Alexandra’s Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) members are using the strike day for good and to positively raise awareness of their struggle for increased pay.

They carried out a lakeside cleanup at the Clyde boat ramp near the pontoons; others donated baking to those less fortunate; and one teacher is tackling the Alexandra clock climb eight times to illustrate the eight hours of the school day.

Dunstan High School teacher Laura Boulton said the group wanted to do more than stand on the roadside with signs.

“Protesting can bring with it negative responses and we wanted to make it positive and make it about the community. 

“We really appreciate our community support and this is our way of giving back.”

PPTA members (from left) Stacey Elliot, Heather Taylor (front) Brittney Goodrick and Paige Stringer. 

Apple and chocolate muffins baked by PPTA members and students at DHS hostel in the morning were donated to the Alexandra Salvation Army Food bank

DHS guidance councillor Julie Williamson’s mission up to the clock each hour was to show how the school day can sometimes be seen as an eight hour long uphill battle. 

Julie and supporters

PPTA local branch chairperson and DHS head of senco (special needs education) Nathan Love was collecting rubbish with three other PPTA members.

They picked up four black bags of mess and hardfill rubbish during two hours of volunteer work. 

Nathan said it was important to get the message across that the campaign was bigger than Alexandra and Clyde.

“Teachers here are a part of the community as well, we all coach the same sports teams… and many of us have kids at home too.

“We’re not getting paid today, so the idea is to contribute to the community… and then we’ve got to make up the shortfall.”

Drama Teacher Nic Miessel also gave up his time to clean up the Lake Dunstan foreshore 

Nathan said some PPTA members were picking up additional work outside teaching to help with their bills after doing the clean up or baking this morning.

The industrial action follows a recent strike when 50,000 teachers missed a day of work (on March 16). 

Read more: Teachers rally for more pay in Alexandra