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Dear Colleagues,
Welcome back to Term 2 and the beautiful weather that most of the NT experiences at this time of year. I hope that you and your school are not being impacted by the usual illnesses at this time of year. As we continually say it is important to look after yourself and make sure you take the time to recover fully after any illness.
This week NTPA facilitated a professional learning day for Assistant Principals in the Top End and Darwin regions. Building capacity of our current and future school leaders is a NTPA priority. The group enjoyed build connections, learning from each other and the shared expertise in the room. The focus of the day was on managing in school, making time for instructional leadership, our tasks and our wellbeing. We look forward to being able offer future workshops across all regions.
Congratulations to those who have taken on a new leadership role in their or another school this term. Please reach out to myself or your Chapter Rep for any support.
Stay well
Robyn
Robyn Thorpe
President Email: ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au or ntpa.president@education.nt.gov.au
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, advocacy and representation on committees and groups.
Firstly, we are pleased to be a member of the Occupational Violence and Aggression in Schools Reform Committee which will ensure that a school leader perspective is considered when implementing the report’s 17 recommendations. Communiqué #1 can be found HERE.
Educators play a pivotal role in the learning and development of children. School leaders, teachers and by extension, other school staff are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people through the provision of a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment. Although the Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 (the WHS Act) provides the legal framework to keep school leaders and teachers safe in their workplace, school staff are experiencing alarmingly high levels of violence and aggression in Northern Territory (NT) government schools, compromising their role and their personal physical and psychological safety. pg 4. Occupational Violence and Aggression in Northern Territory Government Schools Report 2022
Occupational Violence and Aggression in Northern Territory Government Schools Report 2022
NTPA have advocated for action after successive Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Surveys have indicated a worrying trend of increasing levels of offensive behaviour from students (75%) and parents (42%) as reported by school leaders in the NT. Gossip and slander were also found to be high across all states and territories in the 2022 data.
Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey Data 2022
Through advocacy and NTPA’s partnership with the Department, the School Leader Wellbeing Action Plan 2021-2025 was jointly constructed. The implementation of the nine actions is ongoing work.
Action 2.3 Form a taskforce to investigate occupational violence and aggression, which NTPA was a key stakeholder of, has led to the establishment of the Occupational Violence and Aggression in Schools Reform Committee.
The report details 17 recommendations, set out under the following four key priority areas:
Priority Area 1 - Build a leading safety culture (including both physical and psychological safety) by establishing agency commitment through policies, practices, and guidance materials.
Priority Area 2 - Develop an analysis and monitoring capability within the agency for incidents of violence and aggression towards school staff.
Priority Area 3 - Ensure an integrated approach to reducing occupational violence and aggression in schools.
Priority Area 4 – Prevent, mitigate and manage psychological injury resulting from incidents of violence and aggression.
As part of this reform work the Leadership, Culture and Care Division have employed two expert consultants. Gerard Fishpool (an expert WHS consultant) is conducting an audit and seeking principals’ perspectives about our Department’s work, health and safety policies and practices. Dr Jane Richards, a clinical psychologist consultant, is providing one on one support to any school leaders, particularly post critical incidents or events which can lead to psychological harm. This is an area that NTPA have been advocating for improvement in, over many years so we are pleased to see this work progress.
Recruiting and Retaining Staff
NTPA have continued to provide feedback to the Department of the challenges for schools to remain fully staffed during this critical national teacher shortage. Our feedback has reflected that this often leads to school leaders taking on a teaching role which impacts on their time to effectively lead their schools. We know that this can increase the amount of time a school leader spends at work trying to keep on top of their administrative tasks.
With this in mind, we have had raised the prospect of improving HR support for school leaders through a more regionalised approach rather then the centralised DCDD agency with our Minister of Education.
We have also continued to advocate for additional recruitment incentives to attract teachers to Alice Springs who are faced with the wider community challenges.
