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- President's Report
- Violence in our Schools
- Annual Conference – Newly Appointed Principals:
- Director of Rural Education & Pathways Education
- Education Week. – August 5-9
- End of Term 2 Temperature Check & the 4RF
- Around the Traps
- Public Education Foundation _ Awards & Scholarships - Part 1
- Public Education Foundation _ Awards & Scholarships - Part 2
- NSWPPA Credential 2019
- Leadership & High Performance
- Enjoy the Break
As the Term comes to an end, it is approrpaite to look back at the happenings of the Term and reflect on the activities that have occurred around us.
Much of the early Term continued with the Fair Funding Campaign and work highlighting the policies and funding plans of the various political parties. Many of the pundits got the results wrong and I wouldn't be far from accurate that many were surprised by the actual results. Disappointingly we now live with the results of unfair funding that favours the non-government sectors.
The stabbing of teacher Zane Vockler at Byron Bay PS brought the issue of violence in our schools to a head. Earlier this year Associate Professor Phil Riley’s Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey highlighted that across Australia threats and physical violence are increasing in our schools.
The damning statistics tell a sad story:
- 45% of the 2,300 survey participants say they have been threatened with violence in 2018 and
- 42% of government primary principals who responded have been involved in actual physical violence…
- Female school leaders are most at risk of physical violence with 40% experiencing violence compared to 32% of male school leaders.
More on our work with the Department in a later article.
We also had the great NAPLAN fiasco to contend with this Term. The Writing assessment for Year 5 students certainly caused issues as did the re-sit for many of our schools. More later.
Interesting to note the intervention of the Premier and Treasurer into the education environment with bold announcements with little, if any, consultation with the profession. We had been involved in long consultation with the High Potential and Gifted program, but knew nothing about a Bump It Up version 2 or the Phonics Test for year 1. We have spoken to both the Minister & Department and we will be involved extensively in work on these two actions.
There were some much happier events during the Term. Probably the biggest was the Public Education Foundation Awards night at Town Hall where there was some great recognition of performance and scholarships shared to deserving staff and students. We were also supportive of the $18.5 billion funding announced in the State Budget for education (with $1.3billion focused on reducing the maintenance backlog). And who could forget the launch of the Premier’s Sports Challenge ! Organised by the wonderful Evonne Webb (Social Media Officer in School Operations). Over 20 teams covering the state working on their own Well-Being and counting “steps”.
As a professional Association, along with our Secondary counterparts [SPC], we have lobbied hard for support from our Department and continue to work with them to address our safety concerns. In consultation with stakeholders, the Department developed a document entitled School Community Charter which outlines the responsibilities of parents/carers, educators and school staff to ensure our learning environments are collaborative, supportive and cohesive. All schools were asked to distribute and discuss this charter with their communities. It also elaborated on unacceptable behaviours. There is further work being done to enhance and support this document.
The Byron Bay PS incident earlier this term highlighted the need for stronger deterrents to maintain a safe learning and working environment in all of our 1800 schools. We went to the media saying “there needs to be zero tolerance for aggressive, threatening and violent behaviours from our community and we are calling on our Government to step up and legislate using fines &/or imprisonment for the rare times these incidents occur.”
We found in Legal Issues Bulletin 27 important information that not many of us remembered. It was related to Section 60 E of the Crimes Act viz:
CRIMES ACT 1900 - SECT 60E - Assaults etc at schools
(1) A person who assaults, stalks, harasses or intimidates any school student or member of staff of a school while the student or member of staff is attending a school, although no actual bodily harm is occasioned, is liable to imprisonment for 5 years.
(2) A person who assaults a school student or member of staff of a school while the student or member of staff is attending a school and by the assault occasions actual bodily harm, is liable to imprisonment for 7 years.
(3) A person who by any means:
(a) wounds or causes grievous bodily harm to a school student or member of staff of a school while the student or member of staff is attending a school, and
(b) is reckless as to causing actual bodily harm to that student or member of staff or any other person,is liable to imprisonment for 12 years.
(4) A person who enters school premises with intent to commit an offence under another provision of this section is liable to imprisonment for 5 years.
(5) Nothing in subsection (1) applies to any reasonable disciplinary action taken by a member of staff of a school against a school student.
We are drawing a line in the sand and will no longer tolerate threats and assaults on our members or their staff. Our recommendation is for you to attend the twice yearly meeting with the Local Area Commanders (Memorandum of Understanding between DoE and Police) and insist, that if needed, Police pursue offenders vigorously.
Annual Conference – Newly Appointed Principals:
The following is a list of principals successful in receiving the 2019 subsidy:
Michael Frith; Emily Corcoran; Paul Cuthbertson; Khalil Khay; Nitsa Comninos; Helen Morgani; Nicole Cameron; Nichole Williams; Matt Carter; Natalie MacDonald; Pina Fanggidae; Lesley Burley; Jo West; Bec Stone; Catherine Ryan; Deborah Kelly; Cassie Bate-Barnier; Nicole Gilmore; Selena Gandy and Suzanne Magarry
The principals are from schools across the state from Broke to Bronte.
