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- President’s Report
- State Council Term 4 Week 7
- Practical Parenting in a Pandemic | Maggie Dent
- Welcome to the Principalship
- Revisiting the FLOURISH Movement | Recalibration | Adam Fraser
- Tell Them From Me Survey Update
- NSWPPA Annual Conference
- Website Changes | Safety and Security
- COVID positive cases closing our schools
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Briefing
- Attendance at PPC meetings this term AND for 2022
- Managing Permanent Part-time Assistant Principal Curriculum and Instruction Positions| Megan Kelly A/Director Literacy and Numeracy
- One Point Schools and the new Staffing Agreement
- School Counselling and Psychology Association NSW (SCPA NSW) NOMINATIONS
- 2021 Minister’s and Secretary’s Awards for Excellence
- NSWPPA Professional Learning- Term 4 | PLO Margaret Charlton
- Environmental and Zoo Education Centres Learning From Home Hubs
- Key Updates from the NSWPPA Executive
- And finally…..
State Council this term was again held over two days via ZOOM. Prior to the State Council meeting we as an Executive discussed the viability of State Council proceeding or not. The wellbeing of our Executive, Chairs, Officers and Delegates was the consideration. We decided after much consideration that the work of the Department of Education is continuing through the pandemic and we are therefore it was unanimous that State Council would proceed.
I made it very clear that there were competing priorities for all of our colleagues in attendance and that schools, leading learning from home as well as personal wellbeing was a priority. In saying that – we had 100% attendance on both days!!!!
Our guest list included:
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning | The Hon Sarah Mitchell MLC
Group Deputy Secretary | Ruth Owen
Deputy Secretaries | Murat Dizdar and Leanne Nixon
Chief People Officer | Yvette Cachia
Chief Operating Officer | David Withey
Executive Director Strategic Resource Management | Sally Blackadder
Chief Executive Officer NESA | Paul Martin
A/Executive Director | COVID-19 Taskforce | Paul Wood
A/Director |Literacy and Numeracy | Megan Kelly
Leader School Sport Unit | Peter Banks
Executive Director Professional and Ethical Standards | Daryl Currie
I am confident your PPC Delegate has provided you with a comprehensive and relevant report reflecting the business of the Department and Association. Our current State Council format provides great opportunity for many voices to be heard and issues arising to be put forward, responded to, or taken on notice to revisit. Our collaboration and agency with senior DoE colleagues matter. It inspires trust and shared responsibility. The Executive and Chairs | members continue to advocate and lead in every forum we step into. We represent every member of the Association. It is critical that your voice is heard – be it via lodging an issue through your PPC, contacting your regional representative on a Reference Group, contacting the Chairperson of our Reference Groups |Standing Committees or Working Parties directly, contacting your Executive Liaison for your region or contacting a member of the Executive. I am available at any time -phone or email.
It is the Executives goal to not only work in a consultive and collaborative manner but to move into a partnership where at the ground level we are part of the codesign to ensure the expertise and work of our Senior DoE personnel lands in our schools to ensure systems are seamlessly operationalised. Partnerships work to the strengths of all stakeholders.
Thank you to all in attendance at State Council this term – YOU were the difference and we are confident you felt heard and informed about where next, why and how. PPC Delegates play a key role in the clarity of information our membership have.
Communication matters to us as an Executive – the way we sent it out and the way we receive it. You will see us trialling different ways to reach you so as you are well informed and clear about how much your work in your school, your PPC and for the Association is valued.
Practical Parenting in a Pandemic | Maggie Dent
What a fabulous success this was!! Thank you so much to Maggie for sharing her wealth of knowledge and supporting our communities and schools in her common-sense approach to parenting during the pandemic. We had 402 schools sign up – almost 5,000 community members and staff join and as at today 3127 engage with the webinar on YouTube!!! What a response!!!!! Schools received their resource kit and podcasts through their school email accounts to distribute to their communities.
