What's Hot September

President’s Report:

I hope you’ve been able to enjoy the recent run of warmer weather after what felt like a very long, wet winter. With spring now here, there’s a renewed sense of energy and optimism in our schools as the sun returns.

Term 3 has been a season of celebration across Public Education and of recognising the people who work tirelessly to strengthen our schools. Public Education Week was a tremendous success, showcasing the incredible work happening in schools every day. Alongside this, we’ve celebrated Australian Primary Principals Day, Book Week, SASS Recognition Week, arts festivals, the Goodooga Games, and the culmination of PSSA sporting pathways. For many students and staff, these events provide the bright moments that lift engagement and reignite passion for learning and community.

At the same time, they also remind us of the many extra hours our workforce contributes to create such opportunities for students and families. Thank you for your dedication to public education, your school communities, and most importantly, your students.

Looking ahead, excitement is building for our annual conference. The conference team has designed an inspiring agenda to strengthen leadership capacity, ignite passion, build motivation, and support wellbeing. Our line-up of speakers will tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing primary principals today:

Yasmin London – AI and cyber safety
Damon Gameau – environmental education
Nasir Siobhani – mental health and the importance of community connection
Bernie Shakeshaft – supporting vulnerable students

We’ll also hear from speakers who will provide practical strategies to enhance leadership:

Gilbert Enoka – motivating and managing teams
Cathy Freeman & Kath Koschel – resilience and personal motivation
Jana Pittman (alumni of Matthew Pearce PS) – finding inspiration through lived experience
Finally, Adam Fraser will share his latest research on the impact of secondary trauma on school leaders, offering valuable strategies to recognise and manage its effects.

This year’s conference promises to be both energising and deeply relevant as we walk forward to strengthen public education.

State Council:

Last week’s State Council brought together your representatives from across NSW to receive updates on key issues and to amplify the voices of members. Your delegates will provide further detail at upcoming PPC meetings over the next fortnight.

Our chairs and observers presented critical updates on the business of the Association, highlighting the progress of their work and the impact it is having across our system. To improve access, their written reports are attached to this newsletter.

We also welcomed Secretary Murat Dizdar, who spent an hour sharing his thinking on a range of initiatives. He spoke candidly about the challenge of operating within a tight budget, the need to prioritise, and identifying the levers most likely to deliver impact. His update included:

• safety measures for children at childcare sites
• the Community Charter/Code of Conduct
• preschool resourcing
• support class allocation
• the Better, Fairer Schools Funding Agreement
• the Staff Wellbeing Strategy

Importantly, Murat confirmed that executive curriculum release funding will continue into 2026 (at 75% of the 2025 allocation), despite the program being due to end this year. He also confirmed that small group tuition will continue into 2026.

The Council also heard updates from key teams across the Department:

Curriculum – progress on the new Creative Arts, History, and PDHPE syllabuses and the excellent resources available to support them.

Fraud and Corruption Prevention – prompting reflection on conflicts of interest and strategies to mitigate risk, and highlighting the new online reporting system (see below).

Integrity Declarations – the new SAP portal is now live, replacing paper-based forms for declaring:

• conflicts of interest
• gifts, benefits and hospitality
• private and secondary employment
• private interests.

This move to a digital system streamlines processes and comes ahead of the 2026 requirement for principals to declare private interests annually.

Health and Safety – updates on new resources and online reporting tools.

Communications and Engagement – an overview of the new website service and resources to support school promotion.

School Excellence – a review of the EV process, its role in ensuring a profession-led evaluation model, and an update on the role replacing PSLs.

Thank you to our Executive team for their work in developing and delivering such a comprehensive agenda.

State Council Kit and Reports:

Are you interested in what happens at State Council each term? Are you an Area Council representative that is looking for your Groups report? All of the Council Kits, Reports and Minutes are found on our Website in the members dashboard. Please log in to the website and click on Members Dashboard. These are uploaded straight after the State Council Meeting in Week 7 of each term. 

Welcome to the Principalship:

We warmly welcome these colleagues to the principalship.

Early Childhood Care & Learning:

Following on from the horrific incidents that have occurred in early childhood care services the NSW government is leading the way in introducing new or amended legislation. This will tighten up requirements around child safety, working with children checks, monitoring and transparency.

