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- President’s Report
- Education Week 2022:
- Federation Motion | Principal Classification Reclassification:
- IER | Behaviour Strategy | Suspension Policy:
- Welcome to the Principalship:
- Australian Primary Principals Association | Recent Election results:
- NSWPPA Membership Data Base:
- NSWPPA State Executive Elections:
- 2022 Australian Primary Principals’ Conference (APPA):
- State Council Podcast | Where Next?
- FLOURISH Masterclass:
- The Business of the Association:
- Term 3 State Council:
- 2022 APPA Conference in Sydney incorporating NSWPPA State Conference | Conference Committee Chair Kylie Donovan:
- NSWPPA Semester 2 Professional Learning | PLO Margaret Charlton:
- Key Updates from the NSWPPA Executive:
- And finally…..
Happy Australian Primary Principals’ Day!!! Your leadership matters – it matters more than you imagine!! Thank you for the injection of energy you bring through your front gate each and every day! Thank you for stepping up to all that comes across your desk and through your office door. Never underestimate the value of the incidental and spontaneous conversations you have with students, staff and your community. Stand still for a moment too and reflect on your last interaction with a colleague – smile and celebrate the difference you make to them too. Today we recognise Principals across Australia with national recognition – NSW Principals are without doubt the finest.
This week I attended the Metropolitan South and West Conference | The Joy of Connection. It was brilliant – Deb Summerhayes and her team of Directors Educational Leadership along with the very talented Natalie Mansour |Principal Glenmore Park PS collaborated and codesigned the initiative and brought together the brilliant program of the most amazing speakers and colleagues from the field.
Janene McPherson and Lucy Martin opened the two days with such beautiful narratives through their Acknowledgement of Country – they were truly captivating.
Deb Summerhayes then set the scene and contextualised the brilliant work of the Principalship, she was followed by the amazing Dr Helen Timperley, Dr Adam Frazer and Professor Ann McIntyre. Their presentations gave clarity, vision, and optimism.
Talk about inspiring!!!
We also heard from Bohdan Balla Gow with a focus on High Potential and Gifted Education | The social emotional domain – certainly a point of clarity on how we identify, nurture and harness the social and emotional skills and expertise of our students. Our colleagues from the field inspired us all: - Maria Sotiropoulos, Sarah Williams Primary |Primary and Jennifer Hardwick, Catherine Argyle, Tim Lloyd, Lyndy Clowry, Belinda Giudice and Bashar Hanna | Secondary, who gave us great insight into the brilliant work being done in their schools with students at the heart.
Thank you to each and every one of you!
To be in the room with some 250 others was simply the best – ABSOLUTELY the joy of connection!!! Connection matters as does common purpose and joy for what we do each and every day!!!!
It was the absolute bright spot of the week for me!!!
What was yours?
EVERY DAY in EVERY SCHOOL we are showcasing the best of the best. It matters not WHEN you choose to host this event the students at your school are always at the heart of all you do. I would like to recognise the brilliant work of each and every one of you - your staff – leadership teams, teaching, support and administrative staff who are instrumental in working behind the scenes to produce the rich teaching and learning opportunities across academic, sporting and cultural realms.
One of the most wonderful things about EDUCATION WEEK is just how much excitement and energy there is in the school – such pride is experienced by your team and likewise from your students. I know your communities feel it too. The pandemic has taught us much and challenged us exponentially, yet we have NEVER lost sight of what matters most in our schools. Thank you all for sharing such great photos on social media and through your newsletters. Celebrating learning never looked so good!!
Federation Motion | Principal Classification Reclassification:
As you know, there have been a number of our colleagues across the state impacted by school classification and reclassification. The Association Executive, Skye Seymour | HR Reference Group Chairperson and Michael Trist |Vice President/Executive Liaison have been incredibly active in this space in taking it to senior Human Resources personnel, the Secretary and the Education Minister. We have also met with Craig Petersen SPC President and Angelo Gavrielatos NSWTF President. We have sought an embargo on the issues arising until it can be addressed in detail. The Association has also made suggestions and drafted a model of classification that encapsulates a fair and equitable classification for all. Individual Principals have presented their schools’ numbers and data to Federation too.