Thank you to Margaret Charlton, Lisa Beare, Drew Janetzki, Bob Willetts and Laurens Derks | Learning Experience Developer |Information Technology Directorate for their amazing work behind the scenes and in delivering. A collaborative effort and a brilliant result for many communities.
The NSWPPA would like to thank Maggie Dent for the two fabulous sessions she provided for our parents and carers across NSW. YOU really did share such wisdom, experience, insight and great humour.
We warmly welcome these colleagues to the Principalship - a noble and rewarding profession – such a privilege to lead a school through the successes and celebrations as well as through periods such as these. Together with our staff, students and communities we lean on our colleagues and share in our next steps. Please know there is much support available to our early career principals including your mentor, Principal School Leadership, Primary Principal Council Executive and colleagues as well as the NSWPPA Executive and Professional Support Officers – Wendy Buckley 0403 560 814, Geoff Scott 0427 451 359 and Phil Seymour0412 673 378. I am also available at the end of the phone anytime, email or text 0429 547 619.
Welcome, Welcome, Welcome – your communities are very fortunate to have you. Remember to update your details on the NSWPPA website so your contact details are accurate and you are contactable.
Lauren Phillips |
Penshurst West Public School |
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Felicity Young |
Como West Public School |
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Lilly Morabito |
Waterfall Public School |
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Lorelle O'Brien |
Nabiac Public School |
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Linda Xerri |
North Haven Public School |
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Renee Ford |
Murrumburrah Public School |
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Marian Denner |
Yanderra Public School |
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Dale Edwards |
Blue Haven Public School |
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Scott Fisk |
Rooty Hill Public School |
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Melissa O'Meara |
Bega Valley Public School |
Revisiting the FLOURISH Movement | Recalibration | Adam Fraser
Last Friday Adam Fraser hosted a recalibration session for those of us who have previously engaged in the FLOURISH Movement. It was a very timely reminder to us all about revisiting our FLOURISH plans. The recovery pillars of:
- Relaxation as a Regular Habit
- The Science of Sleep
- Finding your Third Space
- Exercise to Improve Your Wellbeing
Working from zoom to zoom certainly takes its toll – Adam challenged us to reflect on our ability to process data, to take timely breaks and to drink plenty of water throughout the day. We discussed working in sprints and being productive during that time. Ensuring we get outside during the day to refuel our minds was another good tip.
Practicing gratitude and meditation ensure we enjoy the moment – being present is a daily ‘joy builder’ We spoke about what we do ‘daily’ ‘weekly’ and ‘monthly’ to find the joy and purpose in what we do. The challenge as we talk about ‘recalibration’ is thinking and acting on what you are going to START | STOP AND REPLACE.
THANKYOU to Dr Adam Fraser for his commitment to the wellbeing of the Education workforce.
Tell Them From Me Survey Update
Scott Sanford Chairperson NSWPPA Assessment, Planning and Accountability Reference Group has been advocating for an extension on the closing date for the TTFM survey. He has successfully secured a Week 8 Term 4 return date for all schools. Please look out for the confirmation in SchoolBiz. Many thanks Scott. Look out for the announcement – there will be an extension on this till Term 4 Week 8.
PPA Virtual Annual Conference registration is now open.
Dates: 20, 21 October
Registration link:
Cost: $500
The first 600 registrations will receive a NSWPPA laptop bag and a NSWPPA journal/notebook, sent to your PPC President for distribution. Please note that with the latest DoE update it seems that receipts emails are going to your Junk Mail. Please check here for your receipt if you haven’t received it.
Key Note Speakers are AMAZING!!! See attached PDF I encourage you to take the opportunity to spend two days of professional learning for yourself and spend two days focussing on yourself – this Conference is for you –
Website Changes | Safety and Security
As you know the DoE recently experienced a security breach to the system and we as an Association have regularly, been attacked. Most often PPC treasurers and PPA Executive being asked for financial assistance. In order to minimise this, increase security AND to protect the privacy of our membership we have asked SchoolZine to minimise these details on our public facing page.
