Staff Only Day | PPTA Strike Action
August 14, 2025
Kia ora koutou
As you will be aware, the PPTA, the secondary teachers’ union, have informed our Board that members of the secondary teachers union will take strike action next Wednesday 20 August.
At MGC this means that the Board has agreed that school will be closed for instruction on Wednesday 20 August, apart from the Y12 and 13 exams which will continue as per the exam timetable. The school will be closed for instruction because the majority of our teachers are members of the union and as such we are unable to safely operate the the school as usual. However we will have a small number of non-union teachers who will supervise all Year 12 & 13 exams scheduled for Wednesday. If other students require supervision throughout the day, this will be provided in the school library.
You will also be aware that we have a staff professional learning day scheduled for Monday 18 August. This is one of two days staff only days directed by the Minister of Education to support the introduction of the new curriculum next year. It is really unfortunate that our curriculum planning day has ended up in the same week as strike action taken by the union. Our staff only day has been planned for some time and we were completely unaware of the possibility of strike action this term when planning ahead. To confirm, our staff professional learning day on Monday 18 August will go ahead, and as such school is closed for instruction. The Minister for Education does not require that we make up the time for this curriculum development day.
I appreciate that these changes to our usual timetable and learning programme may be unsettling for some. The reality is that the role and work of teachers and support staff in schools has become increasingly complex and demanding in the last couple of years. We are managing substantial changes within a complex economic environment, which is no different to most sectors in our community. Our teachers are committed professionals and not one of them takes the step into industrial action lightly, especially as our senior examination period approaches.
I appreciate your understanding and, as always, welcome your feedback and queries.
Ngā mihi nui
Mary-Jeanne Lynch
