Week 9 Term 2 and we are all standing tall. CONGRATULATIONS AND HEARTFELT APPRECIATION to each and every Principal leading our NSW schools. 2022 continues to bring us the very best public education has to offer in terms of the work our staff, students and communities are doing and the joy in celebrating effort and achievement remains the bright spot in every school.

There is no denying that every day we face challenges – many and varied – we are all too familiar with some – staffing is a crushing constant. It is indeed both remarkable and noteworthy that in every school there is a healthy focus on the core business of our schools – teaching and learning. Whilst we know we are resilient and we ‘just get on with the job’ we must create opportunities to stand still a while and reflect on your personal and collective achievements.

Spending time with many of you this term has grounded me in the knowledge that EVERY Principal knows their purpose and is narrowing their focus to work smart and direct their energy into the things that matter. Competing priorities will always be there – together we must hold the line and have in the front of our minds that we are the key to the wellbeing and culture of our schools.

It truly has been a privilege to join networks of Principals in PPC areas and recognise the incredible work being done in every school. This week’s What’s Hot gives you insight into the Week 7 State Council Meeting in Sydney. Your PPC delegate will go into detail about the conversations and information we shared. The delegate reports in the PPC’s I have been in the past week have been extraordinary.

At State Council we were informed of the passing of one of our recently retired Principals, Ginny Latta. Ginny retired from Tevin-Tintenbar PS and had relocated Tenterfield with her husband to enjoy retirement together. Sadly, Ginny lost her hard fought battle. Ginny was one of the greatest advocates for Public Education and shared her wisdom and experience over many years on PASHNit. She was a long standing member of the Legal Issues Standing Committee. She was relentless in her advocacy for students and leaders in schools. She had a strong voice about all that matter in schools and worked tirelessly to influence and shape practice, policy and procedures. Her legacy walks in Public Education. Our deepest condolences to her husband, friends and colleagues.

Last weekend we received news that one of our well known and highly respected SPC colleagues had unexpectedly passed away. Murray Kitteringham | Principal Sir Joseph Banks HS was without doubt a leader and an incredible human who selflessly gave to the profession. He was all about public education and the difference it made for students and communities. He was incredibly proud of the work of his staff at his school and he celebrated their successes broadly. He was a leader who was heard – people truly listened to him – he had influence and was held in incredibly high regard by his PPA and SPC colleagues. Murray loved his role as Principal and it showed in everything he was involved in and how he went about things. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife and his children. Public Education has been incredibly lucky to have had a leader such as Murray – his name and his wise and considered thinking resonated and will continue to walk with many of us. He will be truly missed. Murray truly made his mark and we will take him forward with us in all we do.