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Strike ‘to put kids first’

Claire Ottaviano, Joondalup WeekenderWanneroo Times

Davallia, Eddystone, Joondalup, Marmion and Quinns Beach primary schools as well as Joondalup, Roseworth and Creaney education support centres will join more than 50 schools closing to attend a union meeting at Gloucester Park from 9.30am to 11.30am.

The State School Teachers’ Union, the CPSU/CSA and United Voice called the meeting to update members on State Government budget cuts in education.

Education Department director-general Sharyn O’Neill said on 6PR yesterday the department anticipated staff would return to school to start regular classes after lunchtime. She said schools would send letters to parents, but advised them to keep in contact with their child’s school if they had concerns.

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Schools have been busy this week preparing letters to parents informing them of any disruptions to normal school hours.

In a letter to parents on Tuesday, Tapping Primary School principal Bill Boylan said it was expected most teachers and support staff would attend the statewide meeting.

‘This will mean normal levels of supervision cannot be guaranteed during this time,’ he said.

‘Students who do attend will be supervised but normal timetables will be suspended.’

He said the staff at Tapping were prepared to declare they were opposed to the cuts and their effect on students, despite the cost of having their pay docked for attending the meeting.

‘We hope our school community understands the importance of ‘putting our kids first’ and support the stand the staff are taking,’ he said.

The Education Department advised schools to make every effort to stay open.