As this matter is of an INDUSTRIAL nature, I believe we need to follow process and follow procedure. We have drafted a motion for you to take to your next local Federation Meeting and we hope that if Principals lodge these motions across the State we will raise the concerns we have regarding Classification and Reclassification.
IER | Behaviour Strategy | Suspension Policy:
Key Stakeholders have been instrumental in refining the policy. Helen Craigie | NSWPPA Chair, Trish Peters |Vice President/Executive Liaison and I have been ‘in the room’ every week to get to this point, as have SPC Executive members and the NSWTF. The changes made thus far has seen NSWTF lift its bans to engage in the professional learning around the strategy. The remainder of this term is targeted for familiarisation with a view of commencing policy implementation Term 4. The DoE has been responsive to ensure PL is available for schools from Week 5 onwards. We are still pressing the importance of ensuring the resources are available to schools and DEL’s to support staff, Principals, students and the community.
We are now moving into the work being done on Restrictive and Inclusive Practices. Trish Peters and Leah Martin | Vice Presidents and Helen Craigie, Mark Gosbell, Denise Lockery | RG Chairs and I will meet the team weekly commencing next week.
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 Seymour 0412 673 378. I am also available at the end of the phone anytime, email or text 0429 547 619.
Tina |
Duffield |
Balarang Public School |
Brent |
Fennessy |
Narrandera Public School |
Trinity |
Hook |
Mount Hutton Public School |
Alison |
Jenner |
Forster Public School |
Peter |
Kerr |
Glenvale School |
Rosaleesh |
Kingi |
James Erskine Public School |
Jayne |
Muir |
Wentworth Point Public School |
Olivia |
Pullen |
Campbellfield Public School |
Anthea |
Robinson |
Kearsley Public School |
Christine |
Roser-Whitney |
Ellerston Public School |
Joanne |
Scherf |
Walla Walla Public School |
Katie |
Smith |
Rollands Plains Upper Public School |
Nicole |
Tainsh |
Vaucluse Public School |
Jesse |
Wheaton |
Gundagai Public School |
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.
Australian Primary Principals Association | Recent Election results:
It is exciting to announce that Malcolm Elliott has been re-elected as President of APPA and Sally Rustom has been elected as Deputy President. The next two years will be very exciting for APPA with these two colleagues leading the national association.
Congratulations to Malcolm and Sally.
NSWPPA Membership With APPA Conference registration and upcoming NSWPPA State Elections, I ask you to check your financial status and details on the NSWPPA data base (including the accuracy of your school).
Membership of the NSWPPA is open to substantive, relieving and acting Principals. Substantive Principals are eligible for Executive roles of the Association. Financial members of the NSWPPA affords us the opportunity to hold a PPC/State Executive position, sit on merit selection panels, actively vote at a PPC and State level, attend NSWPPA Conferences, APPA Conferences and represent NSWPPA at other forums and Conferences.
The Association has some 1700 financial members. Most colleagues direct debit, others pay lump sums – either way once your payment goes through, DoE HR Payroll send a report to the Association, and you are placed on the NSWPPA data base. Check your payslips to see when your direct debit is activated. You PPC Treasurer will be able to provide you with further details. You can also call Lisa Beare or Mark Pritchard for clarification.
Data Base:
NSWPPA State Executive Elections:
Elections are soon approaching for the 2022 – 2024 NSWPPA State Executive. Every member has the opportunity to nominate and vote. To enable you to vote you need to be a financial NSWPPA member and attached to the correct school on the NSWPPA website. Please take the time to check the website and make sure you are assigned to the correct school.
You can do this by going to the website, who we are, area council members https://nswppa.schoolzineplus.com/area-council-members from here choose your PPC and search. This will give a list of the members and their schools in the PPC.
If you are not on the list or attached to the incorrect school, please email admin@nswppa.org.au with the correct details so we can update them for you.
