Filter Content
- President’s Report
- State Council Term 3
- Principal Well-Being
- Curriculum Review
- Education Week Launch
- International Confederation of Principals (ICP)
- The Minister’s & Secretary’s Awards for Excellence
- HR SAP Salary Tool
- Professional Learning
- NSWPPA Website:
- Out in our Schools
- Regional Conferences
- Principal Well-Being
- Visiting Local PPCs
- NAPLAN & NAPLAN online
- Fairer Funding for All – where are we up to?
- Executive Elections
- And another thing or two….
- The National Scene – APPA
- Schoolzine
Welcome to our latest Newsletter and hope it finds you humming along smoothly in what used to be a quiet Term (I don’t think there is any such thing anymore).
A few controversial issues happening around us and we have been involved with most (couldn’t do anything about the Prime Minister) with the HR Salary tool & NAPLAN being the biggest issues for us. I’ll discuss these more later in the newsletter.
With Annual Conference creeping up closely, we hope you have registered and booked accommodation. So far we have 495 registrations for what will again be the highlight of the year for our Association.
Our Term 3 State Council was held on September 6 & 7 and saw our delegates hearing from:
- Prof Geoff Masters who has recently been asked to chair the Minister’s Curriculum Review at NESA,
- CESE Director Ben Barnes on the CESE Interim Report on LSLD
- The Minister & Secretary as well as
- Deputy Secretary Murat Dizdar, Executive Director Jane Simmons and updates on the School Leadership Institute, the National Scene and deliberations on Gonski by Dep Sec Leslie Loble, the HR review and happenings in High Performance.
We focused on a few key issues that are causing us much angst including the situation at Bondi Beach PS and the roll out of the SAP HR Salary tool. We held a workshop to amend a draft “Parent Code of Conduct” the DoE shared with us for comment & we recognised 3 of our Executive who will not be re-contesting for their positions at the up-coming elections.
Jackie Malecki, who has been a member of Executive or Executive support for over 20 years, was given a standing ovation for her outstanding contribution to our Association, colleagues and schools. Jackie’s insights, strategic thinking, editorial skills, mentoring, commitment, hard work and support was recognised by all attending State Council. We also thanked Terry Fisher and John Mularczyk
Your delegate will have much more information at your next PPC meeting.
The fiasco that has occurred at Bondi Beach PS has us all worried. When a P & C President doesn’t follow protocols and send emails to all and sundry, including many media outlets, all of us become anxious as any of us could be in that situation. My understanding is that two DELs gave advice that we have procedures that enables staff and parents to lodge issues/complaints, however this advice was ignored.
Trial by media is blatantly unfair and does nothing to solve any issue but does irrevocable damage to the principal and school’s reputation. We asked at State Council why no senior DoE officer hadn’t come out in the media explaining our protocols & asking the media to back off. The Minister and Deputy Secretary Murat Dizdar are very cognizant of the issues, the pain involved and talked about the conundrum – giving the media oxygen vs letting it settle. Many of us would appreciate DoE fronting the media and taking the heat off the principal & school.
Both the DoE officers and PPA colleagues are supporting Principal Debbie Evans and professional officer Geoff Scott, Legal Issues chair Greg McLaren & Vice President Louise Green will attend the Bondi PPC meeting this week to support local colleagues who are feeling very fragile.
The Minister has had discussions with senior DoE officers and my understanding is they are developing better protocols for these scenarios.
Prof Geoff Masters addressed both the Executive (and chairs Norma Petrocco & Bob Willetts) and State Council last week giving us his initial insights into the Review of Curriculum organised by the Minister.
Refreshingly Prof Masters spoke of the challenge we are facing of preparing our students for a future world and the changes happening around us while many continue with curriculum with much content. He mentioned the tensions now with many of the “low skills” jobs disappearing and how we have to ensure all students are getting the basics, how we have to lift the standards for all students and where is the best place for interventions & how we organise the learning in our schools.
