Filter Content
Welcome back!
Welcome to the 2021 school year! Who would have thought what was possible this time twelve months ago, none of us had any idea what that year would hold – thankfully, probably! Given the year that 2020 was, I very much hope that you took some leave that provided many opportunities for fun, laughter and rejuvenation, doing things that brought you joy, with people who also brought you joy. I was very grateful to spend time with family in Tasmania. It is hard to believe we have reached the halfway point of term already.
I continue to participate in the Principal Ongoing Employment Advisory Group meeting fortnightly to advocate for principal employment conditions and remuneration. As you are aware this is a very complex space and wish to assure you that this work is progressing.
NTPA’s view is underpinned by the belief that any changes must meet the following guiding principles:
- transparent
- simple and easy to understand
- stand the test of time
- fair and equitable
- credible
- comparable and competitive
- facilitate and encourage incumbents to seek promotional opportunities.
As an Association we aim to have a strong voice and are influential advocates for Educational leaders in the NT. We have worked hard to develop a strong partnership with the Department which is reflected in the opportunities we have had so far this year to provide feedback. These include:
Student wellbeing and inclusion organisation design review
The Indigenous education stratgey review
The regional structure
NCCD assessment is SAIS
We encourgage members to continue to raise concerns or issues either through chapters or directly to me or our vice presidents so we can raise them with the relevant source.
I am very passionate about the need for us to look after ourselves as the job we do while very rewarding is a very complex and demanding one. We need to take responsibility for our own personal work-life satisfaction. I prefer to talk about satisfaction rather than balance as only we know what is reasonable for our long-term health and wellbeing. The negative impact of poor work-life balance is real and should not be neglected.
The art of looking after one’s self or caring about your own well-being is a jigsaw of learnt habits. It is vital that you take some time for ‘you’ during each working day. To help you develop these habits. Over the coming months I will provide some reflection topics to help keep wellbeing front and centre. There is no particular order to the strategies and hints but hopefully you may embrace a few on a permanent basis. They can become new habits!
To learn a new positive habit you need to remember to adopt this new activity on a regular basis. We all need reminders, so seeing or hearing a particular stimulus may become the trigger to remind you to rehydrate and have a drink of water.
You need to think about a few triggers that will remind you to regularly practise a new approach!
Examples of triggers: Having a special screensaver on your computer could be a trigger. A song, a photograph on your desk or wall, a treasured item that you frequently see, could be a trigger. It could be the smell from a fragrant tissue or from a room air freshener. If could be another external noise such as a dog barking or a school bell. In essence, pick a few things that will constantly remind you to remember to follow a new activity.
“Remember to Remember ”
Please stay well.
Warm regards,
Britany Roestenburg
ph. 0409386744
President Email: ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au or ntpa.president@education.nt.gov.au
Time to renew your membership for 2021.
Case Study request for Wellbeing Survey Media 2021
Dear Members,
The results from the 2020 Australian Principal Occupational, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey are about to be released publicly on Sunday 14March 2021. The study, now in its 10th year, is jointly conducted by researchers at Australian Catholic University and Deakin University. It gives an intriguing insight into an unprecedented 12 months in the education system, in a year marred by bushfires, floods and the COVID19 global pandemic.
Case studies
Critical to the success of the media launch, are school principals (former, retired or serving) willing to step forward to the media to explain the challenges of their complex roles.
Case studies help to explain the issues and give credibility to research. Case studies bring the media ‘story’ to life for the audience and help journalists apply important pressure on government and key stakeholders.
In short, principal case studies help to effect positive change.
Can you help?
The media team are seeking people willing to speak out – in the past case studies have included retiring or recently retired principal, as well as former principals still working in the education system.
These case studies can take the form of anonymous or de-identified statements, Open Letters to parents, personal stories in statement form for use in the media or radio, TV or print interviews using your name and identifying you. All of these are very helpful in informing the Australian public about your experiences. If you are willing to help with media coverage in response to the research findings, or you have any queries about what would be involved, please contact:
Jo Stone, from Sticks & Stones PR by email at: jo@sticksandstonespr.com.au or mobile: 0414 384 407. Jo has been appointed to help our association with media support when the report is released. Jo will share an embargoed copy of the report with you if you agree to being a case study and help you through the media process.
The published report will be available to everyone from 12:05am. Sunday 14 March at: www.principalhealth.org/au/reports
Thank you for your consideration of this request.
Leadership Boost for NT Principals
This opportunity is now open to all NT Principals and Assistant Principals until the end of March!
