NSW Secondary Principals' Council Week 10 | Term 4 | 2017 www.nswspc.org.au SPC Bulletin December President's Report Chris Presland
Wow, it?s hard to believe that we are near the end of a leading role in the Principal Workload Study, the another year. I?m sure it?s more than just my getting a Educational Services Review and the multi-phased bit older, but the year seems to have flashed past! School Leadership Support Strategy. All of these will There are so many things in which the SPC has been have a significant impact on our leadership of involved, provided advice, support and initiated, that schools in the year ahead. the only way to cover it all is to go back and look We have continued to build very productive through this year?s collection of Bulletins, State partnerships with NSWTF, PPA, P&C, AECG and Assembly & Executive reports and / or other SASSPA. Our relationship with the Minister and his documents. team is as strong as it has ever been and their Above all else though, from our own organisation?s support for the work Principals do in leading their perspective, it has been a year of ?getting it done?. school community has been unfailing. The same can From a financial, governance, employment, be said for the very close relationships we continue communication and organisational perspective we to have with a range of senior DoE staff. When we?re have made many, many changes to ensure that the all on the same page it is so powerful! SPC is an efficient and effective organisation in its As was the case last year we will hold over some of own right. From a support perspective we have the reports etc for February so that we can dedicate expanded our provision of support to members in as much of this Bulletin as possible to celebrate the need and this expansion will continue in the year work that so many people have done throughout the ahead. From a learning perspective we have year. I hope you enjoy the various photo collages and employed our own Director of Professional Learning reflect upon the many wonderful things that happen and we have already delivered multiple additional PL in our schools along the way. events, as well as expanded our partnerships with other educational organisations, within and beyond The SPC has continued to make a major contribution Australia. on so many fronts and that is the direct result of the work of our members. Beyond the myriad of daily requests we receive from senior DoE officers for advice and feedback, the big As the year draws to a close, I would like to extend ticket items have seen both the SPC and the PPA play my best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a
1 relaxing vacation to all SPC members and in particular to; - all of those Principals who attend and Congratulations to the following newly contribute to our local SPC meetings, appointed Principals - our Regional SPC Delegates for their efforts at the local level and their contribution to School Nam e State Assembly and project teams, - our Reference Group and Interest Group Southern Cross K-12 Nadene Harvey leaders and members, Whitebridge High School Alan Orchard - all of my colleagues on the SPC Executive, - our SPC support officers and administration Yass High School Linda Langton team, - our many critical friends within and beyond the SPC, - and finally my SPC Senior Executive colleagues for their guidance, support, friendship and encouragement and the superhuman effort they put into our organisation on a daily basis. I hope you enjoy our latest SPC Bulletin and wish you all the best for Christmas and a relaxing Dow nload t he SPC phone app now ! vacation. The SPC phone app is available for both android and Best wishes, iphone and is a great way to ensure you have the latest SPC news and events at your fingertips. The app is free Chris P. and can be downloaded from the app store.
