What's Hot Term 4 Week 10

President’s Report:

Dear Colleagues,

As we close out another school year, I continue to be inspired by the incredible work being carried out across our public primary schools. Each time I visit schools and PPCs, I witness the unwavering dedication of our primary principals—committed to their students, families, and the values of Public Education. Your passion for helping every student achieve their best is a testament to the strength of our profession.

This year, we have all worked to support the Deputy Premier and the Secretary in realising the Plan for NSW Public Schools. However, we know that this vision is best achieved when principals themselves are healthy, supported, and valued, with access to the necessary resources and policies. As we look ahead to 2025, the NSW Primary Principals Association will continue to advocate to ensure these foundations are in place for all our members.

Congratulations to Judy McEwen:

I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Judy McEwen, who has been elected as Vice President of our state executive. With her election, we now have a complete state executive team.

Thank you to Danny Scott and Rob Walker for their willingness to stand in the election. It takes courage to put your name forward, and we deeply appreciate their commitment to potentially representing their colleagues.

Acknowledging Rob Walker:

As we conclude this election process, it is fitting to acknowledge the exceptional contributions of Rob Walker, who has served on the state executive for 12 years in roles including State Treasurer, Vice President, and Deputy President.

Rob’s leadership has been instrumental across many areas:

• Advocating for Gonski funding: He passionately led our campaign for fair and equitable school funding.
  
• Improving association operations: As Treasurer, Rob implemented effective policies and processes, enhancing the efficiency of our business practices.
• The Anxiety Project: Rob’s most recent contribution, designed in partnership with ParentShop, addresses a critical issue in our schools. This initiative has improved staff and parental confidence in managing anxiety in children, as highlighted by compelling project data.

On behalf of the Association, I extend heartfelt thanks to Rob for his dedicated service and leadership, and we wish him all the best for the future.

Our PSL, PCM, and Specialist Support Workforce: Acknowledging Our Primary Principal Councils:

Our PSL, PCM, and Specific Setting Support (SSS) workforce continues to deliver outstanding support across the state. Many of these individuals are current or former primary principals and valued members of the NSWPPA.

Highlights of their work this year include:

• Principal Coach Mentors (PCMs) supported more than 429 newly appointed or first-time principals, offering critical guidance during the early stages of their leadership.
• Principal School Leadership (PSL) teams supported 548 schools, many with primary enrolments, through External Validation (EV). They also facilitated approximately 4,000 interactions with principals and executive teams around school excellence.
• Collaborative Support for Unique Settings (CSUS) provided tailored assistance to schools in specialist settings or those with fewer than 100 students.
• A PEO for Hospital Schools and Youth Justice Schools was appointed earlier this year, ensuring these unique settings receive focused leadership support.

Special thanks to Belinda Jamieson, our PSL Observer at State Council, for her valuable representation.

Congratulations to all PSLs, PCMs, and the specialist support workforce for their remarkable achievements.

Early Childhood Education and HPGE & OC Working parties changed to Standing Committees:

Working Parties are formed for short-term purposes to address emerging issues. At last week’s executive meeting the decision was made to shift the Early Childhood Education (ECE) and HPGE & OC Working Parties to Standing Committees. This decision reflects that both ECE and HPGE & OC are now ongoing priorities with both highlighted in the Plan for NSW Public Schools.

This decision also gives certainty to the members of those groups to ensure they use their expertise to influence ongoing decisions. It helps them in building relationships with other key stakeholders and longer-term planning.

Opportunity to Walk the Kokoda Track:

An opportunity to walk the Kokoda Track in 2025 is being organised for SPC Principals and we would like to extend the invitation to our PPA Principal colleagues.

It is scheduled to commence on Wednesday 2 July (depart Sydney) which is the last Wednesday of Term 2 and conclude on 11 July (middle weekend of the school holiday).

The trip will be organised through Adventure Kokoda, a highly reputable and ethical trekking company. Currently we have around 10 SPC Principals coming and there is capacity for another 8-10. The cost for this trip is $4,545 plus airfares. I am arranging for Adeventure Kokoda to organise these.

Peter Morrison, our Adventure Kokoda trek leader, is excellent. He has already given a more detailed briefing to the SPC staff and is willing to do another if we need it.

Before registering, please let me know if you are interested so that I can get an idea of how many people might be going. At this stage, it is opened to Principals only, however this may change, depending on the interest expressed. 

If you are interested or need further information, please email me or give me a call. One question that usually  comes up is around fitness levels required. Happy to discuss this with you. I am hoping to finalise the planning and numbers by early Term 1, 2025

I arranged three Kokoda expeditions for students and staff from my school and I have walked the Track twice. It is a profound experience and I am looking forward to walking this one with you.

There are some videos within this link about the trip:

Mark Smith
Professional Officer
NSW Secondary Principals' Council
e: mark.professionalofficer@nswspc.org.au
m: 0461380783

Thank You Volunteers:

Our Association would not be able to operate without the hundreds of hours of voluntary work undertaken by Principals across the state.

Thank you to our 43 PPCs executive teams for the work you do supporting and representing your local principals.

Thank to our 43 Delegates for amplifying the voices of your local Principals to State Council and beyond.

Thank you to the chairs of our Reference Groups, Standing Committees and Working Parties for your leadership of your specialist areas.

Thank you to the members of our Reference Groups, Standing Committees and Working Parties for brining your knowledge and expertise to those groups.

Thank you to our local area contacts for being the conduit between your PPC and our groups.

Thank you to our state council observers for bringing your expertise and the voices of you particular groups to our Association.

Thank You Staff:

Our staff contribute many hours of work well beyond the ones for which they are paid.

Thank you to Mark Pritchard, our Executive Officer, for his deep knowledge, sage advice and dedication to the Association.

Thank you to our Professional Support Officers – Lyn Davis, Geoff Scott and Phil Seymour. Their workload in supporting principal wellbeing is immense and the care they show for our colleagues is outstanding.

Thank you to our Professional Learning Officer, Drew Janetski, for his work in providing high impact professional learning for Principals and aspiring leaders. The capacity and wellbeing of principals have been improved through Drew’s dedication to his role.

Thank you to Lisa Beare for her work in supporting the business and administration of the Association. Her dedication is demonstrating by continuing to support the Association on top of her new role in a school.

In Closing:

On behalf of the State Executive team—Norma Petrocco, Greg McLaren, Shannan Griffith, Leah Martin, Sue Maxworthy, Judy McEwen, Scott Sanford, Lee Saurins, Bob Willetts, and Adam Wynn—thank you for your dedication and contributions to our Association.

To our members who celebrate Christmas, we wish you a joyous and peaceful celebration.
To all members, we encourage you to take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the things that bring you joy. Step away from your role, if only briefly, and savour the other spaces in your life.

Wishing you all a safe and fulfilling holiday season.

Warm regards,
Michael Burgess
President