Filter Content
- President Update
- Staff Wellbeing
- Advocacy and Consultation
- 2023 Australian School Leader Occupational Health & Wellbeing Survey
- Australian Teacher Workforce Survey – now open.
- Leadership Professional Learning
- Go1 Education Change Makers
- Teaching in the Territory Excellence Award nominees
- Save the date- World Teacher's Day
- Central Australia School Leader Networking
- ARE YOU OK DAY?
- National Associations
- Links to other Professional Learning Opportunities, Publications, and Professional Reading
- HALF PRICE MEMERSHIP FOR REMAINDER OF 2023
- Facebook page
R U Ok Day, this Thursday, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of connection and checking in on others. Even though these are three simple words, the important part is listening deeply to the response using your gut or instinct to gauge how your colleague or buddy is going. By taking the time for an R U OK? conversation and genuinely listening with an open mind, we can all help the people in our world feel supported and connected.
Let the people in your world know you’re here, to really hear, because a conversation could change a life.
A big congratulations to our principals and school leaders who have been shortlisted for a Teaching in the Territory Excellence Award. This is great recognition and acknowledgement of the work you do day in and day out, and your achievements to make a difference to the lives of children and young people.
Often at this time of the year, we are preparing for the tasks which need to be completed in Term 4 as we prepare for the year ahead and reflect of the year past and it is hard not to feel overwhelmed, tired and short of time to finish anything! Therefore, it is critical that you have prioritised time over the term break to rest and regenerate.
Your Wellbeing
We all know the principal role is complex and demanding and we often neglect to act on the indicators that reflect our own wellbeing is diminishing. I strongly recommend that every member completes the 2023 Australian School Leader Occupational Health & Wellbeing Survey. This provides you with a personalised detailed report and tracks your health and wellbeing each year so that you have longitudinal data. The Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing survey is now live for new participant registrations at https://healthandwellbeing.org/AU
Ongoing participants should have received an email to complete this year’s survey.
Importantly if every member completes the survey, the collated NT results provides NTPA with rich data to advocate for what will make a difference to the wellbeing and health of principal- such as reducing workload demands, embedding mentoring and coaching practices for all school leaders, addressing work conditions such as the increasing issue of violence and aggression in our schools.
At times our leadership journey can feel quite lonely and there may not be the right people there to support you. A strategy you can use is to invest in your leadership and wellbeing by organising a leadership coach. Leadership coaches are frequently used by people in different professions who act as experts for leadership growth or challenges. Investing part of your school budget in leadership growth is a strategic decision for building capacity of yourself and your team. Although there are many leadership coaches that can be sourced, BTS Sparks offers professional leadership coaching through their website https://btsspark.org/en-au or contact Gail.Smith@btsspark.org
Remember investment in yourself isn’t selfish, it builds your agency to be self-aware.
Stay well
Robyn
Robyn Thorpe
President Email: ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au or ntpa.president@education.nt.gov.au
We often hear many experts tell us that you can’t address the wellbeing of your staff and students until you address the wellbeing needs of yourself. We are familiar with the ‘put your own oxygen mask on first’ analogy, but how do we do that in the busyness of our school days.
Addressing staff wellbeing is absolutely critical during this time of a workforce shortage and part of your retention strategy. As a recent Educator article stated “When it comes to building a productive, happy and healthy school workforce “nothing cultivates this better than focusing on the wellbeing of staff”.
This comes from a ground-breaking report commissioned under Independent Schools Queensland’s (ISQs) Our Schools – Our Future initiative. The new study, by behavioural scientist Professor Donna Cross and co-author Sarah Falconer of the Telethon Kids Institute, presents an evidence-based perspective on what promotes or erodes school staff wellbeing, which is one of the first in Australia to make the links to student wellbeing.
The report offers some practical evidence-based actions and makes wellbeing recommendations:
- Prioritising the school community’s wellbeing and ensuring improvements are contextual, sustain evidence-based practice, focus on relationships, and underpin the whole-school culture.
- Enabling and sustaining supportive leadership practices that build teacher wellbeing.
- Providing effective induction and mentoring, and meaningful professional learning that is sustained and authentic.
- Tracking wellbeing priorities and progress to benchmark, monitor and effectively meet the wellbeing strengths and needs of the school community.
