What's Hot April

President’s Report:

Greetings Colleagues,

It is a privilege to lead your Association. One of the highlights over the past few weeks has been connecting with principals across the state.

A special acknowledgment to our colleagues on the mid to far north coast and inland areas. It has been a challenging few weeks, not only due to severe weather but also because of the emotional trauma stirred by past events. While most schools experienced only minor damage, some staff and families have been severely impacted. Please know that your colleagues are here to provide ongoing support, if needed.

The continuing rain in recent days has raised further concerns, this time for colleagues in the northwest of our state. We hope you are all safe.

Principal Wellbeing and Workplace Safety:

The Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey, compiled by ACU’s Institute for Positive Psychology and Education (IPPE), has released its 2024 results. These reaffirm the challenges principals face regarding workload, violence, and mental health.

We finally have a Minister (Deputy Premier Prue Car) and a Secretary (Murat Dizdar) who are actively listening and taking action. Progress includes:

• Implementation of a staff wellbeing strategy
• Staff wellbeing officers to be in place from Term 2
• A fair pay deal and improved working conditions
• A genuine commitment to reducing workload

Violence against principals, school leaders, or any staff member is unacceptable. The Deputy Premier has committed to working with us to ensure safe and healthy workplaces. While our principals are highly skilled in managing people and resolving issues, extreme cases often require additional support, particularly where mental health and other complex factors are involved.

On a positive note, our continued advocacy is beginning to yield results. However, there is still much work to do. Initiatives such as simplified reports, EdConnect Online, dedicated staff wellbeing and staffing officers, an improved Access Request system, an enhanced website service, and a new school survey tool all have the potential to reduce frustration and workload.

Strengthening Public Primary Education in NSW:

To be an effective organisation, we need a clear understanding of what we believe, what we want, and how we will achieve it. This year, we are co-designing an aspirational vision for public primary education in NSW, guided by the theme Together, Walking Forward to Strengthen NSW Public Primary Education—inspired by the Aboriginal artwork created last year for the PPA.

This theme will shape our work in 2024 and culminate at the State Conference. Our goal is to have this vision in place by the end of 2025, setting up our Association for the next political election cycle leading into 2027. A consistent and clear narrative will be critical over the next two years.

Two key pieces of work underpin this effort:

1. An aspirational description of our desired future state for public primary education
2. A strategic plan outlining our actions

You will have input into these through activities led by your Delegate/Presidents at PPC meetings. Delegates will then provide ongoing input as we draft and finalise these strategic instruments.

State Council:

Our first full State Council under the new State Executive team was well received. Evaluations indicated that it met expectations and provided quality updates on key issues. PPC Presidents attended the Term 1 State Council and valued the opportunity to contribute to planning for 2025-2026. A session on the role of Presidents and Delegates was also highly regarded.

The Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, the Hon. Prue Car, and the Secretary of the Department of Education, Murat Dizdar, attended the session, though their time was cut short due to urgent travel to meet with principals in the cyclone-affected areas.

Other key highlights from State Council included:

• Jo Jarvis (School Leadership Institute) – Plans for new leadership learning
• Jenny Donovan & Ian McCarthy (CESE) – Introduction of the new School Survey Tool, replacing Tell Them From Me
• Charlie Sukkar, Linda Lazenby & Mark Greentree – Updates on device refresh plans, improved support, and AI integration

Bob Willetts led a strong session on the culture of the Association and State Council, which he plans to develop into a workshop for PPC meetings next term.

Deed of Agreement & Conference Guidelines:

Progress on the Deed of Agreement (which will replace our Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Education) has been slow. Similarly, work to develop clear guidelines on conferences and meetings has been delayed. However, we have now received draft advice and will continue to push for an agreed position that prioritises PPC meetings, State Council, and State Conference.

Welcome to New Principals & Members:

Members of our executive team recently attended the Principal Induction Conference to welcome our new colleagues and introduce them to the important role of our Association.

Welcome to our newest principals:

Below, new members Mandy and Saro receive their membership badges from President Michael Burgess.

Teachers Federation Campaign:

The Better Fairer Schools Funding Agreement is critical for NSW public primary schools. We are working alongside the Public Education Alliance (AECG, P&C, SPC, NSWTF, NSWPPA) to ensure this deal is protected. The NSW Teachers Federation is coordinating a range of campaign activities, including mobile billboards in front of schools. Federation members are encouraged to support these efforts.

Reference Groups, Standing Committees & Working Parties:

Leading up to State Council, these groups met to undertake key work in their respective areas.