2022 Australian Primary Principals’ Conference (APPA):
As at 1 August there are 667 full registrations and 40 virtual registrations for the APPA Conference. A waiting list has been activated for full registrations (face to face). Most of the registrations are from NSWPPA!!!!! Membership of the NSWPPA is the pathway by which we can register and attend APPA Conferences.
This Conference is being hosted by APPA. APPA is the Government, Independent and Catholic Principals combined Association. Malcom Elliott | President of APPA will be the host.
The NSWPPA Conference Committee are coordinating it in its entirety based on the direction of the APPA Board. Kylie and her team have put together the most amazing keynotes. It is something really special to look forward to in Term 4. I would like to acknowledge the Registration Team | Daryl McKay and Vicki Harris – seamlessly executed!!! If you are still looking for your receipt – check your junk email for an email from Daryl.
The official program for the 2022 APPA Conference will be out soon….
State Council Podcast | Where Next?
Thank you so much for the fabulous feedback on the PODCAST post Term 2 State Council. We are committed to reaching as many colleagues as we can by providing several platforms for you to access. So glad the PODCAST landed so well. We will be aiming for 15-20 minute PODCASTS and stay true to the sharp focus on point in time information for the membership. We have exciting plans for what next and open to suggestions from you!
Adam Fraser hosted the Masterclass last Friday as a hybrid model – face to face and online. It was A B S O L U T E L Y amazing to be back together as a FLOURISHING group from across the state. Thank you colleagues for your enthusiasm and engagement in this session both. It was truly invigorating to revisit our Flourish learning and recalibrate our action plans. Revisiting the science of sleep was of incredible value and the ‘Kevin’ we often hear from. Was sensational to reconnect with colleagues, share some stories about our learning and reinvigorate our commitment to our action forward. Huge thank you to Adam Fraser and his team. The MasterClass was outstanding!!
The Business of the Association:
Our Reference Groups Standing Committees and Working parties are the engine rooms that focus on the way we advocate and lead to ensure policy and procedure is school ready. Again, I would like to acknowledge the work of these colleagues who are members of the RG’s, SC’s and WP’s. Thank you for your commitment and representation at a state level. Thank you to our Chairpersons and Executive Liaisons for carrying forward the work we do at an Association level.
Today the Curriculum Reference Group and the Assessment Planning and Accountability Reference Group are combined and meeting at the Ultimo Office.
State Council is fast approaching. The Executive are putting together the work we are focussing on as an Association and Deputy President Bob Willetts is securing DoE personnel to join us in this forum. Delegates will have a suite of information for you including Staffing Shortages Parliamentary Inquiry IER | Behaviour |Suspension |Restrictive and Inclusive Practices, Principal Classification and Reclassification, COVID ILSP, HP&GE and a host of other work the Executive have been positioned to lead in and contribute to on your behalf.
Some principals were asking if this is the NSWPPA conference or was there another one this year?
All states take turns to host the APPA (national) conference and 2022 is our year to host. The APPA conference replaces the NSWPPA annual conference but is organised by the NSWPPA Annual Conference Committee with additional representation from the Catholic and Independent sectors.
Registration places for the face-to-face program at the Sofitel Wentworth are nearly at capacity. There are however unlimited virtual conference registration places available. Registration is open to all substantive and relieving Principals (at the time of conference) who are financial members of the NSWPPA. Go to the registration link on the PPA website to register and view the 4-day agenda.
If you are registered but have not yet organised accommodation, it would be a good idea to make this a priority. The ICC T20 World Cup is on at the same time and the teams, and their entourage are taking up rooms at several of the large hotels, limiting availability.
There were also questions around why there were a limited number of cruise tickets available when compared to the number for the function at Doltone House, Jones Bay wharf?
