From the Registrar
Welcome to the first edition of Registration Buzz for 2022.
This time of year sees the end of the very busy registration period for all teachers and our Board staff with the annual registration renewal period that opened in October (for teachers whose registration was due to expire) coming to a close.
As we move towards June and July, these are also busy months at the Board as we tackle the end of one financial year and the beginning of a new one. July 1st will also mark one year since the introduction of a raft of changes to the Teachers Registration and Standards Act 2004, which provides the framework for teacher registration.
Some of the key changes that came into effect on July 1, 2021, included a five-year registration term to replace the previous three-year terms (with teachers offered a choice of paying all fees upfront or annually), a restructured Board and strengthened child safety measures. The changes also allowed for the development of a Code(s) of Conduct for the teaching profession outlining the professional and personal behaviour and professional competence expected of teachers and Special Authority to Teach holders, being unregistered persons permitted to teach (of which there are approximately 200).
In 2021 we also conducted training sessions for all three employer groups regarding new notification requirements for professional competence which aligned with the new conditions that appear on all five-year term teacher registration certificates.
The changes implemented in the last 12 months and the new Code of Conduct will help the Board protect the integrity of the teaching professions and will continue to give parents peace of mind in knowing their children are in the care of rigorously assessed, competent and enthusiastic teachers.
As we look towards the second half of 2022, there is still much work to be done. We will continue to review and refine our legislation processes and look to create a draft Code of Conduct that can be provided for further community consultation and feedback.
We look forward to working with you all throughout 2022.