IN THIS ISSUE (Click on the page numbers to go straight to each section) Page 3: SPC Senior Executive Reports Page 6: SPC Executive Updates Page 8: SPC Reference Group Reports Page 16: SPC Professional Learning Page 18: Out and About Page 23: Program Updates Page 26: Opportunities, resources and upcoming events Page 27: SPC Contacts
2 Reports from the SPC Senior Executive
Christ ine Del Gallo NSW Business Cham ber Deputy President This organisation has a lobbying message that includes that schools are not preparing students NESA matters for the workforce and the curriculum needs a total Critical Thinking Test for Year revamp. This message is really about there not 11 being enough students wanting to take up an You will be surprised to know apprenticeship in the trades. We have had that the Critical Thinking Test was discussions with the Minister and NESA about this primarily about testing the test items, a negative message about our schools and they are psychometric exercise, rather than testing the aware of the message not matching the intent of students. Hence at this time, NESA does not have the message. concrete plans for publishing the test, providing External Validation and School Excellence feedback to teachers for future programming or CESE will publish case studies of a sample of any more information to students or teachers. This schools that were Externally Validated in 2016 and is very disappointing for the schools who had their had 10 plus elements that were deemed as students sit this test in good faith. Excelling. This will provide a showcase to all NAPLAN online schools of some of the organisation, strategies and There has been a concerted conviction from all programs that are working extremely well in some sectors, the Teachers Federation and SPC that schools. there is no support for NAPLAN to proceed at this New Principals Induction time as an on-line testing program. There are too There will be an extended principal induction in many problems with it for many schools, which 2018. A 3 day conference in February will be have not been adequately addressed yet. To have followed with video conferences and adobe some schools do the tests on-line and others not connect sessions as they are appropriate during would make any comparison of results invalid. the year. This leadership induction will strengthen Principal Accreditation the support for our new principals. NESA does not intend to develop a separate As we are all exhausted at the end of the year and accreditation for principals. There will be the have probably given more of our selves to our voluntary AITSL principal accreditation scheme schools than we reasonably should, may I wish you available. all the very best for the Christmas holiday. Do have Curriculum Development a good rest, resist the urge to do work most days The HSC Curriculum Consultation is to be revised, and give you and your families the time you and in part, to make the process more streamlined and they deserve. We do great things in our schools, not so lengthy. NESA is asking for consultation and and now is time for a break. comment on the future process now.
3 Craig Petersen Meredith Fawcett also officially handed over her Deputy President role as SPC contact to Denise Lofts (see photo). 2017 has been an incredible year. It (almost) seems impossible that the end of term is nigh. I would like to thank Chris, Andrew and Christine, along with all members of the SPC Executive and the Reference Group leaders for a fantastic year. It really is a privilege to be able to work with such a wonderful team. Thanks, too, to Amy and Tanya for their outstanding support ? they work so hard to make our jobs easier to manage. We would be lost Meredith has done an outstanding job of without them. organising us to get to these dinners and has been Harding Miller Scholarships a strong supporter of the program. An absolute highlight of the term has been Rural Education working with the Public Education Foundation The recent announcement of the Rural & Remote again as part of the panel reviewing applications Human Resources Strategy is particularly welcome for the Harding Miller Scholarships. These given that it captured many of the scholarships support promising Year 8 girls from recommendations of the consultation that I led in disadvantaged backgrounds with access to 2013 when developing the original Rural & Remote: technology, tutoring and funding to ensure that Blueprint for Action. More needs to be done, they have access to the opportunities to support however. To this end, I have been able to establish their academic success. It is inspiring to hear their an advisory group which will meet with senior stories and simply amazing how resilient some of departmental personnel on a regular basis to these young women are.I commend these provide targeted feedback on specific projects. scholarshipsBuilding a cultureto you. of Here leadership, are a couplelearning of and links feedback you This group will complement the work done by the might like to check out for more larger SPC Rural Education Reference Group. information:https://publiceducationfoundation.org.au/ The Aurora State Reference Group is currently scholarships/ reviewing the Principles for Enrolment and http://www.hardingmillereducationfoundation.org.au/ welcomes your feedback. Members would have Korean Dinner received an invitation from Chris Robertson As usual, the dinner hosted by the Korea Tourism (Principal, Aurora College) earlier this term to Organisation and the Korean Education Centre complete a survey on this. The return rate was was a wonderful success. Our hosts were very very low and Charles Gauci and I have asked that it generous and keen to see as many principals as be re-issued early in Term 1 next year in order to possible support the annual Korean Study Tour, get a greater representation of principal advice. scheduled for 15-24 April 2018. Here is a link for more information: https://youtu.be/uOOyK_uq5uQ
