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Dear Colleagues
Thank you for the extraordinary efforts and time you have put into starting the year positively. We appreciate the commitment our leaders are making to keep the focus on quality teaching and learning for every class and child, when staffing and recruitment challenges continue to impact our work and time. We hope that you have taken sometime out for yourself, prioritising your wellbeing. Well done to those of you who took time without guilt to attend a Taylor Swift or Pink concert, or maybe a long weekend to celebrate a special occasion.
Congratulations to our 2024 Chapter Chairs. They include:
Leah Crockford - Darwin
Cindy Mclaren- PARR
Jane Arnott- Big Rivers
Belinda Pearson- Central
Joe Hewitt- East Arnhem
Stephen Nimmo- Barkley
They join Carolyn Edwards (Secretary) and Sarah Corry (Treasurer) and Joanne Alford (Central) to make up the Executive, along with Jo Poulter, the NTPA Executive Officer and myself.
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 and advocacy. NTPA has 175 members, representing 153 schools and 33,000 students in the NT.
Last week the NTPA executive meet for the first time this year and had the opportunity to speak to the Chief Executive and new Minister for Education, Minister Monaghan.
Some of the key messages received and discussed were:
- Better and Fairer School Agreement- The new federal funding agreement, BFSA, which replaces the NSRA, will be negotiated by mid-year. This will provide additional funding to schools in the NT and will support the implementation of the recommendations from the Effective Enrolment and Secondary Reviews. Schools will be funded on enrolment in 2024. We welcome the announcement of this additional funding through the next agreement which we expect very soon. The department modelling for school funding in 2025 is currently being explored with consideration to what will be centralised and/or school-based costs, including teacher and student technological devices.
https://www.education.gov.au/review-inform-better-and-fairer-education-system
- Workload Reduction Action Plan (WRAP) - Education Leadership Culture and Care (ELCC) in consultation with NTPA and other stakeholders have created the WRAP. Actions include addressing the burden of excursion paperwork and addressing whitelisting issues. ELCC will employ a Workforce Modelling Consultant to consider different non-teaching staffing models which will support school administrative burden e.g. Operations Manager, Facilities Manager, etc
- Payroll Issues - Ongoing payroll issues was raised with both the CE and Minister. NTPA have advocated for increased educational expertise from DCDD; the current model increases school leader workload and lack of expertise contributes to poor decision making. NTPA have recommended that fact sheets be created to understand the complexity of ‘leave’ which contributes to overpayment issues.
- Principal Salaries and Conditions- the Minister has agreed to investigate the issues raised in the paper prepared by NTPA which raises concern over the lack of salary incentive for those moving into the principalship, as well as those ECP’s still impacted by the frozen wage policy.
- Teacher Shortages- NTPA met with ELCC and new Director for Talent and Attraction discussing the various recruitment strategies the NT will adopt. These include addressing the complexity re VISA applications, international and national recruitment drives, university expos and conferences.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-01-30/education-minister-says-teacher-shortage-is-a/103404520
- Leadership Strategy- NTPA have been working closely with ELCC to support the implementation of a variety of leadership programs for 2024. This work complements our focus to grow our current and future leaders: Newly appointed principal initiative coaching- Principal Wellbeing program -Experienced Principals coaching program. more information to come.
- Principal Wellbeing Checks- ELCC are organising these will be accessible and offered to all principals this year. They will be fully confidential, and no data will be provided back to the Department. It is not through EAP or a local provider. NTPA will continue to advocate for strategies to address the impact of the job on school leader wellbeing, ensuring the School Leader Wellbeing Action Plan is fully implemented.
Executive Contract VS Ongoing Principal
NTPA have prepared the attached document which helps to identify the difference between being an Ongoing Principal and an Executive Contract Principal. We do advise that you get professional advice for your context before deciding which option to take.
We have also had several queries in regard to processes and policies for principal levels including Pay Progressions and Position Re-evaluation.
Please follow this link to all of the relevant documentation and contact NTPA for any additional support. School principal employment structure (ntschools.net)
Inclusion and Engagement Services Consultation
NTPA are important implementation partners with SWIPS, helping to champion the Inclusion Reform agenda. SWIPS are keen to consult with school leaders and will shortly be calling for a Principal Reference Group through ‘Learning Matters’ and NTPA. This will ensure principal voice is at the heart of this important work. Please reach out if you would like to be included.
