After years of campaigning, the State Budget brought cause for cautious celebration for many FNQ teachers and parents, with the announcement of funding for the long-awaited Cairns Special School.

The QTU’s Women Teachers and Girls Education Committee (WTGEC) has launched Girlz ‘n Frox, a new initiative which aims to connect senior girls living in isolated and remote communities with pre-loved and donated formal wear.

Six months after the election of the Palaszczuk government, it is worthwhile taking stock of the changes that have occurred.

My recent experience at the 7th Education International World Congress in Ottawa, Canada, caused me to reflect on some things that we take for granted: not least of which is the meaning of the word union.

The Safe Schools program is now available in Queensland, with the aim of creating safer educational environments where every family can belong, every teacher can teach, and every student can learn.

There is work we do as teachers and school leaders which is fundamental to our schools and TAFEs being places that are welcoming and safe for all.

We asked, and you told us. When the QTU asked members what they believed were the biggest time wasters in their professional lives – the activities that add significantly to workload but have little or no apparent educational benefit ­– nearly 500 feedback forms were submitted via the QTU website.

The information from the time wasters survey confirms members' previous advice - something needs to be done about workload.

On Tuesday 14 July, Treasurer Curtis Pitt delivered the Palaszczuk government’s first state budget.

The recent State Budget saw the state government follow through on its Letting Teachers Teach election promise by committing $6 million over three years to develop a new classification structure for teachers. Published : QTJ Vol. 120, no.6, 21 Aug 2015,p.14

The QTU’s curriculum directive has been withdrawn after the Education Minister addressed members’ concerns.

Attacks on public education and teachers and their unions are international rather than local, and require collaboration and solidarity between teacher unions internationally.

While the “GRG” funding won for Queensland schools through the Gonski campaign has not been distributed along Gonski principles, the fact that there has been extra funding, delivered directly to schools and used judiciously, has resulted in better educational outcomes in so many instances. Here's the proof.

Among a number of proposals emerging from the “Reform the Federation” process was a suggestion that the Commonwealth take on sole responsibility for funding the VET sector.

I’m very much an opportunist, so when Griffith University offered me a chance to undertake a rural practicum, I seized the opportunity with both hands.

Each July NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

At the QTU Biennial Conference, held during the mid-year holidays, a number of important policy changes were agreed related to increasing the participation of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.

Performance plans / spousal leave / reporting to parents

In discharging the duty to take reasonable steps to minimise risk of injury to students and staff, information is vital. Research projects can be very helpful.