We had first booked Doltone House when the conference was to be held at The Star Event Centre in 2021. When that was cancelled due to COVID restrictions that we couldn't work with, we rolled the contract over to 2022. When The Star Event Centre could not guarantee our booking for this year due to planned renovations, we had no choice but to change venues and were incredibly lucky that the only 6 days that the Sofitel had available for the rest of 2022, was the week our conference is now being held. Doltone House already held our deposit over to 2022 from the previous year when we had to postpone. Due to contracts, Doltone House is the major function with Captain Cook Cruises taking the overflow of delegates.
Huge thanks also to Daryl McKay and Vicki Harris on our team for the enormous job they have done in setting up the registration system this year.
Kylie Donovan
Conference Convener
NSWPPA Semester 2 Professional Learning | PLO Margaret Charlton:
The NSWPPA continues to provide school leaders with the opportunity to engage in quality professional learning that will 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 have been successfully delivered face to face and online. Our facilitators are highly experienced Principals who contextualise the learning to our NSW school settings. The professional learning in both these programs builds personal as well as team leadership effectiveness.
Trust is one of the most important aspects in today’s school environment and like any other discipline, creating trust is a learnable skill. With increased trust our attention is redirected towards improving student learning outcomes. Leading at the Speed of Trust will provide the mindset, skillset, and toolset that will measurably increase a participant’s ability to deliver results in a way that inspires trust.
No matter how competent a person is, he or she will not have sustained and lasting success unless they are able to effectively lead themselves, influence, engage and collaborate with others, and continually improve and renew their capabilities. These elements are at the heart of personal, team, and organisational effectiveness. The 7 Habits will enable you to intentionally align values, behaviours, norms and systems toward a central strategy where culture becomes a force to drive results.
The NSWPPA has been working with Principal associations across Australia and Canada to develop a professional learning opportunity for experienced Principals. We are excited to be able to provide this opportunity for colleagues.
Amplification for Experienced School Leaders
The NSWPPA has been working with Principal associations across Australia and Canada to develop a professional learning opportunity for experienced Principals. We are excited to be able to provide this opportunity for colleagues.
Amplification for Experienced School Leaders is a virtual four-session program that spans 12 months. The program targets experienced school leaders who will have the opportunity to explore Generative Leadership Theory, and who will be exposed to innovative practices for collaborative growth.
This series is intended for experienced school leaders who are looking to develop their leadership through connections with colleagues who share their work in different countries. The program has been designed by the Global Network of Professional Learning Leaders (GNPLL), and participants will become part of an international network.
Key Updates from the NSWPPA Executive:
Legal Matters | Secretary Greg McLaren:
Managing Parents with Difficult Behaviours and Warring Families
A joint paper by Margaret Baker (Legal Services) and Greg McLaren (NSWPPA) for NSWPPA
The consequences of offensive behaviour in schools are likely to become costly for the DoE. It will be through time lost to ill health, WH&S claims against employers for not providing a safe working environment and reduced functioning while at work.
Australian academic, Phil Riley report author of an independent longitudinal study, Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey, identifies that “workplace demands on Principals are 1:5 times higher than the general population”. The report also shows that a concerning number of parents and students are resorting to threats of violence, bullying and offensive behaviour towards schools’ frontline staff. Since 2011, the annual survey has heard from more than half of Australia’s school Principals. In 2020 more than 84 per cent of school leaders reported being subjected to an offensive behaviour over the last year, with 51 percent reported having received threats of violence, and more than 42 percent being exposed to physical violence. More than 37 percent were bullied, more than 57 percent endured conflict and quarrels, and more than 50 percent were the subject of gossip and slander.
Phil Riley asserts “the high emotional demands Principals and other school executive face, together with a lack of systemic support and training, means we see higher levels of burnout and stress. Worryingly, it is also taking a toll on their greatest support group their families”.
What can trigger difficult behaviours?
It is often difficult to understand why people display difficult behaviours. It could be:
- Parents wanting to deflect, defend or justify their child’s mistakes
- Parents, personally had a negative experience at school
- Poor interpersonal skills from the parent
- Poor interpersonal skills from the school leader
- School not following policy and procedures
- Discussing too many issues at once
Principals mostly learn how to deal with the demanding emotional aspects of the role on the job, rather than through systematic preparation. Unlike medicine, social work, psychology. These professions have a defined method to debrief about incidents.