The government, via the department, has reached out on several occasions to seek feedback on key aspects of the changes. Obviously, I have backed anything that improves child safety. At the same time, I have raised the need for support for our current and future pre-schools to meet the increased compliance. In particular, if the legislation is passed, the need for clear communication to Principals and ongoing support to meet the requirements.

Voluntary Contributions:

We have been working with Murat’s team and other stakeholders to seek clarity on voluntary school contributions ahead of 2026. Given the diversity of views on this issue, reaching agreement is taking some time.

The Association’s position remains clear: the current policy is effective and should be retained. What is needed is stronger guidance and clearer communication to schools and communities. I am hopeful that further information will be shared early next term.

In the meantime, the key points to remember are:

Requests for contributions should be developed in consultation with your school community. They must clearly outline how contributions will be used, beyond the delivery of the core curriculum.

All communication must emphasise that contributions are voluntary, and that families unable to pay can seek assistance directly from the Principal.

Teaching & Learning Commission:

This week Federal Minister for Education, Jason Clare, announced the amalgamation of the federal education authority bodies into one organisation to be called the Teaching & Learning Commission.

This means ACARA, AITSL, AERO will come under the one body.

There is little detail yet but the new organisation will need to work to have positive impact on the ground. There is great opportunity and possibility in this announcement. We don’t want this to simply be a shuffling of acronyms.

The Flourish Movement Podcasts:

The Flourish Movement Podcasts provide Principals with tips and ideas on managing their own wellbeing and workload. The beauty of the podcats is that you can listen on the way to or home from school or at another time that works for you.

Visit this link to have a listen 

Student Wellbeing Forum and the Anxiety Project:

The Anxiety Project continues to have a high impact in schools by reducing parental and teacher over-reliance on accommodations and building students’ skills to manage the ‘unknown’.

The team recently held the Student Wellbeing Forum with Professor Patrick McGorry as the keynote speaker. Professor McGorry highlighted some of the latest research and also some of the effective strategies to improve anxiety and wellbeing. Some of the schools currently using the anxiety project model also presented and the audience was highly engaged in their experiences.

The Anxiety Project team are currently looking for expressions of interest for the 2026-2027 cohort. Schools can express interest via the link below:

NSWPPA Podcasts:

Our Professional Learning officer, Drew Janetski, continues to attract high-impact leaders to speak on our podcasts. Can I recommend for you to listen to Peter Banks from the Sports Unit as he speaks about policy and practical solutions for Principals around the challenges presented in providing a sports program at school.

Name change for the Emotional Disturbance and Behaviour Disorder Classes:

The department is changing how we refer to Emotional Disturbance (ED) and Behaviour Disorder (BD) support classes. These will now be called the:

• Intensive Learning Support (Mental Health) (ILSMH) class
• Intensive Learning Support (Behaviour) (ILSB) class.

This is a language change only and will not affect eligibility, services or support for these class types.

New digital Work Health and Safety Incident Report Form:

From Monday 8 September 2025 (Week 8), all department staff can report WHS incidents using the new digital WHS incident report form.

The digital form provides a faster, more consistent way to report WHS incidents, including injuries, and replaces the paper-based Incident notification form (PDF 305 KB).

How to access the form

• Go to ‘my essentials’ on the staff portal
• Search ‘WHS incident report’
• Add the tile to your dashboard

When to call the hotline

The Incident Report and Support Hotline (1800 811 523) is available for staff who prefer to speak with someone. It is the recommended reporting method when:

• emergency services have been called
• a person has been hospitalised or requires urgent off-site treatment
• a school or workplace is evacuating or becomes non-operational.

Remember, in an emergency, call triple zero (000) first.

Further information and support

Visit Responding to and reporting an incident or emergency, or contact your WHS adviser for support.

Stewart House - The Department’s Charity of Choice:

Supporting Children in Need

Each year, Stewart House offers a 12-day residential program for 1,600 public school children in NSW and the ACT at no cost to families. We are especially grateful to principals, who act as coordinators guiding students and families through enrolments. Learn more here: https://www.stewarthouse.org.au/information-for-schools/#placement-process.

Thank You for School-Based Support

Thank you to principals and schools for supporting initiatives like the Charity Envelope Drive and the inaugural Pyjama Day. School-based fundraising is essential, alongside contributions from staff, individuals, corporations and grants. We appreciate the additional fundraisers that occur throughout the year in schools, at principal meetings and even at social gatherings. With program costs exceeding $2,000 per child and around $5 million annually, your support makes a real difference. Government funding accounts for only around 8% of our revenue.

