Australia's Science Forum

Our faculty meetings are once a fortnight and I always attend unless there is a SASS meeting at the same time (this happens sometimes). Lately there is more to attend to on the SASS side of things, so necessary to attend those meetings. I am, however, made welcome at faculty meetings and I put my foot down at the first one I attended, that I would NOT under any circumstances take the minutes.

Julie

We have a faculty meeting once a fortnight, and I am made to feel very welcome by the HOD. The others are a bit wary, as I usually tell them a few home truths, like how messy they leave the labs, writing on the desks is getting out of hand, doors aren't being locked, etc.
I find it's a good way to keep up with what's happening in regard to prac tests, and general school activities, so I don't mind attending. Plus it's at lunchtime, and the HOD organises a nice fruit platter!!

No I do not go to meetings. The HOD tells me what I need to know from these meetings if needs be.
Regarding staff and interaction, well I have been here now for 22 years, know where the skeletons are hidden, am on the safety committee, I am the IT Technician so basically I get no hassle from staff. Did once though, teacher demanded that I do something fro her straight away as I was the hired help to her, I just turned around put my back to her and walked away. She came back about an hour later with chocolates and apologies.

Hi everyone
Funny this should be asked. I recently went to Head of Admin staff (Burser)with this as one of the issues. I am never even told of faculty meetings (they are intermittant) let alone have any input through anyone. I have to try and "catch" as many teachers at lunchtime as I can to tell them things they should know. Head teacher doesn't think I have anything worthwhile to contribute - except washing up by hand.Had a recent OHS inspection though and HT was told they were lucky to have an "excellent lab assistant" -worked till 5pm (paid till 3.30pm)for previous 2 weeks to tie up loose ends and told by Head teacher the area "just needed a little tidy up"! Burser said that the inspection has stood me in good stead to get my issues looked at. Maybe theres hope
Regards
Sue G

Keep speaking up for yourself, Sue. Any OHS concerns are a good place to start, and surely common sense will flow over into your Faculty putting better teamwork into practice.

Good Luck!

Yes every week

I attend most faculity meetings and it has always been expected that I would attend. We have had 5 different HOLA's in my time here, and it has made no difference as to my going. I have always been treated as an active member of our team and the longer I stay the greater my role has become. Occasionally if I am busy or if meetings are after school and I have other plans, I will enquire as to how important it is to attend that particular meeting. I like to know exactly what teaching plans are in place, as I find different teaching strategies directly effect what is required of me in the way of resources and support. I love being actively involved in planning and would hate just being asked to prepare pracs with no understanding of the outcomes each activity is related. I regularly tweek pracs and provide alternatives better suited to our students and the resources we have available.
I love my work
Diana

I have just spent a weekend in Busselton (lovely spot on geograph bay, south of perth) with the school staff.
As well as having a great time socially :, I actually got a lot out of the pd that was conducted. A fair bit concentrated on improving literacy so I have come back with lots of ideas of new posters I can make (or buy) that will help with word recognition. I also learnt about strategies in place for behaviour management.
But perhaps most importantaly it made me feel even more part of the staff and not just that lady in the lab who wears a white coat!!!

Morning all,
Well - I am a bit of a mushroom but that works for me!
Never attended a faculty or a staff meeting. Didn't even realise I should go to the Staff Development Day morning meeting until I missed a couple. My old school did not include SASS staff in anything.
My Science HT has given me the occasional agenda for the faculty meetings but generally I'm not too concerned about being left out of these. I always get invited to the social events - dinner and drinks are definitely more my style!!
For SASS meetings - we have an "informal gathering" over morning tea every fortnight when the school is at assembly. I don't always go to these because it is on my Science day so I don't like to stop what I'm doing. Every Friday the school has a social morning tea and we close the admin office (its my office day) and all have a supplied morning tea and raffles and a brief talk by the Principal or DP - usually only about successes - congratulating people for good things that have happened that week. That works for me.
Great to hear all your experiences. Generally I just coast along setting up pracs to the best of my ability with no idea of the intended outcome and no clue as to tweak them for improvements. But I still am in my first year of part time Labby so maybe when I have a few more years under my belt I'll have a bigger picture.

Patti