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- President Update
- Consultancy and Feedback
- NTPA AGM and Awards 2023
- Wellbeing and Networking
- Advocacy through our National Associations:
- Leadership Recognition in the NT
- High Conflict Institute Workshop
- Professional Learning for Leaders
- Other Correspondence
- Time to renew for 2024
- Other Professional Learning and Resources
- Facebook page
Dear Colleagues
The end of the year brings lots of additional pressures to complete school planning, recruitment, reporting and budgets for 2024. But it is also a time to celebrate the achievements of your students, your staff and those that you as a school leader have made. Please take care of yourself during this hectic time and practise your wellbeing strategies.
NTPA celebrated and recognised the outstanding leadership and service of three colleagues at our AGM last week. Congratulations to Sue Fisher, past principal of Humpty Doo Primary, Carolyn Edwards, Principal of Zuccoli Primary and Belinda Pearson, Principal of Braitling Primary School. These 3 outstanding school leaders were awarded the Meritorious Award for their positive contributions to the Association and profession over many years.
Minister Meeting
Last week we had the opportunity to meet with the Minister to talk about future funding for the NT. Our Education Minister is currently in conversation with the Federal Minister to negotiate the next National School Reform Agreement and funding commitment by both the Federal and NT Government, with a commitment to achieve 100% of the SRS for all students in the NT.
The additional funds for Central Australia have been gladly welcomed but our ambition is that all schools will receive equitable funding sooner rather than later. Our Education Minister has agreed to funding schools on an enrolment model (not effective enrolment) but will require additional Federal funds to ensure an equitable funding for all schools. We look forward to a positive outcome and that this starts in 2025. NTPA have requested that educators be classified as ‘frontline’ workers to ensure they are eligible for any government incentives, and that the Federal Government classify all schools in the NT as ‘remote’ and eligible for the HECS relief package.
Current Funding model
Central Australia
We applaud our colleagues in Central Australia who are working tirelessly to prepare, plan and consult widely for the additional $40.4 million for their schools. Careful planning and wide consultation have been taking place with all, to ensure the additional funds are targeted towards improving student engagement and outcomes, framed as ‘On-Country Learning.’
- 39 schools received additional funding – 100% SRS (Govt and Non Govt)
- 5 million for Central Funds to fund central programs
- Schools need to commit to ‘On-Country Learning’ initiatives
- Additional Planning and extensive consultation with Aboriginal communities
NTPA have been advocating strongly for additional recruitment and retention incentives for Alice Springs schools to ensure their funds can be expended on additional staff. Through consultation with the department a plan has been developed to ensure we can address this issue with targeted measures including accommodation support. We look forward to an announcement soon.
NTPA Executive Meeting with the CE and Deputy CE
Issues and areas of discussion between NTPA and the Chief Executive Board include:
- Recruitment and Retentions Strategies and Incentives to address teacher shortages
- Principal Salaries and Executive Contract Principals (frozen salaries)
- Principal workload and Wellbeing Strategy
- Remote Government Housing Issues and additional workload
- The need for expert HR Support through DCDD
- Permanency- managing under performance and the role of probation.
- Preliminary Budgets – shortfalls in 2024 staffing budgets which impact on maintaining teachers (the CE has strongly supported the employment of current teachers and does not want any teacher to be relinquished due to staffing budgets)
- Data and digital- connectivity issues for schools,
- Cyclone Shelter Management- removing the expectation that principals are required to play this role.
- OCPE understanding of Education e.g. Panel compositions, Christmas Leave for 92 and 96% AO staff, First Aid Allowance for AO staff over school breaks,
- Updates from Secondary, Preschool, Students with Disability Reviews and the funding reform to ensure schools are funded on needs.
Recently I was interviewed by Kylie Speer from ‘The Educator’ about our complexity of need in the NT.
With vast experience across eight Northern Territory schools, Thorpe’s journey from teacher to president of the NT Principals' Association is inspiring. Amidst systemic challenges like teacher shortages and rising violence, she is fervently advocating for principal rights, greater curriculum flexibility, and culturally adaptive strategies to ensure every student thrives.
Take care over the next few weeks and reach out if you need support.
Regards
Robyn
Robyn Thorpe
The NTPA Exec have recently been consulted and providing feedback on the following topics:
- Teacher Workload Review Taskforce and Teacher Workload Consultation Workshop
- ELCC - myPerformance tool briefing by DCDD to begin discussions about contextualizing the myPerformance Tool to meet the needs of both Corporate and School based positions across the Department of Education.