We should employee the Six Thinking Hats, especially the White Hat: Facts and Figures. This hat addresses the areas of being neutral and objective –only the facts – when asking for facts, we should focus on the question on what is relevant – as a barrister does. The white hat allows us to override our habit of arguing.
Difficult people do have an effect on others:
- Waste large amounts of time
- Reduce productivity and job satisfaction
- Cause consideration of resigning or moving
- Damage relationships
What can Principals do:
- Manage your emotion/s
- Remain calm
- Participate with an open mind
- Think about your body language
- Use a low and calm tone of voice
- Be empathetic
Difficult behaviours from conversations
- No establishment of the facts
- Not an appropriate time and place
- Lacking a conversation plan
- Limited knowledge on what you know of the community member
- Have not sourced support
- Failed to check your policies and guidelines
Some things to keep in mind:
- Some complainants will be ‘difficult’ no matter what you do
- Completion and satisfaction for such complainants is unlikely
- Explaining and reasoning often does not work
- Always assume you are being recorded!
It would be fair to state that even the best Principals make an occasional mistake. We are not perfect, and most school leaders will admit failures. Great school leaders will proactively inform parents immediately when they realise they have made a mistake. Most parents will appreciate the candour in this approach. When a Principal realises they have made a mistake and decides not to inform the parent, it seems dishonest and will have a negative effect on the parent-school relationship.
The duty of care and health and safety law
Legal obligations arising under work health and safety law. Amongst other things the Department is required to do what is reasonably practicable to ensure the safety of its staff, students and other people who enter its worksites. NSW DoE H&SD directorate
Organisations are responsible for providing their staff with a safe and healthy workplace and for providing them with support and assistance at all times. NSW Ombudsman
Reasonable action should be taken as the duty of care generally will not be met if no action is taken.
- Assessment and treatment of risk.
- Reporting an incident or injury to the H&SD directorate hotline.
Courts have recognised that a discrepancy can exist between an employer's WH&S policies and implementation at the workplace. Management must be vigilant to ensure that what is put in place by way of policy is actually discharged by those who have day to day responsibilities in the workplace.
Key policies and appeal processes when managing complaints
Complying with policies, procedures and guidelines. As Principal you must be aware of key resources. If a resource is online go back to the source and make sure you use the latest version to guide your decision making. NSW DoE PES directorate
At times people will wish to make complaints about decisions made by schools and institutes. These complaints can sometimes be persistent and repetitive and occasionally cause distress to staff. Such conduct will not amount to harassment or intimidation under the provisions of the relevant legislation. Section 316 Crimes Act 1900
Procedural fairness in the Department of Education –Legal Bulletin 3 states that every day in school districts, state offices and other areas of the department, people acting on behalf of the Department take decisions which affect the rights, interests or legitimate expectations of individuals. All members of the education community have a basic right to expect they will receive procedural fairness in their dealings with authority. Similarly, it is appropriate that they will act fairly when dealing with others.
Procedural fairness, also known as natural justice, is generally recognised as having two elements.
The right to be heard which includes:
- the right to know the purpose of the particular decision-making process and the consequences that flow from it
- the right to know the way in which the issues will be determined
- the right to be fully informed of the allegations and of any other information which will be taken into account in making a decision
- the right to have a reasonable opportunity to respond to the allegations and any other information that will be taken into account in making a decision
- the right to an appeal
The right of a person to an impartial decision which includes:
- the right to impartiality in the investigation and decision-making process
- the right to an absence of bias in the decision maker.
Reasons should be provided as to why a particular decision has been made. Reasons should include relevant details of the evidence or relevant details of other material upon which the decision is made and the rationale for preferring that evidence over other material.
What does the department do if complainants do not behave reasonably?
