Filter Content
- President Update
- Reform School Voice advisory group
- Advocacy
- Education Management Program
- Dr Polly McGee Masterclass is coming to Alice Springs 12 July
- Harvard Australian Scholarship opportunity
- ECGo1 Update - Keen to truly switch off during term break?
- OTHER PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND RESOURCES -
- Time to renew for 2024
It is important to reflect, acknowledge and praise our tireless efforts and relentless focus, despite the never-ending challenge of teacher shortages and staff absenteesim. We know that additional burden is placed on those working in schools when we are not fully staffed. So, take the time this week to show gratitude: gratitude to those you work with; gratitude to those that support you and gratitude to yourself for your commitment, energy and drive. The research about showing gratitude is now very clear; not only is it good for others but greatly benefits you.
So, let’s take a moment to express our gratitude to all the school leaders across the Northern Territory. The past semester has brought its fair share of challenges, but through it all, our principals, assistant principals, and school leaders have demonstrated unwavering dedication, resilience, and an unwavering commitment. Your leadership extends far beyond the confines of the school gate. You are pillars of the community, serving as role models and sources of inspiration for students, families, and educators.
And finally, make sure you take time to disconnect over the break. Allowing ourselves to disconnect from the stresses and worries of our work is essential for regenerating and preventing burnout. Resist the temptation to check emails or to take a call; prioritise the needs of yourself, family, and friends, even if it's just for a little while.
Robyn
Robyn Thorpe
Expressions of interest are sought from principals wishing to participate in the advisory group being established to support school resourcing reform for 2025.
Nominees should email a 200-word overview of experience in school financial management, including budgeting and reporting, and using resources for school improvement to osppp.doe@education.nt.gov.au by COB Friday 21 June.
8 principals will be selected to join 2 members of the Regional Services Leadership Team to form the group. Members will be representative of the different regions and school types.
For more information, please contact Tamie Devine on tamie.devine@education.nt.gov.au or 8901 4968.
NTPA have continued to advocate for improved system-wide communication to ensure school leaders are aware of the progress being made with the 2025 Funding Reform, including the implementation of an enrolment-based funding model and implementation of the Secondary Review recommendations. We welcome the opt in principal briefings and encourage principals to invite assistant principals and business managers to these webinars.
The tip from last week’s principal briefing is to make sure that your August Age Grade Census data is inputted accurately, along with NCCD, ESL and SAMS parent information data as this may inform your enrolment-based budget for 2025. Remember every student enrolled attracts different amounts according to their need, as explained in this diagram.
Complaint Resolution Feedback
Please take the time to view the new Compliant Resolution policy, guidelines and procedures, and resources in the toolkit. This process moves from an escalation model driven by the complainer to 3 level model driven by the compliant manager. This process also addresses the vexatious complainers, as it allows complaints to be discontinued and not accepted.
Updated Suspension Guidelines
Thank you to those members who have provided feedback on the Suspension Guidelines. NTPA are currently negotiating with the department to conduct a consultative process to allow for input and feedback into the guidelines to ensure they are practical for the variety of educational settings we work in. Please contact myself or your Regional Director if you would like to provide further feedback, or attend one of the sessions being offered for feedback. Links to the document can be found here: Suspension from school | eLearn (ntschools.net)
- 20 June - 3:00 - 4:00pm
- 17 July - 3:00 - 4:00pm
Direct TEAMS meeting link: HERE
On 29 April 2024, the Chief Minister announced the Territory Government planned investment to overhaul outdated Student Administration and Management systems (SAMS) and deliver a contemporary education management solution.
This funded initiative is more than just replacing SAMS. The initial funding of $34 million over a 3-year period is the first stage of the department’s boarder educational management transformation program of work.
It is envisaged the solution will support the department to:
- enhance student enrolment and attendance capability;
- provide a holistic view of each student across the Northern Territory, including child and student location, achievements and performance, and wellbeing that consolidates data from a range of sources; and
- better support students to engage with education and supporting a more student-centred focus.
In partnership with DCDD, the department has formed a small team to undertake the preparatory work required for the department to begin requirements gathering and solution procurement work activities from July 2024.
Over the coming months, you will be kept informed of the work in progress and how people will be able to contribute to the identification of business requirements at a detailed need level; getting our requirements right will inform the procurement of the right solution for the department.
