What's Hot Term 3 Week 9

President’s Report:

Week 9 Term 3!!

It’s full steam ahead as we head into the last weeks of term 3!! You will be attending your local PPC meeting over the next few weeks – these meetings are key to you connecting with colleagues - these connections are key.  They are of great value to your wellbeing – being across all that is going on following State Council but also on a professional /personal level to catch up with your friends and colleagues and sharing practice, expertise and time in company.

Simon Sinek: ‘The true value of networking doesn’t come from how many people we can meet, but rather how many people we can introduce to others.’

Since the last What’s Hot we have been across much – just a few of them:

SINSW Administration Hubs | Principals Webinars | PPC Meetings | NESA Board Meetings | Codesign Policy Packs | HPGE Advisory Group | AI Working Group | SBAR Health Check | NAIDOC Events | Public Education Week | SLI Advisory Group | Public Education Roundtable | Partner and Stakeholder Discussions | State Executive Meetings | Deputy Secretary Meeting with Executive | PSL/EV Working Group | PPA Position Paper work | Federation Meetings with local members | Australian Education Awards | NSWTF Conference | Principal Induction with SLI | PLO AMP it UP | AGPPA Executive Meeting | Priority Matters Catch UP | ANXIETY Project | HCM Program |SAIP webinar | NSW Premiers Teacher Scholarships | Australian Primary Principals Day | WORKFORCE WELLBEING FORUM 4 | NSRA discussions Pre EMM Meeting | AGPPA and APPA Meetings | Principal Support Forum | SRE Meetings | Meeting with Secretary | Meeting with Deputy Premier | Syllabus Launch Briefing | Strategy and Program Work Group | Staff Wellbeing Advisory Group | ACCC Meeting | National Child Safety Review | Western Australia Primary Principals’ Association Conference – AGPPA representation |RoundTable Teacher Housing |Religious Intolerance Hotline briefing |  IFS Funding | Federal Education  Minister Jason Clare Joint Statement and Response | Canberra Funding Forum with the AEU

ACIP | AP C&I:

With the announcement around the ACIP’s review and recommendations for 2025, another piece of a complex puzzle in planning for next year can be placed.

We all know the incredible value of these positions in curriculum reform and supporting staff – including our early career teachers. The expertise of our colleagues lifts the system in curriculum delivery and shapes explicit teaching in literacy and numeracy. Support in implementing other curriculum, supporting collaboration and on occasions when absolutely necessary taking uncovered classes will extend the current role. Many of our APC&I’s are currently doing these things in their schools. There has been much discussion about post curriculum reform. The team working on this includes Emma Trusswell and Emma Mansfield – the feedback from the AP C&I’s, AP’s, teachers and Principals will continue to shape their thinking and planning. We will continue to work closely in this space to ensure the voice of colleagues is heard and practice in schools is illuminated and valued.

School Development Days 2025:

The announcement of five school development days for 2025 has landed well in the main. Remember that day 1 of term 2 for 2025 is HPGE and will be a ‘system designated’ SDD till further notice. This helps in planning forward. Collaborative practice will feature significantly for schools on these SDDs in order to enable staff to collaborate and plan each term. Please adhere to guidelines provided.

Parliamentary Inquiry Report into Children and Young People with a Disability in NSW Educational Settings:

This report has been published and is available. These recommendations will be discussed with relevant Executive and Chairpersons and the system will support recommendations for schools and settings. The Stakeholder Roundtable on the Disability Royal Commissions finding with a focus on education was held during week 7 - SSP Chairperson Mark Gosbell represented the NSWPPA brilliantly.

Every Child Campaign – National Event:

The NSW Teachers Federation along with the AEU, NSWPPA, NSWSPC, NSW AECG, NSW P&C, teachers and students met with similar representative groups from QLD, SA, VIC, ACT and NSW following the cosigned letter to Federal Education Minister Jason Clare. We met with a number of senators and Jason Clare himself providing real time narratives about the difference full and fair funding would make. There is a sense of urgency for the students in our schools to be correctly funded to ensure the provision of public education is met. Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning | Prue Car was present and addressed the media with clarity and purpose. This event was on the back of the co-signed letter to Minister Clare about the urgency to meet the funding required in our government schools. Our Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning is deliberate and intentional about her stand on the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement. She is indeed the greatest advocate for securing this funding in our public schools.

