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Dear Colleagues
As we near the end of Term, I would like to thank all members for their feedback and contributions to NTPA. The strength of the Association lies in its membership and we encourage all school leaders to join the Association to ensure your voice is represented. The Association offers collegial support and connection to others which is a great protective factor to help manage your wellbeing. No one understands the complexity and challenges of the principal role more than your colleagues. I know many of you have faced had challenges and tough experiences this term and continually demonstrate agility and resiliency. I recently came across this article Managing complexity: Practical tips for school principals in The Educator which recognises the importance of building connection and relationships with your colleagues.
- Network, network, network! Make time to meet with colleagues away from school for a coffee or meal.
- Contact colleagues for advice, support or to debrief.
- Attend network meetings, no matter how boring or how irritating they are. Make a conscious effort to chat with as many colleagues as possible.
- If aware a colleague isn’t doing well, check in with them regularly. This will be reciprocated when you need the support.
- Stand with your colleagues. If there’s a burning issue, voice the concern collectively. There is always strength in numbers.
This last point is critical for NTPA to collectively address issues and concerns in our system, especially those that can reduce any impact on school leader workload and support our leaders to thrive.
NTPA takes daily calls from members to provide advice, support and direction. Please do not hesitate to reach out.
Congratulations to our colleagues who have recently won or been appointed to principal positions to commence in Term 3. Hopefully we can send out an updated list by the start of next term. We encourage new colleagues to join NTPA. 2023 membership is now 50% reduced. https://forms.office.com/r/XfkaFc6s1g
I hope you have had the chance to register for the Leaders Summit to be held on August 15th and 16th. This is always a great opportunity to connect with colleagues across the NT. NTPA will host a networking session at the end of the second day at the Precinct so please call in and catch up with new and old friends. Drop into our stall at the Summit and enter our raffle by contributing your burning issue.
Please take the opportunity to provide feedback on the Secondary Review and Preschool Review Discussion Papers. These are important Reviews to ensure that we continue to provide the right support to our students and their families.
Remember to take a break over the next 3 weeks. Switch off and put some boundaries in place to ensure you return recharged and refreshed for Semester Two.
Thank you again for your amazing work, for being an educator and leader, and making a difference to the lives of many children and young people.
Stay well
Robyn
Robyn Thorpe
President Email: ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au or ntpa.president@education.nt.gov.au
Here is a summary of some meetings attended over the past 4 weeks:
School Education Advisory Group (SEAG) – these meetings are held with the Education Executive and key stakeholders -NTPA, Union, Cogso and Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPANT). Topics of discussion included the Federal Government’s $ 40 million commitment to Alice Springs; the Preschool and Secondary Review; an update from Student Wellbeing and Inclusion services and teacher attraction and recruitment.
FARMS (Finance and Resource Manual) Committee
Hopefully you have all had the chance to review the new FARM document and provide any feedback through the consultation process. NTPA are pleased that members now have one document and resources to help support schools to manage their resources and finances. NTPA have also continued to advocate that policies should not add to principal or school leader workload nor add additional layers for approval.
Occupational Violence and Aggression in Schools Committee
The purpose of this committee is to oversee the implementation of the 19 recommendations from the OVA in schools report. NTPA have been a key stakeholder providing advice and feedback on how the recommendations can be implemented. This is an important area which has a direct link to school leader wellbeing.
NT Secondary Review
Don’t miss your opportunity to have a say on the NT secondary Review Discussion Paper developed by Deloitte based consultation with a range of schools and stakeholders. We are encouraging all school leaders to provide feedback by the 26th June. To have your voice heard, visit HaveYourSay
The Review is part of delivering on the department’s commitment through the Education NT Strategy 2021-2025 to ‘review and strengthen secondary education (Years 7–12) with a focus on increased participation, retention and completion, particularly in remote areas.’
The Review aims to design a secondary education system that is responsive to the unique and diverse delivery contexts in the NT, reflects the rich cultural diversity among learners, and provides a pathway for all students to achieve success.
Please make sure this has been shared with your staff, students, families and communities to provide perspectives on opportunities to improve secondary education in the Territory.
Education Minister Meeting
NTPA met this month with the Minister of Education, Eva Lawler to discuss a range of topics including: the new National School Reform Agreement; teacher and principal shortages and recruitment, update on Federal Funding for the Central region- incentives for staffing; the increasing levels of student wellbeing and mental health issues; ongoing issues with DCCD, DIPL and GEH services and the lack of consistent support for school leaders.
Student Wellbeing and Inclusion
NTPA are a key stakeholder for the reform work that is occurring within SWI. This includes the multidisciplinary team operating model, the student with disability funding model, school counsellors and the Inclusion Framework. Recently 3 NTPA school leaders joined SWI staff to attend the ACEL National Disability and Inclusion Conference in Melbourne. This provided them an opportunity to reflect on our current inclusion practices, to appreciate the outstanding work already occurring in the NT and to learn how to strengthen our work.
