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At the start of this school year, I reflected on my commitments made at the 2024 Leaders' Summit:
"In the Territory as vast and diverse as ours, connection is vital. I aim to continue to strengthen the networks between school leaders across the NT, fostering a sense of community that transcends geographical boundaries."
Building on this vision, I've actively engaged with regional principals:
- Central Region Remote Schools (13-14 February): Participated in Principal Learning Together days, featuring BTS Spark's Personal Leadership workshop and an inspiring transformation case study from Centralian Senior College's Joanne Alford.
- Barkly Region (26-28 February): Attended Professional Learning Days and gathered crucial input on principals' operational challenges through the Barkly Region.
We're strengthening communication channels across all levels:
- Chapter Chairs now have direct access to the Executive through both online and face-to-face channels
- Regular feedback loops ensure information from key meetings reaches all chapter members
- Systematic collection of both challenges and proposed solutions from all regions to build a comprehensive picture of principals' needs
Special Welcome
A warm welcome to our new principals across the Territory! Your leadership journey begins at an exciting time, and we're here to support you every step of the way.
Teacher Shortages
NTPA understands the impact teacher shortages is having on our school leaders. Not only have many of you spent limitless hours trying to recruit over the holidays but are now managing additional teaching loads for school leaders or yourself as interim measures. This pressure will often impact on the strategic work that you are leading, so please reach out for support from your Chapter Chairs or myself.
Wellbeing
Wellbeing is your number one priority for yourself this year. The role of the school leader has become more complex and there are more demands, so it is critical that you implement a wellbeing strategy for the year or term. Whatever it is, make sure you have an intentional strategy in mind.
Networking
The NTPA have hosted three Networking sessions, Central, Darwin, a combined Top End/ Darwin & East Arnhem and Barkly Regions.
Our first Sundowner event provided members with stunning sea views, great conversations, and even better company! It was the perfect opportunity to share experiences, strengthen our professional connections, and unwind with fellow educators. Plus, what a turnout for our first-ever Alice Springs social! Great to see our members connecting, sharing stories and enjoying each other's company.
Attending the Barkly Region PCL was a day of connecting with Principals from across the NT. Whilst in the Barkly I attended the AGM and NTPA hosted a Networking session. The Barkly Chapter may be our smallest chapter in number but we made the most of our time together.
Carolyn
Carolyn Edwards
NTPA is a key stakeholder and participates in a range of committees, reviews, meeting and taskforces to provide the principal voice. This has included:
- Principal Capability Framework
- DET NT Orientation Expo Event
- NT Early Career Principals Program
- Swimming in Schools
- School Suspension Guidelines
- School Guide Procurement
Please continue to reach out to your Chapter Chairs or NTPA President with any topics or feedback you would like NTPA to raise and advocate for.
ASPA Board Advances Key Educational Priorities in Melbourne
The ASPA Board's February meeting in Melbourne marked significant progress in addressing critical challenges facing secondary education in Australia. Over two intensive days of discussions and high-level meetings, the Board engaged with key educational leaders and policymakers help shape the future of Australian secondary education.
In a pivotal meeting with AITSL CEO Tim Bullard, the Board explored shared visions for Australian education, establishing foundations for stronger collaboration between AITSL and school leaders nationwide. This partnership aims to enhance support for educational leadership across the country.
The Board also met with Victorian Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll at Parliament House, Melbourne. This crucial discussion covered pressing issues including school funding mechanisms, principal wellbeing initiatives, strategies for teacher recruitment and retention, innovative learning pathways and the broader future of secondary education.
State and Territory representatives highlighted common challenges emerging across jurisdictions. Staffing emerged as a critical concern, with particular focus on the growing part-time workforce and the persistent shortage of relief teachers. Youth crime, principal wellbeing, and the management of grievances and complaints against principals were identified as significant challenges requiring attention.
Educational innovation and support systems featured prominently in discussions, including the implementation of new learning pathways and Big Picture Academy initiatives. Representatives also addressed the impact of NDIS funding changes on schools and discussed methods for measuring student engagement effectively.
These meetings underscore ASPA's commitment to addressing both immediate challenges and long-term strategic priorities in secondary education. The Board continues to work towards solutions that support school leaders and enhance educational outcomes across Australia.
Connect with ASPA on their linked in page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspa-australia/
Be You in association with the Northern Territory Principals Association presents an online session with Kristen Douglas, Head of headspace Schools & Communities.
Balancing Wellbeing and Leadership
26 March 2025 from 3:15 PM (Australia/Darwin)
Please register here: https://shorturl.at/0EtyI
We invite current and aspiring leaders to join the conversation and learn how you can regain a sense of control while actively taking care of your own personal wellbeing, enabling you to continue contributing to the best of your abilities.
Kristen is a regular contributor and thought leader in the critical areas of whole school approach, youth mental health, and principal/leader mental health and wellbeing. Kristen continues to lead a large multi-disciplinary national team of mental health and education professionals to support primary and secondary schools across Australia from promotion, prevention, early intervention, intervention, to postvention. She is a highly respected and sought after presenter nationally and internationally on the topics of educational leadership, health and wellbeing, suicide, mental health, critical incident response and recovery, and other related topics.
