Secondary Principals' Collective Agreement 2022-2024
The Secondary Principals’ Collective Agreementopen_in_new (SPCA) covering secondary school principals was ratified in February 2023 for a term of 24 months from 1 December 2022 to 1 December 2024.
In accordance with section 53(2)open_in_new of the Employment Relations Act 2000, the SPCA remains in force while a replacement collective agreement is bargained for.
Key features for the employer to note
Removal of mandatory performance agreements and appraisal –Updates to the wording of the Professional Leadership and Annual Performance Review section were made to reflect the new Professional Growth Cycle (PGC).
There is no longer the requirement for mandatory performance agreements and annual appraisals. Principals will instead participate in an annual PGC. A board still retains the ability to raise performance matters with a principal as it considers it warranted.
Support for wellbeing – The new collective agreement affirms the board’s obligations regarding principal wellbeing.
Principals will get $6,000 per annum to access professional coaching and support in their leadership roles from the beginning of Term 1, 2023 for the term of the collective agreement. The funding will be a tagged component of the school’s operating grant through the April funding drop. It will be held by school boards for principals.
Secondments – Provisions have been included to ensure the process for principals temporarily working in sector roles outside of their schools is easier, more accessible, and does not disadvantage those undertaking this work.
Remuneration – The decile-based component of each principal’s remuneration is being replaced with payments to principals in schools that fall within the top 40% of the equity index when it is calculated each year. The per student component of the Leadership in Youth Potential payment will also be tied to the equity index.
Required actions of the employer
Non-union/IEA principals – Principals employed by the board who are not members of PPTA or SPANZ will need to be offered the promulgated Secondary Principals' Individual Employment Agreementopen_in_new (IEA) for signing. The new pay rates for the employee will take effect from the date the employee signs the updated IEA.
New appointments – New principals will need to be offered the new SPCA letter of offer for employment available on the Resource Centre. Do not use old letters saved to your computer as they are out of date. If they choose not to join PPTA Te Wehengarua or SPANZ, after 30 days they will need to sign the new IEAopen_in_new.
Templates, resources, and references
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Office of the Auditor-General
Ministry of Education
- Circular 2023/01 – Settlement of the Secondary Principals' Collective Agreement 2022-2024 and new Individual Employment Agreements for Secondary Principalsopen_in_new
- Secondary principals' collective and individual employment agreementsopen_in_new
Employment Relations Act 2000