4 Miscellaneous Meetings planning documents, so make sure you get in early There have been a range of other meetings and and complete the SEF S-aSS within the first couple events that have been really interesting and of weeks of term ? or the last few weeks of the enjoyable ? including formal meetings with Rob break. Stokes (Minister for Education), Jihad Dib (Shadow As predicted and discussed in the last bulletin Minister for Education), Leadership and High report there is ongoing pressure from the Performance, RAM Working Party and, of course, Department that we use the SEF to mark where we Schools Spectacular. It has been a great, but are at in each of the thematic strands. The rhetoric hectic, way to finish the year. is that the collection of this data will ?allow the Finally, I wish a very Merry Christmas and a Department to specifically focus on providing fantastic holiday to everyone. training and support where needed? as identified by the data. There are obviously a few major issues with this, Andrew Turvey with just a few being: Deputy President 1. How accurate will the data be if we are Before I provide a very brief reporting against something we have not report on the SEF I would like to targeted in the school planning processes publicly thank all of the SPC as they are not our priorities? executive and senior executive for 2. Is the training going to be rolled out as the their work and support current training modules are? We are asked throughout the year. An months out from need to identify what we amazingly dedicated and supportive group of may need assistance in and then have to people advocating for Principals across the state. I partner with other schools to get it, and also wish to thank each and every one of you for then again, have to pay for it. The idea that the dedication you are showing to improve the we all work for the one entity and we are all learning outcomes of the students in our care. aiming to improve public education School Excellence Framework appears to be a relic of the past.We are You will have received the information with seemingly all employed by the DoE but regards to the 2017 self-assessment from Murat each arm is a corporate body in its own on Monday. It is important to note that the right and out to make a profit at the assessment using version 1 will close on Sunday expense of each other ? AMU being the February 11 ? the end of week 2. Both the PPA and classic example of this in action. the SPC have advocated very hard to have the 3. Who is going to provide this training and option of assessing on version 1 ? which is what how? Is it CESE driven i.e. collection of data we have used during the full 2015-2017 planning and then a few models of ?best practice? and cycle. It is important that we do not miss the time then you are on your own to go and visit frame given as on Monday February 12 the only the best practice site or interpret the paper option available will be version 2. If you leave your written and adapt it to context? Or is this self-assessment until week 3 it will not relate to the another thing which the PSL will do moving work you have been doing with your school that role further away from Principal planning and you will be working on two different support and closer to Department trainer?
5 Whereas I think we are all basically in agreement that Remember all of those issues will still be there on it is easier to map where we are at with the return and the world is not going to fall apart so you thematics the drive to plot and grade performance is having time away will be of benefit to you and your going to ruin any benefit of the SEF and we need to school communities ? refreshed and recharged ready be careful of this in to the future. The last thing we for the new year and the new challenges. want or need is the SEF to become another Best wishes to you all for the holiday season and I compliance tool. look forward to catching up with you in 2018 where I In this world of constant communication I encourage am more than sure we will have more challenges and you to turn off the mobile feed and have some time ?tools? to get our heads around. truly away from work over the coming break. SPC Executive Updates
