Dear Parents and Caregivers,

You will have heard via the media that teachers around New Zealand will be striking next week and are participating in ongoing industrial action relating to teacher relief. Here is a summary of what we know:

Teacher Relief

Since the start of 2023, the secondary teachers’ union, PPTA, have been involved in industrial action whilst the Area School’s Collective Agreement is settled with the government. This action is known as the ‘relief ban’, and is designed to ‘shine a light’ on the additional hours teachers work over and above their contract when required to cover classes for other teachers. Throughout Term 1, the relief coordinator, Melissa McLellan, has not been allowed to use teaching staff in the secondary area to cover classes or provide supervision for students over and above contracted teacher hours. In many areas of New Zealand, this has resulted in year levels or subject classes being sent home for online learning and Camp and activity cancellation. TAS has managed to remain open by the skin of its teeth. The Board have committed many extra relief hours to keep us operational. There was one day in particular (earlier this week) when middle school students would have been sent home without staff supervision and a juggle of primary teacher release. Your appreciation of our teachers' hard work and effort to keep our kids learning should be noted - it has been a very tough term for them. This industrial action will continue until at least the end of this term.

The Strike

What isn’t yet known is how many groups of teachers and principals will be striking on the 16th of March - these are the possible scenarios that will be confirmed as soon as the Board hears the information from the Unions.

• Scenario 1 - PPTA Secondary Teacher Members are the only people to strike.
  In this scenario, TAS will not provide classes for Y7-13 students but can supervise students under 14 on request. Please contact the office if your child requires supervision. In this scenario, school buses will run as normal.
• Scenario 2 - PPTA Secondary Teacher Members and PPTA Area School Principals strike together.
  In this scenario, TAS will not provide classes or supervision for students in Years 7-13. We would not have enough non-member staff to meet Health and Safety Requirements. In this scenario, school buses will run as normal.
• Scenario 3 - PPTA (Secondary) and NZEI (Primary) Teacher Members and/or Principal members all strike.
  In this scenario, TAS cannot be open for any students. We would not have enough non-member staff to meet Health and Safety Requirements for supervision. In this scenario, there will be no school transport provided.

Please bear these possibilities in mind as you prepare for the day.

As always, your support of our school and teachers is greatly appreciated.

Bevan Newlands
Board Chair