Reference Groups include elected representatives from each of our 10 regions, while Standing Committees and Working Parties are formed for specific purposes via an expression of interest process. Thanks to Deputy President Norma Petrocco for ensuring all vacancies have been filled. Congratulations to those appointed, and thank you to all who put their names forward.

National Engagement – AGPPA & APPA:

Vice President Bob Willetts and I recently attended the Australian Government Primary Principals Association (AGPPA) and Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) meetings in Canberra.

AGPPA’s meeting focused on updating its strategic plan, now streamlined to two pillars: Advocate and Connect. The State of the Nation session reflected common issues across Australia, including teacher shortages, staff wellbeing, school facilities (especially in rural and remote areas), and protecting school leaders from violence.

Both associations heard from Stephen Gniel (CEO of ACARA) on curriculum development, assessment programs, and the importance of valuing teachers.

Highly Accomplished & Lead Teacher (HALT) Accreditation:

Significant improvements have been made to the HALT accreditation process. While the high standard remains, workload and processes have been streamlined. Below are resources to assist principals in supporting teachers working towards accreditation.

Key HALT resources for school leaders and aspirant applicants:

• HALT Hub form: NSW DoE HALT Hub form - access to step-by-step resources for aspirants and school leaders plus full access to the HALT Talent Pipeline team for personalised support
• MyPL readiness course link: MyPL: Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation readiness course
• Step-by-Step Guide to HALT Accreditation – refer to the attached digital flyer.
• Sample PDP goal including HALT accreditation as potential outcome – refer to the attached resource.
• School leaders are encouraged to share key HALT messaging to their executive and staff teams with the "Why HALT Now" 8-slide PowerPoint presentation, designed to provide a 10-minute overview at an upcoming meeting – refer to the attached resource.
• Become a HALT Assessor - complete this nomination form to be included on the DoE nomination list for future training opportunities with NESA. As a HALT Assessor you will significantly develop your capacity to support aspirant HALTs in your school community.
• School leaders can access new principal information and resources released on the DoE portal in March 2025.
• For more information and support don't hesitate to contact the HALT Talent Pipeline team at haltaccreditation@det.nsw.edu.au.

Technology Reference Group Updates – Vice President, Sue Maxworthy:

Timesaving safe ways to perform educational searches directly within our portal is eduSeach: 

Want to use a safe AI platform for educational support? Use NSW EduChat: 

Both platforms become more intuitive as you use them. Give them a try.
Not sure how to effectively use AI prompts to get great results from AI, use the NSW Prompt Library. 

Useful and effective resources coming from the team at ITD, supporting the work of schools. A huge thanks to the Executive team of ITD and our NSWPPA Technology Chair, Michael Sky for welcoming me as the new Executive Liaison for Technology Reference group.

Assets Reference Group Updates– Vice President, Sue Maxworthy:

Some noteworthy changes in asset management regarding self-managed works by Principals. The upper limit is now $50K, consult with your local ASO first. There is information to be shared by your local AMU team on the criteria of possible works.

Cleaning: continues to be a pain-point across the state. Follow the process and log with the cleaning company and Web Clean for resolutions.

Please refer to the Asset Reference group term 1 report for further details. A huge thanks to the Executive team of Assets and our NSWPPA Assets Chair, Anthony Buckley for welcoming me as the new Executive Liaison for Assets Reference group.

Stewart House - Vice President, Shannan Griffith:

It is a privilege to be the executive liaison for Stewart House, which is the NSWPPA charity of choice. It costs $5 million dollars to run Stewart House, and only $300 000 is given in government funding.​ Stewart House charity relies on support from schools.

From the website:

Every year, 1,600 public school children attend our safe haven next to Curl Curl beach at no cost to their parents or carers. During a 12-day stay, they are provided with dental, optical, hearing and medical screening and treatment.

Children participate in educational programs and excursions designed to develop their social and emotional skills, build self-esteem and improve their overall wellbeing.

This experience provides children with a much-needed break from their current circumstances. Our children are inspired to see beyond the present and to have real hope and positive aspirations for their future.

Children in the care of Stewart House attend a specific purpose school onsite for 10 days of their 12-day stay. The NSW Department of Education provides infrastructure and staffing support for this school.

All other costs associated with the children’s stay are met from charitable donations.

We ask you to consider ways your PPC members or schools may support the charity through fundraising or through salary deduction. The QR code below will take you to the online information for salary deduction. You can contribute in $5.00 increments up to $20 or another specified amount.

August 6 is ‘Take a Break Day’ as this is what Stewart House does for schools. Stewart House is suggesting a 'pyjama day'. We recognise this is in Education Week and that perhaps an alternate date may be more suitable for your school.

