Members should be aware of the recent guidelines from Scottish Government on Developing Policies to Promote Safe and Responsible Use of Mobile Technology in Schools.
The guidance can be downloaded from the Scottish Government’s website using the link below.
Guidance on Developing Policies to Promote Safe and Responsible Use of Mobile Technology in Schools
The Working Group set up to tackle concerns over unnecessary bureaucracy around the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence has released its Final Report and recommended a series of actions. The SSTA welcomes the Report as a genuine attempt to address one of the problems of CfE. It contains a practical and common sense set of recommendations that will be welcomed by hard pressed teachers.
The Scottish Governments statement on the report can be found on their website. The Report can also be download from the website
The SSTA would wish to bring to the attention of members Stonewall Scotland’s Campaign about the use of homophobic language in schools. The SSTA supports this campaign.
The Association is pleased to inform members that increased cover for personal possessions and malicious damage to private motor vehicles has been arranged. The cover provides insurance for damage to private vehicles, loss of personal possessions including bicycles and spectacles, loss of money and a large range of benefits for personal accidents.
Further details of the scheme is provided in the member only section of the website
The results of the recent survey of members who will be directly affected by the proposed pension changes are now available for members to view.
Summary of Results of the Survey on Pensions – October 2013 (Adobe Acrobat required to view)
The Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee will consider the results at their next meeting.
Monique Dréon-Goold, representing the Equalities Panel, accompanied the President James Forbes to the Equality Network Annual Reception in the Scottish Parliament during early November.
After opening speeches from the Equality Network, guests heard Alex Neil MSP (SNP) make a very compelling speech in favour of a just and democratic Scotland which would leave no citizen excluded from full equality in law and society.
There followed speeches in support from Marco Biagi MSP (SNP), Margaret McCulloch MSP (Scottish Labour), Jackson Carlaw MSP (Scottish Conservatives), William Rennie (Scottish Liberal Democrats) and Patrick Harvie (Scottish Green Party).
The Loud and Proud Choir provided the entertainment.
The Association is inviting members who will be directly affected by the proposed pension changes to take part in a survey to establish what their views are. Teachers born on or after 1 April 1962 will be affected by the proposed changes.
Email invitations have been sent out to members. If are affected by the proposed pension changes and have not received an invitation to the survey please email info@ssta.org.uk with your name, school, date of birth and email address to receive an invitation.
Background information on the changes is available from here.
The Survey has now closed.
The SSTA has a small group attending the above event on the 12th October led by the President. Details are as follows.
12.30pm: Assemble at eastern entrance to East Princes Street Gardens on Waverley Bridge to march to the International Brigade memorial for its rededication.
From the time when I studied teaching in Glasgow, I recall one particular lecture about multiculturalism and diversity. The students were asked to read silently a story written in what appeared to us to be standard English. (more…)
On Saturday the 17th August the President James Forbes had the great honour of awarding the SSTA prize for LGBT Learner of the Year to Eilidh Nicolson at an Awards ceremony in Ayr.