Dianne Marshall about the security and disclosure of student SPC Execut ive - LMBR information uploaded to third party online service providers. Materials to help principals are being It has been a very busy year providing advice to the finalised so expect some additional compliance LMBR Deployment Team and the 3PI Team. It has documentation early in 2018. been pleasing to know that both teams felt it was important to have fortnightly catch up meetings It has been a pleasure to represent the SPC over the where we could raise issues which were generally past 18 months in this portfolio. There is still a lot to acted upon immediately. In many cases, factors happen and I look forward to continuing the dialogue beyond these teams control made the response in 2018. times slower than we would have liked, but the openness to a secondary schools perspective was greatly appreciated. Sharon Parkes SPC Executive - Principal Wellbeing There is still a lot of work to be done to make the LMBR solution anywhere near ?fit for purpose?. The Thank you to the 333 principals who responded to importance of 3PI cannot be overstated. We have the 2017 SPC Principal Wellbeing Survey. been advised that the approved vendors are now A collated version of the data and actions can be ready to support the rollout in their schools. There is accessed via the following link: some ongoing work to complete the password https://www.nswspc.org.au/document-category/ automation. Communication and support materials reports-and-surveys/ should be available to schools shortly. Note: you will need to log into the SPC member There are still some significant concerns around the website to access this link security of data, data storage and privacy in the online world. Legal Services has been providing advice on this issue especially now there has been an increase in privacy complaints involving concerns
6 Denise Lofts Principals Korean Dinner SPC Execut ive - Healt h and Safet y A huge thank you to all the principals who were able to make the Korean dinner, it was held in the Updated Incident Notification and Response Policy most wonderful setting at Bentley Restaurant and and Procedures, which are now simpler and Bar. For those new to the SPC, the Korean Dinner clearer for all our schools and departmental is hosted by the Korean Tourism Organisation and workplaces. the Korean Education Centre. The Dinner is held A School Biz was released on Friday 24 November each year and provides an opportunity to meet the to tell schools about the updated policy and staff of the Korean Education and Tourism procedures. organisations and foster an understanding of the The updated policy provides a framework for all country and language of Korea. departmental employees to know what incidents The Principals Tour to Korea is happening again in they need to notify, and how. The accompanying 2019, hosted by both the Korean Education Centre procedures give school principals, workplace and Korea Tourism, if you have not been on this managers and staff easy access to immediate tour, I highly recommend it to you. support and advice from specialist areas within the Previous dinner attendees will know that the event department, and enable all staff to meet their has been organised by the fabulous host Jennifer legislative requirements. Doherty PR/Marketing Manager for Korean The policy and procedures provide holistic advice Tourism Organization. Jennifer will be retiring this about the importance of incident notification and year and her time and effort over the years has response, including early intervention, timely always been appreciated. We look forward to management and the range of support available working with the new manager. following an incident. I would like to also take the opportunity to thank To view the updated policy and procedures please Meredith Fawcett who has been the organiser of visit Health Safety A-Z Policy Library. the Korean dinner for many years. Thank you In 2018, Health and Safety Directorate is planning sincerely Meredith for your effort and time to an ongoing campaign to continue to promote the ensure this annual event is a success. I look importance of incident notification and response. forward to organising the dinner in 2019. Finally, we are always looking for new members on Technology Reference Group the HS RG. You are always welcome. Please let As a member of the SPC Technology Reference [email protected] or myself know so you Group, it is important to note that a new part of are included on the invites. We meet on the first the Microsoft 365 Suite has been recently Friday of the first week of each term with the PPA released. Microsoft Teams has also gone live. and the Health Safety Directorate. It is always Teams is part a collaborative space that informative and a great opportunity to compliments Sharepoint and One Note. More inform/consult on policy on behalf of SPC. information can be found via the following link: https://teams.microsoft.com/
7 SPC Reference Group Reports