Workplace Giving, a Proud Legacy

Since the late 1970s, NSW public school staff have supported Stewart House through workplace giving, the longest-running program of its kind in a government department. Today, nearly 7,000 staff participate, and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity. Contributions will soon be even easier via the Department’s new Smart (formerly Smartgroup) system, and staff who haven’t yet joined are encouraged to take part. Updates will follow.

Stewart House- Sutherland PPC Support:

The Sutherland Shire Schools Music Festival is a celebration of creativity and the performing arts, bringing together all primary public schools across the Sutherland Shire. In 2025, this much-loved event proudly marks its 52nd year, a milestone that highlights its special place in local school history.

Each year, the festival also shines a light on an important cause - Stewart House, a charity close to the hearts of principals and the wider school community. While the Department of Education provides infrastructure and staffing, all other costs for students’ stays at Stewart House are funded entirely through charitable donations.

The music festival is honoured to be a long-standing supporter and friend of Stewart House, with annual donations ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. In 2024, the festival proudly contributed $20,000, continuing its tradition of generosity. At the conclusion of each festival, once finances are finalised, a contribution is made to assist the invaluable work Stewart House provides for children.

As a gesture of gratitude, a member of the music festival’s executive committee is invited each year to attend Stewart House’s annual celebration day, recognising the enduring partnership and generosity that have become traditions of the festival.

Respectful Relationships Education (RRE) Program – school engagement

Schools can express interest by 12 September (Week 8) to participate in the Respectful Relationships Education program to receive specialised support in 2026.

We aim to recruit schools from each school performance directorate. There are no requirements for schools to be directly working towards RRE implementation already.

The RRE program will provide leaders, teachers and school staff with access to resources, professional learning, and system-based expertise to implement age-appropriate and evidence-based learning in areas of gender, abuse, power, consent, respectful relationships, coercive control and pornography.

Professional learning for leaders and curriculum leaders are key components of the program. More detail can be found in the Respectful Relationships Education – School Engagement Staff Noticeboard article.

For more information contact the Respectful Relationships Education team via email
 RRE-Schools@det.nsw.edu.au.

Curriculum Implementation Survey – Learning First:

Learning First, an independent education consultancy are working with NESA on a project to understand how schools are implementing the NSW syllabuses. We are particularly interested in:

• How teachers and students are using AI (with a focus on assessment)
• Preparations for the new syllabuses.

 The insights will be summarised for NESA to help improve curriculum support for schools and teachers across the state. Your perspectives will help ensure teachers’ voices shape the support available for syllabus implementation across NSW.

Take the survey here: 

Schools Cleaning Contract Changes – Anthony Buckley Chair – Assets RG

The NSW Department of Education will be the government body who will be rolling out the whole of government (WofG) contract for our school cleaning services. The Hunter Central Coast region will be their first steps area who will roll out these changes.

Currently, cleaners/supervisors are being asked to sign-up to the W of G job site. Correspondence has been sent to HCC principals last week to support this process. The cleaning services are rolling out as a 6am - 6pm workday. For further details please review the link: 

These new arrangements help us all work towards a more reliable and responsive school cleaning service model that better supports our workforce and aims to enhance the quality of cleaning across schools. Please speak with your local or regional  Assets Reference group member for further details. 

A Start in Life – Partnering with Schools to Support Students

As school leaders, you play a vital role in supporting both the academic progress and wellbeing of your students. You see the challenges that disadvantage can create in the classroom and work hard to respond in ways that help young people stay engaged and motivated.

A Start in Life exists to stand alongside you in this work. For over 102 years, we have been helping young Australians access the education they deserve. 

We partner with schools to complement the support you and your staff already provide. Our assistance is personalised to each student’s circumstances, easing financial and emotional pressures that can stand in the way of education. Importantly, the application and support process requires minimal effort from the school, making it simple and straightforward for you and your staff. 

Support goes beyond covering essentials such as providing funding for school supplies, uniforms and excursions. We also provide mentoring and guidance to help students and parents build confidence, motivation and resilience. Community leaders, like yourself, regularly tell us that this wraparound approach makes a tangible difference in learning, engagement and overall wellbeing.

Any student who is enrolled full-time at school is eligible to apply. If you know a student who is doing it tough but demonstrates motivation to learn, a referral can help them take the next step.