Key takeaways from the conference for our school leaders were:
- As educational leaders we are responsible for facilitating Disability Inclusion in schools.
- Students are partners.
- That we need to build staff capacity and grow and develop the skillsets of our teachers and support staff
- Victoria has introduced through a staged roll out over 5 years their approach to delivering inclusive education, this will come at a cost of $1.6 billion. Victorian Department of Education has changed the funding model. Numerous presenters showed and talked about the 3 Tiers Funding Model from what this looks like from a Central Office perspective to what it looks like in schools.
We need to move from a deficit Medical Model of diagnosis to a strength based Social Model.
Australian Government Student Wellbeing Boost
Recently information was shared with principals regarding the Australian Government Student Wellbeing Boost. This was a Federal Government commitment announced earlier in the year ‘Half a billion-dollar investment into student wellbeing’. As part of the Boost, every school in Australia will benefit. On average each school will get $20,000 depending on its need and size.
The Boost will provide:
- $192 million in additional one-off funding to every school to support their students’ mental health and wellbeing, with schools receiving on average $20,000 for use in the 2023 school year.
- $10.8 million for a new voluntary mental health check tool to enable schools to ensure students get the support they need.
If you would like to read more about this please refer to the February Media Release.
https://ministers.education.gov.au/clare/half-billion-dollar-investment-student-wellbeing
Make your voice count for the next National School Reform Agreement
Minister for Education Jason Clare says teachers, parents and students are being encouraged to take part in a national survey to help shape the future of school education. The survey is being 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.
This survey is important as it is our chance to have a say in what could make a difference in supporting our educators and school leaders, particularly when we are dealing with a workforce shortage.
The Principal Safety, Health and Wellbeing Report data reflected these areas to be critical issues:
- Workload and sheer quantity of work
- Lack of time to focus on teaching and learning
- Staffing shortages
- Student Mental health and wellbeing
- Staff Mental health and wellbeing
What to do?
- Complete the survey yourself https://www.education.gov.au/review-inform-better-and-fairer-education-system/consultations/review-inform-better-and-fairer-education-system-consultation
The survey options are aligned towards national agendas so please use the additional boxes to make suggestions relevant to the NT and your school’s context.
- Share the survey with your staff
- Share with your school bodies (explain why it is important) and communities - there is a Facebook link via the NTPA Facebook site NTPA facebook pinned post
- The survey is available online until 23 June 2023.
NTPA continue to advocate for 100% funding of the Schooling Resource Standard (SRS) for all students in the NT no matter where they live. Federal Minister Jason Clare often states we need to make our education system better and fairer by funding our most disadvantaged children and young people to provide them equitable educational opportunities. We are the most underfunded jurisdiction in the whole of Australia, and have an opportunity to change the narrative.
The National School Reform Agreement (NSRA) is a joint agreement between the Commonwealth, States and Territories to lift student outcomes across Australian schools. For more information read this article: https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-national-school-reform-agreement-and-what-does-it-have-to-do-with-school-funding-202847
Leading in tough times
NTPA in conjunction with Headspace schools and communities have hosted a series of four webinars for colleagues in the central region. This has included a range of topics including:
- Leading through tough times
- Connective Leadership: Leveraging Adversity to Build Connection
- Responding to Violence and Safety Issues in Schools
- Surviving and thriving in 2023
As a follow up to session 3, Kerrie Sellen, Director and Trainer of Restorative Journeys, has offered to run a free workshop next week for any school leaders, educators and staff on responding to violence in schools. We are very grateful to Kerrie for sharing her time and expertise. If you would like to know more about Kerrie’s work you can check out her website:
Kerrie joined Kristen Douglas in the third of the Be You /NTPA sessions to discuss responding to violence and safety issues in schools. Kerrie has worked extensively with school staff across the NT and has generously offered to run a face to face session on how to deal with aggressive behaviour in your schools, during her next visit to Alice Springs. This invitation is available to all leaders, educators and staff in your schools.
When: Tuesday 27th June 2023, 4:00pm to 5:30pm
Where: Double tree Hilton
Cost: Free
RSVP: ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au
We would like to thank Kristen Douglas, Brian Morgan and Michaela Greening for their support to run these sessions. Please see below a list of resources.
Michael Grinder Workshops Term 3
Next term, NTPA will offer a series of workshops with Michael Grinder online. Michael’s workshops help you understand human interaction on a deeper level, simply by effectively using nonverbal communication cues – eye contact, voice patterns, and body language. This can improve how you deal with difficult conversations whether they are with staff, parents or students. More information will be sent out soon.
