28 March 2023 | Open PDF
Instrumental Music Bulletin - Term 1
Our IM working conditions
The trade union movement knows that employers rarely improve working conditions without hard fought union campaigning. We know that there are continued campaigns to improve the working conditions of instrumental music teachers and instructors, such as the campaign to remove the return to teach condition from teacher registration. There are also examples of recent improvements to conditions, that are agreed positions with the Department of Education, and that we can apply dispute resolution procedures to.
Assessment and reporting
Assessment and reporting is an example of a recent improvement following a hard fought campaign.
Some members will recall the work-to-rule campaign when instrumental music teachers voted to support a QTU directive to not report on instrumental music students. This led to the inclusion of instrumental music in the Department of Education’s Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Framework (CARF). The agreed position is that there is no requirement for end of term reporting in prep to year 10. The CARF’s footnote 15 supports instrumental music teachers and instructors not having to attend parent/teacher nights, especially if a teachers or instructor is on a circuit of multiple schools.
Sign in procedures
The QTU is aware that some members are asked to sign in at circuit schools. QTU delegates raised this matter at the last meeting of the state-wide Instrumental Music Reference Committee and understand that the Department will follow up and provide a response. The QTU position is clear and has been communicated to the department.
The QTU contends that fulltime teachers, teachers on a regular and rostered circuit, or part time teachers at school during their agreed work pattern are examples of employee cohorts that are not “visitors”. The Visitor Management section of the Department’s Emergency and School Security: Fact Sheet 2 – Developing security guidelines at schools states, “Having guidelines for visitor access will allow for a consistent approach to when and how external persons enter the school grounds” (bold for emphasis).
The QTU does not accept that an instrumental music teacher or instructor, arriving at a scheduled school, on a scheduled day, at a scheduled time is an “external person”. Actions of the QCT to exclude instrumental music teachers from full registration are already deprofessionalising and demoralising. The QTU urges the department not to treat members of its teacher workforce as external persons.
Implementing the memorandum of agreement
The Instrumental Music Teachers and Instructors Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) includes measures that are designed to mitigate workload. One example is the last sentence of clause 11.16 that states, “Mandated training and Professional Development Plans for subject employees will be coordinated by the base school in accordance with local arrangements.”. The QTU recognises all teachers and instructors need to complete mandatory training. But only once, and records of completion only need to be provided to your base school principal. If circuit school principals have any concerns, they should be referred to your base school principal.
Another example is the inclusion of the new clause 11.7 School Music Coordination, and the allocation of additional time for instrumental music teachers or instructors who are undertaking duties and responsibilities of a coordinator.
We also know that the Teaching in State Education Award – State 2016 provides for a spread of working hours no earlier than 0800 hours and no later than 1600 hours. Through consultation for the current MOA, members advised that this was impacting on start and finish times for ensemble rehearsals. Clause 11.2(c) of the current MOA provides for earlier starts or later finishes, so long as there is consultation and agreement.
Supporting your local consultative committee
The QTU recommends that variations to start and finish times which are outside of 0800 to 1600, are endorsed by your school’s local consultative committee (LCC). Instrumental music teachers and instructors can support the work of QTU workplace representatives on your LCC with the support materials that are available on the QTU website at: https://www.qtu.asn.au/collections/membergroups/imti
The support materials include a set of guiding principles to assist with decision making. The timetables are samples only.
Representing instrumental music teachers and instructors
QTU campaigns to improve the working conditions of instrumental music teachers and instructors are well informed by a dedicated team of members who also hold representative positions in our Union. Our IMT/I members, elected to QTU positions, include:
- Chris (branch secretary and QTU workplace representative)
- Christine (QTU workplace representative)
- Joanne (branch secretary and QTU workplace representative)
- Julianne (state council delegate, area council representative, branch president, and QTU workplace representative)
- Kirsty (branch women’s contact, and QTU workplace representative)
- Luke (branch vice president, lead union rep., area council representative, and QTU workplace representative)
- Michael (QTU workplace representative)
- Nicole (State Council delegate, Working Conditions Committee member, AEU federal women’s conference delegate, branch president, lead union rep., and QTU workplace representative)
- Nikki (QTU workplace representative)
- Shelley (state conference delegate, Working Conditions Committee member, branch secretary and branch women’s contact)
Training for Workplace Delegates
The Queensland Teachers' Education Centre (QTEC) is responsible for the coordination, planning and delivery of the Union's member education and training program, that includes training for workplace representatives. The Union offers a range of training opportunities for all members of the Union in Brisbane and regional areas. Topics such as LCCs, knowing your working conditions and effective negotiations are included in a program of afternoon seminars which are advertised through workplace union reps and here on the QTU’s website.
Professional learning with the QTU
The QTU also delivers high quality professional development to teachers and school leaders across Queensland through QuEST. We are proud to offer our Vocal Care workshops which we believe have special value to our members who work in the important role of specialist and/or instrumental music teacher.
Our Vocal Health for Teachers program has been developed by an experienced and qualified Speech Pathologist, who has a background in music, and a special interest in supporting music professionals to protect their voices.
Whilst these courses are open to all members, we believe they are particularly useful to you as a music specialist. Understanding voice care in your role is a core workplace health and safety issue and we commend this course to you.
Supporting early career teachers and researchers
The Queensland Teachers’ Union of Employees (QTU) has a proud history of partnering with education researchers where such research establishes demonstrable links to the QTU’s values and priorities. The QTU believes that the status and dignity of the teaching profession are enhanced when the voice of teachers is heard in the field of education research, and we welcome the contribution of our members and academic peers who engage in the field of higher degree research in education and related fields.
The QTU’s Research Services team have been working with an honour student at University of Queensland, and look forward to sharing information related to his research in the next bulletin.
Authorised by Kate Ruttiman, General Secretary, Queensland Teachers' Union
21 Graham Street, Milton, QLD, Australia, 4064