What's Hot October

President’s Report:

Good afternoon colleagues

The countdown has begun!!!!

Next week … Week 3 is NSWPPA Conference Week THE POWER OF LEGACY – the lineup of keynote speakers is EXTRAORDINARY – the student performances and business sessions and the Awards Celebrations!! And don’t forget TUESDAY of next week is the Carnivale of Education Expo – all our sponsors showcasing their products and significant support of our schools !!! 

This Conference has it all – your three days are jam packed with the richest PL and the greatest connection opportunity with your colleagues across the state. The joy is in learning together and having time to catch up and share old times and create new professional relationships and connect with friends – broaden your circle whilst investing in those you work with. Download your APP through Cvent – check your emails for information – everything you need to know is there – times, speakers, venues, sponsors – who is attending – it’s all covered.

I am going to take this opportunity to recognise the work of the State Conference Committee as we roll into Week 3 let by our incredible Convenor Kylie Donovan. THIS TEAM is amazing – they are making magic happen for us all. Please join me in recognising Kylie Donovan, Karen de Falco, Daryl McKay, Vicki Harris, Polly Palaitis, Louise Stone, Cameron Upcroft, Donna Casey, Michelle Sarjana, Kylie Watts, Mark Pritchard, Scott Sanford. The team will be wearing black shirts at Conference and will be easily recognised – please thank them - their work is extraordinary. Next week is the culmination and delivery of Conference – the work that has been done over the last twelve months has been of huge significance. They have MUCH to be proud of – thank you – our membership are truly appreciative.

Conferences be they PPC, Network, Regional, State, National or International- we KNOW the value of them – the why we attend and the importance of learning from and with our colleagues and key note speakers to take back to our schools and share with our staff and communities to grow practice and ignite energy in refining practices in schools. It is also very reaffirming knowing we are connected to colleague Principals.

I have been asked by many about how we plan forward for 2025 in terms of Conferences – booking and securing venues. The advice back has been – ‘be conscious in your planning about the current environment we are working in our schools where we have seen significant budget cuts. Work within  reasonable and sensible budgets. Prioritise the meetings and Conferences – look at venues, use schools where appropriate – think about the catering … you are all doing it in your schools already.’

 IT MATTERS THAT WE MEET – IT MATTERS THAT WE CONNECT TO LEARN AND SHARE – it MATTERS that we come together as Principals professionally and socially and that is the priority. You and I know times are hard and we have all be asked to take necessary measures in our schools. PLEASE KNOW we are asking questions and we are advocating strongly. This is a PRIORITY for the Association too and something we are looking at – the business of the Association is all about people coming together to invest in all things Public Education.

The NSWPPA Conference has forever held a significant place in our calendars as Principals. These three days are school days. And in saying that attendance for all sessions is expected unless of course you are ill where you will, as you would at school apply for leave. I seek your support in sharing many stories and celebration of the learning you walk away from the Grand Ballroom with. This matters – Conference is about the learning we take back to our schools. All attendees will be required to QR Code in each day. This is a requirement – a registration of attendance and also a WHS mechanism in case of an emergency.

Our sponsors connect with us professionally and socially at intervals throughout the Conference. Our sponsors are invaluable to our schools and to the Association broadly. I champion you to support them. There are two sponsors hosting events on one of the evenings. We value the support of our sponsors and seek your support in ensuring they feel valued in this professional environment at Conference and at social events.

Our Conference focus is Professional Learning for our members. This is the work we need to celebrate.

A reminder too to adhere to the accommodation guidelines for all overnight stays - remember that in terms of accommodation it is a $350 per night rate (including parking etc) anything above $350 is a personal cost and tax deductable. These are the DoE guidelines.

Our night on the Sydney Harbour is promising to be perfect weather wise (unlike last year ). This year it is a sit down meal – tables of 10 – I ask you are wise in your social media posts. This is in line with the treasuring our ‘moments in time’ with colleagues but not sharing social functions broadly. We are still ‘on duty’ as we are at an Association function and we are employees of the Department.

I revisit these Departmental expectations knowing you are well and truly across them but to serve as a reminder about the value we hold for what Conferences offer us all.

I am truly looking forward to Conference – see you there !!! 😊

Please refer to DoE policies if required.
Social Media Policy: Social media
Code of Conduct: NSW Department of Education Code of Conduct
Financial management: Financial management
Professional and ethical standards: Professional and Ethical Standards (PES)

Celebration of the NSWPPA Executive and Staff:

There are moments in time in our schools where you work with a group of colleagues, and you just KNOW there is something truly amazing about how you come together and connect in the first instance but more importantly the why you take the road you do and what you collectively action and achieve.

