[Design and Technology] election promise

[bazeley]

Dear Joyce,
I emailed Jacinta Allen on the 22nd March. I received a letter to inform me
that the matters I raised fell within the area of responsibility of John
Lenders, MP, Minister for Education and that my letter was receiving
attention. I emailed John Lenders on the 5th of April.
john.lenders at parliament.vic.gov.au
I have yet to receive any more information. Maybe you could try him too.
Richard Bazeley


-----Original Message-----
From: destech-bounces at edulists.com.au
[mailto:destech-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Joyce
Sent: Thursday, 19 April 2007 3:50 PM
To: Design and Technology Teachers' Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Design and Technology] election promise

Dear everyone, jacinta.allan at parliament.vic.gov.au  There is the Education 
minister's e-mail address. This is the Shadow Minister's e-mail 
<martin.dixon at parliament.vic.gov.au>
Why don't you send your e-mails to her as well as to yourselves. Regards 
Joyce Currie

 ----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kevork Krozian" <Kroset at novell1.fhc.vic.edu.au>
To: <destech at edulists.com.au>
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2007 11:51 AM
Subject: RE: [Design and Technology] election promise


> Hi John,
>
> In case you missed it, there are 130 subscribers on the Des and Tech
> mailing list.
>
> Best Wishes
> Kevork
>
>>>> hallsworth.john.j at edumail.vic.gov.au 19/04/2007 7:34 am >>>
> Hello all (although I guess this is specifically aimed at Kevork
> really)
>
> could you give us an indication of how many teachers are on the destech
> mailing list please.  It would be interesting to know whether this is
> just a small group of teachers having a whinge amongst themselves, or
> maybe it is reaching a greater cohort and may lead somewhere.
>
> Thank you.
>
> John Hallsworth
> Montmorency Secondary College
> Para Rd, Montmorency, 3094
> Ph: 9435 6399 Fax: 9434 6259
> visit http://www.vcedesigntech.com/  - you just might find it useful !
>
>
>
> From: David Fletcher
> Sent: Wed 18/04/07 10:47 PM
> To: Design and Technology Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Design and Technology] election promise
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> Further to the discussion regarding maintaining woodwork and metalwork
> machinery in Technology Departments, many schools employ the services of
> a most capable and helpful company who will do this on a contract
> basis.
>
> They have also upgraded the necessary guarding on some machines,
> replaced and/or sharpened cutting blades and expertly installed ducting
> for waste removal.  They will issue a certificate each year that
> machines have been checked, maintained and comply with OH&S
> requirements.
>
> Generally this can be done in one day, at a very reasonable rate, and
> it takes the responsibility off the technology teacher who may not
> always have the time or expertise to carry out this maintenence work.
>
> The company is  ANVIL SAFETY PRODUCTS.  Contact ...
> John Garcia
> 342 Stony Point Road,
> Crib Point 3919
> (03) 5983 6063
> FAX 5983 6125
> Email: Anvil at nex.net.au
> I am happy to recommend this company.
>
> David Fletcher
> Secretary TEAV
> Email  dgfletch at bigpond.net.au
>
> -------Original Message-------
>
> From: Kevork Krozian
> Date: 18/04/2007 08:28:49 PM
> To: Design and Technology Teachers' Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Design and Technology] election promise
>
> Dear Design and Tech Teachers,
>
>  It gives me enormous satisfaction when I see your list evolving along
> the
> lines the much older IT lists have moved.
> Namely, as professionals you have a voice to express a point of view,
> air
> grievances if there are any ( there is no shortage of those in
> education it
> seems and why wouldn't there be with such a complex endeavour ? ),
> celebrate
> success, support each other with ideas as well as resources.
> Furthermore, I have watched as this list has moved on to discuss issues
> of
> resourcing such as lease vs buy , funding, support and the discussion
> of
> issues that impact upon your ability to do your jobs as teachers.
>  Ultimately we are here for the students and it is for them that we
> are
> striving in order to deliver the best education program.
>
>  If there is anything I can do to further enhance your mailing list or
> your
> support web site at http://www.edulists.com.au/ please let me know.
>
> Best Wishes
>
> Kevork Krozian
> Mailing List Creator and Administrator
> kevork at edulists.com.au
> http://www.edulists.com.au/
> Tel: 0419 356 034
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "bazeley" <bazeley at iinet.net.au>
> To: "'Design and Technology Teachers' Mailing List'"
> <destech at edulists.com.au>
> Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 8:20 AM
> Subject: RE: [Design and Technology] election promise
>
>
>> Hi all
>>
>> Sharing our experiences is very important at this stage especially
> when
>> they
>> are as well expressed as Gary, John and others. I think if we can
> get
>> enough
>> information together the next letter to the Minister should come from
> the
>> TEAV. I am sure David Fletcher and others are listening.
>>
>> I put forward the following example that was helpful in carrying out
> the
