Clare Beens from Brighton Primary School at the Hisense Arena rally. THOUSANDS of striking teachers are rallying at Hisense Arena, with hundreds more spilling outside because they can't get in. More than 300 schools have been brought to a standstill as a statewide teachers' strike causes chaos for Victorian parents today. Teachers have packed out Hisense Arena ahead of a march later today. The arena has a capacity of about 15,000 people. Union state president Meredith Peace told the rally staff had walked off the job in "unprecedented" numbers. "Every school in the state has some form of disruption," she said. Public education is too important to our children to their futures and to the future of this state. The overflow protesters who could not fit into the arena Picture: Nicole Garmston She urged educators and the community to email Premier Ted Ballieu calling for a better deal. Send him a Valentine's Day message that there is no love for Ted today. Ms Peace revealed the government was still refusing to budge on its 2.5 per cent a year pay offer. She said it also included any increase in superannuation payments from the Federal Government, putting the rise at about 2.25 per cent. Have you been locked out of school today? Contact reporter Shelley Hadfield at shelley.hadfield@news.com.au Thousands of teachers rally in their fight for better pay and conditions. Mum Kara Bogicevic, a teacher at Hampton Park Primary School, took time out from family leave to rally with baby son Henry in tow. She said it was ridiculous the dispute had dragged on for so long and teachers were forced to strike for a fairer deal. "It is time wasted," she said. A valuable day like this should be spent beginning the school year and routines rather than fighting for what we really deserve. The State Government maintains students will be cared for if they turn up for class. But the union has slammed the advice. Thousands of teachers rally at Hisense Arena in their fight for better pay and conditions. More than 30,000 teachers and support staff will walk off the job in their campaign for better pay and conditions. It comes as a new report claims performance pay - a major sticking point in the two-year industrial saga - can improve professional development. Business groups warned today's action would cost the state in lost productivity as parents took time off to care for their children. Others were paying as much as $200 for a babysitter. Educators will rally at Hisense Arena at 10.30am and march to Parliament. William 2, Helen Brenan (grandma- teacher support staff), Kara Bogicevic and her son Henry (4 months) at the rally. Australian Education Union Victorian president Meredith Peace said the strike would rival a mass stoppage last September. "We've got schools closing that have never closed before," she said. We're really trying to send a very clear message to the State Government that enough is enough. Education Minister Martin Dixon reassured parents that students who attend school will be cared for. He said about 300 schools would have no students, with about 65 per cent of teachers taking action. Thousands of teachers are rallying today in their fight for better pay and conditions. Some Catholic schools are also set to close as up to 3500 staff join their public counterparts. "We are working very hard to minimise disruption," Mr Dixon said. All principals have reported in to us that in undertaking their duty-of-care obligations there are adequate supervisory arrangements in every Victorian school. Parents Victoria executive director Gail McHardy said the dispute had dragged on for too long and families were fed up. Most supported the teachers, she said. Rockmybaby master franchisee Renae Powell, whose agency has about 300 babysitters, said demand was "relentless." "It's gone up threefold," she said. Meanwhile, a report due today claims schools taking part in a teacher-based rewards trial have reported improvements in performance. With Shelley Hadfield