Staff Wellbeing Survey: The Beyond Blue- Check your mental health K10 survey, is a great resource for staff to complete and provides resources:
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/check-your-mental-health
School leader wellbeing is often connected to workload pressures and NTPA continue to advocate for policy reform to address school leader workload, the provision of additional resourcing and support, and addressing safety within schools.
NTPA meet regularly with the Minister, CE, Deputy CE’s, Senior Executives, Reference Groups, Review Committees and Consultative groups.
Advocating for government policy reform addressing teacher shortages, staff workload, resourcing, and safety. Specifically, at a broader system level, the following actions are needed to positively impact school leader and staff wellbeing:
- Identify and address drivers of workload intensification.
- Facilitate equitable access to trained mental health professionals in all Australian schools to respond to the increasing complexity of student behaviour and mental health and wellbeing difficulties.
- Use policy reform to protect school leaders and staff from the impact of aggressive and other offensive behaviour directed at them.
Complaint Resolution Framework Consultation
NTPA are providing feedback in regards to the updated Complaint Resolution Framework and process. If you would like to provide NTPA your feedback please ring 0400146693 or email ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au It is important that this process meets the needs of principals and addresses unreasonable complaints. All documents are in eLearn with individual feedback forms. General feedback can also be provided.
Whole School Professional Learning Days 2023
NTPA have sought clarity from the Deputy CE in regards to any issues which this new policy has created. Executive Contract Principals, who work additional hours to deliver/participate in the 6 hours of professional learning, are also eligible for the last Friday day in lieu. (But cannot be traded for another day in lieu) How those additional hours are delivered is contextual to your school and staff.
Miscellaneous Christmas Close Down Leave
NTPA have continued to question these leave arrangements which were issued under the under the Northern Territory Public Sector 2021–2025 Enterprise Agreement. AO staff (92 and 96%) have access to 3 days miscellaneous Christmas closedown leave for 27 to 29 December 2023. Please reach out if you require support.
Executive Contract Principal Leave Arrangements
NTPA have clarified the guidelines for ECO’s taking recreation leave during school term. The Deputy CE has clarified that ECO’s are allowed to take up to 3 weeks leave during the term subject to operational requirements.
Executive Contract Principal’s Renumeration packages (frozen) - NTPA will continue to advocate for principals to be renumerated and rewarded appropriately to ensure retention of our quality leaders.
Executive Contract Principal’s Renumeration packages (frozen)
NTPA will continue to advocate for principals to be renumerated and rewarded appropriately to ensure retention of our quality leaders.
NTPA summary from our August newletter:
Feedback in regards to DCCD Services
Thank you to everyone who responded to our quick survey in regards to the quality of service from DCDD. NTPA continue to advocate for a dedicated expert workforce within agency to address the school leaders HR needs and to address the increasing issues with Data and Digital services.
The survey is still open if you would like to contribute: Survey link here
Teacher Shortages
NTPA have continued to be consulted and offer advice to address the immediate urgency in regards to teacher shortages and workforce planning. It is critical that you communicate real number shortages to the department to ensure this can be addressed through a strong system response.
Communication
NTPA continue to provide advice on consultation and communication with school leaders. Clear, consistent and reliable information needs to be communicated in a timely and appropriate manner.
Excursion Policy and Guidelines
Please continue to provide your feedback.
Calling all school leaders to take the 2023 Principals Health & Wellbeing survey.
This research addresses the increasing demand and complexity of the Australian school leader occupation. Collected data provides evidence to policy makers, exposing real costs and benefits of initiatives such as the introduction of a national curriculum and changes to testing and accountability requirements. It is important that we capture the perspective of school leaders in the NT so please take the time to complete the survey.
After you complete the survey, you will receive a personalised report of your own health and wellbeing status. Our interactive report graphs compare your results to others in similar school situations, as well as those in the general population. The report displays how your previous scores compare to your 2023 responses so that you can track your results! Your report will have clickable charts for you to see these results at individual datapoints.
We need your voice to tell the world what is happening to Australian School Leaders!
The Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing Survey is a confidential survey, independent of all employer groups, professional associations and unions. First, you will be able to review your job-related personal health and wellbeing, with an individualised report returned automatically upon completion. Second, global results will build a holistic picture of the state of school leader health and wellbeing. The results provide a system-level report with recommendations for future actions.
This research has significant impact in the diagnostic feedback given to school principals, the evaluation of existing policy initiatives, and the consultation with state departments leading to important new policy initiatives. If you have taken the survey before, check your email or new participants can register at https://healthandwellbeing.org/au
As part of our National Association’s work to support excellence in teaching, school leadership and initial teacher education, AITSL regularly produces Spotlights examining facets of education in Australia. Please see more detail in the latest AITSL Spotlight, Australia’s teacher workforce today.
The key messages in this Spotlight reveal that:
Michael Grinder online training sessions
NTPA are pleased to offer a series of 4 workshops with Michael Grinder. Michael Grinder is a nonverbal communication expert and has over 40 years of experience training thousands of groups. Known as the pioneer of nonverbal communication, Michael helps executives and educators assess people more accurately, connect with others more deeply, and build their charisma.
Dates: 13th September, 20th September, October 11th & October 18th
Time: 8am to 9.30am online via Zoom
Megan Hunter, CEO and Co-Founder of the High Conflict Institute
We are excited to announce that this year Megan can provide a face to face workshop in Darwin. The cost for this workshop will be $100 for members and $200 for non-members.
‘This was the best workshop I have ever participated in. It provided me with deep understandings and powerful strategies to navigate challenging conversations that are often part of a school leaders role.’ Belinda Pearson, Braitling Primary School
‘Highly targeted for the current needs of principals in the Territory to lean in on evidence-based practices when dealing with regular high conflict situations.’ Liza Parr, Nakara Primary School
Wednesday 15th November at Michael Long Centre 8.30am to 4.00 pm
Please register via this link: https://forms.office.com/r/ndiEF7AWam
Have you joined Go1EC? All NTPA members have free access to this professional learning website until December 2023. This month’s focus is mental health awareness and the playlist includes numerous resources to support you and your staff. If you have not yet received your email log on please email ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au
Check out hte September playlist:
Mindset Matters: Mental Health Awareness | September 2023 (mygo1.com)
Congratulations to the Teaching in the Territory Excellence Award nominees
Principal of the Year
- Ali Brady - Bakewell Primary School
- Annie Keighran - Forrest Parade School
- Carol Putica - Ludmilla Primary School
- Carolyn Edwards - Zuccoli Primary School
- Donna Bryant - Katherine School of the Air
- Genevieve Wild - Alyarrmandumanja Umbakumba School
- Julie Permezel - Acacia Hill School
- Kevin Gaskin - Elliott School
- Mel Dougherty - Alyangula Area School
- Melinda Kealy - Anula Primary School
- Penny Weily - Ross Park Primary School
- Renez Lammon - Casuarina Street Primary School
- Robert Mcintosh - Sanderson Middle School
- Simon Rowlands - Centralian Middle School
Leader of the Year
- Anna Benson - Katherine High School
- Annie Thompson - Nhulunbuy Primary School
- Anthea Frossinakis - Alice Springs School of the Air
- Di Sullivan - Jingili Primary School
- Erin Carter - Bakewell Primary School
- Hannah Robbins - Katherine High School
- Ioana Suciu - Bradshaw Primary School
- Kate Worrall - Ross Park Primary School
- Madalyn McKirdy - Wugularr School
- Mina McCarthy - Malak Primary School
- Pam Dillon - School of Sport Education NT
- Samuel Woods - Tivendale School
- Sharayah Lansdown - Laynhapuy Homelands School
- Sylvia Gregory - Moulden Primary School
- Tamara Johansen - Humpty Doo Primary School
- Tracey Sant - Tennant Creek Primary School
Best of luck to all those who have been shortlisted of these awards.
Congratulations to our colleagues in Alice Springs who are strategically planning for the investment in their students and schools. There is significant planning, collaborating and strategic thinking going into the work required to expend the additional money to get schools resourced to 100% of the SRS. Last week NTPA and APPA President, Angela Falkenberg met with school leaders to provide support and advocacy.
Australian Government Primary Principals’ Association (AGPPA) Update
Jane Wilkinson, from Monash University, presented to National Council on her team’s research project “Invisible Labour: Principal’s Emotional Labour in Volatile Times”.