Where complainant conduct becomes unreasonable and obstructs the proper management of a complaint, a senior officer from the department may decide to restrict or terminate contact with a complainant. NSW DoE PES directorate
Implementing parent codes of conduct
School leaders salute the many thousands of parents whose voluntary efforts, self-sacrifice and forethoughts are such a vital component of so many Australian schools today.
Students learn best when there is a positive partnership between home and school. Whilst every effort will be made to work with parents, this will only be possible where parents behave in an acceptable way.
Prevention is better than the cure. Do not underestimate the effect that one disgruntled community member can have on the morale of an entire school community, especially staff.
The schools coping with adults onsite put in place a list of conditions for staff, students and parents which outlined the appropriate way to behave towards one another.
It is important to remind members of the school community of the standard of behaviour expected of them while they are at school. These expectations should be expressed positively and regularly reinforced.
A polite message to parents that working with the school (instead of against) is a key strategy for supporting their child. The school should take action where behaviour is unacceptable or serious and breaches the home-school code of conduct or health and safety legislation.
Staff should be aware the Crimes Act 1900 (the Act) has specific offences with significant penalties for the assault, harassment, stalking and intimidation of students and staff on school premises or while entering or leaving school premises. Assaulting, stalking, harassing or intimidating any school student or member of staff while the student or member of staff is attending school - maximum penalty is 5 years imprisonment.
Legal Bulletin 57 states that legal obligations of schools responding to a student, staff, parent or other school community member exhibiting anti-social and extremist behaviour… Anti-social behaviour is behaviour which threatens the safe and secure atmosphere of the school and includes but is not restricted to behaviours such as bullying, harassment, discrimination, racism, illegal or criminal behaviour, physical violence or damaging school or other property. (When students engage in this kind of behaviour it is ordinarily dealt with under the school discipline policy).
Effective communication as a litigation minimisation strategy
Communicating school guidelines as well as DoE policies and procedures to school community is a must. Ratify school guideline updates with community using newsletters and website as well as to communicate channels to access staff and define the acceptable standard of behaviour.
Legal Bulletin Number 2 outlines offensive behaviour on or near departmental premises. Principals should be aware of the following offences under the Summary Offences Act 1988 (the Act) that relate to offensive behaviour in public places, particularly when the behaviour is in or near schools.
- Behaving in an offensive manner in, near or within view or hearing of a school or a public place.
- Using offensive language in, near or within hearing of a school or a public place.
- Have custody of an offensive implement in a school or a public place.
Best practice in documenting communications
There are subjective aspects to every school leadership role, no matter how fair we try to make our school. That's why it is important to keep good records of the interactions that are relevant to your communication with student's parents particularly when there are sensitive situations involved.
For this Principals prefer email interactions because there is a built-in document trail associated with it. For verbal or telephone conversations, take notes. In addition to agenda and meeting notes, take a few notes after the fact as to where things were left. Key phrases all of the parties said, and some specifics that could aid in further situations. This is required, for good reason, in many schools. Stored (electronic) school communication records are essential whether you use DoE, Sentral or other electronic communication records too.
Restricting or limiting communication with parents or carers
Depending on the circumstances it may also be appropriate to implement other strategies before preventing someone from coming onto the school site such as limiting the staff that person has contact with or implementing protocols for how a parent contacts the school (for example they can only contact school staff by email rather than by telephone).
Paramount consideration must be given to the safety and wellbeing of students and staff if such strategies are contemplated.
If a decision is made to terminate any future contact with a person and the person continues to disregard any advice about that decision, Principals may contact the department’s Legal Services to discuss what further action, if any, may be taken to resolve the issue.
A blanket policy of not dealing with a person, no matter what issue they raise, should not be adopted.
Restricting a parent from involvement in school activities
Principals should understand Apprehended Personal Violence Orders. In the school and other departmental contexts, these orders may impact on the way students, parents, teachers and community members interact with each other at school during school and other Departmental activities.
The court can grant an AVO if it is satisfied the person in need of protection has been subjected to:
- a domestic or personal violence offence. This covers a wide range of different criminal offences including all forms of assault (sexual and non-sexual), certain firearms offences and some damage to property offences;
- intimidation;
- stalking.
