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- President’s Report
- Schools Recognition Week
- Meeting with Education Minister | Hon. Sarah Mitchell
- Australian Education Awards | Finalists and Award Winners
- 2022 Principal Health and Wellbeing Survey
- Acknowledgement of the 2020-2022 NSWPPA State Executive
- Chairperson Recognition
- What have we been across and in the room for this term
- Last week at State Council
- Welcome to the Principalship
- 2022 APPA Conference in Sydney
- NOII NSW Symposium
- Stewart House
- State of Emergency | Flood Response | Schools for Schools | Principals for Principals
- Where Principals Meet
- Applications for the NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships closing soon
- Professional Learning Resources for Principals | School Leadership Institute
- The Middle Leadership Imperative - Armidale | PLO Margaret Charlton
- NSWPPA Term 4 Professional Learning | PLO Margaret Charlton
- NSWPPA State Executive Election Voting OPEN | Returning Officer Mark Pritchard
- Key Updates from the NSWPPA Executive
- Well Being Forum | Deputy President Bob Willetts:
- Privately Owned Camp Sites | Secretary Greg McLaren:
- Alcohol and Tobacco (incl. e-cigarettes) on School Sites | Secretary Greg McLaren:
- NATSIPA-Te Akatea Conference | Vice President Jude Hayman:
- Good360 Australia | Vice President Jude Hayman:
- Share Our Space | Vice President Stuart Wylie
- Conflict of Interest | Professional Support Officer Wendy Buckley
- And finally…..
Principal Wellbeing is the Association’s priority. It needs to be YOUR priority too. Taking time for YOU and prioritising time each day to do something that fills your bucket needs to be deliberately built into your day. In doing this it sends a strong message to your colleagues, staff, friends and family that looking after ourselves is a responsibility we hold in our hands. It is also a message to them that they too have a responsibility to self before they can support others.
Our schools are exciting, vibrant places where we individually and collective invest so much of ourselves. We must focus on replenishing the bucket we give from. Kristen Douglas CEO HeadSpace talks about the importance of us leading response and recovery. I am confident you and your Executive team are recognising the fatigue the teams within your school are experiencing. It’s a common theme. There is a ‘recipe’ to follow to architect the long road to recovery.
Think about collaborating with your executive and staff to prioritise a plan like this:
REFLECT – process the experience and create a narrative – your narrative for your context.
REBALANCE – anchor and ground your staff in safety and predictability.
RECALIBRATE – look at processes, capacity, gaps and strengths – sharpen the focus and avoid the distractions.
REORIENT – identify the new vision and future focus – this will bring you all together – reframe your next steps together.
Have a fabulous week … YOU truly are remarkable. YOU have continued to lead with such clarity, strength and courage at a time like never before. Recognise and reflect on the power of ‘together’ and draw on the collective wisdom of your colleagues and friends.
NSW Public Schools are indeed being led by incredible leaders.
Celebrate how far we have come and everything we have achieved in our schools, individually and collectively.
Kindest regards
Robyn
We celebrate Schools Recognition Week with our SASS staff this week. Without a doubt our teams are simply invaluable! Our BM’s, SAM’s, SAO’s, SLSO’s and GA’s are being acknowledged this week for EVERYTHING they do to contribute to excellence in our schools.
On behalf of the NSWPPA membership I would like to acknowledge Lisa Beare | NSWPPA Business Manager and Kathryn Rudd | NSWPPA Administration Assistant for their AMAZING work – we couldn’t do it without you both as integral members of the team. THANKYOU thankyou THANKYOU.
Meeting with Education Minister | Hon. Sarah Mitchell
Week 6 saw representation from NSWPPA State Executive meet with Minister Sarah Mitchell and her team. We had the opportunity to discuss in depth some high level issues regarding: Principal Classification and Reclassification, attracting and retaining teachers. The COVID ILSP initiative was also discussed at length – the impact of the initiative and the funding investment. The candid conversation also led to the need for a significant public promotion of the positives of the teaching profession for the future. Minister Mitchell offered an update on Premier Perrottet’s Pre- School announcement and where they are in planning and action to date. The work in this space has COMMENCED!
Australian Education Awards | Finalists and Award Winners
Congratulations to our fellow principal’s who were finalists or winners in the Australian Education awards. Please find below the links to the lists.