The successful candidates were selected strictly in order of registration as well as their status as financial members of the Association and their substantive appointment as a principal. All successful candidates sent our Executive Officer Mark Pritchard an email between 8:30am and 8:35a.m. on Thursday 20 June (they were incredibly quick), were substantively appointed principals and were financial members of the NSWPPA.
Principals that were substantively appointed after 1 June, 2019 will be eligible to apply for the subsidy in 2020 if they become a member of our Association.
I'm looking forward to our Conference, which is the highlight of the year for many of our members, and hope, if you choose to attend, that any newly appointed principal can catch up with our Executive and let us know how you are "travelling".
Director of Rural Education & Pathways Education
DEL Mr Laurie Campbell has been recently appointed to this new position which has been pushed for by PPA & SPC for many years. Laurie brings extensive experience to this newly created position and he has worked in educational communities in Queensland as Director eLearning, in the ACT as Principal and is currently Director, Educational Leadership in the Department’s Eden Monaro Network. We applaud the creation of this role and look forward to close collaboration to support our schools.
Education Week is a statewide, annual event to celebrate public education in NSW. The week highlights the achievements of public education and local schools, putting the spotlight on our students, our educators and the communities that support them.
This year’s theme is ‘Every student, every voice’. It is a celebration of student empowerment and how the NSW public education system gives students the skills they need in order to have and express a voice during their own educational journey and as engaged global citizens.
Education Week will be launched jointly from St Marys North Public School and Dubbo College, Senior Campus via a simulcast.
Show your support for Education Week 2019 by joining us at one of the host schools on launch day for celebrations that will include performances from some of our outstanding student vocalists, musicians, dancers and slam poets. It will also include an Acknowledgement of Country performed in language by Dubbo College Senior Campus and a student keynote address.
The joint launch will be compered by student leaders at the two schools on Monday, 5 August from 10am – 11am.
End of Term 2 Temperature Check & the 4RF
Our friends at Be You have provided this timely advice:
As Term 2 comes to an end across Australian states and territories, I know there will be a collective sigh as the year can move at frenetic pace. Adding to this is the onset of colds, illnesses, and tiredness. It’s undeniable the effect that winter can have on some of us. Over the coming weeks, it’s critical for education executives and school leaders to rebalance and reenergise. This is one of the most critical times of the year to take stock, anchor yourself in good behaviours, and find balance emotionally and physically. In a number of global companies executives are adhering to a new wave of what could be called the “4R Framework” – Rest, Recover, Reflect, and Reorient. In addition to this is the ability to Recognise signs and symptoms.
Tips for Education Executives and Schools leaders (July 2019):
- Make dedicated rest and a reasonable sleep routine part of your break
- Take care of yourself by taking care of your gut and monitor consumption behaviours
- Walk, exercise, or move daily (30 minutes is a great start and try to get your steps up to 8000 a day if possible)
- Consider saying no to ‘over’ planning and overwhelming yourself with activities and plan for quiet dedicated rest times
- Take a day trip or a few days away and get into a different environment. Find some sun, nature, and oxygen if possible
- Reconnect by doing activities you love “where you lose yourself” and privilege time for these
- Improve your mood, energy, and future performance by getting organized
- Read and immerse yourself in something completely unrelated to work and consider switching off social media and work emails for “block times”
Seasonal Affective Disorder & School leaders
There is well documented international evidence explaining “Seasonal Affective Disorder” (SAD) for a number of us. SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, has a seasonal pattern – you’re fine during the warmer months, but as the cold closes in, life feels more overwhelming. Not dissimilar to other depressive mood symptoms, SAD can affect our ability to feel energised, motivated, affects our bodies as well as our psychological mood, and generally can have us feeling overwhelmed, flat, and wobbly. Experts have attributed SAD to a lack of sunlight and vitamin D during autumn and winter. This potentially affects our functioning of the Hypothalamus in the brain. Reduced sunlight can also affect melatonin (sleep hormone) and serotonin (mood hormone). It may also affect circadian rhythms and your body clock. Of course if you are feeling severe symptoms like this you should visit you GP.
Helpful tips to counteract the SAD effect on our systems;
- Get outside more often, even in reduced sunlight or winter weather we absorb sunlight
- Get sun, this may mean taking a day or too away from work or going on a holiday in a warmer climate
- Try to avoid increased alcohol consumption as this also may affect melatonin, energy, and serotonin. Using it may temporarily enhance mood however in the longer term drains us.
- Try lots of relaxation activities including being mindful, meditation, and this that make you feel calm such as breathing exercises, warm bathes, or gentle exercise
- Talk to someone about how your feeling and you may be surprised that others are having a similar experience
If it’s become severe and unmanageable please call;
- Lifeline on 13 11 14
- beyondblue on 1300 224 636
- MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
- Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
- QLife on 1800 184 527
Remember, high performing contemporary leaders in the global market are now adhering to a 4R Framework and this is about performance, capability, and capacity.