2024 - 2026 NSWPPA Executive Elections:

Exciting times ahead!!
Principals who are financial members of the NSWPPA may nominate candidates for each of the eleven vacant State Executive positions. There are eleven State Executive positions. On this occasion, we are electing a PRESIDENT only. There are three candidates standing for this position.

PLEASE ensure you vote. Votes close on 25 September. The NSWPPA Executive will be announced at this time. This Executive will serve the membership for the period November 2024– October 2026.

Other positions have been secured by those who nominated and there has not been a need to host an election for DEPUTY PRESIDENT | VICE PRESIDENT | TREASURER.

There will be a second election held to secure a SECRETARY for the Association and dependent on the election results a VICE PRESIDENT may also be required to complete the Executive team. Please keep your eye out for these incredible opportunities. 

NSWPPA Merchandise – Krubi Creative

The limited edition silk scarf and tie will be AVAILABLE for purchase at State Conference in Week 3 Term 4. Credit card payments are preferred or correct cash. The scarves are $60 and the ties $30. Once the run of merchandise is sold we will determine future orders as we anticipate the merchandise will be sought by the membership.

NSWPPA Conference – The Power of Legacy… only weeks away now!!

With us not far from hitting the 600 in person registration limit we are excited about the upcoming NSWPPA Conference. Please ensure you are across the details and have let your DEL know you are attending and who is relieving in your school. Also be mindful of the cost of your accommodation. If it is over the daily DoE stated limit, you are to cover the difference personally. If you are staying an extra night BEFORE OR AFTER the Conference that too is a personal cost.

Whilst this is not new information, it is timely to be reminded.

Thank you | Chairperson Recognition:

This term, Michael Burgess, Michael Trist and I met with Deputy Premier Prue Car and her Chief of Staff Jo Matthews. Key Conversations:

• The Better and Fairer Schools Agreement (2025-2034)

Recognition of the incredible advocacy and strong stand – workforce acknowledgement. | Education Ministers Meeting | briefing appreciation from the Department – valuable for the workforce.

• Human Resources – Staffing Agreement and Award

Considerations and opportunities | NSWPPA position paper  

*Executive Teaching time and ACIP
*Release from face-to-face teaching 
*Staffing Formulae 
*Small schools 
*Additional Staffing 
*Principal Classification  

• Special Religious Education (SRE) and Special Education in Ethics (SEE)

*Our coverage to date
*What’s working well – even better if
*Who we have been working with and why
*Policy and school practice 
*Opportunities we see - ‘meaningful activities’

The Deputy Premier is very invested in Public Education and seeks our input into solutions to the challenges we are all facing.

The Education Act and Legislation are unlikely to be changed. We can however pursue the notion of clarifying ‘meaningful activities’ that we can refer to in schools. Clarity about these tasks will first be sought and can then be used in our schools to inform parents and carers and support teachers in ensuring the time spent for those not attending SRE or SEE is well spent. There is clarity about ‘no new’ learning is to be covered but we can see an opportunity for all schools to refine the learning that takes place for those who do not attend SRE and SEE each week.

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.

University of Sydney Create Centre Workshops:

CREATE Centre’s upcoming Workshop Week from 11 -13 November 2024 at the Seymour Centre: https://www.sydney.edu.au/arts/our-research/centres-institutes-and-groups/create-centre/create-centre-workshop-week.html This event is an excellent opportunity for educators to explore innovative arts and education programs. Please share this information with your network of primary school leaders.

Your Wellbeing, Our Advocacy | Deputy President Bob Willetts:

Colleagues, we write to encourage you to set aside some time to complete some surveys that are key data sets we use in our advocacy.

The Principal Occupational Health and Wellbeing Survey

This has been a major data set in place for a decade and has resulted in policy changes throughout in NSW and Nationally. The survey provides you with a personalised annual data set and a personal “Red flag” email if you reach any health and wellbeing thresholds.

The People Matters Survey is a whole of Government survey that shows key wellbeing and HR performance indicators across all sectors. It is a key data set that we have used in a range of advocacy including the NSWPPA Workforce Wellbeing Forums with the DoE Senior Executive.

The survey was sent to all employees on 19th August.

