IEU Rep profile: Noel Cowall, Xavier College junior school

Nick’s commitment to supporting both teaching and general staff is a great example of the fundamental role that unionism plays in creating fair working conditions in schools.

Nick has been teaching music in Catholic and independent schools for over 25 years and is currently the Head of Choral at Xavier. An experienced Rep, he’s a veteran of Enterprise Agreement bargaining, and he’s also a member of the school’s Consultative Committee.

What unionism means to me

Unionism, to me, represents a collective commitment to uphold the rights, dignity, and voices of educators and support staff within the workplace. It’s about fostering social justice and solidarity among colleagues, ensuring that everyone has a platform to express concerns, and working collaboratively to negotiate improved conditions and environments conducive to both teaching and learning.

Unionism is not just a protective measure/insurance policy; it’s an active, dynamic force for progressive change, seeking to balance the scales of power between employees and employers and to advocate for policies that benefit the entire educational community.

The most important union issue at my school

At Xavier College, the pressing union issues include the pursuit of equitable workload distribution, appropriate renumeration for work in co-curricular programs, and adequate compensation for teachers and general staff. This includes the challenge of addressing excessive workloads, which can lead to burnout and affect the quality of teaching provided to students.

Ensuring fair compensation and manageable workloads is crucial for sustaining the wellbeing and effectiveness of staff. These goals require vigilant advocacy and negotiation to align leadership expectations with realistic, humane conditions for educators and support staff.

What I most want for educators for Christmas

For Christmas, I wish for all teachers and support staff a renewed sense of appreciation and support from leadership. This could take the form of tangible benefits such as improved resources, professional development opportunities, and policies that recognise and reward the hard work teachers and support staff do every day.

Beyond material aspects, fostering a school culture that values staff input, stamps out bullying and promotes mental health and wellness would be a meaningful gift that enhances the professional and personal lives of educators.

How great union Reps are

Union Reps are linchpins in the ongoing effort to improve educational environments. They often put their heads on the chopping block, dedicate their time to understanding complex issues, advocate for fair policies, and provide support to colleagues in need.

As a union Rep, my role involves not only addressing immediate concerns but also strategising for long-term improvements, making contributions invaluable to the whole educational community.