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Primary and intermediate principals across the country have voted to reject the Government's offer for settlement of our negotiations. The Government failed to make an offer that addresses our key issues. We're concerned that little is being done to ensure that being a principal is seen as an attractive career option.

While we're really happy that our teachers won back parity with their secondary colleagues, the same wasn't offered to primary principals. We think that if parity with secondary is fair for teachers, then surely it's fair for principals.

The offer also would have seen some principals in smaller schools paid less than some teachers in larger schools. It's important that all communities are able to attract teachers into becoming principals, and that won't happen if they can earn more as a teacher.

As a sign of our concern, we've voted to withdraw the goodwill we extend to the Ministry of Education work that's additional to our day-to-day role running schools. We will not be participating in any form of work programme, taskforce, meeting with or reporting to the Ministry between July 8 and August 16, but we will continue our professional leadership of schools during this time.

Principals continue to hope that the Government will hear us and address our issues - we're committed to continuing our campaign until they do. We're grateful for the support that the public has shown throughout the campaign, and we hope you'll continue to show your support as long as is necessary.