Secondary Trauma Stress (Vicarious Trauma)

Secondary Trauma on Educators - New Study

Although many educators are implementing trauma informed practice to better support the wellbeing and learning of students who have experienced trauma, there is a lack of focus on the impact of this important work on educators.

Supporting students with trauma exposes educators to secondary trauma (commonly called vicarious trauma in the community).

We are committed to identifying strategies that are effective in managing and reducing the impact of secondary trauma.

This study has received Deakin University ethics approval (reference number: 2024-040).

The Anxiety Project trials Learnworlds learning management system | Deputy President Rob Walker:

The NSW Primary Principals Association (NSWPPA) is utilising a Learning Management System (LMS) to enhance its professional learning offerings. This system has already been instrumental in supporting the implementation of The Anxiety Project, providing resources and training to the current 113 schools involved in the project to help them effectively manage student anxiety.

The 140 school-based Implementation Coaches supporting the delivery of the project in schools use Learnworlds to

• Access
• course content
• student lesson plans
• parent training resources
• professional reading
• recordings of fortnightly Coach zoom cafes, the showcase days, the once per term Principal cafes and, briefings provided to Principals and coaches to support the delivery of the Project
• Share school-developed materials
• Engage in conversation with each other
• Track progress in the implementation of the Project
• Complete implementation checklists
• Complete course learning tasks
• Access research survey instruments by time interval
• Complete annual review tasks relating to the Project

Learnworlds can be used to manage multiple courses, create websites, house marketing materials, provide access insights by user, and has a phone app.

Moving forward, Learnworlds will be a key platform for delivering professional learning content tailored to the needs of NSWPPA members. One of the latest initiatives to be featured is the AMP It Up series, which will be released at our 2024 State Conference. This series is based on insights and data from the Professional Support Officer position and aims to equip members with strategies and tools to elevate their leadership and school operations.

NESA Changes to Professional Development (PD) and to how teachers maintain accreditation | Vice President Norma Petrocco:

What is different?

• Elective and Accredited PD categories have been removed
• It is no longer mandatory for teachers to complete PD in the priority areas
• Teachers are no longer required to write an evaluation on completed PD
• PD will be logged against relevant Standards, not Standard Descriptors
• HALTS will have the same flexibility in their PD and no minimum professional commitment requirements.

What is the same?

• All PD hours already completed and logged will contribute to a current maintenance cycle
• Teachers log at least 100 hours of PD during their maintenance period
• Teachers keep a record of their PD hours in eTAMS or on a personal log
• Providers can continue to promote their accredited courses until the accreditation expiry date.

NESA is developing a PD framework to help teachers select, implement and reflect on effective PD activities.

Teachers will have agency to select a wide range of relevant PD activities, appropriate to their learning needs and contexts.

These changes will ensure that all NSW teachers:

• can choose PD that best suits them
• spend less time on administrative tasks
• have more time to focus on teaching and improving student/child outcomes.

Refer to the NESA website for further information. Optional NESA Professional Development Log attached. 

Significant Changes to Mandatory Training from Term 1 2025

There are significant changes to mandatory training commencing in Term 1 2025. All staff must complete any existing outstanding mandatory training before 6 December (Term 4, Week 8). There will be a temporary freeze period from 9 December until 20 December (Term 4, Weeks 9 & 10) to migrant existing data. 

New staff will complete a new 'on commencement' package spread over 12 months. All existing staff will complete a one-hour annual competency check (ACC). Please note if you have not completed all existing relevant mandatory training by the 6 December, you will not be eligible for the annual competency check in 2025. A 'light package' will be introduced to support short-term or seasonal staff. Please inform your staff of these changes. 

Staffing Clarification | Secretary Michael Trist:

ACIP Freeze

Principals are reminded that the freeze on new Above Centrally Identified Positions only applies to executive positions. If school funds are available, new teacher positions may still be created.

Primary Curriculum Release

Curriculum Reform release time is planned to continue in 2025. Where possible, schools should continue to provide Curriculum Reform release time for teachers. Go to Curriculum reform release time (nsw.gov.au) for clarification

2024 Professional Learning | PLO Drew Janetzki:

Signature Leadership Program – The Art of Leadership 2025 dates out now!

As we celebrate 10 years of The Art of Leadership, we are excited to announce that 2025 dates are now open for bookings! This signature program has consistently sold out, and the incredible feedback we’ve received over the years speaks volumes:

• 2014 testimonials showcased how this program transformed the leadership journey of educational leaders.
• 2024 testimonials highlight the continued impact and success of our participants.

