What a brilliant DoE initiative. Congratulations to Kathy Powzun Executive Director Bushfire Relief Strategy, Mark Thomson and Sue French Principals in Residence and the entire team for this brilliant forum for our colleagues affected by the 2019/20 bushfires.

This Conference was designed by the Principals in these areas – they were invited to voice what they needed and the conference organisers responded accordingly. For many colleagues, this was the first time they had had the opportunity to really share their story. The spirit in the room was palatable – it was filled with hope and optimism – it was about the ravaging fires and the plight of schools, students, families and communities at large. It was about healing and recovering and rejuvenation. There was acknowledgement of the journey everyone is on. There was a shared understanding of time. Human spirit – care, kindness, support, conversation response and voice galvanised this forum. The key note line up included:

• NSW Minister for Education | Sarah Mitchell
• General Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove
• Commissioner |Shane Fitzsimmons
• Acting Secretary | Georgina Harrison
• Deputy Secretary School Performance South | Murat Dizdar

Kristen Douglas National Manager of HeadSpace punctuated much of her presentation with recommendations and comments by stating ‘you can’t be giving from an empty bucket’ – ‘you can’t talk it and not do it’. Our roles in school are key to the organisation – SELF CARE must be on your agenda regardless of what is on the DoE agenda. YOU are IMPORTANT. The initiatives and programs offered by HeadSpace for primary and secondary schools have continued to strengthen the skills and strategies for our students, communities and staff alike.

The NSWPPA Executive and I felt privileged to attend the Conference with colleague Principals, PSL’s, DELS, ED’s and senior DoE personnel. Our colleagues’ stories shared were truly remarkable – it is without doubt a testament to the human spirit of leaders in schools that following natural disaster, pandemic, critical incidents we face every new day with courage and resilience. It was also most apparent how much the DoE and PPA support was valued. It made the different for our school communities and our colleague Principals.

The ‘Adopt a School’ project initiated by Phil Seymour NSWPPA Past President saw non-affected schools reach out to bushfire, drought and flood affected schools and colleagues in many ways – the stories from the floor filled my heart – kindness and generosity underpinned each and every story. Our affected school colleagues were really touched by the generosity of schools and colleagues they didn’t even know. Leah Martin President Batemans Bay PPC and Principal Pambula PS was instrumental in leading the charge identifying schools in the initial iteration of the Adopt a School Program. Credit to Phil and Leah for the initiative and those of us that got on board and embraced the Public Education family.

THANK YOU everyone for wrapping such support around our colleagues and those who continue to do so. Thank you too to the 43 PPC’s who so generously donated books to schools at the Term 4 2019 State Council Meeting. Humbled by the collective support were our colleagues. The other thing that struck me was the support afforded our colleague Principals by their own school staff – yes, a given you would say but… to hear the way colleagues spoke about their Principal’s leadership as the fires approached, during the height of the fire and the aftermath and ongoing practice exemplified the sense of team and purpose. Never underestimate how we show up matters.

I joined the panel opening day 2 of the conference comprising: Sarah Parker Bobin PS, Angelo Gavrielatos President NSW Teachers Federation, Denise Lofts Principal Ulladulla HS and Kathy Powzun Executive Director Bushfire Strategy. Kristen Douglas hosted the panel session where we shared our stories about impact of this event, leadership during and post the fires, healing and hope, prioritising your own self care so you can lead and support others and maintaining balance. It was deeply personal and profoundly hopeful. Every colleague has their own story – Kristen asked the forum to share their story about how they prioritise self-care and staying balanced so you can lead and support others. Colleagues were incredibly generous in doing so – finding joy in music, art, reading, gathering with family and friends and playing sport. Deannie Nichols Principal Nan Glen PS shared her FLOURISH journey – her learning & her staff engagement in FLOURISH for Schools and the impact of the program not only for the staff but how it in turn positively impacted on the students and the broader school community. If you have not already engaged in the Flourish Movement I encourage you to take a look at this brilliant professional learning. This PL is so much more than a ‘program’. As a result of the collation of your personal data collection and the professional and personal lifestyle changes you will acquire, refine and hone a remarkable set of skills to apply to both your professional and personal life – it is about finding joy in what you do and how and why you do it when you are under pressure.

A huge congratulations to the organising team and all colleagues in attendance at this conference. The Bushfire Relief Strategy supports emergency planning, response and recovery management within NSW learning communities. The strategy has been instrumental in communities recovering from bushfire, drought and most recently flood.