To learn more – including information for principals and referrers – visit www.astartinlife.org.au, or contact our friendly team on 02 9264 3017 or studentassist@astartinlife.org.au.

 By working together, we can help ensure that no child misses out on opportunities to learn and thrive. 

“Our family’s experience with A Start in Life has been nothing but positive. We have always felt supported, knowing that A Start in Life has our back and cares about my son’s education and his future is everything I could want as a dad who hopes to see his son achieve his life goals.” – Carl, single father 

“Your commitment to helping these students believe in their ability to achieve their future aspirations is truly commendable. The time and effort you have invested are invaluable.” – Sarah, high school teacher

NSWPPA 2025 Conference – Conference SC Chair, Kylie Donovan:

Great news: we currently have a waitlist to attend conference and if you are on the waitlist, we will contact you soon to register, so look out for that email. In the meantime, we have had a little hiccup and are waiting for the DoE domain to be whitelisted by the department so that emails from CVENT (registration software) will come through to you. Our friends in I.T are looking after this, so we should be in touch soon. At this stage all waitlisted principals will be able to attend conference and spaces for online attendance at conference are still available.

Remember to be strict with the $388 cap for accommodation. If accommodation costs more, you will need to personally pay the difference.

Something that came through at state council was that attendance at conference should be written into your PDP each year that you attend.

More great news is that we will be at the Sofitel in 2026 for conference, although we are dropping back to 3 days so unfortunately will lose the EXPO. This makes it even more important to ensure that your SAM, Business Manager, and executive attend to talk to suppliers face-to-face.

When you register on Tuesday or Wednesday at the Sofitel, Vicki or Daryl will ask whether you are definitely planning to attend the dinner function. We have people on a waitlist for the Thursday evening at Dockside so if you choose not to go or change your mind on Wednesday or Thursday at conference, just come to the conference office and let them know. Another principal will be grateful!

For the Thursday evening, delegates will make their own way to the venue (a 1km downhill walk). We will have 3 buses organised to transport people back to Sofitel at 10:30pm with the knowledge that many others will walk back or stay longer in Darling Harbour.

A reminder that you will need to bring some cash for the Stewart House raffle on the Wednesday.

The conference program will be published on the PPA website. A detailed program with times will be available in the app approximately a week before conference and the conference program running Wednesday to Friday begins at 8:30am each day.

Thanks again to the amazing conference team I work with and to Lisa Beare who responds to your email enquiries.

Looking forward to seeing you at conference.

School Uniform Designs - Aboriginal Perspectives - Vice President, Greg McLaren:

Below is a guideline kindly shared by Tammy Anderson, Member of the NSWPPA Aboriginal Education Reference Group and Principal of Briar Road PS.

1. Seek consultation in the project respectfully

• With community and students identify why the school wants to include Aboriginal design (e.g. cultural recognition, community connection, school vision integration).
• Seek Permission and Guidance:
  • Reach out to the local AECG for support.
  • Connect with the schools Aboriginal Elders or Land Council.
  • Acknowledge Country and local protocols.
  • Arrange an initial consultation meeting or seek participation on local AECG agenda at local meeting.

2. Engage the Community

• Form a School Cultural Advisory Group:
  • Include local Aboriginal artists, Elders, parents, students, and school staff.
• Hold a Yarning Circle (if relevant to school and community context):
  • Use your circle as a culturally appropriate way to discuss themes, values, stories, and symbols meaningful to the community.
•  Document community views:
  • Ensure yarns, meanings, and ideas are recorded respectfully, with informed consent. Cultural and intellectual copyright is always held by the Aboriginal community giving viewpoints. Ensure that feedback is reported back to participants.

3. Collaborate with Aboriginal artists

• Commission Local Aboriginal Artist(s):
  • Select an artist from the local Country or community. The local AECG can provide support and guidance.
  • Ensure artists are paid fairly and credited properly at all times.
• Cultural Integrity Check:
  • Make sure the artwork and symbols are appropriate for use on clothing, and do not include sacred or restricted images.

4. Design Development

• Co-design the Uniform:
  • Work with the artist and a uniform manufacturer to integrate the artwork into the design.
  • Choose elements (e.g. trims, panels, prints) that highlight the design without overwhelming it.
• Feedback Loop:
  • Present the draft design to the Advisory Group for feedback and approval.
  • Provide updates and feedback to the local AECG.
  • Adjust based on community and cultural input.
  • At all stages ensure participants are consulted.