If you have any questions, please contact Transformation Lead, Rachel Fox on 8999 5743 or rachel.fox@education.nt.gov.au
NTPA are hosting Dr Polly McGee in Alice Springs on Friday 12 July 2024 at Centralian Senior School. We appreciate that this is still in school holidays but also know the challenges of providing PL during school time. We also wanted to provide an opportunity for remote educators and school leaders to attend. Please share with any staff, or others who you believe would benefit from this great PL opportunity being offered face to face. Please register before the end of the term.
Polly says that if you are leading a school, you are leading trauma, not just of your students, but of your staff and community. Therefore being a trauma informed leader is essential to create a safe and positive culture in your school. This investment will be worthwhile for yourself or members of your leadership team.
Polly’s workshop helps participants to:
- what is trauma informed leadership and why does it matter?
- defining trauma - its not what you think
- how the autonomic nervous system rules behaviour -individually and collectively.
- how to create and maintain psychologically safe cultures.
- recognising and managing state change during feedback and big conversations.
- how, why and when boundaries are critical to leadership and how to set them.
- reset and re-regulating tools.
Testimonies:
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
Date: Friday 12 July 2024
Venue: Centralian Senior College
Cost: $450 members/ $550 non-members
Please send interested names to ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au
Or register direct here: Dr Polly Mcgee Masterclass Alice Springs registration (office.com)
Full course details atatched in the flyer below:
A reminder of a great opportunity to invest in developing your strategic leadership skills and capabilities. Often we are too busy to invest in ourselves or feel guilty about spending school funds on growing our leadership.
We are sending out further information to clarify how to apply for a scholarship. Click on this link which will take you to the site. Scroll down to the section on Australian Scholarship Opportunities.
Previously we advertised this was for school leaders who led in schools under 1000 ICSEA, but it also includes any regional and rural schools (which includes all schools in the NT). Applications close at the end of June. Normal costs are over $6000.
This leadership program, run by Harvard University, is designed to cultivate and strengthen school principals' management and leadership skills in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia.
The Harvard Principal Program is a week long program that runs during the second week of January 13th to 17th 2025. I can attest to the quality of this program as last year I attended and assisted as a group facilitator. Several members have attended over the years both principals and assistant principals, including very experienced principals as well as those aspiring to the principalship.
Please see the flyer below, if you would like more information please reach out to Robyn for a chat.
EC- Go 1- professional learning platform- all members have access to this platform as part of their NTPA membership until 31 August. This provides you an opportunity to explore as a possible whole school approach to providing PL to all staff. If you have any queries or have not received your log on access please reach out to Jo on Ntpa.admin@education.nt.gov.au.
This month:
Data Storytelling is a course developed by Selena Fisk for the Australian Council for Educational Leadership (ACEL) to support middle and senior leaders who are seeking to build a data—and evidence-informed culture in their schools.
What you’ll learn:
- Consider the Australian context and influence of data in school.
- Explore the notions of data literacy, data visualisation, and data storytelling.
- Reflect on effective practice in Australian schools for both leaders and school structures.
- Consider practical strategies for embedding data- and evidence-informed practice in your school.
- Explore options for resourcing and structuring staff skill development and practice.
- Reflect on what could work in their context and have identified potential future options.
Make the most of your semestr break:
Australian schools are currently experiencing a crisis in principal recruitment and retention, driven by stress, burnout, and increased workloads. An under recognised but crucial aspect of demands on principals is the key role they play as school leaders in fostering safe and socially connected school communities amongst increasingly diverse student populations. How can principals be better supported to carry out this crucial role?
Emotional labour, which involves managing one's own emotions and those of others, is a crucial aspect of principals' work that demands various 'invisible' skills.
This research study aims to shed light on the emotional labour of government school principals, promote public understanding of their complex role, and initiate conversations for meaningful changes and improvements.
‘I am often reminded of the privilege and price of leadership in the role of a principal. You are working with colleagues to improve the teaching and learning outcomes for the students in your school. However, most of your time is spent dealing with intense critical matters. You are always navigating difficult relationships and very complex matters. All of it takes a toll. There is help available but you are intrinsically responsible and you’re often left exhausted at the end of each year,” said Pitsa Binnion PSM, retired school principal of 15 years.