Our details and our communication is for the Principalship of the NSWPPA and those who request subscription. During the school holidays SchoolZine will update the website and you will be required to LOG IN as a member for What’s Hot and details of the membership.
Due to the increasing cyber issues, we have sought advice and will take a proactive approach to protecting each and every member of our Association.
COVID positive cases closing our schools
Many of our schools have been closed for contact tracing and cleaning this term and last. I applaud the brilliant work of our Principals and their Executive teams the staff and their communities.
NSW Health is well and truly under duress and sometimes the time lag is problematic in ensuring timely communication. I must also acknowledge the support DELs, ED’s, Deputy Secretaries and NSW Teachers Federation has been offering our Principals. There is often a very quick turn around time to close the school and an equally quick resumption of school operations.
I appreciate those of you who have made such positive suggestions to our senior DoE personnel and to me about how the process could be tweaked to ensure a better experience for other colleagues. I know the feedback has been heard and appreciated.
National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance Briefing
I attended a forum hosted by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance where Archnar Koirala and Kristine Macartney, infectious disease specialists, vaccinologists and paediatricians addressed COVID 19 in early years and primary school settings, the findings and the implications.
There was a clear focus on MITIGATION STRATEGIES in our Primary school settings in regards to: ventilation, vaccination, students and staff wearing masks at all times, staggered timetables, parents and external providers off site, the importance of using outdoor learning spaces, staggered drop offs and pickups, hand hygiene and students and staff staying at home if unwell. These doctors have spoken at the daily 11am update and to many religious and workplace forums. I will follow up and look for an opportunity for them to address the Principalship as I feel this information could be of significance for us all.
Attendance at PPC meetings this term AND for 2022
It has been such a joy for the Executive and I to be invited into your PPC Meetings this term. We have attended in a variety of ways – to update and share the current business of the Association, attended PPC Executive meetings, engaged in Principal Wellbeing sessions and have worked hand in hand with PPC delegates to co-present.
In planning for 2022, I ask you look at the NSWPPA 2022 Calendar prior to locking in your PPC Meeting dates and PPC | Regional Conferences. The Executive and I really value being invited to your meetings and combined conferences. Mark Pritchard has a section further in this What’s Hot with a link to our dates. They meeting dates are also on the Website calendar.
Could all PPC Executives please send their 2022 dates to Business Manager Lisa Beare admin@nswppa.org.au as soon as they have them locked in. Thank you so much.
Megan Kelly offered clarification on filling the permanent part time APCI positions as I have been fielding a number of questions on this specifically. Hope you find it helpful – I do encourage you to contact Megan as there are numerous site specific questions she and her team can clarify for you.
One Point Schools and the new Staffing Agreement
Following the tabled HR report at State Council and further questions regarding the time-limited opportunity for one point schools to convert a temporary position to a permanent, here are a few points to be aware of for one point schools under the new staffing agreement.
For ease of reference, I have a link for you to Clause 4
The provision for a temp to perm conversion has always been there and most elements remain the same, i.e., the school needs to be at local choice, the teacher meets the service requirements (these vary depending on the transfer point status of the school) and they match the requirements (codes) for the role.
One point schools have only ever been able to utilise this action for fractional positions.
The process to request this occurs when the principal submits the vacancy in OMSEE.
The change in the new Agreement is that, for vacancies declared between D1,T3 and end of 2021 one point schools can request a temp to perm conversion for a fulltime position. Where a principal from a one point school wants to fill a full time role, the service requirement is three years – for part time roles, it is two years.
School Counselling and Psychology Association NSW (SCPA NSW) NOMINATIONS
The School Counselling and Psychology Association NSW is offering a series of awards to recognise the efforts of outstanding school counsellors and school psychologists in NSW schools. Nominations are open now at:
2021 Minister’s and Secretary’s Awards for Excellence
Join me in congratulating our many colleagues in this years’ Public Education Foundations | Minister’s and Secretary’s Awards for Excellence.