Students with Disability Funding Model – the current model has been reviewed and forms part of the funding reform for schools. This will bring our school funding model in alignment with a true needs-based funding model and support those with the greatest need.
Inclusion and Disability ACEL Conference Darwin
Please consider taking the opportunity to attend the ACEL Inclusion Conference this year being held in Darwin. It is not often that these opportunities appear on our doorstep. You can register here.
EBA negotiations
NTPA are keen for teachers and principals to be recognised as front line workers by the NT Government. Recognition as an essential worker will ensure inclusion in whole of government initiatives to attract and retain staff.
Early Childhood Teacher Registration Have Your Say
Consultation on the implementation of early childhood teacher registration in the non-school early childhood education and care settings in the NT is closing soon. You can review the Early Childhood Teacher Registration Discussion Paper on the NTG Have Your Say website. Consultation closes on 15 March 2024.
We look forward to the announcement regarding future funding soon.
Regards
Robyn
Robyn Thorpe
Remember memberships 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.
Due to the amazingly positive feedback for our last masterclass with Dr Polly Mcgee, we have been able to secure her for a second time this year.
We have tried to make the timing convenient for our school leaders by booking this for Day one, Term 2, Monday 15th April.
We are working with Dr Polly McGee to host her Masterclass in Alice Springs in term 3.
This is a great opportunity to participate in a workshop with Dr Polly McGee on Trauma informed leadership, teams and culture. I can attest that you will be inspired by Dr Polly and walk away with a deeper understanding of how to lead your schools with a trauma informed leadership toolkit. This investment will be worthwhile for yourself or members of your leadership team.
Here are what some of the previous attendees said:
It was a great recap of how trauma presents itself and why ‘us humans’ behave the way we do. Polly was very easy to listen to and it was one of the most valuable PD days I have attended. There were many take aways from the day but I will summarise with this statement; The more we understand (recap our knowledge) about trauma, have awareness that everyone around us is walking with trauma to some degree, and build upon our ability to show up curious in our interactions with each other and our students, the better we will be able, as leaders, to support each other, the teams we lead, our students and their families.
“Knowledge is for the mind, emotion is for the body: We feel how we experience the world.”
Sarah Corry, Principal- Henbury School
In the context of Education in the NT, and probably elsewhere as well, it is imperative to lead from the heart, and to do this you need compassion and brain science together. The brain science of trauma is both daunting and beautiful, which might seem contradictory. It can seem really overwhelming, but with understanding and kindness, human spirit will shine through and amazing things will happen and people will heal and grow and thrive. This is what Polly teaches and unpacks. For a tiny remote school with two teachers, it is almost impossible to get away for professional development together. The fact that we privileged this and overcame huge obstacles to attend points to how valuable this learning is and how much we believe in it.
Ben Kleinig, Principal and Classroom Teacher- Manyallaluk School
As a skilled facilitator and coach, Polly empowers individuals and teams through leadership design and organisational culture expertise. One of an elite group trained by Dr Brene Brown to facilitate her Dare to Lead™ program, Polly’s work with leaders across Australia showcases their dedication to authentic leadership, fostering empathy and vulnerability.
Polly is a trauma-informed somatic therapist, helping others heal and connect with themselves. With unwavering passion and compassion, they continue to inspire positive change, proving that embracing life's multifaceted experiences can lead to a purposeful and fulfilling journey. Their person-centred trauma podcast Polly’s Vague Theories can be found where all good pods are streamed.
Date: Monday 15 April 2024
Venue: Darwin Tennis Centre
Cost: $450 members/ $550 non-members
Please send interested names to ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au.
Or register direct here: https://forms.office.com/r/JJ8dXPSa7T
Full details here:
Be You in the NT
Would you benefit from an extra pair of hands to help plan for wellbeing, at no additional cost?
Be You, the National mental health and wellbeing initiative for learning communities in Australia, provides wellbeing support to all schools, free of charge. It is a federally funded, evidence-based initiative with an experienced and passionate team of consultants located across Australia.