Make sure to book your spot early for The Art of Leadership 2025 Masterclass as places fill up fast!

Welcome to the Updated Professional Learning Catalogue!

Read all of the updated on our latest catalogue:

New Offerings and Signature Programs:

•  The Art of Leadership Masterclass 2025 – Book your spot now! (https://www.nswppa.org.au/art-of-leadership) 
•  Reflective Supervision Scholarship – Scholarship opportunity applications close Friday 16th November 2024
•  AMP Series – Coming soon in Term 4
•  Anxiety Project EOI – Express your interest before the end of Term 3 .(27 September) Missed the showcase day?

Register to watch the replay via: https://www.nswppa.org.au/the-anxiety-project 

Tough Conversations: Monday 21st October, 2024 Last face to face in Ultimo for 2024 book via: 

CLARITY Learning Suite – Free webinar opportunities on explicit teaching alignment via: 

Register via
Weblink: 

CLARITY Learning Suite Pilot Program: 

We are pleased to share that the 2024 CLARITY Learning Suite Pilot Program has been a great success! we appreciate your enthusiasm and continued commitment to leadership development.

Enrol directly via: 

Has your PPC done a GAP analysis  of your members Professional Learning needs ?

Take the PPC review to help plan your next Professional Learning through your NSW Primary Principals Association Professional Learning Suite

Book a time with your PLO to receive your GAP analysis report

We look forward to your participation and hope these programs will continue to inspire and support your leadership journey.

AMP Series coming soon in Term 4

Podcast:

Listen to our guests we have had on our podcast in 2024:

Top tips form the PSO’s

A Note From our Sponsor Life Ed:

bCyberwise program tackles online predatory behaviour risk for children

Life Ed’s school-based cyber safety program remains a vital resource for helping primary school children navigate the complexities of online risks. The program, designed for children aged 8-10, equips them with essential skills to recognise, respond to, and report online threats.

The program teaches students to identify and address unsafe online situations by recognising body clues and employing strategies such as stopping, blocking, ignoring, and reporting suspicious behaviour. These practices are crucial as online threats and inappropriate content continue to affect young people. According to the Office of the e-Safety Commissioner, one in five young Australians has experienced online threats or abuse, and one in four has been contacted by strangers online.

Parents often find themselves struggling to keep up with online risks, with many feeling ill-equipped to protect their children. Life Ed NSW CEO, Jonathon Peatfield emphasises the need for ongoing, comprehensive online safety education for children, parents, and teachers. “It’s important that children are equipped with the tools to stay safe online, including effective help-seeking and conflict resolution skills for when things go wrong.”

“We also need to ensure that parents and teachers are well-equipped to protect children from online dangers. Parents have reached out for support with monitoring screen time, ensuring safety around online strangers and inappropriate content, and educating their children about safeguarding personal information online.

Teachers have expressed a need for more resources to address contemporary and challenging issues, such as consent, coercive behavior, and predatory behavior. In response, we’ve developed a program tailored to meet the evolving needs of children and their communities.

The program features a range of additional learning resources for teachers to build on the Life Ed visit, as well as free online resources for parents to help facilitate discussions about these important topics at home.”

The ‘bCyberwise’ program is endorsed by the Office of the e-Safety Commissioner as a trusted provider of eSafety education in schools, reflecting its ongoing commitment to addressing the needs of today’s digital landscape.

For more information, visit the link below.

A Note From our Sponsor TM Bank:

The Bank for Teachers

Nearly 60 years ago, a group of passionate teachers came together to lay the foundations of what would become Teachers Mutual Bank. Today, Teachers Mutual Bank continues delivering on the vision of greater financial options for teachers.

From removing monthly account fees so your money goes further, to offering a low-interest credit card to help you manage emergencies, all the way through to flexible home loan options that are suited to your needs, we’re here to help. 

Our home lending policy works with teaching contracts, not against them, unlocking home loans opportunities that might otherwise seem out of reach.

Teachers have enough to worry about, their banking shouldn’t be another one.  We’re committed to helping you build your financial wellbeing while being a bank that is a force for good in our communities and society.

Without teachers, we wouldn’t be where we are today and we’ll never forget that. We continue to believe teachers deserve a bank that understands them, which is why we do things differently at Teachers Mutual Bank.

