Support staff day

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Permalink Reply by Sharyn Gibbons on March 11, 2011 at 12:01pm

Hi Eileen

How wonderful that you are planning so far in advance!

For most Support Staff around the country, this is a day where they get some well deserved recognition from their colleagues.  Many schools put morning tea on.  I know of Principals in Wellington who take their support stafff out for breakfast.

As a heads up, one thing that NZEI National Office will be encouraging support staff to use the two weeks before, the week of and two weeks after as a recruitment push.  Many support staff day events include non members (potential members) so keep an eye out for information on this.  It is likely that your branch and/or area council has some funds set aside for support staff so they may be able to help out.  If you so to this link, it will allow you to click on the contact details of your local SSNCKT person(Support Staff National Caucus Kaiawhina Tautoko).  I encourage you to make contact with them as they will have ideas on how you could celebrate as well.

Cheers

 

Sharyn

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Permalink Reply by Alison Gray on March 18, 2011 at 3:31pm

Good on you Eileen.

Te Puke Branch had a gathering in a private home after school which was funded by NZEI - Drinks and nibbles. Taking it away from the school environment makes the conversation a lot more social but in saying that it is sometimes interesting exchanging each school's expectations on the Support Staff (no grumbling allowed). It is often difficult to set a time/place suitable to all SS as their timetable often ends during the day and some are committed to other activities after school.

 

Our Principal usually shouts morning tea on the day and presents each SS person with a small gift as a token of appreciation for the work done - along with a few encouraging words.

One year each teaching staff member (usually from the sydnicate where the SS worked) wrote a poem of appreciation which was read out at the morning tea.

 

I would appreciate any ideas you may receive as it is always great to have something new to do.

Alison

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Permalink Reply by Linda Jordan on March 20, 2011 at 5:09pm

Hi Eileen. 

We have been holding SS Day functions in the branch for a number of years now and have had some great success.  We started things off with an afternoon tea about 8 years ago and moved on as numbers swelled.  We have used a range of venues from the local cossie club to restaurants. Some years we have combined with other branches for collegial support and even had area dinners and breakfasts.

 

As for the school, our BOT provides morning tea for ALL support staff and I give all members a Pinky bar or some other pink treat.  All the best with your plans, and yes you do have to start early.  Don't forget that there are plenty of others in your area to help spread the workload and many more here to help give you ideas.

 

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Permalink Reply by Eileen Barnett on March 20, 2011 at 7:08pm

I hadn't thought of asking other schools about joining together.  We have a few local primary schools around us.  Thank you Linda :)

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Permalink Reply by Linda Jordan on March 21, 2011 at 9:43am

Talk to your branch about funding for an event too.  All branches should have money put aside for events such as this, even invite non members as they are prospective members and can join up when they see the collegiality that exsists within the area.  Don't forget that you will also find SS at your local Intermediate and High School.  One year I even managed to gain support from a national school supplier and they gave us a box of goodies to use as prizes.  The ideas are endless really.  Best of luck.

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