Aboriginal Education Reference Group Co-leaders: Adrian Bell and Daryl Irvine Thank you We would like to acknowledge our SPC Executive Member, Paul Tracey and President, Chris Presland for their ongoing support and guidance as well as the contributions of all of our reference group members. It is important work that we do on behalf of our colleague Principals. We look forward to continuing the work of the reference group in the new year. Professional Learning Event The highlight of the year for the reference group was the professional learning event held in November where we were able to shine a spotlight on Aboriginal Education by reflecting on the ongoing need to ?close the gaps?, consider the keys to making a difference at a local level and highlighting what is required at a system?s level. We thank Ms Cindy Berwick (President of NSW AECG), Ms Kim Proctor, (Director, Connected Communities) and Ms Kate Griffiths (Principal Policy Analyst) as well as the team from the CESE for their direction on the day. We thank the four Executive Directors, Educational Services for releasing their Aboriginal Education and Learning Advisors for the event. (Anthony Galluzzo, Natalie Pierson, Raelene Mordecai, Carol Green, Peter Hewitt, Allan Hall, Naomi James, Shane Molony). We acknowledge the contributions of Dyonne Anderson (Stronger Smarter Institute), Aaron Hughes (MGoals) and Brendan Maher (Clontaf Foundation) on the day and encourage greater contributions with these strong advocates of Aboriginal Education. What have we learned during 2017? - Despite good will and good intentions, the data available unequivocally shows that there has been little progress in improving outcomes for Aboriginal students over the last 5 years. - One of the indicators for improved outcomes for Aboriginal students is increasing the numbers of Aboriginal support staff, teachers and leaders in our schools, yet Aboriginal people remain underrepresented across the DoE and achieving the targets in the DoE Aboriginal Human Resources Development Plan remains unfulfilled. - There are, however, examples of effective practice across our schools that give direction and guidance as well as provide practical ideas and strategies for wider implementation. - CESE, for example, has produced a series of case studies on primary schools that have achieved high learning growth for their Aboriginal students. (These were listed in a recent School Biz).ยท
8 The case studies highlight strategies that the schools identify as contributors to their success in Aboriginal education. The themes that emerged from the case studies can be split into two broad categories: 1. Evidence-based effective practice - Creating a culture of high-expectations - Use of data to inform practice and target teaching - Explicit focus on literacy and numeracy - Focus on wellbeing 2. Recognising and celebrating Aboriginal culture - Building strong community connections, including having Aboriginal staff within the school - Teaching and celebrating Aboriginal culture and history - Recognising the cultural needs of Aboriginal students At the Professional Learning Day, a number of our secondary colleagues presented effective practices in their schools; Ms Allison Alliston (Principal Taree High School), Mr Michael Gibson (Principal Nyngan High School) and Mr Sam Ricketts (Principal Gorokan High School). Nathan Towney (Principal Newcastle High School) and Danny Henman (Principal Southern Cross School of Distance Education also gave personal insights at the event. I am sure these colleague principals would welcome a phone call to discuss their ideas for success. Where to in 2018? - One of the aims for the Reference Group is to finalise an SPC Aboriginal Education Position Paper and we hope to have that ratified at State Assembly in Term 1. We will be seeking feedback on a draft paper early in the New Year. - We will continue to advocate on behalf of our colleagues to have the importance of Aboriginal Education reflected in the DoE strategic planning, it?s leadership strategy and Human Resources Development Plan. We will advocate for our colleagues on their needs at an operational level as well as the needs of our Aboriginal teachers, leaders and support staff. - We will continue to build strong working relationships with the PPA, the Aboriginal Education and Community Engagement Directorate, CESE and the NSW AECG. Importantly, we will work more closely with other SPC Reference Groups to ensure that there is a consistent voice in supporting our Principals in their leadership of Aboriginal Education in our schools. We will continue to focus on: - Aboriginal students achieving equitable outcomes - All students understanding Aboriginal ways of knowing, history, culture and language - Cultural awareness for all staff - Connection with community - Aboriginal people being equally represented across all levels of the department
9 Key Challenges of Mindset - Aboriginal Education is everyone?s business; therefore it is at risk of being someone else?s business or no-one?s business at all. - We don't really need specific strategic directions in Aboriginal Education because we cater for all students. - That Aboriginal Education is often seen in a deficit model. - Aboriginal Education is too difficult. - That Aboriginal Education is ?one thing?. - We can forget the outstanding achievements of our Aboriginal students and staff. Final Observation and Challenge What are we missing? Given that there is evidence that the gaps in Aboriginal Education are not closing, what is required is a clear desire and courageous leadership within the Department of Education at all levels. Why? Success in Aboriginal Education is about equity, social justice and nation building. It?s too important not to get right.
