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Well what a time we have just been through. The word “ unprecedented”, used widely, certainly sums up what we have been through and even describes where we are now and where we are going to. What has stood out during this time is the absolutely awesome efforts of our staff to provide the best we could for our students and their families. The efforts to learn new technology tricks and to engage our students has been nothing short of incredible. It’s an absolute credit to you as leaders for the support, motivation and guidance you have provided in these tough times.
I’ve seen some great efforts to engage with families during this time such as Nareena Hills Public School in Wollongong
And have heard stories of schools where teachers have driven around the streets just to show their faces and to acknowledge their students.
There is no denying that this has been tough for everyone and it wasn’t made any easier by the Federal Government’s input into the conversation and our state taking a more cautious stand and the managed return that was cut short. But we have moved on under the basis of the AHPPC advice and it was great to see the efforts of schools welcoming back our students on Monday.
To get all of our students back at school has been a huge effort by the Department, more specifically AMU. The logistics to get the supply to schools has been amazing and special thanks need to be made to the team led by Terry Stevens, Erik Maranik and Simone Constant.
Your Executive has been meeting weekly with the Senior Officers of the DoE during this COVID-19 period and providing input and advocacy for our schools on a wide range of issues. The Secretary has had the Secretary of the Department of Transport and Prof Kristine Macartney, Director, National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance (NCIRS) to our meetings to allow further questioning & understanding of what is happening around us. In between meetings Deputy Secretary Murat Dizdar has been in close connection and answering our questions and providing updates. We provided 128 questions we gathered from you prior to our last live stream and expect those that weren’t covered in the guidelines provided would be answered in the FAQs being developed. We have also had conversations with the Minister and Federation to determine the best solutions for schools.
Our Well-Being and that of our staff is so important at this time, so it is important to look after yourselves as we move into yet another phase of COVID. We particularly are concerned for our school communities who have suffered in the drought, floods and/or fires as well as COVID and remind you that Executive Director, Kathy Powzun, is just an email away if she can help. Kathy has been visiting affected schools and providing strong support. Our adopt a school colleagues can probably start thinking again about how they can support their schools now students are back at school.
In our rapidly changing educational settings the importance of effective leadership is vital. It is essential that we continue to engage in ongoing development that will have a positive impact on our students and teachers.
The PPA has planned an exciting year, with a range of high-quality professional learning opportunities available for principals and their school executive. With a range of programs ready to start from Term 2, as in schools our plans also had to adapt. We have been working to deliver our programs using a range of learning platforms.
7 Habits of Highly Effective People / Leading at the Speed of Trust
We are currently delivering these high-quality programs through online platforms. There has been an overwhelming demand for both these programs, and all Term 2 programs filled extremely quickly. New programs will be advertised in the coming weeks, through the PPA email. Many schools have taken advantage of ‘Professional Learning on Demand’ and contacted me directly to organise professional learning for school teams or networks of schools.
NSWPPA Principal Credential – Empowered leaders creating the future
Starting this week, this leadership program has been designed to provide transformational professional learning that is evidenced by professional practice and has strong intellectual rigour.
A strength of the program is the ability to continue to evolve to meet the needs of NSW primary school leaders. In response to the current restrictions, this program will include a blended learning model, with online learning and facilitation groups until we can move to more face-to-face conferences and support. The quality of the learning within the program continues to be supported by our team of expert Principal Facilitators.
Art of Leadership / AOL Masterclasses
We are currently working on a plan for the remaining Art of Leadership programs for 2020. This, however, is dependent upon the lifting of restrictions. At the moment it is still wait and see. When we are able to make a decision to restart the programs, all participants will be emailed.
The Tao of Teams / Powerful Performance Conversations
These two experiential learning programs have been postponed until we are able to deliver our professional learning face to face. Watch this space as we are hoping to commence these later in the year.
Human Capital Management (HCM) Recap
The HCM team presented to your Technology Reference Group last week. The video links below will give you quick insight into this very promising improvement to HCM and will definitely deliver huge time savings for Principals. The NSWPPA strongly support this initiative and applaud the inclusion of experienced principals in the development team from the project’s inception.
HCM functions cover a wide range of services, including:
- Workforce Planning
- Position and Organisation Management
- Recruitment
- Onboarding
The HCM solution will be implemented between October 2021 – June 2022 to all schools and
Corporate.
The key strategic objectives are:
- Reducing administrative burden
- Improving systems support to schools
The following videos give an overview of the what the system will look like and the type of functionality that it will provide, including:
- Intuitive Everyday Staffing
- Ease and Tracking of Recruitment
“Intuitive Everyday Staffing” –
“Ease and Tracking of Recruitment” –
These videos are prototype videos just to give you a glimpse of the work HCM has been doing to make our job as principal easier. The functionality shown in the video is currently under design, and may change as a result of ongoing development.
More Welcoming schools
The NSWPPA advocacy and position paper formed the basis for the Department position on reports that was approved by the National Council.