NSWPPA Professional Learning- Term 4 | PLO Margaret Charlton
Build effectiveness in your school leadership team
7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Leading at the Speed of Trust
These quality professional learning opportunities enable leaders to effectively lead themselves, influence, engage and collaborate with others, and continually improve and renew their leadership capabilities. They enable leaders to create a great team culture based on trust and build effectiveness in their teams and schools. Both programs will support leadership success into 2022.
These two highly successful programs will continue to be provided online for Term 4.
See attached flyer for Leading at the Speed of Trust and 7 Habits of Highly Effective People for program dates and registration.
Leading Alone: Rural and Remote School Leaders
How do rural and remote Principals build and maintain resilience, forge lasting networks and continue their learning journeys?
Join the Global Network of Professional Learning Leaders for a series of three webinars designed to offer ideas, support and inspiration. Participants will hear from experts in rural and remote schools and will have the opportunity to connect with colleagues from Australia and Canada.
The Global Network is organising a series of three 90-minute learning sessions. Its purpose is to connect school leaders across the globe through shared learning and networking opportunities.
Session 1: Maximizing educational outcomes for students in rural and remote schools
Date: October 17, 10.30am (ADST) / October 16, 7.30pm (Canada)
The sessions will take place in October 2021, February 2022 and April 2022 for individuals who lead in rural and geographically remote schools. During each session, you will hear from an expert on leadership in geographically remote schools and you will have the opportunity to network with colleagues from Australia and Canada. Through these sessions, participants will gain a perspective beyond their own context, have an opportunity to share strategies and to add to their professional network. An information flyer with program registration details is attached.
For more information please contact:
Margaret Charlton l Professional Learning Officer
Mob: 0408 905 051
mcharlton@nswppa.org.au
Environmental and Zoo Education Centres Learning From Home Hubs
The EZEC (previously EEC) network are offering some fantastic Learning From Home Tools. Please see the below links for their websites and resources
Key Updates from the NSWPPA Executive
RG, SC, WP | Deputy President Rob Walker:
Sharpening the saw – our Reference Groups, Standing Committees and Working Parties
Did you know the PPA has 21 reference groups, working parties and standing committees? These teams engage with education stakeholders, most frequently the department, on all matters education and ensure the principal’s voice is heard where it matters. They field issues brought forward by members and shape the Association’s strategic agenda in each of their areas of work. The teams are made up of members of the Association and chaired by a member of the Association. They meet at least once per term and their Chairs meet with State Executive the day prior to State Council. The Chairs are also on hand to provide reports at State Council following which State Delegates are able to report to PPCs.
The reference groups are made up of representatives from each of the 10 regions of the state. Membership of the standing committees is made up of colleagues with specific interest or expertise in the area of work of the committee. Working parties are ‘purpose built’ and operate for the time it takes to complete specifically assigned tasks.
Recently Chairs have worked with State Executive to refine how the Executive and Chairs meetings work which has also sharpened the delivery of reports at State Council. We are currently drafting a handbook for Chairs which we hope will further improve the working of our groups.
These groups play an extremely important role in the work of the Association and directly influence the policies of the government, department and stated priorities of the PPA. We are indebted to our colleagues who step up to work in these roles. A full list of the groups and their areas of work appears on our website.
Principal Wellbeing | Employee Assistance Program (EAPs) | Secretary Greg McLaren
Principal Wellbeing
There are a range of useful information and resources to help Principals and other DoE staff members maintain and enhance their health and wellbeing beyond EAPs. Visit:
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM – also known as EAPs
Leadership Support – Employee Assistance Program
The Converge International service provides Principals and other school leaders with confidential tailored coaching and support to leaders in matters such as managing people and change management issues that present themselves on a regular basis.
COVID-19 Update
NSW DoE provider, Converge is continuing to provide tailored support services to Department employees to support their health and wellbeing.
