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President’s Report

Term 2 Week 10 and WHAT A TERM IT’S BEEN!!

Good afternoon one and all,

Can I simply ask you to pause and take a deep breath!!! What you have led, managed and delivered on this term is nothing less than remarkable. Your agility and focus, your incredible work ethic - your attention to detail as well as your ethical and moral purpose keeping your eyes on what matters most, all came to the fore.

Managing the budget adjustments along with EVERYTHING else that came across your desk in Term 2 has been EXTRAORDINARY. For some, the budget adjustments were managed with relative ease for a vast range of reasons and for others it has taken some time to work through.

Never lose sight of the fact that the work in our schools has continued and our students remain the focus as does our staff as schools are places of rich and explicit teaching and learning. YOU have much to be proud of and I remind you to celebrate that with your colleagues, your staff, your community and importantly your students.

Often our professional lives are so forward thinking we forget to pause a moment to celebrate the wins… more importantly to celebrate what we actually achieved and how far we have come. This term too with reporting to families and carers a feature of the term along with school celebrations and events, our calendars have been very full.

We are officially mid-way through the 2024 school year!!!

I ask you prioritise YOU when you close the gate on Friday. Step right away from your school – body and mind and allow yourself to have some time. I am reminded of the types of rest we all require to sustain and thrive professionally and personally.

Mental rest – take a break from thinking - walk, run and meditate.
Physical rest – rest your body – sleep and relax.
Emotional rest - be true to your feelings – time to say ‘no’ - prioritise YOU.
Spiritual rest – find meaning – spend time in nature.
Sensory rest – unplug from screens and settle in to some quiet time.

Some of what we have been across term:

Budget announcements and site specific follow ups | AGPPA APPA forums | School Visits – Broken Hill | Reference Group Standing Committee and Working Party meetings | Webinars | Policy and Procedure Review Program | FLOURISH | Finance and Administration forums | Regional, Rural, Metropolitan ROADSHOWS |  Collaboration with NSWTF | NSWPPA Priorities 2024 | ConnectED | Digital Channels Uplift | Rural South and West Conference | Executive Director Meetings | Priority Matters Consultations | Staff Wellbeing Strategy | Meeting with the Deputy Premier | AMP it up Professional Learning | NSWSPC Conference | NSRA Discussions | NSWPPA State Council | State Executive and Chairpersons Meetings | Australian Education Awards panels  | Public Education Awards panels | NESA Meetings | HPGE Forums | AI Working Group | SBAR Health Check | NAIDOC Week Events | SLI Advisory Group | Public Education Roundtable | Partner and Stakeholder Disability Reform Discussion | NSWPPA Professional Learning Suite .

External Validation | Peer Principal:

Huge congratulations to all schools who were part of the EV process this term – the streamlined process is really being valued by schools – the feedback to the EV team has been very strong.

THANK YOU too to our PEER PRINCIPALS who are an integral part of the EV panel. I would like to acknowledge the role you play is of such significance offering that school lens and line of sightin preparing for the EV panel on the evidence being shared and discussed and your commitment to your colleagues in the process.

Road Shows | Bella Vista PS:

Yesterday I joined some 170 colleagues at Bella Vista PS for the 2024 Roadshow series. Secretary Murat | Dizdar along with the Deputy Secretaries, Executive Directors and Directors Educational Leadership joined the forum. Deputy Premier | Prue Car also joined the Road Show for the morning session. It was an excellent opportunity to reflect on our successes to date and the challenges ahead yet to discuss and share possible solutions of great advantage to our system. Huge thank you Derek Danby | Principal Bella Vista PS and his staff for hosting the Roadshow. The conversations generated were rich and focused on the right work for us to be doing in our schools now and into the future.