It was great to attend the North Coast Combined Conference recently at Opal Cove Coffs Harbour. Great range of speakers, time to mix, mingle and share
Public Education Foundation _ Awards & Scholarships - Part 1
An outstandinf speech by ex Socceroos Captain Craig Foster at the Awards.
Public Education Foundation _ Awards & Scholarships - Part 2
This outstanding night, held in the Sydney Town Hall, recognises past scholarship holders, acknowledges students and staff who work in our public schools. ThE Teachers Mutual Bank Harvard Scholarships were also announced.
Our hard working Principal facilitators again did a splendid job with this our 3rd cohort of leaders. Led by the wonderful Anne McIntyre, this group of 85 were working on their projects with their facilitators. A great effort by all.
The team from Leadreship & High Performance have shared the following:
Principal, School Leadership
We have finalised recruitment, and currently have a full team of Principals, School Leadership (PSL). We have also recruited the equivalent of two Small School Principals to support the leaders of small schools.
There are 21 Principal Coach-Mentors (P C-M) working across the state
PSLs and P C-Ms are providing significant ongoing support to principals in managing wellbeing matters. Up until the beginning of June they have provided support to over 500 principals around wellbeing matters.
PSLs are currently coaching 493 Newly Appointed First-time Principals, relieving Principals as well as an increasing number of more established principals
Collaboration and Program Delivery
The PSL team has been involved in a range of co-designed and co-delivered programs. These include:
- Data Skills and Use - a capacity building project with CESE; with over 93% of the respondents indicating that they found the professional learning to be highly effective
- A School Excellence Leaders Project that is being trialed in Rural South and West and is a collaborative piece that includes Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers (HALTs), PSLs, Directors, Educational Leadership (DELs), and Evaluation Capacity Building (ECB)
- Extended Principal Induction Program that is being coordinated by Leadership Pathways.
Peer Principal Panel Training
Over 780 principals have now been trained as peer principals for External Validation. This included 236 participants at the Peer Principal training this term (including 117 new peer principals). Feedback from experienced peer principals was strongly appreciative of providing a condensed follow-up package to them this year (rather than the full two-day training provided to those serving for the first time).
External Validation Panels
These are well underway, beginning in Week 5 of this term and will run through to Week 5 of Term 4. The validation team have made every effort to match peer principals to schools similar to their contexts, and as geographically close to them as possible. Feedback to date has been very positive.
High Performance
Mastery of Teaching
The Mastery of Teaching Program was designed to increase the number of Highly Accomplished (HA) teachers in the department, with a focus on improving the quality of teaching practice at the classroom and school level.
The program is currently operating in 21 rural, remote and regional networks across the Rural North, Regional North and Rural South and West operational directorates. The program is structured to provide support to each identified teacher and includes robust identification, critical reflection and submission of evidence. A total of 74 teachers are now nearing the end of the first phase of robust identification.
Principals and directors have made their nominations, existing HALTs have completed observation visits to schools, and nominated teachers have engaged in detailed self-reflection processes using AITSL and NESA online tools. An expert state panel, which will include primary and secondary principals, will review evidence collected for each teacher from every stage of the identification process in early Semester 2.
The panel will then recommend ‘HA ready’ candidates to be supported by the program to achieve Highly Accomplished teacher accreditation over the next 12 months. Principals play a vital role in identifying and supporting nominated teachers and form an integral component in the successful delivery of this program.
For more information about the Mastery of Teaching Program, please contact the Mastery of Teaching team at masteryofteaching@det.nsw.edu.au.
Schools offering NESA registered professional development courses
During Term 1 and 2, 2019 there has been an increase in the number of schools offering school- based NESA registered professional development courses to their teachers. This year over 241 courses from schools have been approved, equating to an additional 1,000 hours of NESA registered professional development available for teachers in the system.
Leadership and High Performance manages the department’s endorsed provider status with NESA and are able to assist schools in having their tailored, context specific professional development approved. Further details can be accessed on the Teacher Quality and Accreditation website, which provides the latest information and support materials on registered professional development.
For information and advice, please contact the Teacher Quality team in the Leadership and High Performance directorate at teacherquality@det.nsw.edu.au or phone 7814 3854. For information relating to the MyPL system, please contact the MyPL team.
As an Executive who have been moving around the State and meeting colleagues, we are really well aware of the hard work everyone is putting in and the amount of time dedicated to your school community.
On behalf the Executive, Robyn Evans, Di Robertson, Rob Walker, Lyn Davis, Ian Reeson/ Trish Peters, Bob Willetts, Michael Burgess, Jude Hayman, Michael Trist, Craig Redfern, Mark Pritchard, and myself - have a break, enjoy life outside school, don't check your emails and re-charge the batteries.
Please always remember that we are here for you [details are on our webpage & President’s should have sent you a sheet with who to contact in your local Area Council ]…. And to look after yourself.
cheers
Phil Seymour
PRESIDENT