The New Zealand Secondary Principals’ council (NZSPC) negotiates the Secondary Principals' Collective Agreement with the Ministry of Education on behalf of principal members. Below are the Terms of Settlement negotiated for 2011 - 2013.
Download Secondary Principals' Collective Agreement 2011
Terms of Settlement of the Secondary Principals’ Collective Agreement 11 February 2011
1. Term (clause 1.3)
From 11 February 2011 to 29 March 2013.
2. Concurrence
In order to assist employers and employees understand their opportunities and obligations around concurrence for principal terms and conditions, the note to clause 1.5 has been rewritten.
3. Responsibilities of the Board (clause 2.1)
A new sub clause (2.1.2) was introduced to this clause.
4. Leadership in Realising Youth Potential (clause 3.1.5)
From the date that the collective agreement is signed by the parties the Leadership in Realising Youth Potential per annum payment will increase from $2,000 to $3,500 and be payable to all secondary principals.
5. Translation payment
A payment of $2000 will be made, soon after the new collective agreement comes into force; to all principals covered by the Secondary Principals’ Collective Agreement who have completed five or fewer years of service as the principal in a year 9-13 (form 3-7) or a year 7-13 (form 1-7) school, (and junior high schools and senior high schools), on 28 January 2011 (service shall be defined as for the Secondary Principals’ Career Structure – clause 4.4).
This payment is contingent on the introduction of the Secondary Principals’ Career Structure and the other agreed changes in the collective agreement, and recognises that secondary principals are translating to a new career structure, which involves the removal of the individual payment for experience in role, and that they have forgone increases in U-grade, and staffing based salary component to achieve this.
6. Performance (part 4)
Part four was expanded and rewritten.
7. Introduction of a Secondary Principals’ Career Structure (new clause 4.4)
A new career structure for secondary principals comes into effect from the date that the collective agreement is signed by the parties. This career structure is to support growth of professional leadership and build capacity across the secondary sector and to encourage and recognise individual professional growth, leadership and contribution of secondary principals.
The structure involves payment of an on-going secondary principals’ career allowance made to individual secondary principals who meet specific criteria at three successive stages as outlined in 4.4.
Underpinning progression within this career structure is the ongoing performance agreement and performance review outlined in the rewritten clauses 4.1 and 4.2, where review and an agreed professional learning and development plan is integral to the future development of both the principal and school.
Secondary principals will be eligible to progress through the three stages after 3, 6 and 9 years continuous service as the principal in a year 9-13 (form 3-7) or a year 7-13 (form 1-7) school, (this includes junior high schools and senior high schools), subject to meeting and maintaining the professional criteria as affirmed by boards at each of the thresholds.
As part of the introduction of the Secondary Principals’ Career Structure, the parties have agreed to the deletion of the Individual Payment for Experience from the date that the collective agreement is signed by the parties. A principal cannot receive the experience payment in clause 3.1.4 (of the 2007-2010 SPCA) while receiving a career allowance.
The parties have agreed to meet approximately six months prior to the expiry of the collective agreement to discuss how the new career structure, and any related matters, have developed and operated.
8. Sabbaticals (clause 5.11)
From 2012 the number of secondary principals’ sabbaticals will reduce from 50 to 45.
From 2012 the period of ten weeks for each secondary principal sabbatical leave may, with the employer’s approval, be taken in two blocks during one school year. The blocks must be whole weeks in duration, with the minimum block being three weeks.
9. Disciplinary and Competency (part 6)
Part 6 was expanded and rewritten.
10. Transfers and removals (part 10)
The parties have agreed to extend this clause to cover experienced secondary principals who have at least three years continuous service and who move to a school that has both a lower decile and lower U-grade. The parties also agreed to some minor technical changes to ensure that expenses are claimed for houses that are the principal’s nominated principal place of residence, and to align the provisions with current resourcing guidelines that state that a lump sum payment would be payable.
The parties have also agreed that the items above, plus the attached collective agreement (subject to any agreed editorial changes) shall form the Terms of Settlement for the Secondary Principals’ Collective Agreement 2011-2013. Other changes therein include defining ‘secondary school’ in clause 1.4, specifying notice requirements for both permanent and fixed term positions in the case of the disestablishment of the principal’s position in clause 8.1 and including the Professional Standards for Secondary Principals.
Download Secondary Principals' Collective Agreement 2011
Marion Norton
Signed on behalf of the New Zealand Post Primary Teachers Association
Patrick Walsh
Signed on behalf of the Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand
Sarah Borrell
Signed on behalf of the Secretary for Education
Colin Davies
Witnessed on behalf of the New Zealand School Trustees Association