As part of our commitment to give back to our community, we have developed some educational podcasts designed to help you better understand your finances. Listen now our podcast on saving

Membership criteria, fees and T&C’s apply. T&C’s and the TMD are on tmbank.com.au. General advice only. Teachers Mutual Bank is a division of Teachers Mutual Bank Limited ABN 30 087 650 459 AFSL 238981 |

2025 Professional Development Package - Digital PDP

Professional learning packages are now available to assist principals and school executives in preparing for the 2025 performance and development cycle with the Digital PDP.  They were developed in consultation with colleagues from our working group with the SPC and PPA who provided valuable insight and feedback to ensure the packs meet staff needs.

There are two packages to choose from which may be used during school development days:

1. New to the Digital PDP: For those starting with the Digital PDP
2. Continuing with the Digital PDP: For finalising the 2024 cycle and preparing for 2025.

Each pack offers flexibility, allowing schools to tailor the contents to their specific needs. 

Both packages include:

• PowerPoint presentation with speaking notes
• Guide for facilitators
• Specific section for principals and supervisors
• Resources to support implementation
• How schools have adopted the Digital PDP
• 2025 PDP PL schedule 

These packages can be downloaded from the Digital PDP intranet page.

We have published articles in the Staff Noticeboard signalling the launch of this package to all school staff.

New Transition to High School Scout Report:

CESE has released the Transition to High School Scout report to help high schools support continuity of learning and wellbeing as students transition to Year 7. The report was previously known as Student on a Page. 

The report contains a range of student data and information to help high schools plan for their incoming Year 7 cohort. 

Primary schools play an important role in sharing student information – a key practice identified by school-based colleagues in supporting transition to high school. The Transition to High School report will automate the data sharing process to help support conversations and strengthen collaboration between primary and high schools. 

CESE Schools Policy would like to thank all primary school staff who provided their time and insights which helped shape this work. 

For more information, refer to Transition to high school.

NSW Curriculum Reform Key Messages:

We're excited to share the latest updates and opportunities as part of our ongoing NSW Curriculum Reform efforts.

Resources to support engagement with the K-6 Creative Arts, HSIE, PDHPE and Science and Technology (CHPS) syllabuses

A suite of videos are being created to support schools to engage with the new CHPS syllabuses. The videos are being created in partnership with NESA to highlight the key changes and considerations for each syllabus.  These videos will be available on the curriculum planning, programming and assessing K-6 page in week 10 this term. The link will be communicated via the primary curriculum statewide staffroom and Staff Noticeboard once it is available. 

To assist school leaders with the effective implementation of the CHPS syllabuses, the following syllabus information for school leaders is available for each KLA:

• Creative Arts K–6
• Human Society and its Environment K–6
• Personal Development, Health and Physical Education K–6
• Science and Technology K–6

Share the resource release announcement with your staff.

School leaders are encouraged to review the syllabus release and implementation timeline K–6 and models of curriculum implementation – primary in preparation for the engage phase of curriculum implementation in 2025 and 2026.

De-escalation of Student Behaviours professional learning:

The NSW Department of Education and Victorian Department of Education have partnered to develop a De-escalation of student behaviour professional learning course. De-escalation of student behaviour provides school staff with a comprehensive guide to understanding, preventing and responding to escalated student behaviour and includes extensive practical information and strategies, a discussion guide for school leaders, and resources to support planning and collaboration with students and their families. This universal course resource is suitable for all NSW public school education settings, including Support Units and Schools for Specific Purposes.

The course supports department’s Plan for NSW Public Education by strengthening student wellbeing and ensuring schools are inclusive and safe. Early feedback from teachers, deputy principals and principals has been positive.

• “I love the mention of allowing students to de-escalate safely with dignity – such a key consideration. Excellent scenarios – all quite intense and realistic at the same time. These will be engaging for teachers.” Secondary Deputy Principal, NSW.

• “There is such a big appetite for this course. The images and videos look good, and the young people shown will appeal to both primary and secondary schools.” Primary Principal, NSW.

• “The scenarios are great and include a student with disability. My staff will really be able to connect with this professional learning because we can see our students in it.” SSP Principal, NSW.

This professional learning compliments the existing Safety Interventions training provided by Student Wellbeing Support.