Through principal testimonials, it aims to illustrate the emotional labour of public school principals, highlight community understanding of the complexities of the role,
and bring meaningful changes and improvements. All public-school principals across Australia can contribute to this three-year research project by following this
link: Invisible labour: School principals’ emotional labour in volatile times - Monash Education
APPA Update
APPA National Horizons newsletter Read Here
APPA supports universal preschool media release: https://www.educationmattersmag.com.au/appa-backs-recommendations-for-universal-pre-school-in-australia/
ASPA Update
Recently, I attended a farewell for the ASPA President, Andrew Pierpoint who has served as president for the past 11 years. Andrew’s connection and commitment to the profession will be missed. We welcome Andy Mison to the ASPA presidency who will continue to advocate for Australia Secondary Principals.
International Confederation of Principals (ICP)
Read ICP's latest newsletter HERE
ASEPA update
The Australian Special Education Principal’s Association (ASEPA) is the peak national organisation representing school-based special education principals and leaders in Australia.
Sarah Corry (Principal Henbury School) and Annie Keighran (Principal Forrest Parade School) represented the NT by attending the ASEPA National Council in Melbourne on the 12th and 13th of May 2023. A highlight was each state/Territory giving a ‘state of play’ for their jurisdiction.
Discussions centred around the 3 goals of the current ASEPA work plan (below)
The National Leadership Voice
Ensuring the voice of the principals and members we represent is heard at a
national level.
Advocacy and Partnerships
Building deliberate, strategic partnerships to enhance our ability to connect, advocate and grow for and with the profession.
Wellbeing and Recognition
Supporting leaders’ wellbeing and promoting sustainable principalship, while recognising and celebrating our collective success.
This PD based around the Essential Skills of Classroom Management (ESCM), a set of 10 skills that can be used to support positive behaviour in your classroom.
The skills are focused on whole class settings and teacher actions, and on creating a calm and orderly classroom, to then enable teachers to flexibly respond to student management issues.
This PD is being run by Dominic Fecteau, Assistant Principal at Darwin Middle School. Experienced in positive behaviour strategies in both urban, rural and remote schools and have worked as a positive behaviour coach before heading into the NT School system.
Below is a flowchart to show the 10 skills and how they link together. The PD is run across 3 sessions of 1 hour each and is a mix of some theory and hands-on roleplays and discussions, with some take away resources.
360Good helps to provide free items to schools by connecting businesses and charities with schools. For example, schools have received $1000’s of dollars’ worth of Lego, books, puzzles, clothing, footwear, etc by registering. The items requested could serve the needs of your students or the school community. 360 Good are reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfill by offering the excess products to schools and charities.
We work to get donated goods to where they can do the most good.
- Membership is free and open to any school with an ICSEA less than 1000 (they can click on this link to register).
- Schools with Community Hubs find Good360 membership very impactful. Please promote membership of Good360 to these schools, as they are often in a good position to accept larger volumes.
- Schools must not on sell the goods or use them for fundraising. Goods received can be used at the school or given away to families in need.
- When an order has been distributed, school members must upload an Impact Story that briefly explains the impact of the donation on the school kids/families and includes a photo.
- Handling on Good360 donations is calculated at 5% of the RRP of the goods however school members receive a 100% discount off this fee, meaning they don’t pay handling (this discount is applied at checkout). LEGO is the exception, whereby ALL Good360 members pay the 5% handling fee.
- Shipping depends on the volume of goods ordered: Pallets of goods are shipped from Sydney for free to Brisbane, FNQ, Darwin, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne.
If you are remote I am sure we could help facilitate a way to receive your goods.
Check out the website for more information or to register. Home - Good360 Australia
Contact at Good360
For schools looking to join up, please ask them to access the website and click on the registration link . Once registered, they will be Advantage members and eligible to order up to 20 cartons per month. There are frequent exceptions to this which is how schools are ordering pallets of clothes, LEGO, boogies board etc. For schools that regularly want to order more than 20 cartons monthly, they can apply for Momentum membership.
- For any questions relating to schools please contact our School Partnerships Manager, Chantelle Jary chantellej@good360.org.au
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 now 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!