The Term is flying by and so many “things” are happening in our space as you try to manage the COVID world for your school community. We hope you are coping well and feel supported.

COVID guideline changes have been a nightmare for us all. To receive a 16 page document on Sunday night for implementation on the Wednesday was a huge ask. To include the demand on parents for a negative test result has just put so much strain on schools and caused much angst for our SASS staff particularly. We had absolutely no say in this and the Department of Health provided that advice.

The Disability Strategy entered a new phase with the release this week of the Inclusive Education Statement for further consultation. I’ve attached some further information later in the Newsletter, but it re-affirms that our system offers a variety of settings to meet the needs of our students as opposed to some of the advocacy groups out there that want to close them all down.

Also this week was the release of the Draft Behaviour Policy which again has been coming for some time. It’s a consultation draft & I urge you to read the documents ( I emailed the K-6 guidelines out last night to you all) and give the DoE feedback. The Student Well-Being RG has included further information later in the Newsletter.

On Thursday night I sent you information on an initiative to find a permanent home for our Association. I’ve elaborated upon the need, the searches, costs, the savings, financial risk and the benefits for us. I’ll be conducting zooms for Presidents & Delegates on Monday (an 8.15 am option and a 4.00 pm option) to further elaborate & answer questions. I expect them to discuss with you the initiative and for you to determine your PPC position for the vote at State Council on Thursday next week.

And something else …….The Code of Conduct is also being reviewed and Legal Services Chairperson Greg McLaren needs your feedback. See the article below and attachments.

In terms of contracts for principals the only positive indication we have seen was in the Government’s response to the “Latham Manifesto”

Recommendation 25. That the Government place school principals on performance based contracts with significantly increased salaries. Performance measures should be based on the effective use of evidence and data, and achievement of high-level school results (measured primarily by value adding). Successful principals would receive performance bonuses; failing principals the termination of their contracts. The new system should also be used to meet Minister Mitchell’s goal of “giving incentives to our best principals to take up jobs in our most challenging schools”

Response: Noted. “This would represent a significant departure from historical and statutory employment practices and would require extensive consultation with stakeholders and further consideration by NSW Government. The NSW Government is working to improve principal performance. The School Leadership Institute has developed a draft Principal Leadership Framework to support the professional growth of principals. The Principal Leadership Framework sets out the leadership actions and behaviours that research indicates have a positive impact on teacher and student learning.”