The past four years have indeed been ‘a moment in time’ for me. The work has mattered and the purpose has been clear – the impact has been felt. Our work has been front facing and visible  as well as quietly achieved. We have deliberately and intentionally created a culture of practice and operation for the Association. We have framed each and every action on our Associations pillars – Support, Empower, Advocate and Lead.

The NSWPPA Executive have led that – these colleagues lead their own schools and invest heavily into the Association – that is a feat in itself. Individually, our Executive have incredible expertise and commitment to serve colleagues across the state. I have harnessed their superpowers individually and collectively we have grown the work we have delivered on. To say I am proud of our collective work is an understatement. I tell you, this work is hard and we have grounded ourselves strongly to know that our advocacy is for all schools with primary enrolments, all settings in all areas. We have shone a light on small school settings, rural, regional and remote and all equity lenses – we have ensured we have focused the work on ‘what’s best’ for schools and most importantly ‘is this going to make a difference for the students’ in our schools.

We have been relentless in our advocacy and been ‘in the room’ and ‘shown up’ time and time again. We have built on and created a culture of authentic partnership with the Education Support Team across the DoE and the Ministers Office as well as all partner agencies. Authentic and reciprocal relationships are what underpins our work. We have been instrumental in bringing people together and connecting through our Workforce Wellbeing forums – each stakeholder making the commitment on their part to play in focusing on the right work at the right time.

I’ve captured this – a reflection of the past four years and just some of the work we lead.. with YOU. YOU are indeed remarkable when you pause to think about HOW and WHY…

As an Executive we entered the role as bushfire ravaged NSW – we initiated ADOPT A SCHOOL – membership led,  floods ravaged the north coast  – we initiated SCHOOLS FOR SCHOOLS-– membership led, , mice plague destroyed livelihoods across NSW, a worldwide pandemic hit  – COVID, lockdown and lock out LGA’s, mask wearing, learning from home, isolation, 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.

We were ‘in the room’ and instrumental in the challenges of 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 and Treasury Budget impacting on every school across NSW.

We celebrated 175 years of Public Education – we celebrated your leadership – we shared the NSWPPA story with the most talented women who captured who we are, who we serve and work with and why we belong to our Association – our Office became the home of the NSWPPA and our cultural identity and safety – our story and our purpose was captured in the artwork

We have made our mark on the work of our system – it is the Principals on the PPC Executives, the Presidents and our Delegates, our Observers and it is the membership of EVERY Reference Group Standing Committee and Working Party – that works with the Chairperson and NSWPPA Executive.

Our work has been broad and narrow it has run deep and we have advocated strongly to shape and refine the work. It must be said to that there have been times decisions have been made by Government and our system that we have not been in the room for. And whist that is the fact, we have made EVERY effort to ensure the impact is known through the voice of the Principalship. We have educated these colleagues and that has been of great value. On many occasions we have had the smallest of wins that has actually been of advantage to how it lands in schools. We have adjusted our sails on many occasions and returned to improve our position. This has had impact. This has added value. This is valued and this is partnership. This has been strategic, deliberate and intentional. This has been a culture shift and this has held the Association in high regard in valuing, and in credibility.

It is impossible to capture the enormity of the work we have been across through a time of transformation. My message is that our NSWPPA Executive have been instrumental in positioning our membership front and centre. I am so very proud of this team. They are remarkable people and together – together we have been better – we have indeed been the best versions of ourselves when the best of us is required. For that alone, I ask you join me in acknowledging the work of the NSWPPA State Executive 2020 – 2024. This team have been instrumental in leading the Association through remarkable times – times that reshaped the world and a time when NSW was ravaged by natural disaster. Unprecedented times of change in reform and transformation – of governance and of personnel - we stood  rock solid together.

Hand on heart the notion of together has been defining. The robust and fearlessness of conversation and opinion certainly took place to define the collective position we stood firm on. We circled back and regrouped and some days colleagues they were hard – we have forged on and we have held the line. I am also so very proud of our positions and our absolute attention to detail. What this Executive have done and how they have been lessons of the greatest magnitude – you too exhibit these qualities – your teams do too. I just know this to be true.

