Invitation for SAS staff

Invitation for SAS staff – May 2016 (PDF  version)

For members still aren’t aware, my name is Marisa Bosco and I am a PSA Schools Organiser Representative for your area.

During term 1 and term 2, 2016, I have already been to, or will continue to visit, schools in the Western Sydney area.

Unfortunately, I do not always get the opportunity to meet all School Administrative and Support Staff individually.

As your PSA Organiser, I would like to offer you the opportunity to hold a meeting at your school to ensure members and potential members are kept informed about upcoming changes and provide relevant information that relates to their rights and conditions of employment. These meetings also provide members with the opportunity to raise questions.

This year will be a year of many changes and challenges, including:

• deployment of the Learning Management Business Reform (LMBR) and Local Schools, Local Decisions for all NSW Primary Schools

• the implementation of the Performance Development Framework for all NSW schools.

Would you like to learn more? Or to book a meeting, please email  to organise a day and time that is convenient.

Under your Award, the PSA can hold meetings with members at agreed times.

Last year, many schools in the area already held PSA meetings. Below are some common queries that have been raised.

Frequently asked questions

Use of private vehicles

School Administrative and Support Staff (including SLSOs, GAs, AEOs and Administrative Staff) cannot be directed to use their own cars to perform any school tasks. Holding a current driver’s licence or obtaining a driver’s licence is not a criteria for employment and does not form part of your Statement of Duties.

Statement of Duties

All School Administrative and Support Staff (including General Assistants) have a Statement of Duties. This can be obtained from the Department of Education handbook for non-teaching staff in schools or can be found on the PSA website HERE.

All statement of duties refers to “Other Duties, undertaking related duties as determined by the principal or supervisor”. Any undertakings must be related to the duties listed in the statement.

Overtime

Thanks to PSA’s lobbying in Week 1-Term 2 the Department issued a formal advice to Principals in relation to the payment of overtime/time in lieu via Schoolbiz “critical readings”. Members are reminded the payment of overtime is in your award. It is an entitlement you must be paid or receive time in lieu. Before you work overtime, be sure that you have the approval of the Principal. This is to ensure you get paid for the overtime or receive time in lieu. You are entitled to overtime payment on a weekday after you have worked seven hours. The first two hours are at time and a half, after this you are paid double time.

Supervision of students

School Administrative Support Staff are not responsible for the supervision of students. Being responsible for students is not in any School Administrative Support Staff duty statement.

Health care procedures, first-aid and prescribed medication

Health care procedures, first-aid and prescribed medication duties are all voluntary and no SAS staff can be directed to undertake these procedures unless they are willing and comfortable in doing so. If members choose to volunteer to undertake health care procedures, first-aid and prescribed medication duties, they must be in receipt of the allowance and be trained.

Breaks

Under your award, SAS staff who work four hours or more are entitled to an unpaid lunch break of at least 30 minutes. The lunch break is not included in your total hours of work.

SAS staff are also entitled to a paid morning tea break of 10 minutes if they work more than two hours per day.

Dignity and respect in the workplace

Everyone in the workplace, irrespective of their position, deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. No-one should suffer bullying or harassment while going about their work. This can put at risk the health, safety and wellbeing of all employees. The Dignity and Respect Charter, signed in 2008, commits the Department to providing a workplace free from bullying or harassment that allows that all staff will be treated with dignity and respect.

Members/non-members.

Members please make your colleagues who are NON PSA Members aware that if they join with an existing issue, only limited assistance will be provided.

Do you want to know more?

• 2016 implementation of the Learning Management Business Reform and Local Schools, Local Decisions to all NSW Primary Schools?

• Concerns regarding the upcoming introduction of the Performance Development system for all School Administrative Support Staff, including General Assistants?

• Health care procedures; your rights.

• Pay simplification.

PSA training courses

The PSA have training courses available HERE.

Courses are available at no charge to PSA members. Non-members wishing to attend our training will need to submit a membership application first. Participants are responsible for their own travel and other costs incurred in attending training. For further information click on the link above or call the Members Support Centre.

Do you want to be involved?

If so book a meeting, if you have already held a meeting and would like a follow up please don’t hesitate contacting me.

Talk to your colleagues about the PSA invite them and ask them to join, give them a copy On-line application www.psa.asn.au