We discussed how we can show growth, is A-E a good way to report to parents/carers, Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development, the need for a frame of reference to assess students and how do we understand where students are up to in their learning.
Some very interesting discussions.
We have developed a draft submission which we are working on now that the terms of Reference have been released.
What a fabulous launch to our Education Week this year. For the first time it was launched in a primary school….actually in two primary schools, Parramatta PS and Kiama PS. A huge thanks to both schools and their teams for their wonderful organisation and to Terry Fisher & Di Robertson who persuaded the committee to give it a go in a primary school. T4L IT Director, Mark Greentree, was also very happy because the Premier launched the T4L kits during this launch.
International Confederation of Principals (ICP)
I was one of three government primary principals selected by AGPPA to attend the ICP Council meeting in Killarney Ireland earlier this month.
This Council meeting was a fantastic opportunity to meet delegates from 15 nations hosted by the Irish Primary Principals (IPPN) and Secondary Principal Associations (NAPD). Representatives came from Singapore, France, South Africa, Kenya, New Zealand, Ontario, Swaziland, Finland, Netherlands, Ireland, UK and several Australian Associations ( Australian Secondary -ASPA, AHISA – Independents, NSWSPC, Aust Special Education principals – ASEPA and AGPPA).
We were addressed by the Irish Minister of Education, Richard Bruton and Chief Inspector of Irish Schools, Harold Hislop….it was so interesting to hear the very common themes we have in NSW at present. I’ll do a full report for State Council on these.
WE were also addressed by Prof Phillip Riley on his longitudinal Wellbeing survey he is conducting with Australian, Irish and New Zealand school leaders & how he wants to extend the groups involved.
AGPPA representatives with Irish Ed Minister
ICP president Fiona Forbes with Irish Chief Inspector of Schools |
Onatrio bid for 2021 ICP Conference |
ICP new Executive
New & Outgoing ICP presidents
Irish Primary principals & Secondary principal organisers.
The Minister’s & Secretary’s Awards for Excellence
What an outstanding afternoon supported by the DoE and the Public Education Foundation !!
Jane Caro, outstanding supporter of Public Education, was the MC and led an awesome procession of award winners. Awards were:
Minister’s Award for Excellence in Student Achievement [Year 12 students - 37 winners]
Minister’s Award for Excellence in Teaching [19 including Kristie Banfield – Oran Park PS; Penny Baxter – Revesby PS; Kerrianne Fallon – Lansvale PS; Vanessa Jegers – Revesby PS]
Secretary’s Award for Excellent Service [7 including Solange Cruz -Merrylands East PS; Olivia Mackay – Hampden Park PS; Tam Phan – Lansvale PS]
Secretary’s Award for Outstanding School Initiative [16 including Glenmore Park PS; Perthville Public School; Revesby Public School; Revesby South PS; South Coogee PS]
Secretary’s School Achievement Award [6 including Auburn North PS; Dapto PS; la Perouse PS; Lansvale PS ]
Public School Parent of the Year [6 including Jo Finnelley - Kincumber PS; Sam Hyratt – Campbellfield PS; Kellie McFarlane – Revesby South PS; Michael Nguyen – Harrington St PS]
Back in Term 1 I attended the South East Regional Conference in Canberra & heard directly from our colleagues in the Far South Coast about the HR salary tool trial they were involved in and the litany of issues that had arisen. I passed these on to the DoE and expected the issues would be addressed. The tool was rolled out to the Corporate sector and then just before the end of Term 2 there was a further rollout #3. Another disastrous roll out that had a huge impact on our schools – SAMs & principals alike.
Vice President Ian Reeson and Deputy President Robyn Evans led a spirited campaign to halt the roll out to the next 1100 schools until the support, PL and processes were clear. We involved Federation as casuals weren’t getting paid and had meetings with the Project Leader & Deputy Secretary Peter Riordan in an attempt to support Roll out 3 schools, ensure Ed Connect knew how to support schools and “fix the tool” before it went even further. In the end we sought the Minister’s intervention, which thankfully put a moratorium on the roll out until November 8. DEL Glen Patterson and retired principal Peter Miles are now working on supporting the training of Groups 1 and 3 and developing support for the rest of us.
