The NSWPPA Executive met Thursday and Friday last week to discuss emerging matters and action next steps. We had the opportunity to meet with the two new Deputy Secretaries - Leanne Nixon Deputy Secretary | School Performance – North and Ruth Owen Deputy Secretary | Learning Improvement.

Their role descriptions and areas of focus shared with the Executive compliment and build on delivery in our schools, accessible support services, prioritising and sharpening our focus. Spending time in schools is invaluable as we know for our colleagues. Their visits and interactions have already commenced. The Executive look forward to continuing the conversation and developing collaborative practices.

Marnie O’Brien Executive Director | Health and Safety Directorate also joined us with a particular focus on Principal Wellbeing and the systems resources available currently. New resources are on their way. With the 2020 Principal and Leader Wellbeing report due for release in March, we discussed the findings would be similar to those found in the longitudinal study over 10 years.

We will continue our conversations with our Department colleagues – the lift in the system is reliant on the Department and its employees working in authentic collaboration. Principals are the leverage point and the cognitive load we carry is critical to nurture as the Department delivers the policies and practices we are required to implement and embed in school practice.

Planning forward, Term 1 NSWPPA State Council, Chairpersons Meeting, Reference Group, Standing Committee and Working Party Meetings will all take place via ZOOM. With the reduction in restrictions we are moving toward being able to meet face to face hopefully in Term 2.