Instructional Leaders – Early Action for Success

Following some questions around Instructional Leaders we have followed up and received this advice: Literacy and Numeracy Unit are currently developing a consistent statewide approach to the possible extensions into 2020 for Instructional Leaders appointed for the 3 year period from 2017-2019. They are planning to provide advice for Principals and Instructional Leaders early in Term 2. We should have positive information coming out on this soon.

Principal Classification:

The HR Reference Group has been working hard on developing our position on principal classification and are now looking at modelling using the complicated formula. There is a much stronger emphasis on enrolments and will be released for comment next Term.

PPA Position statements

Many of the Executive attended media training early in the Term and the importance of having some easily enunciated positions was highlighted. We have therefore started developing “positions” that reflect the beliefs of the membership. So far we have been working on:

• NAPLAN
• SRE/SEE & ethics
• Safety & Security in our schools (violence)
• Bullying prevention
• Special Education

Synergy

We were advised at State Council that Synergy was being de-commissioned and it caused lots of angst amongst schools that use it. The announcement was premature, but reflected issues with the Tribal, the software owner. Further discussions with both Learning & Well-Being and Learning & Business Systems Senior Officers will continue to determine the best actions ahead….. there is no immediate intention to de-commission Synergy.

SBAR & SSP schools

With the release of the SBAR - actuals this week there were some very different results for our SSP colleagues. When comparing the estimated SBAR with the actual SBAR there was a significant difference in the QTSA and Principal Support funding. Thanks to quick & strong support by Director Mary-Lou O’Brien and HR, this has been rectified.

Human Capital Management – HCM

Another acronym for us to learn. HCM is all about recruitment for permanents, temporaries & casuals and was the subject of an email I sent out this week asking for commentary on improvements & challenges. It was an initial call -out but more will follow.

Artificial Intelligence & Ethics

Deputy Secretary Leslie Loble convened another meeting this week around the Catalyst Lab and it’s work on innovation and AI. Two Operational Directorates will be involved (Metropolitan South and Regional North) in developing projects that eventually would be scalable for the whole system… See #EthicalAI