Bulletin no 387/02 16 December 2002

1. ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS

   The following nominations have been received:

   President:

   Alan McKenzie Greenock Academy

   Vice-President:

   Albert McKay Ellon Academy

   Peter Wright Broxburn Academy

   Minutes Secretary

   Alan Taylor Brannock High School, Motherwell

   General Treasurer

   Norman Geekie Milne’s High School, Fochabers

   Subject to conformation by our Scrutineers:

   Alan McKenzie will therefore be President of the Association 2003 – 2005;

   Alan Taylor, Minutes Secretary 2003 – 2007; and

   Norman Geekie, General Treasurer 2003 – 2007.

   There will be an election for the post of Vice-President. The ballot will open on Wednesday 8 January 2003 and close on Wednesday 29 January 2003.

   Ballot papers will be sent to members’ home addresses and members are asked to ensure that the Association holds your current address.

2. COUNCIL 7 DECEMBER 2002

1. Council heard reports on the McCrone Implementation Groups and on the National Qualifications.
2. Council noted the outcomes of a Special Conference on the future of the Association held on 9 November. The issues examined at the Conference will now form the basis of the strategies to be developed by Executive Committee over coming months.
   
3. Council approved the following Motions:

• Council expresses its concern about the conduct of the job sizing exercise in local authorities. It urges employers to ensure that all those involved are properly trained and accurately briefed so that the August 2003 deadline is met.

• That this Association, either on its own or in co-operation with other parties, produce posters to be prominently displayed in schools stating that staff have the right to work in an environment free from intimidation, verbal abuse and threats of physical violence.

It should also make clear that where such intimidation, abuse or threats take place, offenders could face criminal prosecution.

Council approved the following Emergency Motion:

That the General Secretary write to the Joint Secretaries of the SNCT expressing the grave concerns of the Association about the job-sizing exercise currently being carried out in Scottish schools. This Association is of the view that

• differences amongst local authorities in the information they are providing as part of the exercise may disadvantage some promoted post holders

• the questionnaire does not take in to account all the factors which influence the size of a promoted post

the total lack of information with regard to the weightings being applied to the range of data being collected is a major flaw in the whole exercise.

Members who have elected to pay their subscription by annual cheque are reminded that these should be paid by 31 January 2003, either through school representatives or directly to the Association offices. The rates set for 2003 are: full members £134.40 (£123.20 if paid by 31 January 2003); retired, part-time, job-share, temporary or supply members: £67.20.

If you currently pay by annual cheque you are strongly advised to transfer to annual Direct Debit. This method considerably reduces workload for both school representative and office staff and costs you no more than at present. Forms for this purpose are available either from your school representative or directly from this office.

Members who have opted to receive information on revised subscription rates directly to their home addresses will be contacted early in the New Year.

Members who pay their subscription by monthly direct debit are advised of the following payment dates for December’s subscription. The Association will input data to BACS on Friday 27 December which will be processed on Monday 30 December for payment on Tuesday 31 December.

Members are asked to note that the Association office will close at noon on Friday 20 December and re-open for normal business after the New Year break on Monday 6 January 2003.

6. HEADTEACHERS’ AND DEPUTE HEADTEACHERS’ SEMINAR: 20 FEBRUARY 2003

The annual seminar will be held in Falkirk in February. The programme will include the new induction arrangements, job-sizing and guidance post-McCrone. Full details will be issued early in the New Year but members are invited to log the date in their diaries.

7. WOMEN’S TRAINING DAY

The Women’s Training Day will take place in Stirling Highland Hotel on 22 March 2003. The agenda will include handling harassment, training in assertiveness, new regulations relating to maternity leave & pay and to the rights of temporary contract holders. Some time will be given separately from the main group to problems entercountered by women in middle and senior management. It is also hoped that there will be time available for dealing with any further repercussions from post-McCrone.

The day will begin at 10.30am and conclude no later than 3.45pm. Places are allocated on a first come, first serve basis and application forms are available from the office.

Following a high demand, the weekend pre-retirement course for March 2003 is full. The Association will, however, consider members who wish to attend the course on a day basis. Places are limited and it would be advisable to speak to the office as soon as possible about this.

The Association is, however, considering running a one day course of similar format later in the session. This would be a one day event, probably held in June. If you would be interested in attending this event and would like further information, please contact the office.

Please note that there is a new email address for the Lawline Service, lawline@morton-fraser.com. The phone number remains 07770 748 556. Members are reminded that this service is for personal legal matters and any professional legal matters should be referred to the General Secretary.