We apologise to the schools that were getting prepared for the next roll out, but in the end this is a better result as the DoE move to support those schools in Roll out 1 and 3 and prepare for better implementation for the next 1100 schools.
This is another example where schools haven’t been involved in the final governance decisions a fact we have re-inforced in our discussions with the Secretary & Minister in the last fortnight. We will continue to push for greater involvement in the governance of key initiatives and PCG/ PCB (project Control Group or Boards) membership so the voice of schools is heard.
Vice President Lyn Davis provides the following update:
ART OF LEADERSHIP 2019
The NSWPPA will again offer The Art of leadership in 2019. The following locations have been determined in consultation with the Leadership Standing committee.
Sydney (2 courses), Newcastle, Campbelltown, Parramatta, Bathurst, Rooty Hill .
Masterclasses will be offered in Sydney and Newcastle.
Registrations are not open until venues have been confirmed. As soon as registration is open you will be advised through What’s Hot. These events are very popular and have a capacity for only 25 participants. Registrations will fill quickly so register early.
We have been working closely with Schoolzine to develop a better website for our Association. Vice President Ian Reeson (our new webmaster) has undertaken a huge task to get us ready for our new website.
We have phased in release of the website and you have all be asked to double check your own details & complete your personal profile on your dashboard page…..don’t forget to upload a pic.
The new website, your dashboard landing page, the App and the Newsletter combined with our twitter account gives us a great reach to our members, keeping you all in the loop in an integrated fashion. A great accomplishment by this Executive led by Ian Reeson.
Mount Ousley Public School in Wollongong has been involved in some outstanding teaching & learning using IT as a resource. Principal Peter Holmes has been a leading light using Apple technology. They are the T4L Award winners for 2018…they are the “ CIO Digital Lighthouse School “ Here is a snap shot of the school:
Deputy President Robyn Evans addressed the Riverina Regional Conference at Mulwala in mid-August as I disappointingly missed it as I was mid-flight to Ireland for the ICP conference.
I attended the Western Region Conference in Orange, organised by a hard-working Orange Lachlan PPC group and just missed the really cold mornings. Funnily enough, during my presentation on the Friday morning, I broke the drought [heavy rain on a tin roof sounds so good]. Some great speakers inspired us & really enjoyed the sharing of ideas. Guy Leech, champion Iron Man, gave a couple of great sessions which really focused on our well-being & goal setting.
Robyn & I are attending the North Coast Regional Conference at Opal Cove, Coffs Harbour this week.
As mentioned previously, we have a number of strategies in place to support you if you or our colleagues find themselves in difficulties or want some advice. These include the welfare contact in your PPC [ usually the Deputy President], your nearby colleagues or if it gets tougher please contact:
Anne van Dartel |
Chair Principal Support Reference group |
0400 330 252 or 6884 9806 |
Anne will either handle the situation or discuss with our other two support options depending on the need. |
||
Geoff Scott |
Professional Officer |
0427 451 359 |
Greg McLaren |
chair Legal Services Standing Committee |
0408 815 210 |
Phil Seymour |
President |
0412 673 378 |
Please remember we can only help if you let us know about it.
Executive members have been out and about visiting local councils, spreading the “good oil” and listening to stories & re-assuring colleagues. If you wish for an Executive member to attend your local Council meeting, please use the contact details at the end of the Newsletter.
Our position has been clear. We have asked for a review of NAPLAN and support our Minister at Education Council in this position. Recently the NSW stakeholders of parent, union and professional principal associations from all 3 sectors met and issued this statement:
“We believe that new directions in national assessment and reporting need to be urgently established in the interests of all school children.
To this end, we strongly suggest that a full, independent, external inquiry into current national assessment and reporting processes be conducted to examine all aspects of the existing NAPLAN operations & related processes.