Congratulations to our fellow NSWPPA members whose schools were acknowledged.
2022 Principal Health and Wellbeing Survey
The Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing survey is now live for new participant registrations from 31 August 2022 at https://healthandwellbeing.org/AU. Ongoing previously registered participants have received their links but we ask that you encourage school leaders to contact us if their emails have changed. If participants are no longer in a principal role, we still encourage them to take the shortened survey.
This research has significant impact in the diagnostic feedback given to school principals, the evaluation of existing policy initiatives, and the consultation with state departments leading to important new policy initiatives. There were at least 411 media mentions of our 2021 report.
Acknowledgement of the 2020-2022 NSWPPA State Executive
We are in the first week of the election process - voting for the 2022- 2024 NSWPPA State Executive. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and applaud the current State Executive. It has without doubt been a privilege as President to work with such a highly skilled team of systems leaders. Their investment, commitment and work ethic collectively has ensured we have been in the room every opportunity presented to us. We have been relentless in the pursuit of the very best outcomes for our school communities in their entirety. Students remain at the heart of the WHY we do what we all do – the business of the Association is about the work Principals lead in schools – how we operate, the conditions that maximise the time we spend with our staff, communities and students is the proactive and responsive work we as an Executive do. The granular detail is the key to reform, policy and procedure landing in schools and how it is operationalised end to end.
I would like to acknowledge Rob Walker, Bob Willetts, Michael Burgess, Jude Hayman, Michael Trist, Norma Petrocco, Trish Peters, Stuart Wylie, Leah Martin, Greg McLaren and Gregory Grinham for their strength of leadership and collegiality through the past two years as the world changed. They not only led their schools as you have, but also led the Association collaboratively with me with focus, relentless energy and heart through the bushfires, pandemic and floods.
I wish those who are standing for election again all the very best and those who are not, a heart-felt thank you for the legacy you leave in your wake. Gregory Grinham | Treasurer and Jude Hayman | Vice President have been invaluable in their roles. Their contribution and influence significant, and the work they have lead has had great impact. Creating a culture of practice is dependent on the values people hold and the goals we wish to achieve. Thank you both for your relentless passion and strong voice for the Principals of NSW. Your work has truly been valued.
At last week’s State Council we welcomed Andrew Rodgers | Chairperson Teaching Principals Reference Group to the extended Executive. As we welcome Andrew into this role, we acknowledge the brilliant leadership of this Reference Group over the past seven years Bek Zadow. Bek has been such an inspiring and diligent advocate for all teaching principals and to her absolute credit, the achievements the Reference Group have made over a sustained period of time under Bek’s leadership have had such a positive impact in our schools. On behalf of the Association’s membership we wish Bek all the very best in her role as the Founding Principal of the ‘New School In Epping’.
What have we been across and in the room for this term
The State Executive, Chairpersons and members of the Reference Groups, Standing Committees and Working Parties have been integral to conversations and actions forward in the areas:
IER Restrictive Practices – weekly meetings, Financial Management Reference Group, Share Our Space, School Excellence in Action, FLOURISH MasterClass, SPC and PPA Meetings, Minister’s Office Conversations, Minister’s Meeting, NSWPPA and DoE Engagement Forum, APPA Conference Meetings, PES Principals Reference Group, Australian Primary Principals’ Day, PCM and PSL Recruitment panels, Staffing Code discussion, Metro North Dance Sport ‘My Best Self’, AOPD Working Party Inquiry into Teacher Shortage, APPA and AGPPA Meetings, Curriculum Implementation Meetings, SLI Advisory Board Meeting SLI Principal Induction, PSL and EV Working Group, ACARA Discussions, NSWPPA Constitution update, LEAP Forum, Minister and Secretary Awards, Ministers Reducing the Administrative Burden Working Group, Quality Time discussions, HPGE Advisory Group, School Recognition Week - celebrating the difference our SASS staff make in our schools, Share Our Space Forum, Black Dog Institute Advisory Council, School Education Stakeholders Meetings, State Executive Meetings, Term 3 State Council, RG WP and SC Meetings and PPC Meetings and Conferences. just to share a few …
Your PPC delegates have a wealth of detail to share with you at your upcoming PPC meetings. The delegate’s role is key to ensuring all members are informed and engaged in the business of the Association. Contacts in your PPC’s will have received comprehensive Reference Group, Standing Committee and Working Party reports also to present at your meetings. Along with these reports they will share their notes from the amazing speakers and panels we heard from. These included
Education Minister |Sarah Mitchell
Key points your delegate can unpack:
- Five key areas being worked on.
