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Over the last few weeks I have been able to visit some of you in your school sites and celebrate your great work leading your schools. Despite the challenges you face every day, you manage to proudly share your work showing how you make a difference to the outcomes of our children and young people.
Term Two is often full of great opportunities to participate in our great outdoors through sporting, camping or community events in our schools, valuing the great importance and respect for the land.
In recognition of Reconciliation Week (27th -3rd May), I would like to acknowledge the rich history and cultural value of the land we live, work and play on, and how we strengthen connection to our indigenous culture through being on country.
I was reminded of this when I recently joined a group of Australian secondary principals (ASPA) on a tour in Central Australia. We were privileged to learn about the significance of country to the traditional owners of the land. No matter where you live in the NT, I hope you take some time to enjoy, learn and play in rich outdoor environments. A great strategy for taking care of your wellbeing.
Stay well
Robyn
Robyn Thorpe
President Email: ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au or ntpa.president@education.nt.gov.au
Whilst in Alice Springs, I connected with a number of school leaders and attended their Principal Collaborative Learning Day. This was an opportunity to introduce them to the work that is happening to address Occupational Violence and Aggression (OVA) in our schools through the OVA Report. NTPA are working with the Education Leadership, Culture and Care Division in the implementation of the OVA’s report recommendations and to provide opportunities for consultation on what’s worked and what hasn’t worked.
NTPA Executive Meeting
Last week the NTPA exec had the opportunity to meet face to face and connect with the CE, Deputy CE and Executive Directors. These are great opportunities to represent your views to the senior executive board as we discuss, share and listen to ideas, issues and concerns. Some of these include our workforce challenges and the impact on school leaders’ workload and wellbeing.
$40 million for Alice Springs schools
The recent announcement by Federal Minister, Jason Clare that $40 million will be allocated to Central Australian schools is welcomed and will support schools to achieve 100% of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS). This provides a great opportunity for funding to support the right interventions to address the current challenges, recognising that school leader voice is central to this.
Principals in Alice Springs valued the opportunity to sit down with the Federal Education Minister and discuss the issues and a way forward.
Upgrading connectivity for remote schools
It was also pleasing to hear the recent NTG announcement that $4 million will be invested into addressing internet connectivity issues in remote communities with technologies including new low earth orbital satellite. (attach media release)
School Counselling model
The new school counselling model was discussed and the department will seek further opportunities to consult with principals for feedback and advice. NTPA were advised that the new model has not yet been finalised, that the department is working through the legal issue of ‘consent’, and that the model requires practice supervision as part of their employee responsibilities. The department has signed an agreement with Be You to support whole school initiatives to address the growing mental health and wellbeing issues of students
Preschool and Secondary Review
The Preschool Review Discussion paper is open until the 29th May 2023 for consultation and all school leaders are encouraged to ‘Have their Say’.
Preschool review | Have Your Say Northern Territory
The Secondary Review Discussion paper should be released shortly, again providing school leaders the opportunity to ‘Have their Say’.
Vaping in schools
NTPA have been advocating for a strong campaign to address the increasing vaping issue for young people and children in our schools. This has resulted in a campaign being released shortly by the Heath Department with materials and resources. NTPA also made a submission to the NT Parliamentary Inquiry. NTPA have requested that communities are made aware of the health impact of ‘Prime’ drinks.
Recognising leaders and educators
We are encouraging school leaders to recognise and nominate colleagues for the Chief Minister Awards and Teach in the Territory Awards. These provide wonderful opportunities to celebrate the excellent work of our educators and leaders.
Communication Strategy
After feedback from members, NTPA have suggested that the department review how information is shared with principals from various divisions. This is to ensure that school leaders know what is happening in the department and who can best support their needs.
Teaching and Learning Division
The Teaching and Learning division are currently creating an excellent curriculum resource for those schools wanting a refined literacy and numeracy document- the EsseNTial Curriculum. They have also consulted with South Australia to gain access to their curriculum resources.
Education Leadership, Culture and Care Division
NTPA have partnered with ELCC to support the implementation of the School Leader Wellbeing Action Plan including the Occupational Violence and Aggression in schools reports 17 recommendations. A review into Critical Incident Onsite Support which includes onsite Group Psychological First Aid (Delivered by a Clinician), 1:1 sessions with the Clinician, Follow up at 48hours, 1 week, 3 weeks and 4 weeks and Work Health and Safety Incident Management Reporting system to reduce admin burden for schools.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to NTPA if you need support. We provide collegial support, advice and feedback on a daily basis.