To strengthen support for staff impacted by the current COVID-19 lockdown, Converge are providing virtual 1:1 support for all staff across NSW until at least the end of September, and are extending their scheduled 1:1 support sessions outside of normal working hours.
These services are also available to support our casual workforce until 31 December 2021.
This means, all casual, temporary and permanent staff as well as immediate family members will be able to access up to three (3) one hour sessions if required.
If you need support please contact Converge on 1800 060 650.
Access this service
For Leadership Support, call Converge International 24/7 on 1800 060 650.
- Immediate telephone support is available 24/7, 365 days a year
- Face to face appointments are available Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 10pmFac
- eTime services are available by request.
When would I use this service?
Leadership support can be used for managing situations that include, but are not limited to:
- building a strong team culture
- employee performance and behaviour
- stress and interpersonal conflict
- organisational issues impacting on team morale
- individual employee needs in the workplace
- highly distressed employees
- people and change management matters
- team wellbeing.
Onsite conflict resolution and mediation services
return to school resume for your community, Principals can arrange for onsite conflict resolution or mediation for workplace issues that may arise. Accredited mediation consultants will identify issues, address concerns causing conflict and develop a framework designed to assist and support the disputing parties to resolve their conflict, including arranging onsite meetings
How is this support tailored to my needs?
The EAP service provides tailored counselling through trained psychologists and social workers who understand the environment and challenges faced by leaders working in education. On accessing EAP you will be directed to the appropriate psychologist that has received comprehensive training and experience in the areas below:
- leading in a corporate environment
- leading in a school environment
- leading a school in a rural and remote community
- leading a school in a community with a high proportion of aboriginal students and families
- leading staff that work with students diagnosed with intellectual, physical and behavioural disorders or disabilities
- leading a school in community with a high proportion of refugee students and families.
How often can I use this service?
Those eligible can access up to three (3) one hour sessions in any consecutive two year calendar period. This is in addition to employee Personal Support sessions. If this support for you needs extension please contact a NSWPPA Professional Support Officer.
Source: modified by NSWPPA from the DoE website
Leadership Support Fact Sheet
About our Newest Partner- Essential Assessment | Executive Officer Mark Pritchard
2000 Schools partner with Essential Assessment to facilitate the collection of rich Numeracy and Literacy student data. Essential Assessment is a dynamic online assessment and syllabus resource model aligned to the NSW Maths and English Syllabus K-10. School leaders use this data to shape and track strategic school plans, improve teaching pedagogy and measure and report Numeracy and Literacy progression and student growth.
Essential Assessment website:
Teachers Mutual Bank | Executive Officer Mark Pritchard
Please see attached Advertisement from our partner Teachers Mutual Bank.
2022 Meeting Dates | Executive Officer Mark Pritchard:
I have included in this What’s Hot a full list of our Executive and State Council meeting dates for 2022. Our format for meetings has been unchanged for many years -Executive meetings on weeks 2 and 9 each term, State Council in week 7 each term. This varies if there are special circumstances e.g., start of the school year, interstate or international conferences, our annual conference.
All of our Executive members are keen to visit their own local Area PPC meeting and those area and region meetings that they are liaising with.
They go to significant lengths to visit you in these meetings and let you know about the latest developments first hand.
If you are a President, local conference organiser or member of a local area executive could I ask you to avoid these dates for your meetings.
Everybody benefits if we don’t clash with multiple meetings on the same day.
On behalf of the NSWPPA Executive – Rob Walker, Bob Willetts, Michael Burgess, Jude Hayman, Trish Peters, Norma Petrocco, Michael Trist, Stuart Wylie, Greg McLaren, Gregory Grinham, Mark Pritchard, Lisa Beare and Margaret Charlton I wish you all a WELL DESERVED 2 week break.
Celebrate the term you have had and all you have achieved and the successes you have had. And, as we get to Friday…. c e l e b r a t e!! Please take extra care of yourselves, your families – we continue to live with COVID 19.
Rob