1. Elevate the profession, valued by community
2. Improve teacher supply and build on incentives
3. Strengthen initial teacher education (remuneration, more prac time)
4. Retain current workforce, improve retention
5. Better understanding of future workforce needs (numbers of teachers, subject areas - Rewarding excellence in teaching
- Principal Classification
- Early Years Commitment
Finance Team | Sally Blackadder | Vanessa Felton | Jess Horn | Mary-Lou O’Brien
Key points your delegate can unpack:
- The School Success Model seeks to reduce and simplify financial and admin processes.
- SPARO & eFPT
- Carry Forward Policy
- Simplifying School Budgets with the removal of budgeting to staffing dollars rather only showing FTE and flexible funding.
Simone Walker | Group Deputy Secretary
Key points your delegate can unpack:
- System targets – pushed back to 2023 due to Covid disruption.
- Attendance important. Acknowledged the complexities in meeting targets post COVID.
- Teacher workforce – present at the national meeting this week
- Enhancing the profession not just about advertising – salaries, school funding, principal classification etc.
Technology Team | Sandie Mathews | Mark Greentree | Hugh Twomey | Linda Lazenby
Key points your delegate can unpack:
- The digital strategy. Moving from ’doing digital to being digital’.
- NSW Government Education Showcase on 23 September at UNSW – last day of term.
- Rural Access Gap. The DCO position established to provide sustainable support in the context of their school including PL. 565 DCOs across schools. Suggested a DCO allocation as an FTE to extend the impact across the system and create sustainability.
- automate move from faculty drive to cloud, advice around file structures just for RAG schools first.
- admin processes; SAMM panel – replacement of EBS student finance administration and attendance with 3rd party suppliers. Student finance panel to provide a minimum viable product to replace EBS cashdesk. What support available for schools to transition to new finance model – currently costing and more information and recommendations coming after testing.
IER Team | Laura Milkins | Jessie Kingston | Trisha Ladogna | Sylvia Corish | Craig Smith |Lisa Whittaker
Key points your delegate can unpack:
- IER
- Inclusive Education
- Student Behaviour
- Team Around a School
- Who do I call to get support?
- School Behaviour Management & Support Plan
- IFS for Kindergarten students
- Restrictive Practices
Learning Improvement | Martin Graham | Paul Wood | Megan Kelly | Stacey Quince
Key points your delegate can unpack:Strengthening Support for Students
- Universal support
- Strategic School Support
- COVID ILSP
- Leading Implementation
- Curriculum Advisor Team Support
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.
Tracey Bromfield Long Flat Public School
Tracy McGlashan Gwabegar 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.
2022 APPA Conference in Sydney
As at 1 September there are 667 full registrations and 40 virtual registrations for the APPA Conference. 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. Last I heard there were 3 face to face registrations available!!!
“We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself.” Lloyd Alexander
The Network of Inquiry and Innovation, NSW Symposium was held across two days in mid August. Over 170 delegates attended the rich professional learning, led by Spirals of Inquiry leading learners Judy Halbert, Linda Kaser and Helen Timperley. It was inspirational to hear from schools embedding inquiry into their practice in both primary and secondary settings. The two days of Professional Learning were fast moving, full of energy, passion and brilliance. If you require further information about NOII NSW please contact David Martin at David.Sim@det.nsw.edu.au or Natalie Mansour at Natalie.Mansour@det.nsw.edu.au
So many of us have sent students to Stewart House and those students will never forget the most amazing experiences they had and the opportunities they were afforded. Like all settings, the pandemic has impacted on Stewart House’s ability to continue to provide the program for students as they always have. Most recently, there has been a return to the facility for some 80+ students a fortnight. The Board are undertaking plans for the next 90 years of Stewart House. High level negotiations with government and stakeholders have commenced for a modern facility. The current facility has challenges meeting building standards, accessibility, and accommodation limitations.
