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It is with great pride I share an update with you all. I am incredibly excited about the privilege I have been afforded in leading the NSWPPA along with the newly elected Executive team and Reference Group/Standing Committee and Working Party Chairpersons.
As we head into Week 7 we are hitting the ground running as we work on our situational analysis, School Improvement Plan, staffing, budgeting, work in Scout, semester 2 reports, kindergarten orientations, transitions to high school, OC testing, end of year celebrations, graduations, Year 6 farewells, planning SDD for 2021 AND everything in between – I ask you take time EVERYDAY to prioritise your wellbeing. Step away from the ‘to do list’ during your work day and spend time in a space - be it the playground, a classroom, talking with your leadership team, your community or a colleague and CELEBRATE the joy in your job.
Recognising the ‘bright spots’ in your day really matter.
Have a fabulous day and take care of each other.
Please put the NSWPPA mobile phone number in your contacts – I am just a text or a call away!
m: 0429 547 619
cheers
Robyn Evans
The NSWPPA Executive Team is now complete:
Congratulations to Greg McLaren and Gregory Grinham on being nominated and elected to the NSWPPA Executive. We collectively look forward to working across the state with our principal colleagues - leading, advocating, empowering and supporting.
President: Robyn Evans - Casula Public School
Deputy President: Rob Walker - Evans River K-12 School
Deputy President: Bob Willetts - Berry Public School
Vice President: Michael Burgess - Terrigal Public School
Vice President: Jude Hayman - Griffith Public School
Vice President: Trish Peters - Kincumber Public School
Vice President: Norma Petrocco - Kingswood Public School
Vice President: Michael Trist - Narranga Public School
Vice President: Stuart Wylie -Thornton Public School
Secretary: Greg McLaren - Samuel Gilbert Public School
Treasurer: Greg Grinham - Granville Public School
Executive Officer: Mark Pritchard
Executive Assistant: Lisa Beare
Professional Support Officers:
We had exceptional applications for the position of Professional Support Officer. On this occasion the successful candidate was Phil Seymour – Immediate past President. Phil joins the team with a wealth of experience and great connections to support us all. Welcome to the team Phil.
Wendy Buckley: 0403 560 814
Geoff Scott: 0427 451 359
Phil Seymour: 0412 673 378
What a brilliant conference - COVID did not stop the show from going on!!! and what a show it was. A huge thank you to the Conference Committee and the creativity showed as a full complement of outstanding keynote speakers took the stage. The livestream and pre-recorded model worked exceptionally well for our colleagues across the state.
‘This Is Your Life’ was a show stopper and very fitting for our President Phil Seymour. Thank you to the colleagues who contributed to his gift – he was chuffed by the messages and will certainly treasure the memories.
Without doubt the credit for the success of this State Conference lies with the Standing Committee and on the ground Kylie Donovan, Karen De Falco and Cameron Upcroft. THIS WAS a HUGE operation yet they made it look effortless. Hats off and HUGE APPLAUSE from the membership. Indeed, a most professional team working alongside Claxton Speakers International.
Planning for the 2021 Conference is already underway. Over 946 colleagues attended across the state this year. The feedback was greatly appreciated and in planning forward for 2021, the State Conference Committee will be considering a hybrid model of delivery – in Sydney AND livestream. Stay tuned and see what they come up with.
Look out too for the email offering the Professional Learning we had at Conference for use at your school. The email was sent out last week.
Wellbeing – RECOVERY – You matter – Dr Adam Fraser
NSWPPA in partnership with Dr Adam Fraser co-designed this brilliant session about RECOVERY and why it matters. Adam presented with a depth of understanding and perspective about the role of Principals and school leaders. Opportunities to share in break out rooms saw new connections made across the state. It also ensured EVERYONE had the opportunity to access the high quality professional learning from wherever your school is! We even had the event recorded for those who couldn’t access on the day. We had 378 registrations. Thank you too for the fabulous feedback. Your $20 enrolment fee will be heading to Stewart House. Your support will make such a difference for the students across the state who access this invaluable service. $7,560 is a great contribution. Thank you, colleagues. I hope you are all using your Recovery Calendars – you matter. Make time for yourselves to ensure you get across the line at the end of term with a spring in your step.
Huge thank you to Adam Fraser and his Flourish team Christine Amarego, Kate Parahan and Bob Willetts.
Parliamentary Inquiry into the NSW Curriculum Review:
The NSWPPA was called to give evidence at the inquiry following our initial submission. Our response to the NSW Curriculum Review and the Parliamentary Inquiry were both co-created with consultation at State Council, and we acknowledge the Assessment Planning and Accountability Reference Group and the Curriculum Reference Group for their extraordinary work. Special thanks to Norma Petrocco and Bob Willetts for representing the NSWPPA at the Inquiry.
Key messages put to the inquiry:
- The NSWPPA supports the key findings of the Curriculum Review.
Our evidence included further comments addressing the inquiry terms of reference including:
- Reducing Content
- Greater focus on General Capabilities (Communication, Collaboration, Creative and Critical Thinking)
- Enhance focus on Social/Emotional Learning
- Wellbeing is a prerequisite for learning (not supplementary to learning as indicated by the chair)
- Renewed call for increased School Counsellors in all Primary Schools
- Assessment and reporting to parents.
