New Zealand School Trustees Association
Memorandum to Boards: 2011/5
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School:
Chair:
(Where no email is indicated then the memo is sent via principal/school)
Principal:
(Please advise any changes to above addresses)
Date: 7 March 2011
Subject: Canterbury Earthquake Update
This memo updates on:
Confidential counselling assistance for boards of trustees: A number of schools will have an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support staff, and staff should use that if they wish. The Ministry’s own EAP has now been extended to trustees and those school staff of affected schools in the Christchurch area where they do not have access to this assistance. EAP is a professional service from experienced psychologists and counsellors. Face-to-face sessions can be followed by advice and support via email. There is no cost to the person getting the counselling, and the service is totally confidential. Further details are at www.eapservices.co.nz or contact 0800 327 669 for details.
Funding: It has now been confirmed that funding for affected schools will not reduce before 30 June 2011, this will provide surety for boards in terms of meeting commitments for both staffing and contractual requirements. In addition the Ministry will fund those boards for students who enroll from the affected schools.
School staffing relief: The Ministry is also providing further support by organising and funding the relieving pool to enable positions to be covered and backfilled as required. This scheme will be available for a long and extended time so that schools can access staffing as and when the need arises. If you have teachers or specialist staff who may be available or you want further information contact 0800 225 580.
Christchurch based staff wanting to work: If your school is closed and staff are indicating they are available to work at another Christchurch based school please also ring 0800 225 580 to offer this assistance.
Relief for the school leadership: We are looking for principals and senior managers who boards can release for a time to support and/or provide some relief for principals and school leadership teams in the affected schools. We expect this to be needed progressively as the adrenalin burns out and these people start to need more assistance, timeout or reduce their workload. Please ring 0800 225 580 if you can offer this assistance.
Leave arrangements for staff: Following consultation with the unions and NZSTA the Ministry has provided guidance for boards and school staff (teaching and non-teaching) for when leave may need to be taken. Take time to read this guidance.
Schools reopening: Schools in Christchurch City, outside the Civil Defence inner cordon, can commence the process for reopening. As part of that preparation boards need to consider both property and staffing needs before students come back. Remember:
· As a board, the Health and Safety in Employment Act requires you to provide a safe workplace for your employees, contractors you might engage and others who might be entering your premises
· Employees also have a responsibility to ensure their own safety
There are also some employment related matters which need to be considered and we will shortly be sending out some additional support material to assist you with this.
Note: If you did not receive the text message advising of school opening procedures on Saturday then it may mean you are not yet on the Ministry advisory system. Advise the contact centre (0800 225 580) of your mobile number.
Payroll Matters: Advice is continuing to go out from the Ministry about the payroll services via emails. The payroll team are doing a terrific job ensuring that pay gets through under very trying circumstances for them and you. Please be considerate of the pressure on them if you need to contact them.