Dear Colleagues

Happy National Principals Day

Happy National Principals Day to all of our school leaders across the NT. Often, we put ourselves last on the list, as our days are busy, attending to the demands and needs of our students, staff, school communities and of course, Department. Taking the time out to celebrate and recognise the important role you play to lead your schools and communities is essential. The Association values the leadership you show every day, not just to your schools but to your colleagues. Through our networks we share, support, laugh and learn from those who understand our work the most, and collectively make a difference.

If you didn’t take time to view the videos on Friday 5th August, please take some time now.

Please note that the Federal Minister refers to Primary Principals, however NTPA recognises and acknowledges all school leaders on this day.

I had the honour of celebrating National Principal Day in both Alice Springs and Darwin.

Member News

NTPA Executive team have been busy meeting with the Minister, the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executives and other Directors within the Department. Through these forums the Exec representatives provide feedback and advocate for improved ways of working by presenting the collective principal voice. NTPA is recognised as the collective voice for school leaders throughout the NT at both a Territory and National level. It is a key stakeholder and advisory body to the Department, the Chief Executive and Minister of Education, and influences through strong partnerships and advocacy. NTPA has 124 members representing 153 schools and 33,000 students in the NT. Please encourage your colleagues to join if they haven’t already done so- membership is 50% discounted for the rest of the year.

I would like to thank Lorraine Evans for her advocacy and support to school leaders as the Chapter Chair for the Darwin Region. Lorraine has listened deeply to the issues of members and raised concerns and issues with a solution focused lens. As part of the NTPA Executive, Lorraine has used her depth of experience and knowledge as a school leader to advocate for our profession and to support all school leaders in their journey. We welcome Leah Crockford who will continue in the role until the end of the year.   

We would also like to thank members who have recently retired or resigned from their principal positions. Marty Izaksen who has been a long-standing school leader in the NT and most recently principal of Nightcliff Middle School. Bernie Davis, who has worked both as a system and school leader. We wish Bernie and Marty the best for the next chapter of their careers.

Please keep well. 

President Email: ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au or ntpa.president@education.nt.gov.au

• Always use HR Consultants to talk through a script for a hard conversation with an employee. Rehearse scenarios and responses.
• Always invite the employee to have a support person and bring along a support person for yourself or member of the leadership team.
• Document every meeting or use follow up emails to document the key points from a meeting.
• Meetings can not be audio recorded unless there is agreement by both parties. Secret recordings are illegal.
• Employees must be supported before any formal performance management process begins. First ensure there are growth areas identified in the Annual Professional Growth Plan. If no or limited progress, develop a Support Plan (more targeted to help support the employee to grow). This is only short term – no more than 10 weeks. Well documented on how you will support the employee and what your expectations for them are.
• Remember Government employees own a level not a position.
• Staff positions may change to align with school’s needs, but it is important to follow a change management process with staff and help support their changing role.

Please find a link to the NTPS Merit Selection Training Manual which steps through the merit selection process from start to finish and a copy of the Pre-Employment Screening guideline which outlines the requirements for pre-employment screening for applicants.

As school leaders sometimes, it is challenging to keep up to date with information and new policies. I have attached the School Leaders Business Guide and a link to the new Policy and Advisory Library.  This was established as an action from the NTPA co-constructed School Leader Wellbeing Action Plan to optimise time for instructional leadership.

Policy and advisory library

School Leaders Business guide

NTPA will continue to provide Professional Learning opportunities for principals and school leaders to continue to grow their knowledge and skills. The next Darwin and Top End Professional Learning Day will be held on Friday 2^nd September from 8 am to 1.00pm. This is a great opportunity to network and learn more about the school leader role.

Leaders’ Summit- 2nd and 3rd November. Please note the NTPA will have their AGM during the Leaders’ Summit allowing members to attend face to face.

Australian Primary Principals’ Association Conference Sydney- registrations are currently open for this conference to be held from 1st – 4th November

Although there is no easy solution we have been consulted on a range of strategies. Please click on the link to see more. 

NTPA welcomes your insights and recommendations on how this issue can be addressed in both the short and long term. We will continue to advocate for raising the status of the profession, both as educators and school leaders. This is a must for school leadership positions to be attractive and to retain quality leaders.

Contract Principal Recreation Leave

NTPA have been advocating for flexibility and accessibility of recreation leave for contract principals during the school term. The current contract terms and conditions state 44. The Employer may, on application in writing by the Executive Contract Principal, grant leave for recreation purposes, subject to the Employer's operational requirements.

The CE is supportive of the reasons behind this request. She is having further conversations with Regional Directors to ensure an equitable and fair approach is taken.

Christmas closure fact sheet

Information in regards to the announcement that all AO staff are eligible for 3 extras days leave to cover the Christmas Closedown period is linked below:

Christmas Closure Leave Fact sheet

Further Advocacy 

As President I am currently providing input, feedback and making recommendations to the following working groups:

Education Leadership Strategy Implementation Group to assist and provide advice on the implementation of the NT Education Leadership Strategy.

Student Wellbeing and Inclusion (SWI) consultation on their restructure and policies.

SWI School Leaders Reference Group – this group is being chaired by NTPA president to provide strategic advice on The Inclusive Education Policy. Thank you to the 9 NTPA members who have joined this group.

Youth Justice Working Group to provide advice on the delivery of education services to students at risk of, or intersecting with, the youth justice system.

SEAG (School Education Advisory Group) This group is established directly by the Chief Executive of the Department of Education as an advisory body.  It brings together key education stakeholders to provide advice to the Chief Executive on key strategic and system policy relating to government schools.

Attendance Improvement Project Group - The goal of this project is to address the declining attendance across the NT through implementing a quick, short-term response plan that also enables long-term sustained gains in student attendance.

Quality Standards Framework for Flexible Education Programs Implementation Steering Group – this group will strategically guide and support the implementation of the Quality Standards Framework for Flexible Education Programs (Quality Standards Framework) across the NT and provide recommendations to the Education Executive Board on potential funding recipients under the Quality Standards Framework grant program.

Leaders' Summit Planning Committee Meeting – input into the 2022 Leaders’ Summit.

NT School Leaders Wellbeing Action Group- to ensure the successful implementation of actions identified in the School Leader Wellbeing Action Plan.

Regular consultative meetings with Deputy CE’s (Regional Services and Agency Services) on a range of issues, policies and practices raised by our collective voice. 

Policy and Guidelines. NTPA have been consulted on a range of new and updated school operation policies.

Enrolment, Attendance and Participation Policy Feedback from members

Student Engagement Programs and Services is currently leading the review of the Enrolment, Attendance and Participation Policy Suite and would like your feedback.

The revised policy suite consists of a range of documents under five thematic topics:

• Enrolment
• Attendance and participation
• Distance education
• Eligible options
• Mature age students.

Please provide your feedback to ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au by Friday 16^th September.