Details at a glance

Cost: Free
Access: On-demand eLearning through MyPL (Course number AC01054)
Duration: 10 micro-modules (5 hours)
Suitable for: All teaching staff and relevant support staff
NESA accredited: Yes, at Proficient level

Optional discussion guide for school leaders to lead collaboration in their school

An optional discussion guide is available within the course for school leaders to support staff to identify how their learning from each module can be applied in their unique setting.

Course overview

The course will provide staff with extensive practical information and strategies including:

• identifying and understanding the causes of escalated behaviour
• implementing best practice classroom management to support positive behaviour
• identifying the early signs of agitation in students and effective responses
• recognising the signs that student behaviour is escalating and how to respond
• using blocking and disengagement practices to support safe responses to escalated student behaviour
• responding after a behaviour incident to support the wellbeing of students and staff
• post-incident response and planning for ongoing support.

Recommended practices demonstrate detailed and realistic scenarios relating to primary and secondary students including those who require substantial or extensive adjustments. The course includes resources to support planning for and collaboration with students and families.

A new portal to help schools manage energy and waste more effectively:

In line with Our Plan for NSW Public Education and Commitment to Sustainability monitoring your school's energy use and waste has never been easier with the launch of the new Utilities portal in Scout.

For schools included in whole-of-government contracts, the new Utilities portal centralises your electricity, gas and waste reports and provides interactive dashboards, improved navigation and more detailed information.

Enhanced energy reports

Schools can now compare their monthly electricity and gas usage and costs to previous years, track emissions and compare consumption patterns to other schools in the same climate zone.

New electricity daily detail report

Schools with smart meters can use this report to track their peak consumption periods over a 24-hour period and view how much electricity is being drawn from the grid. Schools with solar panels can also see the amount of excess solar energy being exported back to the grid.

New waste report

The new waste report includes information about costs and offers valuable insights about the amount and type of waste generated, recycled or diverted to landfill.

Benefits for schools

With all your school’s energy and waste data now in one place, it’s easy to spot inefficiencies and target improvements to help your school operate more efficiently and sustainably.

If you notice major discrepancies or sudden changes, please email the Utilities team as timely investigation and resolution will help prevent unnecessary wastage and costs.

Integrating insights from these reports into daily school routines and classrooms can help foster a culture of sustainability and more responsible practices.

Further information and support

Discover the benefits of these new and improved reports by exploring the Utilities portal in Scout or access helpful resources.

Alternatively, email the Sustainability team with any questions. Your feedback and suggestions are important in helping us refine and improve these reports to better meet your operational needs.

First of the 100 new public preschools opening Term 4:

The first of the new 100 public preschools is anticipated to open at Gulyangarri Public School in Liverpool during Term 4 2024, pending building and regulatory approvals. With the ongoing support of the Early Learning team, principal Ian Tapuska and his staff have been busy preparing for their new youngest learners to arrive. 

Early Learning team - proud to support the new 100 

The Early Learning team in Curriculum and Reform act on behalf of the department as the approved provider of NSW public preschools and has experience managing the 99 existing public preschools. The Early Learning team will ensure schools receiving a new public preschool are well supported to understand and meet the requirements of the National Quality Framework, are compliant with the National Law and Regulations, and meet or exceed the National Quality Standard. 

As the number of public preschools increases, so too will the resources and support provided by the Early Learning team to ensure principals are supported to take on new responsibilities. For instance, the team will guide each new preschool through the service approval application and deliver preschool induction sessions on key topics such as procedures, philosophy and compliance. 

Find out more at Support for 100 new public preschools (nsw.gov.au) and Why I love leading a public preschool (nsw.gov.au) 

If you have questions about establishing, leading and operating a public preschool, please contact the Early Learning team at earlylearning@det.nsw.edu.au. 

If you have questions about the preschool builds or the 100 public preschools program as a whole, contact 100preschools@det.nsw.edu.au 

Quality transition to primary school:

A variety of timely ‘Planning for high quality transitions to primary school’ face-to-face professional learning sessions are available for primary school leaders and teachers in Term 3. Additional ‘Planning for high quality transitions to primary school’ professional learning sessions for 2025 will be advertised in the new transition to primary school Statewide Staffroom (Staff Noticeboard) 

The sessions are delivered by the department’s Early Learning team.  