This inquiry should be immediately established. Apart from independent academic & professional leadership, the Inquiry should also have a Steering Committee with teacher and parent organisation representation to oversee all aspects of its work.”
Last week’s angst over the SSSR [Student School Summary Report] for schools who were involved in the online Writing assessment was shocking. Schools were given a summary of their student performances, but writing wasn’t included. Principals at State Council were alarmed when all 79 of their year 5 student results showed they were below the minimal standard….another school all 35 were. It wasn’t clear why, and Deputy Secretary Murat Dizdar & ED Jennie Donovan came to the rescue and explained that this Writing task was marked differently and wasn’t included in these results.
Fairer Funding for All – where are we up to?
The campaign is being led by the AEU and has the support of each state teachers’ union representing public education.
We need all principals to keep their school communities informed of the use to which the funds are being put and the difference the missing funding would make (we have received only 36% of the Federal Government full Gonski commitment which is delivering only 17.5% of the SRS to students of public schools). The Federal Government have committed to lift their contribution to 20% of the SRS for each school over the next 6 years. It’s a very long way short of what is required.
Principals are asked to support community members in attending meetings with local members explaining the difference the funding is making and the difference the missing funding would make. This is particularly important as we are moving toward a Federal election.
With the removal of Minister Birmingham, we aren’t too sure of Minister Tehan’s plans. There is concern over mooted “deals” with different sectors & where it leaves us. After a Pre-Educational Council meeting with our Minister today, we know he will certainly be pushing for us and has again re-iterated that our state Government is committed to its original Gonski Funding deal , so there will be additional funds for our schools in 2019 form the NSW Government.
Minister Stokes goes this week to the Educational Council meeting to further thrash out a national agreement & then bi-lateral agreement for our state. Currently the following draft 8 key reform initiatives are:
- Enhancing the Australian Curriculum to support teacher assessment of student attainment and growth
- Assisting teachers monitor individual student progress and identify student learning needs through opt-in online and on demand student learning assessment tools with links to student learning resources, prioritising early years foundation skills
- Reviewing senior secondary pathways into work, further education and training [including prerequisites for university entry]
- Reviewing teacher workforce needs of the future to attract and retain the best and brightest to the teaching profession and attract teachers to areas of need
- Strengthening the initial teacher education accreditation system [through establishing AITSL as the national initial teacher education accreditation regulator]
- Implementing a national unique student identifier (USI) to support better understanding of student progression and improve the national evidence base
- Establishing an independent national evidence institute to inform teacher practice, system improvement and policy development
- Improving national data quality, consistency and collection to improve the national evidence base and inform policy development.
The elections will go live on Wednesday September 12 until September 26. You will receive an email from our data base and you will need to vote electronically. Each candidate for each position has been allowed 500 words to appeal for your vote.
At our last elections, only 700+ decided to vote, which elections Australia says is very good. We are disappointed that 700/1800 voted. The worry is that the Trump election result might occur …. Everyone thought that “so & so” was a shoe in and didn’t vote. We need you to think carefully about what we have achieved in the last two years and then vote!
- Surveys from DoE have gone out to all staff as part of a review of Professional Learning, please encourage all staff to complete the survey. 200 schools will have face to face interviews as part of the review.
- The DoE DEL survey is out there….if you were one of the schools [all schools in 6 Networks in 6 of the Operational Directorates]…please complete the survey even if you have completed the PPA version.
- Our survey on DELs had only 595/1800 responses which hopefully gives us enough information about their role & current performance. We will get back to you once we have analysed the data.
On behalf the Executive, Robyn Evans, Rob Walker, Lyn Davis, Diane Robertson, Louise Green, Ian Reeson, Terry Fisher, Jackie Malecki, John Mularczyk, Mark Pritchard, and myself thank you for your awesome efforts in Term 3. We are here to support you and our contact details are on our website.
cheers
Phil Seymour
PRESIDENT
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