Remember to join now for 2023. Click on this link to complete the form. Remember all members receive free access to the EC Premium PL platform until the end of 2023. 

At the Leaders’ Summit NTPA launched our partnership with EC Premium GO1 which provides all members with unlimited access to their online professional learning platform- a world-class, K-12 relevant, anytime, anywhere learning which can be tailored to meet the needs of your school, staff or teams-  https://ec.inc/ecpremium/ 

We are pleased to see the latest offer on the table for the Non-Contract Principals, Teachers and Assistant Teachers Enterprise Agreement and a possible resolution before the end of the year. I know many of our members are pleased to see the inclusion of non-contract principals and school leaders in this offer.

We are very supportive of increased pay and improved conditions for our teachers that the Union has negotiated, as well as the additional support for graduate teachers and an extra professional learning day, which NTPA has been advocating for this year. Better pay and conditions will help attract and retain our quality teachers and provide certainty for everyone as we navigate the challenges of a national teacher shortage.

Please encourage ALL your teachers to vote. Ballot closes 2pm Monay 12th December 2022. All Non-Contract Principals, Teachers and Assistant Teachers can vote, not just union members. It is important that all voices are heard.

NTPA has been involved extensively in discussing this national issue through our Peak Associations – AGPPA, ASPA, APPA and AESPA. NTPA have contributed a submission to the National Teacher Shortage Workforce Group which advocates for more tangible measures which help to address workload pressures and the status of the profession.

We know only too well that teacher shortages have already translated into principal shortages. If you have not had the time to read the draft report please see that attached. We are looking forward to the release of this final report and will continue to advocate for practical measures to address this issue.

The current National School Reform Agreement finishes at the end of 2023. This agreement determines Federal and State/Territory funding for schools across Australia. A few weeks ago, the AGPPA Committee meet with Federal Minister Jason Clare and I was able to share the unique issues for funding schools in the NT, and the case for why a different funding model is needed to address the complexity of our student need. The current 80:20 funding agreement does not work for NT schools. The NSR Agreement states that 80% of the Student Resource Standard (SRS) should come from the States and Territories for Government schools and 20% from the Federal Government. The model does not address the inequity issues we face.  To understand this issue more, please read a copy of Waiting for Gonski- How Australia Failed its Schools” by Tom Greenwell and Chris Bonner.

I am looking forward to the approach Minister Clare has spoken about to ensure a child’s destiny is not determined by their postcode. We appreciate the efforts Minister Lawler is also making to strongly advocate for a new approach to address the funding issues as discussions take place for the new National School Reform Agreement which will be signed off next year. NTPA will continue to strongly advocate for a more equitable approach to fund NT students.

We are pleased to see the Effective Enrolment Report by Deloitte has been released and I would like to thank all school leaders who contributed to the review. It is a welcome announcement that we will transition away from a funding model based on attendance to enrolment. NTPA acknowledges that report’s concluding remarks:

‘While the recommendations presented in this report represent a significant departure from the current approach and have the potential to cause disruption to schools during implementation, the benefits from their implementation stand to be significant. The benefits will arise from a more equitable distribution of resources that is aligned to the Department’s strategic goals; that provides greater certainty and stability for schools; and, ultimately, supports improved student outcomes.’

NTPA have always advocated for additional funding to ensure that this is not a model which redistributes funding from one school to another. This has also been recognised in the report.

‘The Government has a clear strategy to improve student attendance, engagement in learning and learning outcomes. By moving from the current model of effective enrolment to a model based on enrolment, there would be greater alignment of funding to educational need – i.e., towards students and schools that require the greatest level of support to drive the outcomes sought by Government.

 It is clear that this cannot be achieved in a budget neutral way as there is not a strong case from the evidence available to this Review that schools with higher levels of attendance are over-funded. The redistribution of funding that would be required to implement a move towards an enrolment-based methodology, while maintaining budget neutrality, has the potential to risk undermining service delivery and outcomes in settings that currently experience higher levels of attendance’.  

The Schools Upgrade Fund Open Round

The Schools Upgrade Fund Open Round supports the Australian Government’s commitment to more equitable access to education. It will provide $32 million in the 2023 school year to upgrade school infrastructure, helping schools and their students get back on track after disruptions caused by COVID-19.

What does the Open Round cover?

Schools can apply for small grants of up to $25,000 to support much needed improvements to education facilities. This may include purchasing air purifiers or air conditioning, building or maintaining outdoor learning spaces, purchasing ICT equipment (including laptops and tablets), or repairing and maintaining school facilities.

In partnership with BTS Sparks, NTPA have organised an Alice Springs Aspiring Leaders Program on Friday 24th Febraury 2023.

This consists of a full day Personal Leadership Development Workshop which will allow aspiring leaders from ST1 level to Principals to reflect on their leadership style and look at the pathway to get to where they would like to be as an effective leader.

This will be followed up by two 90 minutes, small group coaching sessions tailored to the needs of participants. 

Please contact ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au to secure your place.

This is a discounted price of $375 per participant.

We are also running a Difficult conversations PD for Darwin and Top End on Friday 17th February 2022.  To regiser your intrest please email ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au

This half day work shop will be tailored to new and emerging principals.

The cost is free for members at $100 for non members.

Skilled Migration

Infrastructure – Capital and Minor New Works

The Be You team would like to thank you all for your efforts promoting whole-school wellbeing in 2022. As we approach the end of the school year, we’d like to wish you an enjoyable break and to provide you with some suggestions to aid a positive start to 2023.

 Your Personal Wellbeing

As educators, we all know the importance of self-care. Throughout a busy year, it is sometimes difficult to find time to focus on ourselves. We encourage you to take time over the holidays to consider your own professional practice, personal strengths, and strategies you might use to look after yourself.

Be You have developed a number of resources including fact sheets, planning tools and event recordings to help you in this important area. They are always available free-of-charge at the following address, we hope you find them useful.

https://beyou.edu.au/resources/educator-wellbeing

Professional Learning  

Be You also offers 13 hours of free professional learning. This learning is evidence-based and focused on promoting wellbeing in schools.  

Log in to your Be You account, confirm your contact details and head to  ‘Learn’.

There are five domains:  

• Mentally Healthy Communities
• Family Partnerships
• Responding Together
• Learning Resilience
• Early Support

There is no right or wrong place to start, so jump in wherever catches your interest.  

Action Teams

In preparation for 2023, you may like to check whether your school has an Action Team Leader. Your Be You consultant is always available to support them and your school’s Leadership and Action Team. Together, we can help identify realistic goals, develop a proactive plan to achieve them, and to support the wellbeing of your whole learning community.

Support Over the Holidays

Finally, below is an A3 copy of available helplines to support individuals who may benefit from the range of national supports available. You might like to distribute to your colleagues or to post them in visible areas (notice boards, newsletters, toilet stalls), you never know who might need them.

Thank you again for 2022 and as always, please reach out if we can assist in any way. 

Since, our original Northern Territory Principals’ Association Facebook site was hacked by a video creator group we have been rebuilding.

We recommend you block this site: Old facebook site

Then follow this one: New NTPA facebook page

Thank you!