5. Ethics and Legal Agreements

• Cultural Usage Agreement and IP rights:
  • Include a clear agreement on how the design will be used, and what happens if it is to be modified in the future.

6. Production and Launch

• Choose Ethical Manufacturers and procure Blak suppliers where department process allow it.
• Prefer companies that have experience working with cultural designs respectfully. There are many Aboriginal suppliers that can be sourced. See department preferred supplier lists through Ed Buy.
• Cultural Launch Event:
  • Host a school and community event to celebrate the uniform, with the artist, school, AECG and community leaders.
  • Include appropriate protocols including Acknowledgment of Country and recognition of contributors.

7. Education and Awareness

• Integrate into Curriculum:
  • Teach students about the significance of the design, the yarns behind it, and how it contributes to the story of the school and community.
• Ongoing Cultural Learning:
  • Ensure the uniform is part of a broader commitment to reconciliation, not a token gesture.

8. Review and Reflect

• Check in with Community Annually:
  • Revisit the Advisory Group, AECG and artist to ensure the uniform remains appropriate and respected.
• Update If Needed:
  • Allow for future updates or design refreshes with continued community consultation.

Principal Wellbeing Surveys – Vice President, Bob Willetts:

Your Wellbeing, Our Advocacy and Support.

Colleagues, we encourage you to set aside some time to complete some surveys that are key data sets we use in our advocacy at all levels, and to guide our support for you.

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 – Closes TODAY

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 19^th August.

NSW People Matter Employee Survey 2024 (qualtrics.com)

Principal Wellbeing - Connection - Vice President, Bob Willetts:

The Theme of Leadership and Principal Support this week is "Connection"

"Schools have optimised for efficiency and accidentally optimised out humanity”

At the recent APPA Conference one of the best keynote sessions was by Dr Justin Coulson who reminded us of the value and importance of connection and relatedness in our roles as school leaders. He said everything flows from the relational foundation and challenged us to monitor every policy decision through the lens of relatedness to enhance belonging, motivation and performance in our schools.

I thought about the “You can’t pour from an empty cup” mantra, and visualised that connection, relatedness and belonging starts with us as Principals in our PPCs and cascades into our schools like a champagne waterfall as our full cups of connection and relatedness optimise the performance of our teams.

The Flourish Movement Podcast – Connection

Stronger Together

As principals the strength of our relationships determines the effectiveness and sustainability of our leadership performance. In this fantastic podcast our colleague Wayne Farquar unpacks the four pillars of his relationships that sustain him in his role.

Contextual Leadership – Connecting with your community

Moving to a new context? This episode is for you. Skye Davis has a Masters in contextual leadership and the experience across contexts to back up her learnings. We are grateful for her taking the time to share with us.

Connection workshop: “The whole presentation was insightful and inspiring”

“Can you come and do something about wellbeing?” is a question I regularly field in my role as Exec Liaison for Principal Support. I create sessions to support and empower PPCs with behaviour changes that genuinely move the dial on wellbeing.

The latest workshop  “A DOSE of Connection” has a strong research evidence base and creates the conditions that are protective factors and mitigate the risk of harm for staff.

Wellbeing indicators: Data from almost 100 Survey responses of participants in 3 PPCs so far:

86% have increased sense of belonging

86% have increased Psychological Safety and Trust.

91% have enhanced mood and positivity

85% felt less stress

85% felt less anxious

92% felt less tension

Reach out if you want a session delivered in your PPC.

RUOK Day

RUOK Day was on Thursday but the key message is “ASK RUOK ANY DAY”

The RUOK site has excellent resources to enhance connection and increase capabilities to provide meaningful and effective support when someone is NOT OK.

When we come together for PPC meetings, connect and pay attention to your colleagues, notice changes in their behaviours and ask…. “RUOK”.

Professional Learning Updates – Professional Learning Officer, Drew Janetzki:

The NSWPPA Professional Learning portfolio is delivering exceptional programs and up-to-date support for leaders statewide. To help you prioritise, please see the summary of key dates below. Explore our current opportunities and key links—designed to empower both you and your team.

At-a-Glance: Key Dates & Deadlines:

Urgent Deadlines: Book Now for Term 3 & 4

These high-impact, in-person courses are happening soon and places are strictly limited.

REAL Conversations: Last Spots Remaining

Join Mitch Wallis for this interactive experience designed to build connection and psychological safety. Places are capped to ensure quality engagement.