An application for an AVO can be made by the person in need of protection or a police officer on his or her behalf. Unless otherwise specified, an AVO is operative for 12 months. It is important a Principal checks whether the AVO is still current and read it carefully before taking action in response to the AVO.
Where practicable, Principals should consult with their Director Educational Leadership prior to banning/placing conditions on the entry onto the school site of someone who ordinarily has a legitimate reason for being on departmental premises. If the Director Educational Leadership is unavailable urgent advice should be sought from the Legal Services directorate.
Banning a parent from the school
Any subsequent decision to ban/place conditions on someone’s entry onto the school site must be confirmed in writing.
Responding to online criticism of staff or school
Cyber bullying is a form of bullying using text or images posted on personal websites or sent by mobile phone or email. Depending on the nature of the material posted or transmitted, people who engage in cyber bullying may be committing a criminal offence.
- The Commonwealth Criminal Code (the Code) provides for various offences involving inappropriate use of emails, telephones or text messaging.
- The NSW Crimes Act 1900 (the Act) also has a number of provisions which may be relevant.
Keep an archive of any emotional emails you received and send the trail to your Director, Educational Leadership. Use your ethical standards to guide how you respond.
Dealing with anonymous complaints
A community member can make their complaint anonymously. However, it may be difficult to resolve a complaint if they do not provide their contact details and we need further information to clarify the issues or take action to resolve their complaint. NSW DoE
Guide for parents, carers and students
DoE welcomes the opportunity to receive feedback and improve our services. The Department is committed to resolving parents, carers and students complaints promptly and at the first point of contact, wherever possible. DoE will support people that may need assistance to make a complaint. All complaints will be handled fairly, objectively and promptly. NSW DoE
Responding online to posts or messages
DoE staff should forward any correspondence containing threatening content or advocating illegal activities to the NSW Police.
- Collect evidence of the post. It is important to take a screen shot of the offending post. For information about how to do this see the eSafety Commissioner’s website at: https://esafety.gov.au/complaints-and-reporting/cyberbullying-complaints/collecting-information
- Notify the Director Educational Leadership
- Notify the department’s Incident Support Unit on 1800 811 523. That unit will notify other areas of the department, such as Legal Services and the Media Unit and will provide you with post incident management including any other notification requirements (eg to PES)
- Complain to the social media service: For information about how to complain about posts on some major social media services see the eSafety Commissioner’s website
No DoE employee should respond to correspondence containing offensive language or content.
Do not read emails when you leave work. Have two mobile phones –one for work, one for personal use.
When is a school obliged to act regarding conflict between school families?
Schools should not mediate conflict between school families as it is not the role of the school nor the Department. School leaders should remind families of acceptable conduct whilst on school grounds.
Utilise NSW Police Youth/ School Liaison Officer to support school purpose and expectations with visitor behaviour.
Support is available
Never feel alone.
Professional support is a strong predicator of coping with the stresses of the role (job demands).
- Employee Assistance Program (EAPs) Converge on 1800 060 650
- DoE Legal Services Directorate https://education.nsw.gov.au/inside-the-department/legal-services
- NSWPPA State Executive, local PPC Executive &/or NSWPPA Principal Support Officer https://www.nswppa.org.au/
- Director, Educational Leadership
The Phil Riley report into Principal wellbeing revealed Principals with the best mental health also have the highest levels of professional support. Never feel alone!
On behalf of the NSWPPA Executive – Bob Willetts, Michael Burgess, Jude Hayman, Trish Peters, Norma Petrocco, Michael Trist, Stuart Wylie, Leah Martin, Greg McLaren, Gregory Grinham, Mark Pritchard, Lisa Beare and Margaret Charlton, I wish you all a fabulous week - reach out, acknowledge and celebrate your leadership of your school and all that is wonderful about your school – reflect on the work of your staff and the achievements of your students and community!
You have so much to be proud of.
Kind regards
Robyn
Robyn Evans
NSWPPA President