- The impact of curriculum/syllabus changes on our workload.
The full Parliamentary hansard transcript will be publicly available once approved.
Behaviour Strategy
Executive and Chairs have been involved in multiple briefings and consultations. The Department has sought regular feedback from PPA this term and will continue into next semester. The new policy and procedures are anticipated ready for implementation on Day 1 Term 3 2021. Professional Learning and support tools are being developed.
The current Student Discipline Policy and Suspension and Expulsion of School Student Procedures remain the same and are to be used during term 1 and 2 2021.
Professional and Ethical Standard (formerly EPAC):
This week the Legal Standing Committee members and I met with Acting Executive Director Daryl Currie and the PES team. Many whom have school backgrounds. This was a broad discussion which was candid and open. When conduct and performance issues are raised through PES we have a commitment that communication about the allegation and timeliness of the response will be prioritised.
PES Useful resources website links:
High Impact Professional Learning:
The HIPL Policy is currently in its final stage before being released. Stacy Quince has led this work – the intent is to provide a policy to support Professional Learning in our schools. The five elements of the policy include:
- PL is driven by identified student needs
- School Leadership teams facilitate PL
- Collaborative and differentiate PL strengthens teacher and leader practice
- PL is ongoing and deliberately planned for
- School leaders and teachers are to focus on student growth and attainment
COVID Intensive Learning:
With the announcement of $337.0 million being released for this one-off initiative the Department has charged Paul Wood to lead this piece of work. The team have extensive plans for the initiative. Recruitment of interested teachers in underway – they are also looking at securing 4th year University students to add to the workforce. What we know right now is: WE WILL be able to recruit our own staff and WE WILL have access to a pool of teachers to employ if we wish. WE WILL have online resources available (like the learning hub). WE WILL have a monetary amount for each of our schools by the end of Term 4. WE WILL have more information as it is developed and collaborated on with PPA and SPC. WE WILL be provided with details on what WE CAN and what WE CAN’T use the funding for hopefully by the end of term so we can be planning forward. There will be an expectation that we use the funding for the purpose it is intended. WE WILL have flexibility around what it looks like in our schools – small group in-class support, withdrawal groups, online learning, before and after school sessions etc and/or a variety of these models. WE WILL be able to contextualise the provision. Right now, that is as much information as we have as the team are working on it as we speak. A valuable resource in response to COVID.
Meeting with the Secretary:
We met with Secretary Mark Scott covered off questions in regards to HCM, Staffing Methodology Review, Principal Classification, The Master Schedule, COVID Intensive Learning Support Program and Principal Wellbeing.
Meeting with the Minister:
We have a scheduled meeting with the Minister on Tuesday 24 November. We have a number of agenda items from the Budget announcement as well as key actions forward around COVID funding, Principal Classification and the NSWPPA Anxiety Project.
Connected Communities:
The first tranche of schools has been advised they had been identified for inclusion in the Connected Communities Expansion. Once DaPCo (NSW Government Delivery and Performance Committee) meet on Friday 4 December a second tranche of schools will be informed.
Term 4 State Council Meeting next week via zoom:
In accordance with the Term 4 COVID guidelines State Council will again be held via zoom. You can look forward to the latest updates from your PPC Delegates. Please note, I sent out an update regarding AGM Meetings and PPC gatherings to all members. Safety is the priority.
Thinking ahead…Reference Group Standing Committee and Working Party Membership:
In term 1 at State Council we will again be recruiting for vacancies on Reference Groups from Regions. If you are currently a CONTACT in your PPC area, please look out for the opportunity to join as vacancies arise – let your PPC President know. In term 1 vacancies will be shared.
Vale – our colleague and friend Colin Labrie:
It is with great sadness that I advise you of the passing of our good friend and colleague, Colin Labrie.
Colin passed away this week after suffering a number of long-term illnesses over recent years.
During his career he taught at Carlingford West PS, as Deputy (with Reg Pollock) at Merrylands PS and Principal at Parramatta East from where he retired.
Colin was a tireless worker for principals and schools and served on the Met West Principals Council Executive and in his capacity as 1`Treasurer of the NSWPPA from 1995-6.
During the 1970' Colin took on the role of Teachers Federation Organiser to support teachers and schools. In retirement he became the inaugural Secretary of our Retired principals Association and served in that position for many years.
In 2002 he was awarded Life membership of the NSWPPA in recognition of his contributions to the service of principals. Colin was a passionate Parramatta Eels supporter (a very skilled player himself) and a recognised connoisseur of wine with an amazing wine cellar, the envy of all wine lovers.
Colin will be remembered as a great character of his time and highly regarded as a good man. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. Rest in peace Colin.
Thank you all for your amazing support as I step into this role – I am, along with the State Executive - Rob Walker, Bob Willetts, Michael Burgess, Jude Hayman, Trish Peters, Norma Petrocco, Michael Trist, Stuart Wylie, Greg McLaren, Greg Grinham, Mark Pritchard and Lisa Beare very excited to serve the Principalship across NSW. We look forward to working with you and catching up with you in person at your 2021 PPC Meetings and Conferences.
Have a great week everyone and remember…you matter and the work you do in your school is simply extraordinary!
Take care of yourself and each other.
kind regards
Robyn Evans