In partnership with BTS Sparks NTPA organised a Personal Leadership Workshop on Monday 22nd May for aspiring and current leaders. This flexible leadership coaching program combined a full day workshop and will be followed up with 2 x 90min high quality virtual group coaching sessions with a professional coach.
NTPA have partnered with headspace Schools & Communities to host a series of online events for NTPA Principals in the Alice Springs region to assist in proactive planning for whole-school wellbeing. The third session was held this week and covered the topic of responding to violence and safety in schools. The last session will be held in the next couple of weeks. We will send out placeholder as soon as we have locked it in.
We recently had the opportunity to include 7 members in the Nesli Leadership Recharge- Masterclass on wellbeing and resilience. This was delivered by Dr Janet Smith and covered the topics of Leading in times of disruption and complexity; Applying Trauma Informed Leadership principles and Understanding and leveraging your Surge Capacity; 6 Principles of Adaptive Leadership, including ‘Getting on the Balcony’ and regulating distress; Understanding Complex Decision Fatigue and how to manage it and Wellbeing for School Leaders: Resilience, Line of Choice, Beyond Blue Continuum.
As part of the partnership work to implement the Inclusion Framework, NTPA sent three members to the ACEL Inclusion Conference. Members were able to reflect on the strengths we currently have in our system and ways we could enhance inclusion.
Leaders’ Summit 2023 - 15 and 16 August at the Darwin Convention Centre.
The new Leaders’ Summit website is now live so jump online and have a browse at Leaders' Summit 2023 | 15-16 August (ntschools.net) Registrations will be opening soon.
NT Showcase – Call for Papers
The Summit will include NT Showcase sessions to highlight excellence in education with a specific focus on collaboration and instructional leadership. There are 6 showcase spots on the agenda, with each presentation running for 1 hour. Click here to check eligibility criteria for submissions and to complete the online form. Submissions close 16 June 2023.
People Matter Survey is now open!
Your voice is important and we encourage all school leaders to contribute. The survey asks questions about workplace wellbeing, job satisfaction, service delivery, leadership, and how behaviours, such as fairness and respect, are valued in your workplace. Look for the email in your inbox to participate.
Over the past few weeks I have attended the Australian Secondary Principals Association (ASPA), Australian Government Primary Principals Association (AGPPA) and Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) national meeting. These provide opportunities for sharing between States and Territories, and addressing national issues such as the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan and National School Reform Agreement.
AGPPA committee members May 2023
Have Your Say- National School Reform Agreement
Minister for Education Jason Clare is encouraging teachers, parents and students to take part in a national survey to help shape the future of school education. The survey is being released as part of the Expert Panel Review into the next National School Reform Agreement. This is all about ensuring those directly involved in the education system get a say in how we make it better and fairer. Survey participants can have their say on range of issues including: Improving education outcomes; Supporting student health and wellbeing, and Supporting and retaining teachers
What is the National School Reform Agreement?
Four years ago, on the back of a $319 billion funding deal, and amid concerns that Australia’s performance in international testing had fallen, the Commonwealth, States and Territories struck an agreement on national reforms to lift education outcomes — the National School Reform Agreement (NSRA).
The objective of the NSRA is for Australian schools to provide a high quality and equitable education for all students. This continues a longstanding commitment by Education Ministers to equity and excellence in schooling. While equity and quality are not defined in the NSRA, these concepts are embodied in the NSRA’s outcomes, targets and national performance measures.
To lift outcomes in student achievement, attainment and engagement, the NSRA outlines three reform directions, supported by eight National Policy Initiatives (NPIs) and bilateral agreements between the Commonwealth and each State and Territory government. Implementing the reform initiatives is a condition of Commonwealth funding.
A Review of the NSRA at the end of 2022 made several recommendations in regards to what should be in the new agreement.
So now that you have a bit of the background to the National School Reform Agreement, use your voice to influence the next one at https://www.education.gov.au/review-inform-better-and-fairer-education-system/consultations/review-inform-better-and-fairer-education-system-consultation
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.
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!