>> maintenance schedule that I have had difficulty in completing.
>>
>> In 2006 the school was willing to employ an ex trade teacher with
>> engineering skills for one day. He carried out most of the
> maintenance on
>> the machinery in that one day. This was excellent value and a number
> of
>> bugs
>> in the machinery were fixed. He was payed for a days CRT work. Costs
> for
>> repairs, parts etc came out of woodwork budget.
>>
>> It would be good to hear of other solutions that teachers have used
> that
>> work and could help solve problems in the short term.
>>
>> Richard Bazeley
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>  _____
>>
>> From: destech-bounces at edulists.com.au
>> [mailto:destech-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Wragg, Gary G
>> Sent: Tuesday, 17 April 2007 9:30 AM
>> To: Design and Technology Teachers' Mailing List
>> Subject: RE: [Design and Technology] election promise
>>
>>
>>
>> Sorry to continue the 'Forum' as such, but it is good to hear tech
>> teachers
>> finally speaking out and a few points are worth elaborating upon.
>>
>> 1. Teaching conditions
>>
>> In the 1970's, class sizes in workshops were capped at 20. Rooms were
> set
>> up
>> for 20 with a max of 24. Staff were allocated 'machining time' in
> lieu of
>> a
>> technical assistant. Over the last 30 years our conditions have
>> deteriorated
>> and programs have been compromised. The transition from trade-based
> to
>> design-based learning increases workloads and has dramatically
> altered the
>> function of technology teachers. Students' work requires individual
>> machining - different from the old 'industrial model' where all did
> the
>> same
>> thing. Teachers are now forced to spend more time in the machining
> rooms
>> leaving up to 28 students unsupervised in a workshop full of sharp
> things!
>> Huge problems with responsibility!!
>>
>> 2. Technology Assistants
>>
>> Trade teachers in the past maintained their own equipment, repaired
> and
>> built furniture, etc. With the current paucity of tradespeople, this
> now
>> needs to be either outsourced - or more likely - facilities just fall
> into
>> disrepair. When I asked for a Tech assistant (a la Food Tech, Science
> and
>> languages, etc!) to assist with maintenance and machining VCE work,
> and
>> despite a recognition of the need, the standard response was that
> there
>> 'was
>> no budget allocation available - nor likely to be unless government
>> provides
>> it'. Budgets are documents that reflect the priorities of a school
> and
>> government. The implications are obvious.
>>
>> 3. Provision of Resources.
>>
>> Capital equipment costs are a huge impost on school budgets. Much of
> the
>> valuable machinery was disposed of with the demise of the Techs and
> little
>> has been replaced. Yet, the demands on a growing Technology
> curriculum
>> have
>> increased exponentially. Out-dated, unsafe equipment and resources
> impact
>> heavily on the classroom and confidence of teachers.
>>
>> On a final note, I recently contacted Lorraine Tran and the TEAV
> about
>> supply of technology software for schools being provided by the
> government
>> in a similar manner to the Laptop and Microsoft programs. The
> responses
>> from
>> both were heartening, particularly given the political restraints
>> operating
>> around them. I guess we should now support them in supporting us.
>>
>> I applaud those who have taken up these important issues.
>>
>>
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Gary Wragg
>>
>> Rosebud Secondary College
>>
>>
>>
>>  _____
>>
>> From: destech-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of Hallsworth, John
> J
>> Sent: Mon 16/04/2007 8:59 PM
>> To: Design and Technology Teachers' Mailing List
>> Subject: RE: [Design and Technology] election promise
>>
>> Well it's really interesting to hear a few colleagues speaking out
> over
>> the
>> conditions we face and our lack of "real" support and resourcing.
> Of
>> course, we have all been thinking those same thoughts but haven't had
> an
>> oopportunity to voice them.  The biggest problem is, I believe,
> isolation.
>> Technology teachers - "tradies" if you like, have dropped off the top
> of
>> the
>> pile through retirements disillusionment and frustration.  There are
> so
>> many
>> of us who are working in schools where the technology staff has been
> cut
>> back significantly and is being propped up by teachers who are not
> really
>> qualified to teach the resistant materials and technology subjects,
> God
>> love
>> 'em.  Blind Freddy could see that it is near impossible to do justice
> to
>> the
>> running of a technology facility, when you have to teach a full load.
> It
>> is
>> akin to being a shop foreman in industry, and also having to work
> full
>> time
>> on the bench.  I think there has been a view over recent years that
>> technology or trade subjects would just go away and die if you
> starved
>> them
>> of resources,  However, that doesn't appear to be about to happen
> because
>> the popular view is now that technology subjects are vital to the
> future
>> of
>> our students.  So, if that's the case, then the Government,
> Principals and
>> College councils need to put their hands in their pockets and provide
> us
>> with the same support that Literacy, Numeracy, Science, Food tech,