Finance and Administration Reference Group Leader: Michael Smit h As this is the last Bulletin I will only recap on the latest information as there are many items that remain ongoing that we will target in our Reference Group during 2018. At the last State Assembly we discussed the School Operation Funding component of the SBAR and what it constitutes. The area of most concern was regarding sick leave and how it was distributed within the budget. What we can now confirm, as mentioned in the Week 9 SchoolBiz readings is that the short term casual relief funding was included in the School Operational funding component of the SBAR. There is a new leave model Sick and FACS leave model (SFLM) which will provide sick and FACS leave budget allocations to schools to meet the cost of relief when replacing staff on approved Sick & FACS leave. As mentioned in this week?s share post by Chris it appears very positive for schools as there is no intention of removing the money already allocated to schools for short term casual relief within the school operation funding component. The finer details will be very important for us and will be revealed early in Term 1 2018. The eFPT has been rolled out and a number of schools have already uploaded their data to SAP. We are aware of many of the challenges that Principals have faced given the short time frame of implementation and length of training and have advocated for an extension based on this. We have SPC members working with the eFPT team to create a reviewed version that meets all schools? needs as identified by the SPC and PPA. One addition includes improved and increased use of funding sources when creating new or higher duties positions. One of the areas that has been raised multiple times is the importance of comparing your OMSEE4 report with the SBAR or school entitlement report. You are only funded according to your SBAR not what is on OMSEE4.
10 The SPC is currently advocating for an extension in the timeframe for uploading the eFPT to SAP in light of the current changes to the system and short turn around for some schools from the training to end of year. The following topics have been identified for next year: - SBAR report and School Operation Funding Component - Details on the new sick leave system - Tariff charges on electricity - eFPT mk2 - Financial Audit procedures for schools given new processes - Professional Learning and Support for Principals in Financial Management
Principal Futures Reference Group Leader: Cassy Norris The SPC Principal Futures site is ready to launch in Term 1 2018. Terry Tunkunas has been busy developing the comprehensive site, with the wonderful resources gathered by our writing team, coordinated by Brian Ralph. We have secured a wide range of excellent stories and reports providing advice on a wide range of post retirement issues including: - Retirement Options - Managing Retirement - Staying in Touch - Seeking work - Further Learning - Tours and Travel Most of the writing team are retired principals, who have been generous in providing relevant and practical advice based on their experiences. We thank them all for their great contributions. A database has been developed to enable retired and soon-to-retire principals to provide details on their experience and interests, so as to enable sharing of relevant information and to build connections between members with similar interests or needs. The database gathers information from retired principals and those leaving the SPC through retirement and can be accessed through the Principal Futures website. If you are retiring you may also like to contact Brian ([email protected]). Brian Ralph coordinates regular meetings once a term of the retired principals group, now numbering around 180 members. These meetings are a great way for members to stay in touch but also remain abreast of recent changes. Senior SPC executive attend these events to provide relevant updates to the group. This is greatly appreciated by all members and enhances their ability to return to support schools in some form if they wish. The Principal Futures email list is now functioning. Full time positions as Business Managers do not seem to be popular at this stage, but there are likely to be members interested in smaller or part time, casual or project-related employment opportunities.
11 As a member of the Principal Futures e-list you can easily send out an email to all website members providing details of the work you have available using [email protected] The Reference Group will continue to meet after the launch to evaluate and update the site, undertake and share research in this area, invite guests with expertise to share with the group and provide professional learning if requested. Support from the executive, especially SPC Deputy President Craig Petersen and SPC President Chris Presland, in addition to SPC administrators Terry Tunkunas, Tanya Burns and Amy McKeown has been greatly appreciated. Please contact Cassy Norris ([email protected]) on 98094894 if you are interested in joining this group or in supplying experiences related to hobbies, clubs, social activities or anything else relating to retirement. We also need some feedback on travel insurance experiences. You may also like to share topics for us to consider. We would love to hear from you!