I acknowledge our remarkable colleagues Executive and Staff: Rob Walker, Bob Willetts, Michael Burgess, Leah Martin, Trish Peters, Norma Petrocco, Stuart Wylie, Greg McLaren, Michael Trist, Scott Sanford, Mark Pritchard, Lisa Beare, Drew Janetzki, Lyn Davis, Geoff Scott, Phil Seymour as well as these colleagues – Jude Hayman, Adam Zanco, Margaret Charlton and Wendy Buckly…. A team I treasure. 2020- 2024 have been remarkable years – it is who you walk with in life and who you work with that make ALL the work worthwhile. These people leave a remarkable legacy in their wake each and every day.

I would like to acknowledge the Executive who are not re-standing – Michael Trist, Trish Peters and Stuart Wylie. What incredible legacy and leadership in significant reform that you are all too aware of – their work will long be felt in our schools – these colleagues have served the membership with such distinguished service. Wishing you all the very best in your next steps – be it in your school, your community or in semi-retirement. It’s a testament to who you are in how you have served the membership – that is to be recognised.

To our incoming President | Michael Burgess, Deputy President | Norma Petrocco, Vice Presidents | Bob Willetts, Leah Martin, Greg McLaren, Sue Maxworthy, Shannan Griffith, Adam Wynn Treasurer | Scott Sanford along with a newly elected Deputy President and Secretary, I am so confident in handing the privilege forward. Our Association will go from strength to strength with you at the helm. I wish you all the very best – we are stronger and better together.

As I look back and look forward as well, some of BIG ROCKS have been:

The Behaviour Strategy, Transformative Curriculum Reform, Disability and Inclusion, Student and Workforce Wellbeing, Principal Classification and Reclassification, the APCI role, School Excellence – Annual Reports, EV, School Targets, Assessment and Reporting, HPGE|OC , Small Schools, SSP Funding, Human Resourcing, Temporary to Permanent Workforce, Regional Rural and Remote Strategy, Early Childhood Education, New Builds and Rebuilds, Recovery work, Workload Reduction, Communication and Engagement – policy and practice, Technology, SRE|SEE, our work with FLOURISH, the Anxiety Project, AOL – our PL for our people – NSWPPA ideas and initiatives designed to serve our membership and the work we lead in schools. … and there’s so much more that could be listed AND there’s been plenty of unplanned work and events and changes we have faced and forged forward on T O G E T H E R.

Together too has meant the way we have partnered with the NSWSPC, NSWTF, NSWAECG, NSWP&C and their respective Presidents and members – we have forged outstanding colleagial connections and partnered in roundtables and defined a moment in time co-signing the ‘Statement of Intent’ – how we operate collectively to achieve more for Public Education. My role too in AGPPA, APPA and NESA has positioned us as an Association at the table – NSW is well positioned – we are valued as a strong and leading voice.

APPA NSW LIFE MEMBERS

Last week the NSW APPA Life members met in Kirribilli to receive their new Life Member badges from APPA President Angela Falkenberg. It was a great meeting and probably the first time they have all met together. Stories were shared and the passion of the Life Members was certainly evident. Interestingly the majority of the APPA Life Members who attended are also PPA Life Members. Congratulations to Barry McConville, Tom Croker, Geoff Scott and Phil Seymour.

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.

2024 NSWPPA Conference is here! | Conference Convener Kylie Donovan

The Power of Legacy promises to be a fabulous conference with a great line-up of speakers and all held in the newly refurbished Sofitel Wentworth.

Download the Cvent app from the email that was sent on Wednesday from Vicki and Daryl. All the information you need for session times and speakers is in there.

Our exhibitors are very excited for Tuesday’s Expo so make sure your SAM, Business Manager, or exec member can visit to see the various businesses and what they can offer our schools.

A huge thank you to my conference team who have been working hard to make this a very special conference for their principal colleagues and one to remember to farewell our PPA President, Robyn Evans.

The Dream Team:

Karen de Falco, Daryl McKay, Vicki Harris, Polly Palaitis, Louise Stone, Cameron Upcroft, Donna Casey, Michelle Sarjana, Mark Pritchard, Scott Sanford, Robyn Evans

Looking forward to seeing you next week!

Better and Fairer Schools | Deputy President Bob Willetts:

The NSWPPA Executive have completed a submission to the Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill 2024.

Our submission fully endorses the research evidence based position outlined by AGPPA in the “A Better and Fairer Start for All” paper that was developed by Pasi Sahlberg, Trevor Cobbold and Caitlin Senior.

We encourage all NSWPPA members to become familiar with this document and share with your school communities.

