NSW Primary Principals' Association eNewsletter

State Council Presentations and Wrap Up:

Last week saw the NSWPPA host the 43 PPC Presidents and State Delegates, Chairsand State Executive at our first State Council for the year. We had great sessions with panels and speakers over the 2 days.

The Feedback from State Council was extraordinary. We took on the recommendations from last year and adjusted the two days accordingly – likewise we will discuss and adjust again for term 2. I would like to sincerely thank all who attended. Your active engagement and collaboration truly contributed to the business of the Association. There was much to walk away with AND much for our DoE colleagues to take back. The health and culture of the NSWPPA is dependent on us all. Congratulations to all – such a worthy two days!

Below are key points from each session.

Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning, Hon Sarah Mitchell MLC:

Key points:

Minister Mitchell reflected on her time as Minister with election looming - many positive memories, including collegial relationship with the NSWPPA.
On the Universal pre-kindergarten initiative, there is $15.9 billion committed in next decade. The developmental check prior to Kindergarten enrolment is to begin late 2023.
By 2030 Universal pre – kindergarten will operate 5 days per week. 500 schools with pre-schools on site or planned will be contacted soon with further information and next steps.
Rewarding Excellence is designed to provide more career paths for public school teachers. The Minister stated – ‘We will need work to get it right”
Temporary to permanent conversion – ‘We will absolutely be taking into account’ near misses –including maternity leave.
Primary v’s secondary principal pay disparity–work to do on overall disparity between primary and secondary allocations in staffing.
Principal Reclassification –looking at ways to do it better –currently paused –committed to further discussion.
Teaching principals –request to match time allocation for TPs equivalent to that provided to larger school exec -“these are things we need to work through” -no definite commitment offered at this stage.
Rewarding Excellence–issue of identified teachers being paid more than AP/DPs or TPs - Minister pointed to 50 school pilot as a means of work through these issues - PPA to be an important part of the review process.

Transformation of Services to Schools | Amrutha Murthy | Sen Thevarajah | Jane McElhaney | Aarthi Navaratnam:

Key points:

Aiming to bridge the gap between schools and service providers - to promote ease of use, high quality, responsive services and processes.
Issue raised from the floor regarding the importance of EdConnect and other DoE staff having the expertise to help school staff with their enquiries –because ‘they don’t know what they don’t know’.
Voice of Schools–aims to improve access to information and support for schools. Acknowledged that there was a divide between schools and the DoE bureaucracy. Colleagues confirmed this to them sharing the frustration that multiple times we have contributed to previous initiatives only to commence a new line of inquiry without action forward. There was commitment to providing the NSWPPA with ongoing opportunity to contribute to and collaborate on the work being done.

Curriculum, Teaching and Learning | Cathy Zemaitis | Catherine Thomson | Annalies Van Westerenbrugge:

Key Points:

The team are continuing the process of curriculum development and supporting resources. Various current syllabuses have been around for varying periods –way back to Creative Arts in 2000. The current process provides an opportunity to bring some flow and commonality to the different syllabuses to provide students with a more cohesive learning environment.
The plan is to reduce the total number of outcomes (work in progress) and make the syllabuses easier to use. They are seeking feedback from principals and teachers –they are getting mixed responses when they try to reduce content.
English and Mathematics already released, expect to see the remaining drafts land in Term 2 –simultaneously. They will then seek more feedback on how they can be improved.
Parent guides will be available to support the implementation of the new syllabuses –via the Universal Resource Hub along with 100+ units of work (with as many again planned). If you and your staff aren’t accessing the URH, do yourself a favour. Lots more support and resources will be released in 2023 –developed with input from school-based staff.
Curriculum Reform Communities are set up across the state to assist in the whole process–all schools welcome (there’s a map on their webpage that shows where you can join) There is PL available for school staff –including training to become leaders in the rollout process. They are aware that many schools have more difficulty in accessing the rollout –including small and rural schools. They have created a reference group to address this.
Covid ILSP–extended to full year. New research shows small group work such as ILSP is particularly effective. Data on current ILSP program shows that it typically has 3 sessions per week, groups of 2-5 students,41-to-50-minutesessions, cycles of 10-20 weeks, mainly via withdrawal (83%) v’s in class (15%). Positive feedback on impact for students, teachers, pre-service teachers and SLSOs.