>> Integration and ICT (to name but a few) receive. Back to the subject
> of
>> Isolation - there needs to be a body (possibly TEAV) that will act as
> a
>> voice for technology teachers on the hard issues.  A voice that will
>> gather
>> together the facts (we know the government loves to measure data)
> and
>> present them in a rational, but forceful way, not for my sake or
> your
>> sake,
>> but for the sake of our students who are, I believe, getting a raw
> deal
>> through the unrealistic demands on us all.
>>
>>
>>
>> John Hallsworth
>>
>> Montmorency Secondary College
>>
>> Para Rd, Montmorency, 3094
>>
>> Ph: 9435 6399 Fax: 9434 6259
>>
>> visit http://www.vcedesigntech.com/ <http://www.vcedesigntech.com/>
> - you just
>> might find it useful !
>>
>>
>>
>>  _____
>>
>> From: destech-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of
>> fbu at brightp12.vic.edu.au
>> Sent: Mon 16/04/07 4:32 PM
>> To: destech at edulists.com.au
>> Subject: RE: [Design and Technology] election promise
>>
>>
>>
>> John Hallsworth
>>
>> Montmorency Secondary College
>>
>> Para Rd, Montmorency, 3094
>>
>> Ph: 9435 6399 Fax: 9434 6259
>>
>> visit http://www.vcedesigntech.com/ <http://www.vcedesigntech.com/>
> - you just
>> might find it useful !
>>
>> Yeah, I can relate to that. No time allowance or recognition (unless
> it is
>> convenient for admin) for ordering materials, sharpening,
> maintenance,
>> fixing, getting quotes etc for repairs, adjusting equipment , record
> and
>> accounts keeping, etc. There is only me here in Bright, and I run
> both
>> wood
>> and metal tech from year 8 to 12. With a full teaching load it is
> now
>> impossible to keep up with the maintenance. Some band aid sollutions
>> included  an attempt to get Rotary Club to send volunteers. This took
> a
>> fair
>> bit of time to set up and only lasted  one session. I now have a
> retired
>> gent to do some for cash - he is good so far but tends to go for
> holidays
>> during the winter. I have had 7 years of negotiations with the
> principals
>> and the powers that be. The bottom line is always that, according to
>> principals of other like schools, their tech staff seem to cope well
>> without
>> additional assistance and do all this work within their class-room
>> preparation time. Apart from that there is no
>>  funding.
>>
>> So my question is, are the tech areas well maintained, and who does
> the
>> work? (and are these people fairly reimbursed for that work?).
> Because
>> sure
>> as hell I cannot do that part of the job effectively on a full
> teaching
>> load.
>>
>> Fran Burgers
>>
>>  "Ripley, Robert R" <ripley.robert.r at edumail.vic.gov.au> on Sun, 15
> Apr
>> 2007 10:43:10 +1000 wrote:
>>> After 2 days at school during the term break, doing jobs that could
> not
>>> be
>> done during school days because of teaching committments, (General
> machine
>> maintenence, changing cutters, repairing/sharpening tools,
>> unloading/stacking material deliveries), all the while observing
> that
>> Science, Food, IT etc have assistant teaching personel, I'd suggest
> an
>> addition to your note to the Minister -
>>>
>>> Staffing the 'Technical' areas with suitably skilled teachers and
>> appropriate servicing personel is as important as funding for
> equipment
>> and
>> building replacement/upgrade.
>>>
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>>
>> ---
>> fbu at brightp12.vic.edu.au
>> http://www.brightp12.vic.edu.au/
>> _______________________________________________
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>> Design and Technology Mailing List kindly supported by
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>>
>> Important - This email and any attachments may be confidential. If
>> received
>> in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or
> using
>> attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of any
> loss,
>> damage or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the sender
> or
>> not, resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any attached
> files
>> our
>> liability is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any
>> representations or opinions expressed are those of the individual
> sender,
>> and not necessarily those of the Department of Education.
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>> Design and Technology Mailing List kindly supported by
>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/ - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment
> Authority
>> and
>> TEAV - Technology Education Association of Victoria
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> http://www.edulists.com.au/ - FAQ, resources, subscribe, unsubscribe
>> Design and Technology Mailing List kindly supported by
>> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/ - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment
> Authority
>> and
>> TEAV - Technology Education Association of Victoria
>
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> Design and Technology Mailing List kindly supported by
> http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/ - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment
> Authority and
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> Authority and
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> Department of Education.
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