To the University of Sydney,

Due to the public holiday of the 22nd of September, pre-service teachers would like an exemption of a 20 day professional experience period. Instead we are in favour of a 19 day period or other arrangements such as making up a day next professional experience. 

The proposed motion of making up the public holiday by attending one day of school next term is outright impractical. The nature of professional experience has already led to our situations with work and emotional commitments precarious. This proposal would only further worsen the precarious nature of these commitments. Additionally, this proposed day will interfere with scheduling for end of year assessments, an already stressful proposition.

The unforeseen nature of the public holiday should not be met with further sacrifices for a cohort that has already sacrificed potential livelihood and wellbeing in a hazardous economy. The proposed extra day would coincide and interfere with strict assessment schedules, prompting the question of whether special consideration would be implemented for students affected.

We agree to uphold the other criteria of the professional experience such as 19 days of attendance and 10 lessons taught. We ask the  University to act on behalf of our interests in this time. We ask NESA and the Department of Education to also make exemptions. 

Sincerely, 

Pre-Service Teachers of the University of Sydney