Consultation is not negotiation

Over the last 12 months a review has been conducted into the operation of special education class placement panels across the state. There has been a lot of information gathered about the processes being employed in each area. It was found there was considerable disparity around the state as to how the panels were operating. A state office team has looked at the variations in practice, trialled some new routines, and settled on a new way forward.

Our Disability Programs Reference Group has been consulted and kept informed of some developments in the process, primarily how the principal representatives on the panels were determined. The group were disappointed to have been kept out of the loop on the remainder of the processes.

When presented with the proposed new routines, we could see improvements in the process and overall it appears the process refinements will be positive. Once aspect the group did not agree with was the move to having principal of the student being nominated for a special class being the person responsible for advising the outcomes of the decision of the placement panel. While there have been a small number of schools involved in the practice to date, following a survey by the NSWPPA Disability Program RG, it was found that 94% of principals were opposed the nominating school principal being specified as the person to provide this advice.

There were a number of reasons for this including potential damage to relationships between school and family in what is often an already sensitive time for families, a break from departmental policy on the convenor of a panel being the person responsible for providing panel feedback, and the failure to recognise workload issues we are already experiencing at the school level. It is notable that an additional clerical position is being established to support the work of each panel in the relevant DoE office. DoE senior management felt the principal was best placed to support the families at the time of the decision being advised. DPRG and State Executive escalated the matter with the relevant Executive Director, Deputy Secretary and the Secretary. The Secretary advised he would look further into the concern raised but the procedures have now been distributed unchanged.

The new processes commence from the beginning of 2021 and will be accompanied by a feedback process for everyone involved to indicate how the new processes are working for them.

Celebrations at Term 4 State Council – Delivery on the Association’s Priorities during 2020

Our Priorities for 2020:

1. Principal Wellbeing
2. The Principal in a Changing Environment
3. Learning and Quality Teaching
4. Communication
5. School Operations

An interesting and happy part of Term 4 State Council was a ‘round the table’ report back from the Chairs of our reference groups and standing committees on the progress on the achievement of the Associations goals by each group. Despite a year loaded with debilitating conditions the achievements of the groups have continued unrelenting. When compiled, the achievements were able to be shared in a 37 slide powerpoint, so too much information to share here (the powerpoint is on the website in the State Council materials area).

A few notables:

Annual Conference - Chair: Kylie Donovan

A high quality and engaging virtual state conference which saw more than a 50% increase in the number of members able to access the conference.

Rural Education - Chair: Steven De Roos

A strengthening of relations with ITD leading to innovative solutions to issues presenting for rural schools.

Communications and Engagement - Chair: David Munday

Vast input in the planning of Education Week 2020 and advocacy surrounding app trials, the attendance portal, the digital strategy, the school website service and Schoolbiz 2.0.

School Viability and Education Provision - Chair: Grant Schaefer

Continued support to colleagues regarding school closure, amalgamation, recess or consideration of alternate educational provision coupled with a strengthening of the knowledge of the protocols from DEL through to Deputy Secretary level.

Human Resources - Chair: Glenn Walker then Skye Seymour

Strong advocacy on all matters staffing and in particular with respect to the design of the Human Capital Management solution and the process which sit around HCM.

Aboriginal Education - Chair: Paul Byrne

Establishment of collegial networks building strength in our provision of Aboriginal Education; liaison with the School Leadership Institute regarding support for Aboriginal teachers and school leaders; significant contributions to the state virtual Aboriginal Education staff room; assistance in the shaping of the Aboriginal Education component of the DoE Leadership Credential.

Disability Programs - Chair: Graeme McLeod

Advice and advocacy relation to the Inclusive Education Statement and Draft Policy, Restrictive Practices Draft Framework, Specialist support for complex behaviour and the Behaviour Strategy, the Disability Royal Commission, the Disability Criteria Review, Special Education Class Placement Panels, Integration Funding Support processes, and Vision and Hearing Support.

Principal Support - R/Chair: Grace Palamara

Issues included workload, ineffective communication and consultation with Principals, the role of the DEL and the inconsistencies in their operation that impact on Principals and in 2020 the extraordinary issues that resulted from Covid-19; liaison and work with the Association’s Professional Support Officers and the increasing numbers of cases in which they are involved; supporting the provision of professional learning opportunities which provide Principals with the tools to manage their wellbeing; advocacy relating to the School Community Charter; follow up on the implications of the Phil Riley research on Principal Wellbeing.

Curriculum - Chair: Norma Petrocco

Advocacy regarding the Masters Curriculum Review and NESA and DoE subsequent support; submission and evidence presented to the NSW Legislative Council review of the Masters Review, Early Action for Success; significant progress on the provisions for EAL/D students.

Assessment, Planning & Accountability - Chair: Scott Sanford

Advocacy relating to the School Excellence in Action strategy, including the situational analysis, SPARO software school planning and annual report components, the External Validation process; the Masters Curriculum Review, the NSW Phonics Check, advice regarding reporting to parents during the COVID period, the work of the NAPLAN review committee, SCOUT enhancements, and advice to CESE regarding professional learning relating to What Works Best.

Technology - Chair: Drew Janetzki

Advocacy relating to technology innovation which leads to reduction of administrative workload; identification of schools involved in UAT; emerging tools suitable for use in the school; involvement in numerous DoE project control groups, and responses to numerous technological issues brought forward by members.

Finance and Administration - Chair: Karen Mortimer

Advocacy relating to the Carry Forward Policy, Finance reports at the school level, Scout reports, EFPT improvements, the student finance project, the office furniture agreement, procurement solutions, utilities funding, HCM project, DEL financial skills and shoulder to shoulder support for principals.

Teaching Principals - Chair: Bek Zadow

A significant improvement in liaison with the NSWTF on matters impacting small schools. Advocacy relating to the HCM project, the Rural and Remote Leadership Development Program. Resolution of 137 issues raised by members through 2020 relating to classification, working conditions and systems issues impacting on small schools.

From our Professional Learning Officer - Margaret Charlton

Transition of our professional learning programs to Zoom format for 2020. Professional learning for 464 school leaders during 2020. Delivery of the Principal Credential, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Leading at the Speed of Trust, and Flourish - all with evaluations strongly recommending ongoing provision and encouragement to colleagues to take up the professional learning.

From our Professional Support Officers - Wendy Buckley & Geoff Scott, recently joined by Phil Seymour

Individual confidential support ranging from telephone conversations, referrals to appropriate support sources, meetings with Principals, representations and advocacy to DoE senior officers and on-site visits. Support to members where complaints and allegations are directed at Principals, whether managed by DELs or PES (formerly EPAC). Encouragement to Area Council leadership to maintain contact, particularly with colleagues that regularly miss PPC meetings.