In a significant endorsement of the initiative, Be You has recently signed a partnership agreement with the NT Department of Education, the first of its kind in Australia. The partnership aims to assist schools to establish wellbeing teams, create wellbeing action plans, and develop suicide postvention plans.
Brian Morgan, Michaela Greening and Isabella Kotlar provide support to NT schools from their base in Darwin.
“In order to best support the full variety of schools across the NT, we agree with the NTPA that it’s more important than ever to focus on the wellbeing of school leaders and their educators,” says Brian Morgan, Be You NT Manager.
Brian will be a panellist on Be You’s In Focus webinar taking place on 21st March. Please click here to register and learn more about creating environments of cultural safety through embedding cultural responsiveness in your learning community.
“It’s a privilege to work alongside Principals. Their contributions are invaluable in balancing educational, social and cultural priorities. Just as they support so many people, it’s our job to support them.”
Educator Wellbeing in the Spotlight
With the additional challenges of recent years, it’s essential that leadership champion their existing workforce.
For staff to feel supported, motivated and engaged in your school, it’s imperative that leaders actively plan to support their wellbeing. Educators’ wellbeing impacts their outlook, health and capacity to build relationships, which are critical to supporting key student metrics such as attendance, engagement and academic performance.
With these principles in mind, Be You commissioned Monash University to conduct five projects investigating educator wellbeing. The findings highlight the importance of thinking about educator wellbeing as a shared responsibility. By prioritising staff wellbeing, leaders can create a culture of care, autonomy, and trust.
Be You’s Beyond Self-Care: An Educator Wellbeing Guide focuses on the three components that learning communities can address to promote educator wellbeing:
- Collegial relationships: Positive relationships and interactions are essential for building educator wellbeing. For example: the sharing of professional expertise, mentoring, effective conflict management, role modelling of positive mental health and celebrating educator success.
- Workplace culture: Inclusion and belonging nurture wellbeing. All educators should feel free to express themselves and voice their opinions.
- Leadership: Showing appreciation for your staff and celebrating their achievements plays a key role in creating a thriving workplace.
Importantly, these components are all centred around addressing organisational factors in the school environment. For meaningful change to take place, leaders need to implement actionable steps on a system-wide level.
Reach out at any time to your NT Be You Team.
Brian and his team are available to assist school leaders in planning a whole-of-school approach where educators will feel supported, included and able to thrive in their workplace.
Brian Morgan – Be You NT Manager (Servicing Barkly region)
bmorgan@headspace.org.au 0484 269 957
Michaela Greening – Be You NT Clinical Lead (Servicing Top End and East Arnhem)
mgreening@headspace.org.au 0436 450 502
Isabella Kotlar – Be You NT Consultant (Servicing Darwin, Big Rivers and Central)
ikotlar@headspace.org.au 0448 392 330
To read the latest ICP newsletter, please click here
NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN✨
Great teachers, changing children’s lives ✨ – Teaching Awards nominations open between 4 March to 8 April 2024.
Schools Plus is opening nominations and applications for the 2024 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards soon.
Each year, national education non-profit Schools Plus, together with Commonwealth Bank, recognise 22 outstanding teachers who are making a transformative impact on their children and school communities.
Twelve outstanding teachers or school leaders will receive a prestigious $40,000 award including funding for a strategic school project and participation in a unique 12-month Teaching Fellowship program.
Ten early career teachers with the passion and potential to make an increasing impact in education will receive $10,000 for professional development and an exclusive professional learning program supported by Salesforce.
From experienced educators to up-and-coming teachers making a real difference in the lives of our children, let’s celebrate these amazing educators together. Nominate an outstanding teacher or apply yourself between 4 March to 8 April 2024. Visit schoolsplus.org.au/awards.
If you have an upcoming communications challenge – the strategic communications team at Bentley McGuinness Media, can help!. Director, Wendy McGuinness is a former journalist, media advisor and communications trainer, who takes a sensitive and practical approach to helping you fine-tune your communications style. Can be booked for one-on-one and group sessions.
Wendy is in Darwin the first 2 weeks of term 2 so reach out if you need any coaching. See the below flyer for suggested workshops but Wendy is flexible and designs all training to client needs – so please feel free to
ask for other options.