Operating costs for Stewart House have been maintained most recently with the receipt of two substantial bequests, the Small Business Grant and Job Saver payments. It is however projected that 2022 will result in a $500K shortfall. There has been a year by year decline in revenue from the salary contribution scheme specifically targeting NSW Public Education employees. In the past, donations from department staff and students funded 100% of the organisation’s annual operating expenses. Now less than 10% of the NSW Education staff make donations to Stewart House and this now covers 30% of annual operating costs. Stewart House is seeking the support of the Education community. More information will be distributed to our school’s next term.
State of Emergency | Flood Response | Schools for Schools | Principals for Principals
Our colleagues in Lismore, Ballina and Tweed Heads continue to face the challenges of recovery and rebuilding. So many stories of generosity and kindness have been shared about our Schools for Schools |Principals for Principals initiative. If you are yet to reach out to the Principal you have been connected to, now is the time. It has been such a wonderful opportunity to connect community to community and to connect staff to staff. The strength of this initiative has been the connection of Principal to Principal. THANK YOU again to all who stepped into this space – you really have been the difference through a natural disaster that many communities continue to live through. All schools have been matched and an email went out at the end of term 1. If you are not sure who you are matched with please email admin@nswppa.org.au.
It is so energising and encouraging to join colleagues at Primary Principal Council meetings – it is such a joy to be in the room with colleagues demonstrating knowledge, commitment, focus and good will that is without doubt the finest qualities our principals demonstrate everyday. There is too, a fragility in us all that sits just under the surface. Not always school related but, certainly compounded by the things we cannot control. WE CAN DO THIS – we ARE DOING this!!
I don’t think we credit ourselves anywhere near enough – stop and consider the magnitude of what you have achieved in leading your school and your community to date. It is actually astounding!!!
I have been privileged to attend and engage in a number of truly wonderful events – the FLOURISH MasterClass, the Network of Inquiry and Innovation NSW Symposium |The Power of Together and the Metropolitan South and West School Performance Directorate Principal Conference | The Joy of Connection. These three forums showcased THE MOST AMAZING presenters and keynote speakers whose messages were strong, clear, inspiring, motivating and actionable. HOWEVER, they each were tied by the strength of the message about how we rise when we work together – how we connect and what that means for us personally, professionally and as a system. THE PEOPLE in the room in these forums, in your school, in your PPC meeting, in your network, at State Council, in your staffroom – they are the source of purpose, meaning and our now as well as our tomorrows. We ARE doing this – we can, and, we are.
HUGE THANK YOU and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT to the leading Principals coordinating and facilitating these events – thank you for making a difference for your colleagues and energising the workforce to explore what’s possible and take affirmative action.
Take the time to recognise and celebrate the connections you have and the absolute power and joy in working together for a common purpose. The strength we have together resonates.
Applications for the NSW Premier’s Teacher Scholarships closing soon
The application deadline for the NSW Premier's Teacher Scholarships has been extended to Sunday, 18 September 2022.
I am writing to request that you share this opportunity with your principal networks and encourage them to support interested teachers and school executive to apply.
There are 7 scholarships on offer for primary trained teachers in 2022:
Professional Learning Resources for Principals | School Leadership Institute
The School Leadership Institute (SLI) has recently released ‘A Learning Resource for Principals: Leading with Impact and Influence’ to support the professional growth of all DoE principals. This professional learning resource acknowledges the pivotal role of principals as lead learners in their school communities. It brings together national and international research and evidence informed practices to support school leaders enhance their leadership capabilities.
The Learning Resource for Principals explores 4 core leadership principles fundamental to teaching and school leadership and 10 key drivers of leadership effectiveness. Resources include research-informed explanations, short videos, frameworks, strategies, reflective questions and links to other leadership resources.
It is an on-demand resource intended to be used frequently as leadership needs change. It supports self-reflection, professional learning and professional conversations. It may also be used by senior school leaders and aspiring principals. Regular updates to the Learning Resource will reflect current research and respond to the changing needs of school leaders.
‘A Learning Resource for Principals: Leading with Impact and Influence’ is available on MyPL.
There is also a link to the Learning Resource from the Principal Leadership Hub.