The professional learning supports the department’s priority, as outlined in Our Plan for NSW Public Education, to give all children the best start in learning by creating better transitions between early childhood education and primary school.    

The full day (9am-3pm) PL offers a range of practical strategies, resources and reflective prompts to support leaders implementing compliant, inclusive and effective transition to kindergarten programs, aligned with evidence-based research.  It is an opportunity to connect and collaborate with other local public schools about transition to kindergarten.    

Register for the professional learning 

For support with planning and implementing great transition to primary school programs contact EarlyLearning@det.nsw.edu.au  

The Australian Teacher Workforce Survey is now open!

Each year, registered teachers and leaders across schools and early childhood settings are invited to share their experiences and challenges of working in the profession through the Australian Teacher Workforce Survey.

Your experience as a leader is unique. Have your say in the biggest teacher survey in Australia and share more about your wellbeing, job demands, working hours and career intentions.

The workforce is stretched, time is limited, and filling out an extra survey can add to the load, but we need to hear from you and teachers to help us understand how to build a more sustainable teaching profession. We invite you to take 10-15 minutes out of your busy schedules to complete the survey.

Can you help to reach more teachers?

As leaders, you play a crucial role in fostering engagement and can significantly impact teacher response rates. In fact, when leaders and mentors in schools advocate for teachers to complete the survey or set aside time for their staff to do so, response rates soar. As a school leader, we would greatly appreciate your help to encourage your teachers to participate by sending out the sample email text attached and, if possible, setting aside time in your staff meeting for teachers in your school to complete the survey.

To access the survey, look for an email sent by NESA.

Responses to the Australian Teacher Workforce Survey are confidential and will be de-identified before inclusion in the ATWD. No teacher or school will be identified. Read more about how your privacy is protected.

Further information

The Australian Teacher Workforce Survey is part of the Australian Teacher Workforce Data (ATWD) initiative and is the biggest survey of the teaching profession in Australia.

The ATWD is supported by all governments, employer groups and associations, and is delivering a comprehensive picture of the national teacher workforce, from initial teacher education through all stages of the teacher career, and across all states, territories and employer sectors.

Helpful links

What teachers have told us so far

NESA privacy policy

Become a host school for a school-based :

Applications for the NSW Department of Education’s Djinggi School-Based Traineeship Program are now open for NSW public schools and students until 27 September.  

All NSW public schools can apply to host a Djinggi school-based trainee.

The Djinggi program will support up to 100 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander public school students to work as trainees in public schools, preschools or the department’s corporate offices. 

The program, in association with the Elsa Dixon Employment Grant, supports students to balance school, paid work and training while earning a qualification that contributes to their HSC. 

If your school would like to participate, contact sbat@det.nsw.edu.au for more information on eligibility criteria and how to become a host school. 

WHS Safety Snips:

In Closing:

In closing this report I reference Simon Sinek again…

‘Life in beautiful not because of the things we see or the things we do. Life is beautiful because of the people we meet.’

And …….. ‘Building a strong culture is what builds a strong organisation’

Never underestimate the strength of collegiality at a local, network, community of practice and across the state.

This term at State Council the current NSWPPA State Executive celebrated the work they had covered in the environment we have all experienced over the past four years.

On behalf of each and every one of the Executive we absolutely agree that we have experienced a ‘moment in time’ that has progressed the Association to the next level. A strong culture has indeed been embedded in all we have led and we have together committed to being in the room at the ground level. 

The work has presented challenges that we have risen to each and every time because it MATTERS. It is the RIGHT WORK we have invested in. The leadership of our schools’ matter. Our people – our Principals’ are the jewel in the school – they are the lever to success – culturally and academically.

The past four years have been colourful to say the least and, the world changed during this time…

This Executive walked with you through bushfire, flood, mice plague, worldwide pandemic – COVID, lockdown LGA’s, mask wearing, learning from home, covid testing, daily announcements from the NSW Premier and  NSW Chief Health Officer on the number of COVID cases | hospitalisation | and sadly deaths, compulsory vaccinations, travel restrictions, isolation from family, friends and colleagues, ZOOM and TEAM meetings (we communicated and taught), preparation of work packs, food hampers, phone check ins, online parent teacher interviews, staff meetings, School Development Days, the challenges of the Behaviour Strategy,  chronic teacher shortages, unprecedented industrial action by the NSW Teachers Federation, a change in NSW Government -  a newly appointed NSW Deputy Premier / Minister for Education and NSW Secretary of the Department of Education, Education Support Team changes, transformative curriculum reform and Treasury Budget impacting on every school across NSW … and there’s been plenty of other planned and unplanned events and changes we have faced – T O G E T H E R.