Culture of the NSW Primary Principals Association | Bob Willetts | Robyn Evans:

Key points:

We revisited:

NSWPPA Constitution
NSWPPA Standing Orders
Support, Empower, Advocate, Lead
Discussion on culture and its importance to the effective representation of the NSWPPA’s aims.
NSWPPA motto Support, Empowerment, Advocacy & Leadership–only meaningful if we as an Association make it part of how we operate.
Analysis of the NSWPPA constitution, which is available on the website.
Importance of the cultural values of the NSWPPA to be on show at all levels and all activities –State Council, State Executive, RG/SC/WP, PPCs, individually. Activity –identify the most important mantras for the NSWPPA from a list. Conversation around the room on how the mantras relate to our activities. Follow up activity will lead to the state executive condensing the identified messages to promote to all members.

Secretary NSW Department of Education | Georgina Harrisson

Key points:

George and I had ’a conversation’. She opened with 2023 a year of recovery and results.
Current planning around the election with the possibility of a change in Government. She emphasised this in fact should not impact on our schools and we should remain focused on own work and improving outcomes for all students.
I raised the notion of culture and revisited the work we had done as an Association with our corporate colleagues. The Secretary credited the lead taken by the NSWPPA in this area in particular how we went into negotiations in an open and solution focused way. Negotiate was the key work – policy and practice matters.
The Universal Pre Kindergarten Initiative is part of the election campaign – George was also surprised that the announcement of ‘where’ the pre-schools would be built was announced by the Sydney Morning Herald. She advised us all to wait for details as they weren’t available currently.
Principal Reclassification review is still on the table for 2023. The NSWPPA were instrumental in a moratorium for 2023 to look at a transparent set of criteria to put schools on hold or approved. She committed to having the criteria available term 3. She indicated this was also dependent on Treasury.
SRE and SEE review? An action forward to discuss the expectations of curriculum implementation in the current environment in our schools and look at alternate ways for SEE and SRE to be delivered I or schools.

Murat Dizdar

Key Points:

Four hundred and thirty PDP Test and Learn Schools. Whole networks (esp non flood disaster areas) and Connected Communities CPO and Dep Secretary School Performance leading Test and Learn. Looking at PDF fit for purpose for Principal role with Principal Role Description used. Tapping in on SLI also.
Tilted more on improving Principal development -Goals prescriptive with performance and development a focus. Leading, teaching, learning a focus. No goal prescribed by personal and discussed with
Should be achievable in same
Observation still
Self assessment a new
DoE met with NSWTF on this
Actioned across the state in
Not to do with Principal contracts nor NAPLAN

Charli Milne
Key Points:
Temporary Workforce Project

Hotline to contact for information
10000 teachers and 5000 support
challenging schools identified
two key eligibility fulltime/parttime temp contract for at least 3 years up to 2022 and engaged in same school in 2023.
Principal will be able to raise concerns assessed with “near miss” appointments on case-by-case
Case by case for staff individual circumstances will also be
Above establishment
Open vacancy in entitlement more in that position
Implementation in late March 2023 Connect Communities, SSP, Aboriginal officers and high transfer schools first.
NSWTF and PSA Principal associations consulted too.
Information sessions will be offered for

Teacher Supply Strategy

Teaching training in grow your own with SLSO retrained to be
570 application for 200 150 for each year in 2024 and 2025.
Assistance is given for applicants in writing a
Currently 13 initiatives across teacher supply

Cathy Brennan
Key Points:
Rural Remote Solutions

8 February 150 rural and remote school relocation ($5000-$8000) and stamp duty payment (up to $10000) for permanent and temporary
Teacher housing existing housing are being improved with maintenance and additional
$20000 bonus recruitment for 150 rural and remote 50-90 Retention with $5000 for up to 10 years.
Additional professional learning
Relaunch of Beyond the Line program after eight years
Support for new teachers to area under the Rural Beginners Program offering teachers to social connections with $600.
HR website offers information about benefits available to