• Dates & Venues: Ultimo (23 September)
• Register: https://nswppa.org.au/realconversations

FranklinCovey Principal Academy Workshop – Elevate Your Leadership

A major highlight for Term 4! Led by Brooke Judd, Senior Director at FranklinCovey Education, this workshop introduces the Whole-Person Paradigm and 4 Roles of Great Leaders™.

• Date: Thursday, 13th November (1 day)
• Venue: NSWPPA Office, Ultimo
• Early Bird: $595 (ex GST) until 26th September
• Standard: $695 (ex GST)
• Book: https://www.franklincovey.com.au/nswppa

Performance Conversations with Rob Stones – Term 4 Premium Course

Master essential performance and coaching conversation skills in this dynamic two-day program led by ex-principal and veteran consultant Rob Stones.

• Dates: Tuesday 21st & Wednesday 22nd October (2 days)
• Venue: NSWPPA Office, Ultimo
• Cost: $994 per participant (includes catering and workbook)
• Focus: Manage tough conversations using Choice Based Theory for effective leadership.
• Book your place: https://nswppa.org.au/performanceconversations

Tough Conversations – Nearly Sold Out!

Don’t miss the final “Tough Conversations for School Leaders” course for 2025. Regional and webinar options are also available.

• Date: Thursday, 23rd October 2025
• Venue: NSWPPA Office, Ultimo
• Cost: $449 per person (ex GST, includes catering)
• Learn more & secure your place: https://nswppa.org.au/tough-conversations

Middle Leadership Imperative

Now running in Term 3 Week 9 and upcoming. This acclaimed program develops deep, collaborative leadership. Book & details: https://nswppa.org.au/the-middle-leadership-imperative

Plan Ahead for 2025-26

Secure your place in our renowned, long-term programs for next year.

Art of Leadership 2026 – Bookings Now Open!

Secure your place for the flagship Art of Leadership 2026, with events across Newcastle, Wollongong, Ballina, Dubbo, Canberra, and Sydney (plus two sought-after Sydney Masterclasses). Spaces are filling quickly.

• Register: https://nswppa.org.au/art-of-leadership

Anxiety Project 2025–26 – Expressions of Interest Open Now!

Following inspiring forums with Professor Patrick McGorry AO, momentum continues for this vital project. Schools report outstanding growth through the initiative and the “Resilience in Teens” program.

• Submit EOI for the 2025-26 cycle: https://nswppa.org.au/the-anxiety-project

Flourish Movement: Are you interested in joining the Flourish Movement in 2026?

The Flourish Movement is an evidence-based program that builds sustainable and effective leadership practices. To improve your performance, as well as wellbeing, enjoyment of the role and impact on others.

Often, school leaders work in a way that meets the needs of others (open door policy, have to be the first to arrive and last to leave, solve other people’s problems, etc) but leaves them with not enough time to get to the important strategic activities that have the greatest impact on their school. This role is a vocation for them, one of service. However, this mindset and associated habits can lead to unsustainable leadership practices that become detrimental for their leadership, their wellbeing and the performance of the school.

Are you interested in joining the Flourish Movement in 2026?

The Flourish Movement continues to serve as a cornerstone of our wellbeing framework, with demonstrable positive outcomes for both school leaders and their communities.

Visit: https://www.nswppa.org.au/flourish or https://www.theflourishmovement.com/

Flexible & Ongoing Professional Learning

Access these powerful resources online, in your school, or on the go.

• AMP Series – Accelerate Your Professional Growth: Access targeted, high-impact PL modules to strengthen leadership at every level—fully online and flexible. Explore AMP: https://nswppa.org.au/amp
• Clarity Learning Suite – What Works in Practice: See the clear results schools like Murrumbatesman PS, Windang PS, Seven Hills West PS, and Thornton PS are achieving. See successes & resources: https://nswppa.org.au/clarity-learning-suite
• Podcasts – Leadership In Action: Listen and learn from NSWPPA’s Educational Leadership Podcast—your statewide network of leading practice. Listen now: https://professionallearningsnswppa.buzzsprout.com
• Professional Learning Catalogue & Planner: Everything you need, including all event links and dates, is just a click away. View the catalogue: https://nswppa.org.au/catalogue

Research & Strategic Support

Driving evidence-based leadership and targeted PL investment.