The Middle Leadership Imperative - Armidale | PLO Margaret Charlton
The Middle Leadership Imperative was one of a number of programs we delivered to colleagues in our rural centres this year. Last week this program was held in Armidale with 23 participants from various schools in that region. The middle leaders attending the program engaged in two days of learning that explored the content and context of their role. They were exposed to current research and engaged in a range of learning with practical strategies to use in their individual schools. All the participants are keen for the program to return to Armidale in November, for phase two of the program.
NSWPPA Term 4 Professional Learning | PLO Margaret Charlton
Amplification for Experienced School Leaders
The NSWPPA’s new program Amplifications for Experienced School Leaders helps you to continue on your course while you learn, grow, and collaborate.
This program is a virtual four-session program that spans the year. Participants will be experienced school leaders who 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.
7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Last program for 2022
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 and creates an operating system for effectiveness in your teams and school.
Leading at the Speed of Trust - Last program for 2022
When trust is low, suspicion is high, and communication is guarded. With high trust, communication, creativity, and engagement improve. 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.
Programs for 2023
Art of Leadership 2023
This much anticipated program will continue into 2023 with the following schedule of programs. The course information flyer with registration links will be available early in Term 4. These programs fill very quickly so don’t delay.
Sydney |
1.1 |
Jan 18-20 |
1.2 |
May 1-3 |
Rooty Hill |
2.1 |
Feb 6-8 |
2.2 |
June 13-15 |
Coffs Harbour |
3.1 |
March 13-15 |
3.2 |
July 24-26 |
Newcastle |
4.1 |
March 20-22 |
4.2 |
July/Aug 31-2 |
Sydney |
5.1 |
May 8-10 |
6.2 |
Aug 14-16 |
Wollongong |
6.1 |
May 22-24 |
5.2 |
Aug 7-9 |
Rooty Hill |
7.1 |
Aug 28-30 |
7.2 |
Oct/Nov 30-1 |
Sydney |
8.1 |
Sept 11-13 |
8.2 |
Nov 6-8 |
Celebrating our success
Middle Leadership Imperative
This year we have delivered high quality professional learning to approximately 150 middle leaders across NSW. The program is having outstanding success meeting the needs of our Assistant Principals from a wide variety of contexts. The program runs for 4 days, two 2-day seminars across two terms. We have run programs for a variety of school networks; Northern Beaches, Bankstown, Hornsby and Armidale. One program has also been held at our PPA office in Ultimo reaching school leaders from a wide variety of schools. Middle Leaders from both rural and metropolitan schools have engaged in the learning and have highly evaluated the program.
‘This course has opened my eyes to what being a middle leader in a school really means. I have learnt so much over the four days and I have already started to use the knowledge from the course in my practice. It has been one of the most valuable PL's I have attended in my career. I am looking forward to continuing my professional growth thanks to these four days.’
Reaching out to our rural colleagues
It has been very encouraging to see our professional learning is starting to reach our rural colleagues. Whilst our online programs have been readily accessed by school leaders, we are now getting requests to bring various programs to rural areas. This year we have delivered Leading at the Speed of Trust in Broken Hill, Art of Leadership in Orange, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People in the Upper Hunter, Taking the challenge out of challenging conversations in Port Macquarie and the Middle Leadership Imperative in Armidale.
Please remember to reach out if your network is interested in any of our professional learning.
Introducing Tao of Team and Challenging Conversations
Finally, after two years of lock downs we have been able to commence these two programs. Both programs have been highly evaluated and will support the development of our school leaders. We have run trials of the programs and they are ready to be delivered as requested by networks. We will also run centrally organised programs in 2023.
Please Note: Program invoices
Currently all program invoices from our Cvent registration system are being filtered by the DoE to junk mail. When registering please check there for your Cvent confirmation email and invoice. Please enable emails from Cvent to come to your DoE email account.
NSWPPA State Executive Election Voting OPEN | Returning Officer Mark Pritchard
The NSWPPA election is currently open will close at 3:00pm on Monday 19 September 2022.
Access to the ballot is available at www.myvote.com.au/nswppa and is being conducted electronically by Elections Australia.
Principals who are current financial members of the NSWPPA may vote for candidates in each of the vacant executive positions. An optional preferential voting system will apply.
I would like to congratulate Robyn Evans who stood as President unopposed.
If you experience difficulty in accessing any aspect of the election site or would like further information please don’t hesitate to contact me at mark.pritchard@det.nsw.edu.au or mpritchard@nswppa.org.au or ring on 0418 623 011.