Public Education Round Table | St Clair High School

Last week key stakeholders met with Secretary | Murat Dizdar and Deputy Premier | Prue Car to discuss the progress on ‘Our Plan for NSW Public Schools’ Of significance there was measurable impact under the six pillars discussed and a 'report card' of the progress will be shared with the workforce. We can never lose sight of the importance of the work we are leading in our schools. The power of public education provides opportunities for all and transforms lives through learning. We all have a part to play - together we will... With actions that...so...and we'll measure success by...

Thank you too to Julie Tegart |Principal St Clair HS for such warm hospitality.

Primary Principals’ Council Meetings

Over the past few weeks – the NSWPPA Executive and I have been engaged in Primary Principal Council meetings across the state where the business of the Association has been front and centre. It was incredible to see colleagues connecting and collaborating in these forums – collegiality is so incredibly important. These connections are vital in sustaining the energy we collectively generate in leading public schools across NSW. Thank you to our Delegates who lead the business sessions at PPC Meeting and the broader PPC Executive for ensuring the agenda’s meet the needs of the principalship. 

The Association of Retired Primary Principals:

Earlier this term Executive Liaison | Vice President Trish Peters and I were warmly invited to attend the ARPP luncheon held at Sydney Rowing Club. Tom Croker and his executive hosted the event and it was well attended. Not only were our colleagues interested in the work of the Association today and what was the state of play in our schools currently but also interest was shown in the support they can offer us as an Association. And, there were lots of conversations about local, national and international travel!!

Many thanks for the generous invitation to join you all.

NAIDOC Week Celebrations | Keep the fire burning Blak, loud and proud:

Our Schools are celebrating and recognizing NAIDOC Week this week and when we return to school. NAIDOC is during the midyear break.

The celebration at 105 Phillip St this year was incredibly special. Nova Peris’ message was truly amazing as was the artwork and vocalist.

Thankyou to our colleagues and students alike.   

SAVE THE DATE:

2024 Public Education Awards | previously known as the Ministers and Secretary’s Awards for Excellence
Monday 5 August | Sydney Town Hall commencing at 5.30 – 7.30pm
Please lock this special event into your calendar as it opens Public Education Week for 2024.

Follow Up from Term 2 State Council:

State Council this term was richly productive, and your delegate would have provided you with a comprehensive and full briefing including the work we did on EQUITY. Conversations with colleagues invited to present gave clarity and provocation to possibilities as the Executive and Chairs lead the right work for our schools to be across. Our pillars of Support, Empower, Advocate and Lead have never been more important. Huge appreciation and thanks to all in the room term 2 for your offerings and engagement. Special thank you too to those who step up for you when you are in the room at State Council.

I would also like to acknowledge the colleagues who unfortunately had to spend an extra night in Sydney after flight delays and more flight delays and eventually flight cancellations.

A reminder too that the NSWPPA Executive have followed up on questions from the floor at State Council this term and answers will be found in the Delegates Kit. We are still waiting on a few of the more complex questions to be returned to the Chair of some of the sessions.

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Teacher Relief Support for Winter | Director, Program Delivery, School Workforce | Suzie Ly:

Teacher Relief Support for Winter initiative has commenced. The Department’s dedicated team of case managers have begun working with schools to source casual teachers, and drop-in sessions for schools needing support with ClassCover and induction has begun.

Please see the attached flyer to promote the resources and individualised support that we are offering to schools to prepare for teacher relief over the winter months.

Welcome to the Principalship:

We warmly welcome these colleagues to the Principalship - a noble and rewarding profession – such a privilege to lead a school through the successes and celebrations as well as through periods such as these. Together with our staff, students and communities we lean on our colleagues and share in our next steps. Please know there is much support available to our early career principals including your mentor, Principal School Leadership, Primary Principal Council Executive and colleagues as well as the NSWPPA Executive and Professional Support Officers – Lyn Davis 0417 465 652, Geoff Scott 0427 451 359 and Phil Seymour 0412 673 378. I am also available at the end of the phone anytime, email or text 0429 547 619.