NTPA are part of many conversations at a national level through our affiliated Associations (ASPA, AGPPA, APPA and AESPA) to provide feedback on The National Teacher Workforce Action Plan 2022.
Celebrating Great Teachers and Leaders
Don’t miss these opportunities to nominate our great teachers and leaders:
- Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards For more information, visit org.au/awards or contact awards@schoolsplus.org.au. Nominations close on Sunday 7 May.
- NT Education and Care Awards - Nominations open, closing Friday 2 June. To nominate someone or for further information, click here and follow the awards on Facebook.
- Teaching in the Territory Excellence Awards nominations are open. Information on the award categories and nomination requirements are available here
ICAC Committee
NTPA is involved in the Department of Education’s ICAC Program Committee. The ICAC Program Committee oversees the Department of Education’s ICAC Program which was established resulting from the ICAC’s 2021 public statement regarding the improper conduct of a previous school principal. As the NTPA’s committee representative, we ensure principals’ voices are heard on reform projects the department is delivering to address the recommendations in the ICAC’s public statement. Projects range from governance to legislative reform aimed at strengthening the education system in the Northern Territory.
FARMS Manual
NTPA have been a key stakeholder in providing feedback on the Finance and Resources Management for Schools (FARMS) Manual. This resource will provide schools with succinct and accessible requirements for accountable, transparent and targeted financial and resource management. The FARMS Manual clearly states the responsibilities of school bodies and principals. Consultation workshops for principals and business managers on the draft Manual will occur in Weeks 2-4, Term 2. Workshops will include an overview followed by an opportunity to deep dive into sections with colleagues. Feedback on the document will be open to individuals and groups until Friday 19 May. Register for a workshop in your region here.
Parliamentary Inquiries
NTPA have made submissions to the NT Inquiry into Electronic Cigarettes and Personal Vaporisers (Vaping) which is a growing concern in all schools. NTPA also contributed to the Federal Parliamentary Inquiries through ASPA for ‘The national trend of school refusal and related matters’ and ‘The issue of increasing disruption in Australian school classrooms’.
Great to see that the federal government has announced TAKING ACTION ON SMOKING AND VAPING (attach media release) and an 3.5 million project to provide MORE SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS TO MANAGE THE CLASSROOM
NTPA Assistant Principal Professional Learning Day (Top End and Darwin)
This week NTPA facilitated a professional learning and networking day for Assistant Principals in the Top End and Darwin regions. The session was well attended and covered the topics on managing tasks versus being a leader, managing your time, your tasks and your wellbeing, what are you accountable for as a school leader and writing a application for a principal job.
Developing your Personal Leadership Workshop (Palmerston)
The NT Principal’s Association (NTPA) together with BTS Spark are pleased to offer aspiring leaders a Developing Your Personal Leadership workshop. This flexible leadership coaching program combines a full day workshop with 2 x 90min high quality virtual group coaching sessions with a professional coach to back up the workshop. This program will provide you with strategies, tools and insights to support you in leading your team or your school.
The full day workshop will be held on Monday 22nd May at Rydges Palmerston. For registration please email ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au The cost for members $370 per person, non- members $470 per person
Connective Leadership: Leveraging Adversity to Build Connection (online Alice Springs) Be You sessions
In conjunction with headspace schools and communities, NTPA are hosting the second Wellbeing session for our central members online Wednesday 17th May 3.30-4.30pm. The focus of this session will be Connective Leadership: Leveraging Adversity to Build Connection. All school leaders are invited to connect. This session will explore the principles of connective leadership, highlighting how times of adversity can enhance connection and support a shared direction and goal. These sessions are designed to promote sharing and connection between school leaders during times of adversity.
Please open the flyer and register via the link attached.
All members and school leaders are invited to a networking session at the Golf Club on Thursday 11th May 4.30pm to 6pm.Please rsvp ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au
Leaders’ Summit – Save the Date 15th and 16th August 2023
The 2023 Leaders' Summit will be held on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 August at the Darwin Convention Centre. NTPA have been a member of the committee who are working hard to ensure the 2 days are packed full of informative keynotes, workshops and showcases for all the departments education leaders.