The parents and carers “A guide to NSW school students returning to face-to-face learning” advises parents;
- This may be a simplified version of the report you normally receive.
- Schools are encouraged to discuss your child’s progress with you before the written report is issued.’
The Department did not want to provide “Templates” as they did not want to be prescriptive and instead allow schools to manage a reporting framework that worked for their context. After requests for advice they created “SAMPLES” for schools in consultation with the PPA. NOTE: none of the samples are mandatory, they are intended as a guide.
The PPA worked with SENTRAL to develop some templates for the schools.
Our PPA Assessment, Planning and Accountability Reference Group Advice is:
- Take a holistic view of student learning engagement, progress and achievement over the semester. Don’t do a testing regime as students walk in the gate; focus on health, wellbeing, relationships and belonging (“Maslows before Blooms”)
- Consider your own school context, and the context of the families to which the reports are being delivered.
- The inequity of the support being provided for students while Learning at Home.
- Consider co-creating the student reports in consultation with parents (who have had students at home for the majority of the semester).
- Use the reporting to parents process as an opportunity to continue to build upon connections and relations enhanced through the learning at home process.
- Use the flexibility provided, we may not have this opportunity again!
A huge thanks to the Assessment, Planning and Accountability Reference Group, Technology Reference Group, and Comms and Engagement Reference Group for their extensive advocacy and work guiding the Department on this issue.
State Council for Term 2 will be an online version using Zoom with Presidents, chairpersons and delegates zooming in on Thursday June 11 and delegates and chairpersons only zooming in Friday June 12. ( Presidents could zoom in if they like…it’s optional) Speakers have nearly been organised and so times are still “fluid”. Later this week we will contact with timings for the meetings. Speakers locked in include the Minister, Secretary, Angelo Gavrieolatis, Steve Loquet, and Murat Dizdar so far.
Chairpersons normally attend the half day before State Council, but for this meeting only, there will be no need to zoom in on the Wednesday June 10.
It’s that time of year for you to consider candidates for our Annual Awards which are presented at our Annual Conference. Unfortunately we aren’t very good at nominating our colleagues who are doing outstanding things in our schools. Please consider nominating your colleagues and discuss with your PPC Executive. The nomination form is attached.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP or FELLOWSHIP:
LIFE MEMBERSHIP of the Association may be bestowed upon a retired member and/or a member in their final year of employment in the teaching service, whose service to Education and to the Association is both long-standing and exemplary.
FELLOWSHIP of the Association may be bestowed upon a member whose service to Education and to the Association is both long-standing and exemplary.
In assessing nominations for Life Membership or Fellowship, the following criteria should be addressed: a) a minimum period of five years’ service to the Association. b) consideration of the level of service to the Association through outstanding contributions at a state or area level in matters such as, for example: administration and management of the Association; representation on state committees / working parties; preparation of papers on behalf of the Association; general representation of the Association.
PROFESSIONAL AWARD:
The award will be made to a Primary Principal who has made a significant contribution to Primary education and the Principalship at the School, Area or State level in matters such as, for example: initiating significant educational change; undertaking the support and welfare of colleagues; enhancing the professional standing of Primary Principals; fostering the professional development of Primary Principals.
ABORIGINAL EDUCATION AWARD:
Area Councils may nominate one Principal and/or School from their Area, addressing for example how:
- the Program/Principal has made a difference to Aboriginal students/communities
- the Program/Principal has changed the outcomes for Aboriginal students or communities
- the Program/Principal has changed community attitudes
SOCIAL JUSTICE / EQUITY AWARD:
Area Councils may nominate one Principal and/or a School from their Area, addressing for example how:
- the Program / Principal has made a difference to people in need
- the Program / Principal has changed the outcomes for people in need
- the Program / Principal has changed community attitudes
Our Reference Groups, Standing Committees and Working Parties have been meeting in Teams & Zoom over the last few days. Great to see in the midst of COVID, the engine room of the Association is working well.
The Australian Principal Occupation Health, Safety and Well Being Survey.
This longitudinal research has been undertaken for since 2011. Preliminary analysis of results for 2019 indicate that in terms of wellbeing the health of our colleagues is in general not getting any better. The report does however carry some messages that we as principals should take on board as we manage work / life balance and the challenges Covid 19 has placed upon schools and society.
There is a reminder in the recommendations that as principals we should “love your work but not let it dominate your life”. The report encourages principals to take responsibility for their personal work /life balance and the report reminds us that this cannot be imposed. This makes it clear that it is up to us to ensure that we get this balance right.
There is emphasis on the need to ensure that dignity is maintained in the work place. The report suggests the need to urgently look for causes and reduce the level of adult- adult bullying, threats of violence etc. This point will be taken up through our Principal Support Reference Group with our employer.
Sadly the report point out that the average school leaders wellbeing is less optimal than the average citizen.
The need for school leaders to engage in professional support networks is emphasised as is the need for attention to be paid to professional learning for school leaders. It is suggested that this learning should focus on the emotional aspects of teaching and learning, organisational function impacting emotional labour, dealing with difficulties and conflicts in the workplace and debriefing self and others.
