotoworks.com.au (see below). We thank the Teachers Mutual Bank, the SSTUWA and fotoworks for their support of this event. You can also see some of the photos from the Celebration Event from the Photo Gallery section.
Meeting with Clifford Gillam, Director of Workforce
Committee representatives (Celia Elissegaray, Fae Turner, and Heather Anderson) met with Clifford Gillam (Director of Workforce) and Christine Porter on November 1st 2016. A summary of the frank and friendly discussion and its outcomes is available on our website. Topics discussed included the workload and stresses on L3CTs in some schools, and factors impacting on assessment of new L3CTs. We also discussed the need for evidence to underpin optimum classroom practice, and in particular the Education Endowment Fund’s Toolkit, which the L3CTA has previously promoted through a workshop. If you are leading planning for next year at your school, this Toolkit is a great place to start. Visit https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/resources/teaching-learning-toolkit
The Association greatly values its regular opportunities to discuss current issues and concerns directly with the Department leadership.
Annual General Meeting
Our AGM 2016 was held at Hollywood Primary School on Saturday 29th October. The following were elected to the Committee: Celia Elissegaray (President), Fae Turner (Vice-President), Heather Anderson (Treasurer), Margo Whittle (Membership), and Jacqui Cole, Rama Ramakrishnan, Natalie Blewitt and Michelle Murphy. The AGM marked the retirement from the committee of two long-serving and valued L3CTA members, Marg Manners and Megan Ewing, who have been key leaders in the organisation since its inception. We also welcomed two new members to the committee, Natalie and Michelle, who both have a great deal of teaching and leadership expertise to share. We’re looking forward to working together for our members next year. The guest speaker at the AGM was Angela Rossen, who inspired all those present with her work linking Science, Sustainability and Art. More of Angela’s work in schools can be seen at www.angelarossen.com
Annual Survey and Events for 2017
We would like to hear from you! The Committee’s Annual Survey for members’ feedback is now open and we would greatly appreciate the views and suggestions of every member, including new Honorary Members who attained Level 3 status in 2016. Please take a moment to visit Survey Monkey and enter your responses to the 10 quick questions. The survey helps us plan for next year and strengthens the ability of the committee to represent your views to the Department. Speakers and events for 2017 will be finalised after feedback has been analysed in the effort to best meet members’ needs. Committee meetings will be held on the 3rd Saturday of each term, with provisional dates as shown below and advertised in the Western Teacher courtesy of the SSTUWA.
New L3CTs may be wondering whether to join the L3CTA, how much time it would take, how much it would cost, and whether it is worthwhile. You may be reluctant to take on additional memberships or commitments into an already busy professional life. All newly appointed Level 3 Classroom Teachers are now Honorary Members of the L3CTA without obligation. You will all receive renewal forms in March 2017 along with current members and we hope that many of you will convert to Full Membership for a $50 annual subscription. You will receive regular newsletters and opportunities for networking at cost-free professional learning workshops. Perhaps most importantly, you will be contributing to the affirmation of the role, strengthening the position of all L3CTs and helping advocate for the role and the funded time, directly, though opportunities to meet with Department leaders, and through the elected committee. A strong membership of the L3CTA supports our advocacy. Our membership fees are kept low, partly thanks to support form our Sponsors, and the $50 is of course tax deductable. We hope that many of the 2016 L3CTs will join the Association and look forward to working with them and learning from them. We also understand that every one of us has limited time and cannot be fully active in all professional organisations at all times. It is quite normal for a member of the L3CTA to be fully active, attending workshops and meetings regularly some years, but in other years taking a more passive role if other commitments are more pressing. We strive to collect your views and feedback in ways other than face-face workshops and meetings so that we can also represent those unable to attend meetings for reasons of lack of time or their location. We do hope that many of you will become and remain members of the L3CTA. You can be sure of a warm welcome.
Best wishes for the holiday season,
Celia Elissegaray
President, Level 3 Classroom Teacher Association