Latest APPA Newsletter Here
APPA announces the retirement of Malcolm Elliott as President
We take this opportunity to share with you that after four and half years of distinguished service as President of our association and an entire career dedicated to leading in schools and educating students, Malcolm Elliott has notified the APPA Board of his decision to retire from his presidency.
Malcolm’s excellent advocacy on behalf of primary principals and primary schooling more broadly has continued APPA’s pre-eminent and unique position in the educational arena throughout his tenure as APPA President.
We wish to acknowledge Malcolm’s capacity to forge strong and reciprocal relationships with a broad range of educational stakeholders including successive Ministers of Education, the Commonwealth Department of Education, ACARA, AITSL, ESA and AERO. The partnership built and continued with the New Zealand Principals’ Federation has been of great mutual benefit.
Malcolm’s notable service and leadership have been so evident through the pandemic and then more recently in progressing the actions and responses of the Principal Health & Wellbeing Survey, the National School Reform Agreement Review and the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan.
In this interim period, the APPA Board are committed to ensuring the work continues. The recruitment process has already commenced for a new president to lead APPA, building on the excellent support, leadership and advocacy by Malcolm and the strong foundations and legacies of our other former APPA presidents.
We sincerely thank Malcolm for his dedication to APPA and wish him well in his retirement.
Sally Ruston AM
APPA Deputy President
Remember memebrships are for a calendar year so now is is the time to renew or join for 2023. Click on this link to complete the form.
Free myfuture webinars | Registrations now open
Register now for any/all of the following myfuture webinars:
The power of workplace exposure - to see what you can be
Tuesday 16 May, 1:00pm (AEST)
In this webinar you’ll hear from some of the CareerTrackers interns and learn how you can support young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to be the change makers of tomorrow.
Managing career uncertainty and anxiety: the power of career conversations
Tuesday 30 May, 1:00pm (AEST)
In this webinar, Dr Jo Gleeson (Monash University), lead author of the forthcoming myfuture Insights Paper ‘Managing career uncertainty and anxiety: the power of career conversations, will talk about the findings of her research in this area, and share a questionnaire that can help young people to become more aware of their feelings associated with career decision making.
Professor Peter Shergold AC | Setting future expectations: the importance of career guidance in schools
Thursday 8 June, 4:00pm (AEST)
In this webinar Professor Peter Shergold AC will focus on the critically important role of career guidance in schools and provide some future expectations.
Enhancing the status of VET: Practical strategies for schools
Thursday 15 June, 6:30pm (AEST)
Join Joy de Leo from NCVER and Prof. Stephen Billet from Griffith University, to deepen your understanding of VET, and obtain practical strategies for increasing student interest in VET and shifting preconceived or outdated perceptions of VET in your wider school community.
https://myfuture.edu.au/assist-others/webinars
Narragunnawali Professional Learning in Action for
Early Childhood Education and Care Professionals
Friday 12 May 2023 9:00am - 3:00pm
George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens (Visitor & Event Centre), Gilruth Ave &, Gardens Rd, The Gardens NT 0820
More info and registration here
Narragunnawali Professional Learning in Action for
Teachers and School Leaders (F-12)
Saturday 13 May 2023 9:00am - 3:00pm
George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens (Visitor & Event Centre), Gilruth Ave &, Gardens Rd, The Gardens NT 0820
More info and registration here
Participants will:
- gain an understanding of the context and concept of reconciliation in Australia and their role in the reconciliation movement.
- learn about tools and resources available to support teaching and learning about reconciliation
- learn about how to develop Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) as a whole-school or service approach to reconciliation.
These sessions contribute to 6 hours of teacher identified PL with the Teacher Registration Board NT.
Click HERE for the latest Be You Newsletter
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!