- Respectful Relationship Education – presentation and consultation workshop
- School Education Advisory Group – key stakeholder with Union, Cogso and Isolated Parents Association-
- Expert Reference Group - Supporting diversity of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics in education- feedback on Practice Guidelines
- Steering Group - QSF for Flexible Education Programs – feedback on implementation guidelines
- ‘360 review of the child’ presentation to Stakeholders from Territory Families
- Youth Justice Working Group 2023
- Continuum of Learning: Young people entering and exiting youth detention -
- Compliant Resolution for schools and corporate- guidelines and procedures
Changes to the Education Act 2015
NTPA were consulted on the development on the new laws made to the Education Act which will take affect from 2 January 2024.
Summary of changes
The changes will focus on:
- improving safety and wellbeing for children and young people in all schools in the NT
- updating the law in the NT that non-government schools must follow when applying for registration and for staying registered.
To find out more about the changes, read the Education Legislation Amendment Bill and Explanatory Statement.
What the changes mean
- All schools must adopt and apply the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
- Principals can now share information about the students transferring between their schools - read about information sharing.
Non-government schools:
- must follow new processes for registration and regulation
- must report yearly assessment results and changes affecting school operations to the registrar
- follow a new process for complaints management
- must follow new requirements for managing student behaviour, including suspending, excluding and expelling
- follow new requirements on information sharing
- follow a new process for requesting a review of a decision of the registrar.
NTPA AGM and Awards
NTPA held their 2023 AGM last week. All executive positions continue for 2024.
- Robyn Thorpe President
- Belinda Pearson Vice-President Primary
- Joe Hewitt Vice-President Secondary
- Carolyn Edwards Secretary
- Sarah Corry Treasurer
All Chapter Chairs continue until their Chapter election in Term 1. Please see a copy of the Presidents Report here:
It was wonderful to visit the Big Rivers region and learn about the great work of school leaders. NTPA supports members through networking events which provide an opportunity to connect with colleagues.
National Horizons newsletter can be found here
October communique :
AGPPA state and territory members met with Federal Member Jason Clare to talk about a number of key issues but in particular the next NSRA. Funding arrangements will be informed by the Recommendations from the Expert Panel who have released their Report to Education Ministers. This forms the basis of the next National School Reform Agreement (NSRA) and will not be publicly available until at least December. AGPPA have enlisted Melbourne University (led by Pasi Sahlberg) to create a research paper entitled ‘A Better and Fairer Start for All: A case for funding all government primary schools to the schooling resource standard by 2028’. This will be released shortly and can be shared with your school communities.
The Minister was quite excited to share the launch of the national campaign ‘Be that Teacher,’ an action which has come from the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan (NTWAP). Please take the opportunity to view these videos and share widely in your communities and social media. https://www.bethatteacher.gov.au/
Teaching in the Territory Excellence Awards
Congratulations to all school leaders who won awards at the Teach in the Territory World Teacher’s Day Awards. Well done to Carol Putica who received the Principal of the Year Award.
ACEL Leadership Awards
Congratulations to our members Sue Trimble and Nick Lovering who won awards at the ACEL Leadership Awards. Congratulations to Aderyn Chatterton, past principal and member who was awarded the ACEL Fellowship along with Nick Lovering. Sue Trimble was awarded the ACEL NT Leadership Award.
Chief Ministers Awards
Congratulations to Donna O’Brien, principal of Gillen Primary School, who was awarded a Chief Ministers Award for Excellence in Public Sector.
NTPA recently hosted a High Conflict Workshop: Understanding and Managing It and Creating a Civil Environment. This was presented in person by Megan Hunter and provided participants with a range of effective strategies. For example, the BIFF strategy is an effective way to manage a high conflict email.
Due to the success of this workshop it will be repeated in 2024.
Megan also spoke about self-care when you are managing high conflict situations. The below activity calms the brain. Read the first sentence left to right, then the second sentence right to left, etc and repeat.
Spirals of Inquiry
NTPA are supporting the Spirals of Inquiry Masterclass and invite any interested leaders to the Spirals of Inquiry Sharing and Celebration Day Thursday 23rd November at the Darwin Innovation Hub. Guest speakers include Drs Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser, and Dr Polly McGee who will provide a session on Trauma-Informed Leadership, Culture & Teams. Please contact ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au if you would like to attend this free event.
2024 Opportunities
Trauma-Informed Leadership, Culture & Teams Dr Polly McGee full day workshop.
Save the Date 16th February 2024
What you will learn
If you are leading people, you are leading trauma - yours and theirs. This one-day leadership intervention designed to help school leaders create psychologically safe cultures where people - and productivity - can flourish.
The focus is on growing personal agency, selfawareness, accountability and autonomy to safely lead with agility from all parts of a values-based organisation.
Outcomes- what participants will leave knowing
• what informs their leadership style and how that has been shaped through lived experience
• the neurobiology of their autonomic nervous system and how it directly relates to leading people and creating belonging in teams
• the traffic lights of safe to toxic culture
• how to practice self-regulation in the big conversations that matter
• implementable tools to use, to lead and live wholeheartedly in all arenas.