• Research & Evaluation – Driving Evidence for Leadership Impact: Our PARF application, focused on measuring the lasting impact of PL for educational leaders, is currently under review. This research is central to ensuring our work remains relevant and powerful.
• PPC GAP Analysis – Actionable Data For Growth: 15 of 43 (PPCs) have taken up the GAP Analysis process, unlocking data for targeted PL investment. Take up this opportunity to guide your strategy and ensure funding is directed for maximum impact.

For more information or to discuss any professional learning opportunity for your school or network, contact the Professional Learning Officer.

E: djanetzki@nswppa.org.au
M: 0404077529

The Anxiety Project 2026 Intake:

Is anxiety a growing issue in your school? 81% of Australian primary school principals believed anxiety is a significant issue in their school (according to the 2020 APPA report into child anxiety). According to an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report, 6.9% of 11-year-olds are diagnosed with anxiety disorders, progressing to 32% in 16-to-24-year-olds – up from 26% in 2007. There are early intervention strategies that work to counter this progress, and reduce child anxiety - promoting positive wellbeing and learning outcomes for Australian primary-aged children.  

The NSWPPA Anxiety Project is one of these solutions, developed by principals and psychologists for delivery in an Australian school context. The project leadership team has received considerable positive feedback from participating schools on the impact it is having to student wellbeing, teacher efficacy, and parent engagement. Further to this, recent project research data from schools participating is demonstrating a steady decline in student anxiety levels throughout their participation in the project. Teaching and non-teaching staff report increased confidence in recognising anxiety in its varying forms and knowing how to best support students. Parents involved in the project report reductions in home-based unhelpful accommodations.

"The Anxiety Project has made me a better teacher; I manage complications better and reduce problems," shared one participating Implementation Coach.

The Anxiety Project offers a comprehensive, whole-school approach that doesn't just manage anxiety, but empowers children to develop lasting resilience and confidently navigate life's challenges. Unlike traditional approaches that focus on individual students, The Anxiety Project creates systemic change through:

• Comprehensive staff training - All school staff learn evidence-based CBT techniques for everyday conversations with students
• Implementation Coaches - Specially trained staff provide ongoing support and mentoring within your school community
• Parent Engagement - Family management training equips parents with skills to support children at home, creating a consistent message from all key-adults in a child’s life
• Curriculum-Aligned Student Lessons - Seven structured lessons per stage for both years of the project, designed to fit seamlessly into your PDHPE curriculum
• Ongoing Evaluation - Regular data collection and reporting to track your school's progress and outcomes from participation in The Anxiety Project. 

What Makes This Project Unique?

"Every instinct in us as parents and teachers when we see a child in emotional discomfort is to solve the problem for the child – when what is needed is for us to help the child solve the problem for themselves – as this is what builds confidence and resilience," explains Michael Hawton, The Anxiety Project's lead psychologist.

Your staff and parents will learn to:

• Identify cognitive distortions like catastrophising and 'all or nothing' thinking
• Use 'serve and return' conversations during stressful moments
• Help students understand their anxiety and develop self-regulation skills
• Create school-wide protocols that embed resilience-building practices.

Join a Growing Movement

To date, 129 schools have participated, impacting nearly 46,000 students, 5,000 school staff, and 3,600 parents. Schools report that students can now "articulate their feelings and what's going on in their mind" and that teachers "use more consistent language when dealing with behaviours linked to anxiety."

Ready to Transform Your School Community?

The Anxiety Project is now available to all states and sectors. This two-year, fully supported program will build the capacity of your entire school community to reduce children's anxiety levels and build lasting resilience.

Next Steps:

1. Join our Executive Briefing - Register for detailed project overview on 25th September at 2.00pm - Register
2. Complete your Expression of Interest before the 22nd October - EOI link

For more information or to arrange a presentation:

• Hayley Cravigan (Project Manager): gm@parentshop.com.au | 0404 011 135
• Rob Walker (Project Lead): rob.walker@det.nsw.edu.au
• Visit: nswppa.org.au/the-anxiety-project

Please find the attached project flyer for additional details about The Anxiety Project's comprehensive approach to student wellbeing.

NSW Curriculum Key Messages - Megan Kelly - Executive Director, Curriculum:

We're excited to share the latest curriculum updates and opportunities, supporting you to deliver on the NSW Curriculum Reform and Our Plan for NSW Public Education.