Professional Learning Newsletter – Key Updates – PLO Drew Janetzki

 Art of Leadership: A New Milestone! 

The Art of Leadership continues to thrive, reaching over 250 enrolments for 2025! Spots remain available for Semester Two programs:

• Masterclass Sydney (limited spots; requires completion of the Art of Leadership course)
• Masterclass Newcastle (requires completion of the Art of Leadership course)
• Sydney 6
• Penrith 7
• Newcastle 8
• Sydney 9
• Canberra 10
• Wagga Wagga 11

Secure your spot here: Art of Leadership Registration

New Professional Learning Opportunities:

Clarity Learning Suite Essentials (12-month program, requires full FTE Teaching allocation)

• Register via CVENT Link

Clarity Learning Suite - Lead Learning Facilitator Program

• Extended Registration until 4^th April 2025
• Register directly via CVENT

AMP Series

• Explore the AMP Series free for NSWPPA members: Access Here

NSWPPA Professional Learnings Podcast:

• Over 2500 downloads! A new interview will be released this week with President Michael Burgess. Access on your favourite platform or here

Term 2 Program Updates:

• Clarity Essentials: Details & Registration
• Clarity Lead Learner Program: Details & Registration
• TAO of Teams (Presented by Rob Stones): Details & Registration
• Performance Conversations (Presented by Rob Stones): Details & Registration
• Tough Conversations: Wednesday, 7th May 2025, at Ultimo Office. Register Here
• Anxiety Project: Join for 2025-26; EOIs close Monday 16th June 2025. More Info

Catalogue out now: https://www.nswppa.org.au/catalogue

Has your PPC done their GAP analysis? Book a time with your PLO to review your PPC's Professional Learning needs:

• Access a suitable time: here
• Or email: djanetzki@nswppa.org.au

NSW Public School Principals and Educational Leaders: You're Invited! 

Join us for an exciting CLARITY Learning Suite professional learning event:

✨ Lead Learning Walk & Talk with Dr Lyn Sharratt & the CLS Team✨
🗓 When: Thursday, 10 April
📍 Where: Manly West PS & NSW PPA office at Ultimo
💲 Cost: $350 (ex GST) – includes workshop and catering
🔑 Spots are limited! Reserve your spot now via: https://cls.claritylearningsuite.com/product/nsw-ppa-cohort-2-face-to-face-workshop/

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your leadership and professional practice with insights from leading educators! 

Principal Support – from your Principal Support Officers:

Your PSOs remind members that they have been working on strategies to assist Principals from inadvertently finding themselves in a difficult situation. Members should go to the Principal Support tab on the PPA website to access the AMP It Up series of videos and the Top Tips.  

At present there are 4 Top Tips:

1. What to do if you receive a letter of allegation from PES
2. PCard use
3. Child Protection
4. Assets

There are 5 AMP It Up videos available online:

1. Relationships – Strengthening connections within and beyond the school community.
2. Communication – Enhancing effective and transparent communication skills.
3. DoE Interactions – Navigating interactions with the Department of Education with confidence.
4. School Operations & Finance – Building operational efficiency and financial management skills.
5. Psycho-social Hazards – Addressing and mitigating psycho-social risks in school settings.

Professional Support Officers (PSOs) Contacts:

Phil Seymour      pseymour@nswppa.org.au      0412 673 378
Lyn Davis         ldavis@nswppa.org.au          0417 465 652
Geoff Scott       gscott@nswppa.org.au          0427 451 359

School Budget Finance Sessions:

Final budget allocation will be available in week 2 of term 2. However, Principals shouldn’t be waiting till then to plan their budget. The indicative budget Principals receive in October of the previous year should be used to plan. For most schools there is little variation to the original October SBAR allocation.

LAMP – Lead and Aspire Mentoring Program:

The Lead and Aspire Mentoring Program (LAMP) develops the mentoring expertise and skills of current and aspiring leaders and teachers.  Participants will increase their understanding of the purpose of mentoring, develop practical mentoring skills, and build and maintain mentoring relationships.

All levels welcome – teachers through to Principals

NSW Curriculum Key Messages | Megan Kelly Executive Director | Curriculum:

We're excited to share the newest developments and opportunities in support of our ongoing NSW Curriculum initiatives.

Optional assessments for 3–6 mathematics

Optional assessments are a new feature of the NSW Department of Education's 3–6 mathematics sample units. They are short, flexible activities to monitor student understanding and guide teaching decisions. These formative assessments align with the department's advice on effective assessment.

These optional assessments help teachers:

• identify where students are in their learning
• adapt teaching to meet the diverse needs of learners
• reinforce learning intentions by providing opportunities for real-time feedback on student understanding.

