Welcome to the September edition of Registration Buzz for 2024.

There are many projects underway at the TRB as we head into the latter part of the year and one of these is the renovation of the TRB office at 70 Pirie Street. Work is currently underway to provide modern and confidential office spaces, including meeting rooms for teachers and the public. We hope that once complete, visitors to the office will appreciate the lighter, more welcoming spaces.

Last year as part of our 50^th anniversary celebrations, we introduced two new awards that will be open for applications annually from 9^th September to recognise the important work of teachers in our state.

The Teachers Registration Board Service Award recognises teachers with 20 or more years of service to the teaching profession. Teachers are able to self-nominate or be nominated by another registered teacher who is currently working with the nominee or has done so in the five years prior to nomination.

The Minister’s Graduate Achievement Prize recognises a pre-service teacher (PST) who has recently graduated, or is about to graduate, from a South Australian Initial Teacher Education program, who has overcome a hurdle during their study, for example a personal, academic, financial, or health issue that may have otherwise been a barrier to their success. We would love to see your nominations for these awards. For more information, please visit our website at www.trb.sa.edu.au/home/about-us/awards-and-prizes.

Soon the annual registration renewal period will open on the 10^th   October for teachers whose registration is due to expire in January 2025. As we approach the renewal period, we appreciate it is a busy time of year for all teachers and we aim to make the renewal process as easy as possible. If you’re unsure whether you need to renew, you can check your status on your teacher portal.

From the 1^st August 2024, a Code of Conduct for teachers (the Code) came into operation. The Code applies to all South Australian registered teachers and special authorisation holders (SATs).

The Code is overarching. It sets standards of the regulator, supports employer guidance and codes, and conforms with the adopted Protective Practices Guidelines.

Please see the Code of Conduct article later in this Buzz for more, as well as the continued work being done in the in the early childhood space since the recommendations handed down by the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.

Improvements to remove regulatory burden on teachers also continued with improved registration practices and removal of duplication requirements for teachers to produce proof of completion of individual training of mandatory notification requirements. These changes do not impact teacher obligations to report or to receive ongoing training, but ensure national consistency, reducing the need to re-supply the same documentation to an employer and registering body. This change was widely welcomed by the profession.

Work has also been undertaken to build understanding of community feedback to identify areas for improvement and to resolve complaints. Further work will continue in the coming months with streamlined processes being embraced by Board staff.

As we look towards the end of the year, we look forward to building upon the work that has been our strategic focus throughout 2024.