Links to other Professional Learning Opportunities, Publications, and Professional Reading:
Please click below for the latest from ASPA:
We are excited to offer our first webinar series focused on student mental health and wellbeing. The free, 60-minute webinars will provide research and evidence-based insights from education leaders, as well as the opportunity to deep dive into practical perspectives from teachers leading significant change in their schools.
Webinar 1: Leading school cultures to support learning and positive wellbeing with Associate Professor Mathew White
- Date: Wednesday 10 March
- Time: 4:00 - 5:00 pm (AEDT)
- Register: HERE
Webinar 2: Embedding positive education across the curriculum with Warren Symonds, Principal at Mt Barker High School (SA) and 2020 Teaching Fellow
- Date: Tuesday 23 March
- Time: 4:00 - 5:00 pm (AEDT)
- Register: HERE
Webinar 3: ‘Getting ready to learn’ – one school’s story of embedding trauma-informed practices to support learning with Julie Murphy, Principal at Elizabeth Vale School (SA) and 2020 Teaching Fellow
- Date: Tuesday 4 May
- Time: 4:00 - 5:00 pm (AEST)
- Register: HERE
Webinar 4: Attendance Matters with Dr Susan-Marie Harding, Principal of Research and Evaluation at AITSL, and teacher presenters.
- Date: Tuesday 18 May
- Time: 4:00 - 5:00 pm (AEST)
- Register: HERE
The 2021 Poetry & Short Story Schools Writing Competition is
NOW OPEN!!
Students from ALL AROUND Australia are invited to enter their original poems or short stories.
Over $3000 in CASH and PRIZES to be won - including $500 for your school!
There is no theme!!
Scholarship funding for women in the Education sector:
Partial scholarships of $1,000 - $5,000 are currently available for our career building leadership courses.
Courses are available for women at all management levels. Register your interest by Friday 19th of March.
Join the Sound Scouts team as we prioritise student hearing screening.
The Sound Scouts app allows all schools to take part in this initiative.
This World Hearing Day, the World Health Organisation is amplifying the message:
Hearing Care for ALL! Screen, Rehabilitate, Communicate
NTPA member podcast recommendation:
The best of talks, forums, debates, and festivals held in Australia and around the world, casting light on major social, cultural, scientific and political issues.
NTPA is committed to the Wellbeing of Principals.
We'd love to hear from you if you have anything to contrbute to our wellbeing corning please email ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au
Healthy Darwin continues to deliver interesting activities for you to try this Wet Season, with the addition of three new Healthy Lifestyle Workshops. These activities are proudly supported by City of Darwin’s Healthy Darwin program and are only $5 per session!
From Australia: An Accumulation Exhibition Opening
- Date:Mar 5th 2021, 6:00pm - 9:00pm
- Location:Watch This Space, 8 Gap Rd
- Type: Community
- Cost: Free
From Australia: An Accumulation is an imagining of Australian nationalism made through drawing, printmaking, community-engaged workshops, publications and exhibitions
Date: Saturdays, 9:00am - 11:00am
Location: Alice Springs Community Garden, 105 Burke St East Side
Type: Community
Cost: Free
Food for Alice is a weekly market selling fresh, quality produce from backyard growers and local suppliers including bakeries, honey producers and coffee roasters. Grab a bag...
Funky First Fridays!
Friday 5th March 2021
(Multiple Dates Between Friday 5th March 2021 & Friday 16th April 2021)
Funky First Fridays Celebrating NT Artists!
On the first Friday of every month, a new NT Artist will perform at Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre. The goal of these free events is creating awareness for our local artists and engaging interaction in the community
Check out the Katherine Town Council Community Calendar HERE
ARAFURA MUSIC COLLECTIVE
'In Her Footsteps' celebrating the music of women composers
Sunday 7 March 2021, George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, 5pm
Celebrate International Women’s Day 2021 with Arafura Music Collective performing 'In Her Footsteps', the music of women composers. We invite you to join us on 7 March, in the beautiful surrounds of the George Brown Botanical Gardens, where you will be delighted, engaged, and moved by the rich intimacy of chamber music composed by women composers.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK YOUR TICKET
Plant Identification Walk
10 March 2021, East Point Reserve, 5.00pm
Come and join Land for Wildlife Emma Lupin and City of Darwin's Gardens for Wildlife Coordinator Tristan Cook on a short plant identification walk through East Point Reserve. Participants will meet at the beginning of the Mangrove Boardwalk and walk through some of the recently revegetated sites within the reserve.
This is a fantastic opportunity to come and learn about native plants and their function to support fauna.