Balancing Wellbeing and Leadership
Register here: https://shorturl.at/0EtyI
NTPA are excited to announce that this May, Megan Hunter, Co-Founder/CEO of the High Conflict Institute, will be presenting her NTPA tailored workshop in both Darwin and Alice Springs!
High-Conflict Kit Bag: Stay Sane, Defuse Aggression, Strengthen Relationships and Know You've Done Your Best
Darwin
Friday 16 May 8:30am to 4pm
Darwin Tennis Centre
Members $250 Non-members $350
Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/Fkp4T7AAw2
Alice Springs
Monday 19 May 8:30am to 4pm
Centralian Senior College
Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/tvCzXt1skC
Members $250 Non-members $350
Training Overview
Do you dread high-conflict interactions? Aggression, threats of violence, and simply trying to meet high demands? It’s time to wake up ready to face each day with a kit bag of high-conflict communication skills and confidence that you’re creating a threat-reduced ecosphere in your school. No more dread. No more chaos. No more exhaustion.
For those new to high-conflict training, we will go over the Conflict Brain and the key communication skills to de-escalate, set limits and impose consequences, respond to hostile emails, and use proposals to reach agreements. If you’ve attended this training in the past, you will likely learn something new as we often hear things in different ways once we’ve had some experience with them.
Next we will work on the most challenging issues by problem-solving common high-conflict scenarios:
- Handling aggression and/or violence in the moment
- What to do with bullies in the moment and long-term (based on Our New World of Adult Bullies)
- Strengthening relationships between the school and families - getting them to work with you as a team for their child instead of them against you
- Help parents help their kids become a part of the big picture
- Building a structured process for parents to raise concerns with the school in a constructive way - get in front of social media campaigns
- Dealing with high-conflict fatigue from protracted conflict
- Responding to hostile emails, letters and social media posts
- Practice setting limits and imposing consequences
- Discover work-arounds to gaps in code of conduct/policy
- Join in our deep dive: “It’s All About Me” (taking care of yourself when high-conflict winds you up or down)
Whether you are new or have been around awhile, this training has something for everyone. This training include the most advanced conflict management skills. They can make a difference in your life, your career, your health, your happiness, and your well-being. Most importantly, you will impact your school (internal) and each and every family who passes through your doors (external) in new ways
This is what members were saying about the previous workshops Megan presented for NTPA:
‘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
‘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
Congratulations to Sue Trimble on receiving a prestigious Public Service Medal in the 2025 Australia Day Honours! The NTPA are incredibly proud to see Sue's exceptional contributions to NT education recognised. This well-deserved honour reflects her unwavering commitment to improving educational outcomes for all students.
Susan Elizabeth Trimble of the NT Department of Education was awarded the Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to the education sector in the Northern Territory.
Mrs Trimble is co-principal at Gunbalanya School.
She is a highly experienced professional educator with over 30 years’ experience in a variety of sectors within the education system.
She is a principal, classroom leader and has led the System for School Improvement team, which supports literacy and numeracy in schools.
Mrs Trimble’s career encompasses working to exemplary teaching standards, the completion of reporting requirements, and the use of sound data capture and analysis to drive improvement. She has demonstrated her leadership through curriculum innovation and representation within and across sectors and regions. This includes the implementation of the Australian Curriculum and Assessment and Reporting Authority requirements, and mentoring staff and emerging leaders.
Article and photo sourced from NT News Sunday Territorian 26/01/25
NTPA memberships are for a calendar year - so its time to renew for 2025
Feel free to email ntoa.admin@education.nt.gov.au with any queries.
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To lodge a nomination, complete the application form by 28 February 2025 ** Date extended to Wednesday 5 March 2025
For more information about the 2025 Spirals Masterclass, contact the Leadership and Development team, ELCC, via email careerdevelop.doe@education.nt.gov.au
For full details please download the flyer here:
Before the first bell rings, a primary school principal is already in motion – greeting families at the gate, checking in with teachers, and ensuring the day starts smoothly.
Unlike their high school counterparts, primary principals..read full article here
Because great teachers change children’s lives – Teaching Awards nominations open from 3 March to 8 April 2025.
Nominations for the 2025 Schools Plus Teaching Awards supported by Commonwealth Bank are now open!
Each year, national education non-profit Schools Plus with the support of some of Australia’s leading philanthropists chaired by David Gonski AC, and in partnership with Commonwealth Bank celebrates inspirational teachers who are making a transformative impact on children and school communities around Australia.
Twelve outstanding teachers or school leaders receive a prestigious $20,000 Teaching Fellowship, including $10,000 for their school and participation in a unique 12-month professional learning program.
The program features a 1.5-day collaboration workshop, master classes, and networking opportunities to expand their leadership capabilities. They will also attend the 2025 Teaching Awards ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra and join our growing alumni network of over 120 educators driving positive change in schools across Australia.
From new teachers to experienced educators making a real difference in the lives of our children, we want to recognise and celebrate them. Nominate an outstanding teacher or apply yourself from 3 March to 8 April 2025. Visit schoolsplus.org.au/awards.