WE as a collective have STOOD STRONGER than we ever have – WE have collectively faced every challenge with deliberate and intentional actions to understand and solve AND it has bound us tightly as an Association. It is remarkable when you think about it. WE each have our own stories to tell. YOU are simply INCREDIBLE humans – YOU have led your schools AND stepped up time and time again. We as an Association drew on our shared culture and commitment to leader and workforce wellbeing as well as on EVERY occasion put ourselves forward to be in the room to do the hard work. I am in awe of the work we are across… all led brilliantly by the NSWPPA Executive | Chairs | Observers | RG WP SC members | PPC Executive and every one of the NSWPPA members workforce.

When you pause to think about it, the closer we are to the work the better reform and policy lands in schools. HOW we engage matters and what we have collectively achieved is incredible – the work continues and there will always be much to be across and achieve in the future.

Authentic collaboration is key. Being in on the work at ‘sunrise’ is key – starting with the why. I am hopeful and optimistic about the future – we have well and truly faced the hardest of things – the Association will continue to go from strength to strength as we hand the ‘baton’ forward to the incoming Executive Term 4 Week 4.

Never underestimate the expertise and superpowers you have and those in your colleagues. When you a part of a TEAM that UNDERSTANDS AND COMMITS to what it LOOKS LIKE, SOUNDS LIKE and FEEL LIKE to be a TEAM PLAYER and each member of the team STEPS UP and LEANS in on each other’s EXPERTISE and have the ability to COMMUNICATE it forward YOU CAN GUARANTEE you kick the most incredible goals … some, at the time might seem insignificant yet they actually become the foundations for what’s possible .. and the lever for purpose and action. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE the IMPACT YOU have contributed to in your role.

YOU don’t always see the work that is done in-confidence and with such purpose and strength by the Association. Sometimes we find ourselves sitting with the discomfort of situations and decisions and at other times we sit with pending announcements that have been invested in, to land brilliantly in our schools. We respectfully hold the line and offer solutions with a focus on ALL settings and ALL students. I credit each and every one of you for ENSURING I always have the right information and carry the right voice into forums – no one has every lived experience but I know, I have invested in making it my business to learn as much as I can to take forward and take the experts with me into the room that have and will continue to shape the landscape of Public Education.

And finally,

On behalf of the NSWPPA Executive – Rob Walker, Bob Willetts, Michael Burgess, Leah Martin, Trish Peters, Norma Petrocco, Stuart Wylie, Greg McLaren, Michael Trist and Scott Sanford – I would like to extend a huge thank you for your generous invitation to many of your PPC Meetings this term to present and co-present with your Delegates. These meetings to date have been incredibly well attended. These connections matter – your personal contribution is key and collective action forward is a commitment. Remember the collective has greatest impact. Our greatest resource is our people – each other – US.

The 2025 calendar will open soon to secure your PPC Meeting dates – information regarding guidelines for meeting venues are imminent. Initial information has been distributed to the workforce from Secretary | Murat Dizdar.

A delegation of 18 including Executive, Chairs and Delegates will be representing the NSWPPA at the APPA Trans Tasman Conference in Christchurch. I will also be attending the APPA NAC Meeting representing NSW Government Schools in this forum. This Conference is important not only from the perspective of learning from and with colleagues and presenters but also to offer and share the great things happening in NSW in our schools. The delegation will be presenting back at the Term 4 State Council Meeting as well as sharing the learning with Secretary Murat Dizdar and Deputy Premier Prue Car. The delegation attending this Conference are taking personal leave to attend. An extraordinary meeting was held with the voting body of the Association to discuss and have the changes explained. The voting body unanimously endorsed the delegation attending. APPA Conference attendance was originally endorsed in Term 1 2024.  I will remain contactable during this period of time. Please email me and I will return your enquiry. Please include a contact number so I can contact you as soon as possible.

Have a fabulous week one and all.

Kindest regards,
Robyn
Robyn Evans
NSWPPA President
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