Welcome, Welcome, Welcome – your communities are very fortunate to have you. Remember to update your details on the NSWPPA website so your contact details are accurate and you are contactable.

Behaviour Support for Schools (repeat):

The behaviour support for schools has been incredibly well attended and the feedback has been positive for the team. Thread 3 and 4 information is available for these workshops. The practical nature – tips and resources for classrooms and playground feature.

Upcoming events to register for:
Monday 22 July – Coffs Harbour, Tamworth and Dubbo
Tuesday 20 August – Penrith, Wagga Wagga and Batemans Bay.

Upcoming NSWPPA State Executive Election | 2024-2026 (repeat):

Mark Pritchard | Executive Officer presides over the NSWPPA State Executive Elections. Term 3 is nomination and election time.

Please note the dates: 
Week 5 Wednesday 21 August Nominations Open
Week 7 Wednesday 4 September Nominations Close
Week 8 Wednesday 11 September Election Opens
Week 10 Wednesday 25 September Election Closes
Week 10 Thursday 26 September Election Result Broadcast to all members

The role description and commitment of individual positions is explained in the ‘Handbook for members of the NSW Primary Principals’ Association’ available on the website. Take the time to speak to one of the current Executive if you are considering nominating for the upcoming election. Any one of us would be happy to share the privilege of being an elected member of the Executive. The newly elected and incoming Executive commence at the conclusion of the NSWPPA State Conference 2024.

Updating your information on the website and financial status (repeat):

As we lead into term 3 and in preparation for the NSWPPA Executive Election and the NSWPPA State Conference registration, I urge you to check your financial status and your information listed on the website.

Currently we are having issues with logging into the website if you haven’t done so for a while.

If you require any assistance, contact our Business Manager: Lisa Beare – admin@nswppa.org.au or 0438233045.

Annual Conference Registration Opens 9:30am Tuesday 23 July:

Tuesday 29 October - Friday 1 November at Sofitel Wentworth Sydney. 
Conference theme: The Power of Legacy 

The registration cost remains the same as the last two years.  
Face-to-face $1050 / Virtual (online access) $500. 

Confirmed speakers:  
Dean Boxall – Olympic swim coach
Kate McClymont AM – journalist for SMH
Dr Jordan Nguyen – engineer and inventor
Vanessa Stoykov – CEO financial education media company
Dr Gina Cleo – Habit expert
Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts – First Nations human rights advocate
Dr Arne Rubinstein – CEO & founder of The Rites of Passage Institute
Dr Dinesh Palipani OAM – doctor, lawyer, scientist and disability advocate
Prof. Georgina Long AO – 2024 Australian of the Year
Dr Simon Breakspear - MC – educational leader, researcher & advisor

We have organised for a new tab to be added to the PPA website for conference. This will be updated regularly, particularly leading up to conference. All the information you need will be on there.

Registration opens 9:30am Tuesday 23 July 2024

Polly and Louise are working hard in the sponsorship area. There were 35 registrations within 30 minutes of sponsorship opening! Remember that sponsorship covers the cost of our social events so lock in the EXPO date for your office staff and exec members to attend on Tuesday 29 October. The EXPO theme is Carnival of Legacies, so start planning your accessories/props/outfits.

Daryl and Vicki are working hard behind the scenes to ensure that registration opens on day 2, week 1 of next term, and Michelle is liaising with the Retired principals and PPA Life Members to organise their functions to be held on Wednesday 20^th October to coincide with the NSWPPA Awards Ceremony.

And finally….

Have a well deserved and restful break. This is really critical as we mark the middle of the 2024 school year. Your priority is recovery.

Thank you for your amazing leadership and for drawing on your reserves to ensure Public Education is what it is. YOU are the difference in your school – on behalf of the NSWPPA Executive and staff I say a heartfelt thank you to you individually. Collectively the Principalship of NSW is in the finest of hands.

On behalf
Kindest regards,
Robyn
Robyn Evans
NSWPPA President