Latest Updates
Pay Equity Claim
Below is the link to the Ministry of Educations pay equity site which has all of the guidance documents for implementation.
https://www.education.govt.nz/school/people-and-employment/pay-equity/science-technician/
Communications Report June 2022
Tēnā koutou katoa, nau mai haere mai to the latest communications bulletin.
It is with some regret that I announce to you the resignation of Ian de Stigter, our Advocacy Officer.
Ian has decided to step down from this role after many years of serving the Technician Community, years spent striving to better our conditions, our standing and our recognition.
Ian’s contributions, his research and comprehensive reports have gone a long way towards aiming to achieve the above.
On behalf of the Executive, I thank Ian for his dedication, passion and commitment in furthering the cause of School Science Technicians and for his valuable and knowledgeable contributions whilst on the STANZ committee.
We will miss you and your input at our meetings but also realise that you are just an email away…….
Ian would like to share his resignation letter with you all.
| Resignation I have resigned my advocacy role on the STANZ executive. I am mindful of the support and encouragement of executive members, and of other science technicians. Some will be surprised, and perhaps disappointed, that I have not seen out my 2-year term. Since 2006, I have made efforts to improve the prospects for members of our professional group, by collecting and interpreting data about science technicians working in schools. In 2019, when I stood for STANZ Executive, I imagined continuing there in an advocacy role until our Pay Equity Claim succeeds. However, with the long-awaited publication of Safety & Science in November last year, I have recently been able to finish my study on Science Technicians as Lab Managers. I think this is my last contribution to the science technician advocacy data. Moreover, NZEI has expressed a preference to liaise with the STANZ executive through a female member. I haven’t thought that my gender has impeded an objective assessment of the roles and employment of our professional group. I concede, however, that NZEI has a point: my wife could attest that I don’t think like woman! Since nearly 90% of our members are women, I may not be best-placed to represent their views. So, it seems to me appropriate to now step down, and in doing so, express my strong confidence in Sheryl Fitzsimons – both an NZEI insider, and STANZ executive member – who has picked up this liaison role, and is able to well-represent our professional group for Pay Equity purposes. Ian de Stigter |
Safety & Science Update from NZASE:
I have recently attended the NZASE AGM and Meeting where the workshops for the new Safety and Science were discussed.
Apologies were given for the slowness in communicating the dates and contents of the workshops.
This has now been addressed and further information can be found by clicking the links below.
The workshops will consist of 45 minutes of information with time at the end for questions. They will be via zoom with a maximum of 100 people able to attend each session. NZASE expressed surprise at the popularity of the workshops. That just reinforces the need for them.
NZASE will also present at Conference so there will be a learning opportunity there as well.
Below are the times for the workshops. Please note there are also workshops for Principals and teachers but I have not included those here.
FULL no further space – Technician, Tuesday 5 July, 8:30-9:30 am
FULL no further space – Lab Manager/HoD, Friday 8 July, 12:00-1:00 pm
Technician, Thursday 28 July, 12:00-1:00 pm
Lab Manager/HoD, Wednesday 3 August, 4-5pm
Please remember these are being run voluntarily by teachers and technicians with no funding from the Ministry at all. A huge thank you and much appreciation to all those involve in making this happen.
Also note that your school does not have to be an NZASE member to participate in these workshops.
Changing your details?
If you are needing to change any of your details, be they change of Technician, change of address, change of school, change to subscription to Scitechtalk or Tech Tonic, change of name or maybe you are resigning please use the membership form on the website to do this.
Copyright Rules:
Just a reminder that it is not appropriate to share any paid for information via the forum. There are copyright issues with this and we may be held accountable. Examples of this might be information from CLEAPSS, Chemwatch or similar. These are organisations which require an annual subscription to be paid so information from them should not be shared.
Accumulated Wisdom:
It is encouraging to read that so many of you are turning to AC before asking questions on the forum.
Thank you again to Melaina McClure for keeping this updated.
Forum Use:
A big thanks to you all for contributing to the forum and especially recently with some new techies being helped so quickly and ably by you. Your short, concise and informative answers are appreciated.
Conference:
The Conference Committee have been very busy of late. They have announced some exciting scholarship opportunities for eligible recipients and Registrations have now opened.
It’s also great to get the news that the Boarding Hostel is now available as well. Please see the Conference website for more details.
Our delayed Conference promises informative and beneficial workshops, interesting speakers and educational field trips.
If you haven’t already made plans to attend, I urge you to encourage your HOD’s to support your application.
Finally:
It is not long to go until the end of term so may I take this opportunity to wish you all a relaxing and revitalising break.
Kia pai tō koutou rā
Monique Arts
Communications Officer
Past President