Gift Giving to School Staff | Vice President Greg McLaren:

For a profession whose salary does not necessarily reflect our qualifications and workload how satisfying is it being appreciated for our work and being personally acknowledged? At this time of the year our overworked school workforce (well-publicised) is often recognised by fellow colleagues and their school community. Frequently this is represented through a tradition of gift giving. Although receiving a gift is a way of showing appreciation our employer has many terms and conditions with the process.

Under certain circumstances, school staff may accept a gift but keep in mind the Code of Conduct states, “Accepting gifts and other benefits has the potential to compromise employees by creating a sense of obligation, and potentially undermining their impartiality. It may also affect the reputation of the department and its employees”.

School staff may accept the gift, benefit and/or hospitality if the circumstances are such that it meets all the following conditions:

•    was not solicited by you;
•    does not inappropriately influence your behaviour in a way that compromises or   
      appears to compromise your integrity and impartiality;
•     does not create an actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest;
•    will not bring you or the Department into disrepute;
•    does not form part of a series of gifts, benefits and/or hospitality from the same     
     supplier or individual that would bring the Department into disrepute;
•    does not involve time away from your official duties at the Department’s expense;
•    in all other instances is not prohibited by the DoE Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Procedures.

A staff member may accept and surrender a gift should it be deemed an insult to the gift giver if refused. The gift would become the property of the school/Department.

Attached is the DoE Acceptance principles and ‘gift’ test

School staff must declare all gifts, benefits and hospitality over the estimated market value of $50 that they have accepted or declare anything under $50 to influence which is considered improper.

We as Principals must sight and approve all declarations of gifts, benefits or hospitality and determine how it should be treated. All Principals are encouraged to protect themselves from any internal allegation of failing to comply with the Department’s Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy and Procedures.

Attached the DoE Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Declaration form

When in doubt whether a staff member may accept a gift email (do not call) your DEL for guidance. Request advice via a return email to assist with your management of the concern.

DoE Viva Engage (Yammer) has a group ‘Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality’. This is where we can discuss how to manage the corruption risks associated with gifts benefits and hospitality. A more private alternative is to email fraudandcorruptioncontrol@det.nsw.gov.au  Also Principals can visit DoE FCC Gifts SharePoint site which has more resources to be of assistance including the Gifts Quiz

This paper was compiled by Greg McLaren using information provided by various websites and personnel in the DoE.

A copy will be sent to DoE Fraud Risk Unit, Audit and PES.

A number of updates | Vice President Trish Peters:

Since our last State Council meeting, there have been a few movements in the wellbeing space; the enrolment policy has been reviewed with a few changes made now and more to come; new PHSB guidelines will be released in Term 4; the IFS model has been improved to provide schools with certainty AND flexibility; the NSW government audit – Supporting Students with Disability has been released and the NSWPPA Equity Position paper has been endorsed by the state executive to go to Term4 State Council for ratification.

The enrolment policy has had a few significant changes that will better support our families and our staff and will be further reviewed over the next year in consultation with all stakeholders including NSWPPA.

New PHSB guidelines will be released in Term 4. The support materials advice around proactive actions that schools can take to create safer school environments, along with checklists and scripts for conversations with staff, parents and community when immediate action needs to occur. Your reference groups and state executive have provided strong feedback to improve these resources so that they are useful to principals.

The new IFS model will assist schools to more strategically resource the needs of students accessing IFS including some flexibility to access specialist staff. The need for schools to keep accurate NCCD data, backed up with strong moderation processes, has never been more important. Schools could expect that there may be monitoring processes introduced to determine impact at school, and system level. School learning and support teams will welcome the move from a diagnostic model of resourcing to a functional needs model with enhancements/changes to the current disability criteria in Term 4. Consultation with NSWPPA has been regular and productive in this space.

The NSW government audit – Supporting Students with Disability highlighted issues that principals have been raising at State Council for some time including that IFS funding seemed to be a dwindling resource, although meant to be ‘uncapped’ and ‘demand-driven’. The report showed that there was 78% increase in the number of applications for IFS between 2018 and 2023.

Finally, the NSWPPA Equity position paper is ready to be presented to Term 4 State Council. Our position is based on these four drivers identified over two workshops at Term 2 and 3 State Council by your delegates.

• Building capacity of teachers and school leaders. 
• Resourcing 
• Interagency support 
• Infrastructure 

The workshops identified the priorities we will take forward in meetings with the DoE, including a big focus on interagency support.