Take the short survey via this link:
Invisible labour: School principals’ emotional labour in volatile times - Monash Education
Interested? Click on this link to complete the survey
We encourage you to register for any/all of these upcoming events:
23 July - Where to start with de-motivated students? Presenter: Dr Shekina Rochat, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
- 24 July - Navigating your post-school plans with confidence. Presenter: Dr Michael Healy, National Career Education Manager (myfuture)
- 06 August – Career development learning and sustainability goals. Presenters: Professor Sarah O’Shea (Charles Sturt University), Dr Olivia Groves (Australian Educational Research Organisation), Dr Kylie Austin (University of Wollongong)
- 10 September – Sustainable Development Goals in career education. Presenter: Dr Candy Ho, University of Fraser Valley, British Colombia
- 12 September – Coping with emotional challenges in career development R U OK? Day 2024. Presenters: Dr Michael Healy (myfuture) and Jill Wilson (Student Wellbeing Hub)
Register now: https://myfuture.edu.au/assist-others/webinars
Dear NT Principals,
The High Resolves Group, a non-profit organisation that has been working with teachers, school leaders, and students across Australia for more than 19 years are inviting the Northern Territory high schools to participate in a groundbreaking research trial using AI tutoring to boost student engagement.
The Research Trial:
This trial encompasses sprints 4 and 5 of a six-sprint, 18-month research study. High Resolve's goal is to explore how AI can enhance learning outcomes for all students across Australia, ensuring those from disadvantaged backgrounds are not being left behind. Over the past ten months, they’ve gained incredible insights into how students learn with AI tutors, the factors that inspire motivation and improved engagement, and the challenges with implementing technology in schools. These insights have shaped this next phase of the research, ensuring it's delivered ethically and inclusively for all participating staff and students.
Key Benefits:
• Teacher Workload: High Resolves understand the pressures on teachers and have designed the trial to be easy to implement, ensuring it doesn’t add to teacher workload. The overall aim of the trial is to enhance student engagement with the potential to make teaching more enjoyable.
• Ethical and Secure: A condition of implementing the trial is that it's run with HREC national ethics approval, ensuring strict data handling, security, and ethical consideration for all participants when conducting the research. The AI platform is built to adhere to the National Framework for Generative AI in Education, prioritising the safety of all participants. All information will be de-identified and stored on a secure server, accessible only to approved researchers.
• Bridging the Education Divide: The research aims to support students from all backgrounds, ensuring that improvements in engagement benefit students in both urban and remote areas. Schools from diverse ICSEA levels are included in the trial.
Trial Details:
• Start Date: Week 4 of Terms 3 and until Nov 24, 2024
• Recruitment Deadline: End of Term 2
For any schools interested in participating in the trial or finding out more information please refer to the attached overview for a more detailed summary of the research, the commitment from schools and the plan for implementation. For any direct question to High Resolves please reach out to Chris Halsall by email aitutor@learningnetwork.com.au to set up a call or meeting.
Our very own Walungurru School recently received nearly $50,000 worth of brand new goods. Read their story impact here.
See the flyer below for more information on how this proram could beneift your school community.
Grant applications open until 30 June 2024
For more information please see the flyer below:
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Tax and super competition now open! The Australian Taxation Office has announced the opening of this year’s Tax, Super + You competition. The competition is open to students in years 7-12 currently enrolled in the Australian education system – including Australian home school students! What is the Tax, Super + You competition? The competition is a fun and engaging way for high school students to learn about the value of tax and super. Students can participate in a team or individually to make a creative project about tax and super. The creative possibilities are endless, the sky’s the limit with student’s creations. They can:
There are 2 entry topics and categories:
What’s in it for your students? Not only does it help them learn about tax and super, they’ll also have a chance to win a share of $12,000 in prizes for themselves and their school! Get students to start creating and learn valuable life skills now! Competition closes 5.00pm AEST on 27 September 2024. Teachers The competition teacher’s information page has dedicated support for you, including how you can incorporate the Tax, Super + You teaching resources into the competition, saving you valuable time. For any questions or more information, reach out to taxsuperandyoucompetition@ato.gov.au |
Are you a secondary school principal or teacher looking to make your school and classrooms more active?
TransformUs Secondary is an evidence-based approach to teaching that involves incorporating movement
into everyday class lessons – the delivery of the lesson changes, not the content. TransformUs Secondary
can help:
- Deliver usual curriculum in an engaging way (lesson plans included)
- Increase student attention and focus during class lessons
- Manage classroom behaviour
- Improve student mental health and wellbeing
- Contribute to your Professional Development
Head to the TransformUs website to register and get access to hundreds of active breaks and active academic lessons, "how to" guides and FAQs, and active environments and active home resources.
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.