World Principal Day
Don’t forget to add Friday 4th August to your calendar as World Principal Day (of course we acknowledge al school leaders on this day). This is a great time to connect and network with colleagues and to acknowledge the great work you do every day.
Each NTPA Chapter will be organsing their own celebration. So keep an eye out for what is happening in your area.
APPA Conference
This year the Australian Primary Principals Association Conference will be held in Hobart. NTPA are affiliated with APPA and these conferences provide a great opportunity to connect, network, learn and share.
We would like to congratulate the new APPA President Angela Falkenberg.
https://appa.asn.au/conferences/2023-hobart-conference/
ICP Emerging Leaders Forum
This year the International Confederation of Principals (ICP) our international affiliated body are hosting an emerging leader’s forum prior to their council plus meeting in Finland.
As part of your NTPA membership for 2023 you receive a complimentary subscription for EC by Go1.
The NTPA learning hub is full of amazing curated content and provides world class professional learning anytime you choose.
Some exciting new content to explore is:
ACEL brings Leaders
Pivoting with Yong Zhao: A School Leader’s Guide to Educational Transformation
Centre for Transformative Teaching and Learning brings
If you haven't received your welcome email from the NTPA hub please reach out to ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au
This is what the email looks like and can sometime go to quarantine or junk email.
Enjoy!
Good360 receives many impact stories daily about the impact they are making together with proactive school communities via providing brand new goods to assist with classroom engagement, attendance incentives, addressing educational and financial disadvantage, bridging the digital divide, and assisting with the cost-of-living crisis. There’s more information about Good360 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5gtoZM5ewU
A wonderful impact story recently received is from Borroloola school. What they said about their Good360 experience:
Borroloola School
Received $25,051 Worth of brand-new goods received (RRP)
100 Lives Impacted
Borroloola school kids are learning about STEM and what a great way to start with LEGO. STEM assists in problem-solving and exploratory development of learning. Part of our school's values "Gambana" is that learning is always fun.
Borroloola is a small town in very remote NT. For students to have new LEGO to play with is a very rare and precious experience. This is just the beginning. Thank you Good360 and LEGO!
Link to story here: https://catalog.good360.org.au/impact-story/index/details/id/5210/
NT Schools can get in touch with the Membership Development Manager for Schools directly via: chantellejary@good360.org.au or 02 8594 3615 to chat about membership.
For further information please see the following brochure:
Click here to read the lastest ASPA newsletter
Please find following a copy of the APPA/ASPA Research Paper on School Leader Wellbeing, which was produced as a result of the PARF funded research project, facilitated on behalf of APPA and ASPA by PIVOT Research.
Week in review: An inspiring beacon of Indigenous education | 'The natural choice': Murat Dizdar appointed NSW Department of Education Secretary.
Read all the TOP NEWS from the Educator here
Harvard Scholarship opportunity for school leaders
The Harvard Club of Australia (HCA) has over 50 scholarships to The Principals' Centre in Australia - a joint program of the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and Harvard Club of Australia (HCA). The five-day leadership program will be hosted in Sydney from 15 - 19 January 2024.
Applications are now open, and the deadline for the first round of Scholarships is 30 July. Further information about the program and a link to apply can be found here. Applicants should click the ‘Apply' button on the top right of the program description; they will then be asked to create an account to manage their application.
The following scholarship is on offer through HCA that your members may be eligible for:
The HCA Scholarship
HCA Scholarships include 80% of the program tuition, hotel accommodation and breakfast, and a travel stipend. Available scholarship funding will focus on school leaders who lead Australian public schools with an ICSEA score of less than 1000 or those in regional and rural Australia.
All folks need to do to apply for a scholarship is tick a box on the application form. Apply Here
Headspace schools and communities’ resources
Brian: M 0484 269 957
Michaela: 0436450 502
Be You Action Teams: Action Team Handbook: https://beyou.edu.au/get-started/action-teams
Educator Wellbeing: BE You resources web page including Wellbeing Plan for Educators: https://beyou.edu.au/resources/educator-wellbeing/tools
Beyond Self-Care: An Educator Wellbeing Guide: https://beyou.edu.au/resources/educator-wellbeing-guide
Be You Suicide Prevention and Response resources: https://beyou.edu.au/resources/suicide-prevention-and-response
programs directory: https://beyou.edu.au/resources/programs-directory
fact sheets: https://beyou.edu.au/fact-sheets
Be You resources: https://beyou.edu.au/resources
BE You Professional Learning: https://beyou.edu.au/learn
Be You Action Teams: Action Team Handbook:
https://beyou.edu.au/get-started/action-teams
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. Membership prices are pro ratered for the rest of 2023.
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!