As an outgoing state executive member, I want to give a shout out the amazing reference groups I have been privileged to work with as exec liaison. Helen Craigie (Student Wellbeing RG) and Mark Gosbell (SSP RG) lead amazing teams and their hard work and advocacy have resulted in some significant wins for us all! My thanks to the incredible state executive and our inspirational President, Robyn Evans, for leading us so expertly. I am grateful to have been part of the ‘dream team’ and wish the incoming executive team every success in the future!

2024 Professional Learning | PLO Drew Janetzki:

Signature Leadership Program – The Art of Leadership 2025

Dates out now and selling quickly! Almost 100 places have been booked already!

The Art of Leadership 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.

If you are an Art of Leadership graduate book your spot early for The Art of Leadership 2025 Masterclass as places are also fill up fast! 

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
• Franklin Covey Online Programs: Commencing Term 4 Week 4 
• Multipliers online program: Commencing Term 4 Week 4   https://www.nswppa.org.au/multipliers
• 7 Habits of highly effective people: Commencing Term 4 Week 4 
  book via https://www.nswppa.org.au/7-habits
• Leading at The Speed of Trust: Commencing Term 4 Week 4 https://www.nswppa.org.au/leading-at-the-speed-of-trust
• Anxiety Project EOI – The Expression of has been extended to Monday 4^th November via: https://www.nswppa.org.au/the-anxiety-project
  

Anxiety Project EOI closes Monday 4^th November

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

Clarity Register via:

Weblink: https://cls1.claritylearningsuite.com.au/alignment-of-the-clarity-work-with-the-explicit-teaching-model/?nswppa=webinar082024

CLARITY Learning Suite Pilot Program: https://www.nswppa.org.au/clarity-learning-suite

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: https://www.nswppa.org.au/clarity-learning-suite

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:

Read all of the updated on our latest catalogue:

And finally:

I have loved every minute of this role – it has been the greatest privileged to serve the membership in the role of President. The work has mattered to me – the way we have done it had mattered equally – the Principalship matters to me. YOU have been my reason – YOU and the STUDENTS in your schools. I have always placed students front and centre in my thinking.

 I would like to thank YOU individually –because of YOU we have achieved much. Thankyou for teaching me – for showing me – for coming to me and for giving me the voice that needs to be taken to the table. I stand in the greatest awe of those of you who have taken the time to ‘take me with you’.

Thank you for including me in your schools for events and professional learning, Thank you for inviting me into your schools and taking me on road trips and adventures across the state, thank you for opening my eyes to what YOUR context and community is all about,  Thank you for ensuring I KNOW, thank you for your emails and enquiries, thank you for your conversations in person and on the phone – thank you for endorsing ways forward and more importantly offering the ‘even better if’ or ‘have you thought of/considered’, thank you too for challenging me and giving me the drive to do better and be better.

Be it celebrating with or supporting through challenges or tragedies I have treasured every conversation – I have guarded and respected your confidence and I have sought to share the load. I have actively sought the right people to stand with you at those times. I am ever mindful of our role in our schools and what we face each and every day. We are people - we have thoughts, feelings and emotions too. And yet we serve others first. I have been deliberate and intentional in the way we have moved the Association forward in its work and what we stand for  - to ensure our ‘story’ includes us all – I recognise and value the part YOU play in the Association. It is true too, that my resolve has been that we need to take care of ourselves before we can take care of others – that remains a priority – we know it but we must do it. I champion you ongoingly to look to those either side of you – in front of you and behind you – these are your people – colleague principals – invest in your ‘square squad’ – THIS is key – this underpins a high performing sustainable model of leadership. KNOW your people – your colleagues – lean in on them and reciprocate by being there for them – but most of all laugh with and enjoy the company of your people – take care of each other – look out for each other – model the authenticity of what’s achieved through authentic collaboration and never ever lose sight of the fact that you have THE BEST job – THE  BEST  JOB – YOU are a remarkable  – YOU are brave, strong, resilient, committed and purposeful – you are just incredible people. I hand the baton forward to Michael Burgess and the newly elected Executive – I am excited about where we head as an Association – there is much more to do and opportunity aplenty. The Association is in strong and safe hands.

See you all at Conference and if not, I look forward to crossing paths with you again.

Kindest regards AND thank you for the privilege of leading our Association.
I have loved every minute of it.
Happy World Teachers Day everyone. Have an amazing weekend – when we get to it 😊
Robyn x
Proud Principal – Proud Teacher.
NSWPPA President 2020- 2024