Your delegate should have reported on the happenings of our Term 4 State Council. I thought some of the salient points from our Minister & Secretary would be insightful.

Minister Hon Sarah Mitchell:

• Values the frank and fearless advice from the PPA and values the relationship she has developed with us.
• Acknowledges the work and efforts of our colleagues have done in drought affected and bushfire affected schools. Preliminary discussions with state Executive around how we can manage these situations better moving forward e.g. air quality
• Discussed the two schools that burnt down and praised the leadership of both schools and the Principals of the schools that were housing the displaced students and staff. Both schools to be rebuilt and hopefully ready for day 1 2020.
• Release of the report into the curriculum review. Decluttering the curriculum is priority number 1. Report should be ready by end term 1.
• NAPLAN review. Targeted consultations by 3 professors. Initial findings rather than recommendations at this stage.
• Also discussed the enrolment policy, impact of SASS pay rise on Integration funding, dust storms, Well-Being officers for High Schools & not primary schools and casual supply across the state & impact on schools.

Mark Scott, Secretary NSW Department of Education.

Some key points:

• Recognition of Principals’ work during bushfire crisis.
• Curriculum Review – Interim report makes good sense. Will need to determine what is the support schools will need to manage the curriculum and syllabus changes? Need Clarity about what NESA does and what the DoE does
• Staffing & the unintended consequence of Gonski is that is soaked up casual pool. SMR – continuing. Will pilot different way of staffing around casuals. Interested in recruiting mid-career people into teaching – what’s the standard
• Mark fielded some questions:
  - Mark Gosbell : feels listened to and heard as SSP – heading into critical space and aware of resourcing challenges. How far away are we from some change in that space?
  - Bob Willetts: Email about Secondary Counsellors and Wellbeing Officers. How do we work with you to influence future announcements / Commitments from the Premier’s office, so they include primary students to ensure EVERY student is known valued and cared for?