National Associations
NTPA President Represents Territory Principals at National Meeting
APPA National Council Meeting - Canberra, March 2025
Early March, I had the privilege of representing Northern Territory principals at the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) National Council Meeting in Canberra. These national gatherings provide valuable opportunities to ensure NT perspectives are considered in national education policy development.
National Advocacy for Primary Education
APPA serves as the peak national professional body for primary education, representing over 7,600 primary schools across all sectors - Government, Catholic, and Independent. The association speaks directly to the Federal Government on matters concerning primary school principals and their communities, collaborating closely with NATSIPA (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Principals Association) and AESPA (Australian Special Education Principals' Association).
Position Statements and Policy Development
The National Council reviewed existing position statements on:
- Parent/School Partnerships
- Assessment
- Advocacy for Leader Wellbeing/Principal Supervision
- Workplace Risk
We also began development on new position papers addressing:
- Outside School Hours Care (OSHC)
- NDIS implementation in schools
- NAPLAN considerations
- Screen use guidelines
These position statements form the foundation of APPA's advocacy work and ensure consistent messaging across all jurisdictions.
ACARA Update
Stephen Gniel, CEO of ACARA, briefed the council on current developments. He noted that the NAPLAN platform has reached end of life and changes are forthcoming. Regarding MySchool data, Gniel acknowledged the reality that "if you provide data, people are going to compare," while emphasizing that numeracy and literacy represent only two areas among many important curriculum domains that schools should focus on developing.
NT Teacher Registration Concerns Gain National Attention
I raised concerns about Teacher Registration Board (TRB) processes in the Northern Territory, which immediately resonated with colleagues from other jurisdictions facing similar challenges. As a result, APPA plans to collect documented examples of TRB challenges across Australia. These "short stories" will be presented by the APPA President to the Federal Education Minister to advocate for a more streamlined, national approach to teacher registration.
Representing NT Government Primary Principals on the National Stage
AGPPA National Meeting - March 2025
Carolyn Edwards and Penny Wiley recently represented our members at the Australian Government Primary Principals Association (AGPPA) meeting in Canberra, joining primary principal leadership from across Australia.
Shared Challenges Across Australia
The "State of the Nation" reports revealed striking similarities in challenges facing primary education leaders nationwide:
Key National Issues
- Teacher Workforce: Shortages affecting all jurisdictions, with various incentive programs and strategic planning approaches being implemented
- Funding Models: Multiple states navigating BFSA implementation and enrolment-based funding challenges
- Student Behavior: NT's school-based constables program generated interest, alongside Queensland's behavior support initiatives and WA's complaint management system
Advocating for NT Issues
Our report on the NT's teacher registration processes sparked robust discussion, with several states expressing similar concerns with their Teacher Registration Boards.
Strategic Direction
AGPPA is developing position papers on:
- Respecting the Teaching Profession
- Zero Tolerance for Violence in Schools
- Flexibility in the Teacher Shortage Crisis
- Teacher Award Entitlements
Stephen Gniel, CEO of ACARA, led productive workshops on enhancing the Australian Curriculum for primary schools nationwide.
AGPPA's draft Strategic Plan 2025-2027 focuses on:
- Advocacy: Enhancing AGPPA's national voice to influence educational policy
- Connection: Strengthening relationships and collaboration across the network
These national connections ensure Northern Territory perspectives are represented in national education discussions.
For more information about AGPPA initiatives or to provide input on position papers, please contact the NTPA office.