Term 3 Week 9 – Curriculum update for primary principals

Primary principals and school leaders are invited to attend the Curriculum update in Week 9, designed to support curriculum planning for Term 4.

This information session will provide strategic guidance on how to make the most of upcoming curriculum support and professional learning, helping leaders align opportunities with their school’s improvement priorities.

• Wednesday 17 September, 3:30–4:15 pm. Register for this information session.

The session will be recorded, allowing leaders to engage at a time that suits them. DELs, principals and school leadership teams are encouraged to attend together to strengthen shared understanding and support collaborative planning.

Term 4 Weeks 2–5 – professional learning for K–6 teachers

Register your staff for Term 4 professional learning in:

• English and mathematics – understand the enhancements that have been made to the primary English and mathematics curriculum resources aligned with the NSW Plan for Public Education.
• Creative arts, HSIE, PDHPE, science and technology (CHPS) – get 2026-ready with a focus on the professional learning and resources needed to confidently bring the CHPS sample units to life in classrooms.
• Writing meaningful report comments – designed for leaders and teachers seeking to write clear, meaningful and inclusive K–6 student reports that align with policy requirements.

Key details

• All sessions will be held online, facilitated via Microsoft Teams.
• Each professional learning is free for teachers to attend.
• Maximum 2 participants per school per session (places are limited).
• A recording for the CHPS sample units: From planning to practice workshop will be made available for teachers later in Term 4.
• Support resources from the Engaging with enhancements to primary resources for mathematics and English workshops will be released later in Term 4.

Term 4 Week 1 – Primary Languages Networks Day 2025

Registrations are open for the Primary Languages Networks Day 2025 on Friday 17 October, 8:30 am–3:30 pm (MyPL code NR36160).

This professional learning brings together primary language teachers from across the state for a full day of collaboration and practical workshops. The day will feature curriculum updates and teacher-led sessions that support language learning in NSW classrooms.

No Fees for NSW Public School students to enrol in NSW Single-Subject Distance Education

-Dean White Executive Director, Regional, Rural, Remote and Unique Settings Directorate and Home Schooling Directorate

Following the recent Review of Distance Education in NSW, in addition to undertaking a comprehensive review of the funding model for distance education schools in 2025-2026, the Department has introduced a key change to improve equitable access to single-subject distance education for Public school students. Effective immediately, there will be no charge to Public schools or their students for enrolment in these courses. Communication is underway to ensure schools are informed and supported through this transition.

The objectives of this action are to:

1. Adhere to the requirements of the Distance Education Review Recommendations to:  

• Streamline distance education enrolment policies and procedures to enhance equitable access for all students. (Rec 1)
• Update policy to support equitable student access to courses in the NSW curriculum, regardless of where they live or their circumstances. (Rec 5)

The implementation team has identified the following key requirements and will be actively providing support to ensure the successful execution of these required actions:

• Fee Elimination: Effective immediately, NSW Distance Education Schools will not charge enrolment fees to public schools or their students for single-subject distance education courses.
• School Communications Update: All distance education schools will revise their websites, handbooks, and community communications to reflect this change and ensure families are aware that no fees apply.
• Invoice and Journal Cancellation: Any outstanding invoices or journal entries related to single-subject enrolments will be waived to comply with the new directive.
• Internal Process Review: Schools will be supported to adjust administrative procedures to align with the updates and prevent future fee-related journal transactions.
• Feedback Mechanism: If schools or other stakeholders identify other departmental areas requiring updates during implementation, they are encouraged to notify the department via distanceeducation@det.nsw.edu.au
• School Team Awareness and Support: School leadership and administration teams will be informed of this change and supported to ensure consistent application across all relevant processes.

Although there is no significant action required of Public schools, the Department is leading the development of a comprehensive communication and change strategy to support the removal of the costs to Public schools. This includes informing key stakeholders, updating policy documents, and revising procedural guidelines to reflect the new direction. Content related to Distance Education Fees and the Managing Distance Education Course Fees Quick Reference Guide (QRG) is being adjusted to ensure clarity and consistency. Targeted messaging is also being prepared for distance education schools and their administration teams to support local implementation. In parallel, the Department is developing an updated funding model for Distance Education schools.

This change is an initial step in delivering on the commitment to enhancing equitable access to NSW Distance Education and the department's commitment to cost-free access to NSW Public school education for families.

Thank you for supporting NSW public schools and helping staff maintain their commitment to quality education during this important shift toward improved access to distance learning in NSW.