Well Being Forum | Deputy President Bob Willetts:
Shared responsibility for workforce health, safety and wellbeing forum.
“It’s the first time since joining the DoE that I felt a sense of “us’ or “we” instead of feeling like we are in combat.”
The NSWPPA executive recently hosted a workshop focused on workforce health safety and wellbeing with 14 Senior DoE Executive including The Secretary and Group Deputy Secretary.
The workshop was intentionally designed to be a collaborative partnership, and included a range of data sets and research about wellbeing across the workforce, including strong research about principal wellbeing.
The focus of the workshop was making the Quantity of Workload Achievable and Sustainable across the system.
The workshop activities were developed around clear intentions:
As a result of this workshop, we will develop effective ways of working together, with codesign and collaboration, to grow a more positive work culture for ALL who serve the students of NSW.
We will develop a shared understanding of:
- Key issues and research
- What is working well & why
- Barriers to success at all levels
- Actions forward
The workshop was incredibly successful and was highly valued by the participants. It is the start of a series of workshops, a new way of working and we look forward to reporting back about the impact across the system.
Privately Owned Camp Sites | Secretary Greg McLaren:
It has been brought to our attention that with the limited school camp sites available throughout NSW that some of the owners of camp sites are including various terms and conditions not previously experienced. These added provisions are deemed not to be in the best interest with the values of Public Education. For example, the camp employees are delivering religious faith related speeches to attending students.
Please be aware there are legal and reputational issues with schools booking private camps that require religious teaching. It goes against the legal requirement for instruction at school to be secular under section 30 of the Education Act. Also, there is potential reputational damage for schools when these camps insist on this delivery. The potential reputational damage is both with the school and broader community. If you are aware of this requirement it is recommended you call DoE Legal Services or email greg.mclaren@det.nsw.edu.au. If available, it is suggested schools use the NSW State Sport and Recreation facilities for school organised camps.
Alcohol and Tobacco (incl. e-cigarettes) on School Sites | Secretary Greg McLaren:
Quite often questions arise about alcohol and/or smoking on a DoE school site. The alcohol question often arises with P&C or other community organised events.
The DoE Drugs in School policy outlines the restrictions and consequences in relation to the Code of Conduct related to these items.
The Drugs in School policy states “the consumption of alcohol is not permitted at any school function (including those conducted outside school premises) at any time when school students, from any school, are present. A school function is any function organised by the school and/or in the name of the school and applies to all types of functions including dances, farewells, sporting fixtures and barbecue”.
The DoE Community Use of School Facilities Implementation Procedures states “community users wanting to operate children’s services on school premises are to be advised that, consistent with department policy, alcohol must not be consumed on or brought to school premises. This applies under any circumstances during school operating hours and/or when children are present at the facility without the direct supervision of their parent or guardian”.
Consumption of alcohol in designated alcohol-free zones is illegal. More information can be found in the below link regarding community exceptions and managing incidents.
In relation to smoking has been prohibited on DoE school sites since July 1988. The Drugs in School policy states “smoking on school premises, including school buildings, gardens, sports fields and car parks, is prohibited. This includes students, employees, visitors and other people who use school premises, including community groups”. The Smoke-free Environment Act 2000 makes a number of outdoor public places smoke-free. Smoking is banned within 4 metres of a pedestrian entrance to or exit from a public building in NSW which includes schools. This law is called the ‘4 metre law’. The law does not require signs to be displayed to indicate that smoking is not permitted within 4 metres of a pedestrian entrance to or exit to a school. On the spot fines of $300 may apply to individuals who do not comply with the ‘4 metre law’. Many NSW councils, under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993, have introduced their own smoking bans. Where these bans are in place, they can continue to be enforced by Local Council rangers. More information can be found in the below link regarding managing incidents.
Quite obviously schools must be places that are free of illegal drugs. Responses to illegal drugs would require reporting to police and DoE incident support hotline 1800 811 523.
NATSIPA-Te Akatea Conference | Vice President Jude Hayman:
NATSIPA is extremely pleased to inform all registered delegates and new registrations that our conference in collaboration with Te Akatea will proceed on 7-9 November 2022. All current registrations are active and NATSIPA and Te Akatea look forward to welcoming you all to the long awaited conference in Sydney 2022.