These additional resources are not mandatory. Teachers can adapt and contextualise the optional assessments for whole classes, groups, or individuals to gain valuable insights into student progress.

For more information, refer to Optional assessments in 3–6 sample mathematics units (PDF 321 KB).

New curriculum resources for primary teachers

The primary curriculum team has released a range of new K–6 resources to support teachers in effectively implementing the NSW Curriculum. These new releases on the Curriculum website include:

• remediated English K–2 Units 9–12 and Term 1 mentor and supporting texts list
• updated Modern Languages Content and Languages Integrated Learning scope and sequences.

Further information about these updates can be found at New curriculum resources for primary teachers (Term 1 Week 5).

LECI orientation for primary middle leaders

The LECI professional learning series orientation session explores how Assistant Principals and Assistant Principals, Curriculum and Instruction (AP, C&I) work closely as middle leaders in primary school contexts.

The session demonstrates how collaboratively engaging in the LECI modules can provide opportunities for school leadership teams to lead effective, school-wide curriculum implementation. Members of the leadership team at Terrigal Public School share their experience of engaging with the LECI modules collaboratively as middle leaders.

Refer to Leading effective curriculum implementation for more information.

New illustration of practice – Transitions in the Yass Learning Network

In 2024, the department released the Transition from primary to high school webpage to build understanding of continuity of learning practices and highlight strategies that can support students' academic transition from primary to high school.  

We have developed new resources including:  

• an Illustration of Practice that showcases how geographically distant and small schools in the Yass Learning network strategically plan, implement and evaluate transition practices in their community
• a series of reflective questions to support school improvement in your setting.

NSW Curriculum is committed to providing continuous improvement and support for our primary schools. If you have any questions, feedback or would like more information, please email primarycurriculum@det.nsw.edu.au.

NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships:

The NSW Premier's Teacher Scholarships are now open and accepting applications until 30 May.

They are open to government and non-government teachers across schools, early childhood centres and TAFE, and we would love your help to raise awareness and increase applications through your communication channels.

Recipients will receive $15,000 for a 5-week study tour internationally or within Australia to explore best practice in their chosen focus area. There are 13 available scholarship categories.

Communication messages and links to share through your channels

• Premier’s Teacher Scholarships website – information about each scholarship with online application link
• Promotional flyer PDF – outlines all scholarships available
• Promotional assets document – videos, graphics, wording and links to share through your channels, including:
• Social media tile and suggested caption: Applications for the NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships are now open. Invest in your professional growth and receive $15,000 to undertake a study tour within Australia or abroad. To apply, visit Premier’s Teacher Scholarships. #NSWPremiersTeacherScholarships

Shareable links: eg: LinkedIn & Twitter

Positive PPC Business

Northern Beaches PPC Term 1 Meeting. 

Principal and APC&I colleagues from Northern Beaches PPC coming together at their local PPC Meeting to learn more about the Department's suite of resources to support the implementation of the new CHPS syllabus - Together, Walking Forward.

Moree | Armidale | Tamworth Combined PPC Term 1 Meeting

A determined and dedicated group of Principals met in Moree for a 2-day combined meeting of the Moree, Armidale and Tamworth PPC's. We were treated by Moree East PS students with a stunning Acknowledgment to Country. The agenda was jam-packed with the business of our association. Our NSWPPA President Michael Burgess was in attendance for Thursday and shared many of the current priorities and items of progress with outcomes of the association. Discussion was robust and purposeful. 

Beautiful Moree turned on some fine weather and members connected, learned and shared information, despite the total combined travel to and from this meeting of 16859km, yes, you read that correctly ! What commitment from our rural and remote colleagues.  

Thank you for hosting Moree PPC and welcoming me as your new Executive Liaison of New England. 

Sue Maxworthy
NSWPPA Vice President

Liverpool PPC Conference

Last week Liverpool PPC held their annual conference. We had an exceptional two days of PPA business, engaging speakers from School Leadership Institute, Principal in Residence - Robyn Evans, Duncan Davison - co presenter of Art of Leadership and Leadership Scenarios with Greg McLaren.

During our business meeting we proposed a motion to make a donation of $5000 to Stewart House - thanks to sponsorship over the years our accounts were healthy - this was unanimously passed. During the two days we also held a raffle where we raised a further $655 - not bad for 35 attendees. Prizes were donated from members.

I have attached photos of our colleagues engaging in the NSWPPA task proposed at State Council and we hope some excellent ideas have been gathered from this to assist the way forward for our association.

Teachers Mutual Bank