In the report there is reference to work – family conflict for school leaders which occurs at approximately double the rate of that in the gnarl population. SO!!!!!! We must manage the work / life /family side of our lives perhaps even better that we balance the many tasks we perform everyday at school.
We have asked AGPPA for a copy of both the 2018 and 2019 NSW statistics so we can have a closer inspection of trends.
Our National bodies have been focused on supporting our State Associations and providing input to the Federal Government around COVID-19 activities. We have been unable to have our usual meetings, and like all of us have resorted to zoom type meetings.
Our recent meeting was the AGM where the current Executive was returned un-apposed. Ian Anderson (WAPPA) as President, Anne-Maree Kliman (VPA) Vice President; Pat Murphy (QASSP) Treasurer and Britany Roestenburg (NT) as Secretary.
We also had a long discussion with Julie Birmingham from the Federal Dept of Education, Skills & Employment (the Deputy Secretary Alex Gordon was a late withdrawal due to illness). Topics focused on:
- Alice Springs Declaration and work of ACARA in this space. Future forum on it’s implementation will include AGPPA representatives. We pressed our concerns on the middle years (years 3-6) and the lack of support for schools in this area.
- Architecture Review – both AGPPA and PPA lodged submissions. This is the Federal Government considering the future of AITSL, ACARA and ESA and recommendations around merging/amalgamating their roles. We strongly supported AITSL remaining as a stand-alone entity focusing on teacher and particularly leadership development. We questioned why the Evidence Institute wasn’t included in this review. Not much has happened in this space & we will watch this space carefully.
- NERA Policy Initiatives – We heard an update on these however there didn’t seem to be much headway on any of them. They include:
- Learning Progressions & Formative Assessment – we need to be very involved in this space & will invite Jenny Donovan ( our CESE leader who is leading this Federally) to our next AGPPA and our NSWPPA State Council
- Senior Secondary Pathways
- AITSL – Teacher Workforce strategy (slow progress)
- AITSL – strengthening ITE accreditation (Initial Teacher Education)
- Unique Identifier – ramping up
- National Evidence Institute – moving slowly
- Sharing data across jurisdictions
APPA’s focus has recently been on the survey focused on the increasing occurrence of anxious behaviours in our students. We have been working with psychologist Michael Hawton. Analysis of the survey with 700 principal respondents showed:
- Levels of primary students’ anxiety are major concerns for principals
- Principals say that student anxiety is increasing & is a major topic of discussion between themselves, with their teachers and with parents
- Principals say they are under-prepared & under-resources to provide adequately for anxious students
- Principals see parents as heavily implicated in solutions for students
- Many parents come to school with their concerns but feel very much like the principals & teachers to whom they come; they feel uncertain & confused and look to schools for solutions
APPA is working with National parent groups, Early Childhood Australia and Michael Hawton to address our concerns.
Some principals/ staff might be interested in Michael Hawton’s Workshop featured below:
Thinking ahead with Future EDge
A new publication from the NSW Department of Education
‘Future EDge’ is a new online, quarterly publication for educators - featuring practical insights from experienced teachers and thought leaders on some of the most important issues in education today.
The first issue, titled ‘Thinking Ahead’, focuses on critical and creative thinking. It is available now on the
You’ll find reflections on why critical and creative thinking skills, developed through deep subject matter knowledge, will be crucial for today’s students to thrive in an increasingly complex world. You’ll also find plenty of tips on how these skills can be developed in the classroom.
The first issue features an article by Irish educator and author Mary Roche, who introduces us to her 'book talk' method of teaching critical thinking using picture books. This article has a particular focus on helping our youngest learners to become critical thinkers.
In another article, leading international researcher Dr Ronald Beghetto addresses eight common questions about creativity in education: including what creative thinking is, how it happens and when it should happen.
Dr Beghetto explains how teachers can craft meaningful lesson openings to stimulate their students’ creative thinking.
‘Future Edge’ also includes a Q&A with Rooty Hill High School teacher Yasodai Selvakumaran, who was named as one of the world’s top 10 educators by the Global Teacher Prize committee in 2019, and contributions from DoE Secretary Mark Scott and Deputy Secretary Strategic Priorities, Leslie Loble.
A range of further resources for school leaders and teachers, including the ‘Edspresso’ podcast series, are available on the Education for a Changing World website. You can also join the conversation on Twitter @education2040. The Education for a Changing World team would love your feedback and insights.
And finally…..
Let’s hope in the following weeks life settles and schools continue to provide extraordinary learning opportunities and a feeling of warmth, security and safety for our students and staff.
Best wishes
Phil Seymour
On behalf of the NSWPPA Executive, Robyn Evans, Ian Reeson, Lyn Davis, Bob Willetts, Michael Burgess, Jude Hayman, Michael Trist, Stuart Wylie, Trish Peters, Rob Walker and Mark Pritchard.