Good360 Australia | Vice President Jude Hayman:
Good360 Australia information for schools with an ICSEA ranking <1,000
Good360 Australia is a matchmaker, connecting the spare brand new goods of business with Australians in need. Good360 is a Not for Profit and works with over 3,000 charities and schools Australia-wide, matching the right goods to the right people at the right time, helping to provide hope and dignity to their local community.
Good360 membership is FREE, the goods are FREE, handling (on most items) is FREE for eligible schools with an ICSEA ranking <1,000. You only pay a small shipping cost to get the goods delivered directly to your door. If your school is based in Sydney, you can use Click & Collect and pick up the goods FREE from the Good360 ReDistribution Centre in Smithfield.
Schools can order the goods they need from the Good360 website. Since launching in Australia in 2015, Good360 has matched over 31 million brand new items, valued at $262 million to 3,300 NFP’s & schools around the country, including LEGO, hats, t-shirts, socks, backpacks, stationery, arts and crafts supplies, hygiene and toiletry items just to name a few.
Good360 members write beautiful Impact Stories about how the goods have helped their community - read this story ‘Joy comes in a backpack for students at Wewak Street School’ click here.
Good360 wants all eligible schools around Australia to benefit from membership and help your local community thrive. A Good360 State Partnership Manager can work with your school about your specific needs and how to get the most from your membership.
Check out Good360 Australia at their website https://good360.org.au/. You can register for membership or browse the goods they currently have on their catalogue. Their generous product donors, including LEGO, BIG W, Best & Less, Harvey Norman, Dettol, Optus and Booktopia, are regularly providing new goods for members to choose what they need.
If you would prefer to talk to a person at Good360, please Jacqui Gibbs on 02 8594 3600 or email her on contact@good360.org.au and she will be happy to talk to you about your school’s needs.
Share Our Space | Vice President Stuart Wylie
The contact for SoS in Schools Performance has consistently for the last 12 months been Raechel McCarthy RAECHEL.MCCARTHY@det.nsw.edu.au and has now shifted to Kay Rigas KAYLENE.RIGAS@det.nsw.edu.au and Ruythe Dufty Ruythe.Dufty@det.nsw.edu.au
You will need to find out your SoS DEL representatives?
Principals should call their SoS DEL when they have issues to chat through if at all possible.
Conflict of Interest | Professional Support Officer Wendy Buckley
Managing Conflict of Interest belongs to the Fraud and Corruption control area. Below is the link for the department website that will help with resources. Among other important information, this is also where you find forms for Declaring Gifts and Benefits and also Private and Secondary Employment.
Those who contribute to our careers ... collective genius
Every one of us has been guided by, influenced, championed by, coached and mentored by a ‘Principal’ or a series of Principals in many cases. Some have offered wise words, walked with you, set the bar high, inspired you, and, on many occasions pushed you out of your comfort zone to experience more than you ever imagined. We as Principals today are doing the same thing in our roles – building capacity and identifying strengths, challenging thoughts and positioning people for opportunities. My first Executive role was at Gymea Bay – Principal John Notley. John had the innate ability to select ‘his’ people. He was deliberate in his intent and cherished the absolute essence of his school – the community the staff and the students. Sadly, John passed away recently. At the funeral one of my colleagues from our ‘Gymea Bay’ days stood to give the eulogy… we laughed, and we cried. John had ‘brand’ of his own. We all knew the part we were to play in his ‘grand plan’ for the school.
The opportunities were endless for every student, and for every staff member. One of the things that struck me was the fact that thirteen members of his executive team over time at Gymea Bay had become Principals. Thirteen of us!!! And some too are leaders of the DoE in corporate positions – I think that is pretty remarkable.
I am humbled John saw something in me... I am forever grateful he pushed me forward to explore what might be possible. That’s legacy!
Look at your staff and reflect… who is your next leader on your staff – who are you coaching, mentoring and most of all championing to be a future Principal. How privileged we are to lead our schools.
Thankyou John xx
And finally,
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 challenge you to reflect and celebrate all the little wins and the moments you incidentally capture that REALLY make this all worthwhile.
Have a fabulous week – Greg McLaren and I are heading to Griffith this week - can hardly wait to catch up with our Riverina colleagues!
Robyn Evans
NSWPPA President