Location and costs TBA
To register your intrest please mail ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au
BTS Sparks Develop your Personal Leadership Program
Save the date Darwin 8th February 2024
The NT Principal’s Association (NTPA) together with BTS Spark are pleased to offer Developing Your Personal Leadership workshop. This flexible leadership coaching program combines a full day workshop and the option for you to engage a professional coach to take your learning further following the workshop. This program will provide you with strategies, tools and insights to support you in leading your team or your school. What are your leadership shift? Find out at the workshop.
Costs $250 members, $300 non-members
Location TBC Darwin
To register your interest please mail ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au
Are you looking for an Executive Coach to support you on your leadership journey?
From ineffectual to impactful
Leading a school community is an honour and privilege. The difference you can make and the connections built with students, staff, parents and community members can be life-changing and memory-making. Investing in yourself to be a more impactful and conscious leader is not selfish. What will you do to bring your best to the leadership game?
Learn more here:
Data Champions Darwin and Alice Springs Workshops
Selena Fisk is running a Data Champions program in Darwin and in Alice Springs next year. This 2-day-per-term professional learning program and action research project aims to build participants' skills and awareness of effective use of data, and empower them to return to their context to upskill and train others in data storytelling. After each 2-day block, participants go back to their sites with actions and ways forward, to shift the evidence- and data-informed culture. By the end of the year, participants will report on and present the impact of their project and will be able to talk about the effect of this work on their school community. This is a professional learning journey and action research project that aims to build the data skills of data champions and their colleagues. Please see https://selenafisk.com/datachampions for more information.
Great Resource for Autism
This is a great online resource of evidence-based practices that are autism focussed but also great for other learning/behaviour difficulties. It is free and you get a certificate. (Don’t get fooled by the payment section – I believe that is for US based teachers as part of ongoing registration.) https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu/afirm-modules
Whether you are trialling the program in Term 4 for a Term 1 roll out, using the program already and looking for renewals information OR newly considering the program – the information you need below.
We are hosting two webinars on the 23rd of November: 12.15pm and 3.30pm (AEDT).
25 minutes: View new virtual work experience modules
Including psychology, sports marketing, entrepreneurship and social work.
8 minutes: Preview the curriculum alignment document.
We’ve been working hard to align all 60 virtual work experience modules to classroom curriculum from years 7 – 11, state-by-state
20 minutes: View the custom Term 4 ‘work experience week’ roll out plan for your school.
Term 4 work experience week is fast approaching! TCD will show you the customisable one week virtual work experience program that you can integrate this year.
Note:
We are priced for equity. Our program costs $3.50 per student, per annum.
A message from the team at Quality Standards Framework (QSF) for Flexible Education Programs
As we near towards the end of term 4 a huge thank you goes to our educators for their continued exceptional leadership and positive contributions leading in urban, regional, remote and very remote schools. It does not go unnoticed the various flexible approaches your staff undertake to ensure your students attend, engage and achieve.
As your leadership team and teachers plan for 2024 to deliver high quality and innovative flexible approaches to learning please consider how the Quality Standards Framework and our team could be of assistance. The framework is a tool intended to promote continuous improvement of flexible education programs and/or approaches that your school applies which outlines seven domains of quality and is supported by 19 elements of practice, as seen in the infographic.
For further information the below links will take to you our eLearn resources and/or please email qsf.doe@education.nt.gov.au and our Flexible Education Advisors will respond accordingly.
QSF Flexible Education Programs
Remember memebrships are for a calendar year so now is is the time to renew or join for 2024. Click on this link to complete the form.
Download the Lastest ICP Magazine here
Download the full brochure for details here
The Australian Government is providing financial support for initial teacher education (ITE) students commencing full-time teaching degrees from 2024.
The Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships Program offers scholarships of $40,000 per student for full-time undergraduate ITE students ($10,000 per year for a four-year qualification) and $20,000 per student for full-time postgraduate ITE students ($10,000 per year for a two-year qualification).
In exchange for financial support, successful applicants will be required to teach in government schools or government-run early learning settings after graduating, for a time equivalent to the length of their ITE program. Up to 1,000 scholarships are available every year for the next five years and priority will be given to new ITE students who identify as belonging to one or more of the following target cohorts:
- High-achieving students (with an ATAR of 80 or more or equivalent academic result)
- First Nations peoples
- People for whom English is an additional language/dialect
- People with disability
- People from regional, rural or remote locations
- People from low socio-economic backgrounds
- Mid-career professionals.
Applications for round one open soon and interested ITE students are encouraged to register their interest at www.education.gov.au/teaching-scholarships
School leadership scholarship funding available for current and aspiring leaders. This is your opportunity to secure a partial scholarship to participate in one of two specialised school leadership development programs with Women & Leadership Australia.
Don’t miss this opportunity. Applications now open for 2024 intake. Apply by 15 December 2023. Learn more: www.wla.edu.au/industry/schools
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!