Legal Services Reference Group Leader: Jann Pattinson If you have any legal queries the Legal Services group meets once a term to discuss issues and provide feedback on policy, professional learning and the services that Legal Branch provides. The meeting occurs on Wednesday of Wk 4 each term. Please contact Jann Pattinson Principal of Davidson High School if you wish to have any issues raised in this forum. [email protected] Phone: 94510022
12 Student Wellbeing Reference Group Leader: Melanie Meers Where has this year gone? Our reference group has met once again this term by video conference. Meredith Fawcett who has been a great support from the SPC Executive is retiring and she will be greatly missed from our group. I thank her tremendously for her leadership and wish her all the very best for next year and beyond. I hope you find the information below pertinent to your setting. A few of our members are unable to continue, so if you are passionate about student wellbeing and have the time to commit to our reference group, please contact me ([email protected] / m. 0401 146 963) Key Point s from discussions - Problematic or harmful sexual behaviour ? new website with significant support and information for Principals and schools is being piloted this term. - Network Specialist Centres ? model to be released soon; facilitator positions currently being recruited. - Anti-bullying website was released in July ? 2ndround of consultation is now being conducted - Bullying of Students - Prevention and Response Policy - Anti-bullying plan - Responding to Bullying Behaviour Guidelines: For teachers and school executive - Placement guidelines are still not updated ? nothing to report in this area The Parliamentary inquiry - education of students with a disability has provided the department with 39 recommendations. The DoE has six months to respond. One of the recommendations is to implement the 35 DoE proposals of the Ombudsman?s enquiry into Behaviour Management in schools. If you would like a summary of the recommendations and proposals, please contact me. Counselling Updates - Industrial relations re: recruitment of school psychologists ? outcome still pending. - Recruitment continues for school counsellors and school psychologists ? 30 positions to fill. - New Leader Psychological Practice positions: the Leader Psychology Practice provides clinical supervision and support to Senior Psychologists Education (SPE) and District Guidance Officers (DGO) to facilitate quality psychological service delivery in NSW public schools. The Leader Psychology Practice leads a team of SPE and DGO to implement professional practices consistent with the standards of the department and the Psychology Board of Australia.
13 Advisory/stakeholder/steering groups Student Wellbeing Project Control Group: Mark Smith, Simon Bartlett-Taylor, Elizabeth Amvrazis and I will be part of this project group looking at: 1. Student Counselling ? A complete review on how to improve the systems and processes for counselling. 2. Student Wellbeing ? A complete review of processes and systems across Wellbeing covering: health, behaviour, personalised learning, out of home care and school attendance (from a wellbeing/duty of care perspective) Child Wellbeing Assessment Officers in the field
14 Tip: MRG doesn?t meet the risk of significant harm; email CWU @ [email protected] with your concerns. I have found that I get a better written response usually the next day and then you have a name to follow up with for future concerns. For more information on these topics, please email me. Merry Christmas everyone.
15 SPC Professional Learning Update
Geoff Hast ings Director, SPC Professional Learning 2017 Review of Professional Learning Opportunities The time since the establishment of the Director of Professional Learning position has gone quickly but we have held some very successful events through the year and spent considerable time developing SPC infrastructure so that professional learning opportunities can be scaled up in the future. Professional Learning delivered by SPC in 2017 has included: - Our three professional learning days ? two on different aspects oof school leadership and one on technology - Two professional learning events on planning with evidence in mind delivered in partnership with Incept Labs - The Aboriginal Education Reference group delivering an Aboriginal Education Professional Learning event - The highly successful 2017 annual conference ? ?STEAM? organised and delivered by Sydney region principals In 2017, not including annual conference, 365 principals and school leaders have attended events organised by the SPC. As well as the above, 2017 was the year that the SPC committed to some sophisticated licensed event organising software (Cvent). It is being used as the standard for all SPC events including annual conference in 2018. Training of SPC personnel has taken place to use the software. A significant amount of effort has gone into making our back office processes more efficient so that we are able to scale up our professional learning event offerings. A number of courses have been developed in 2017 and these will be delivered in 2018 with the focus on supporting principals and their drive to develop the next generation of school leaders. These are additional events to our ?normal? professional learning days and annual conference. In addition we are having discussions with a number of professional organisations regarding their material and the opportunities for our organisation through partnerships. Being a registered provider is still a work in progress with courses now available for submission, this can be completed in early 2018.
16 2018 Professional Learning Events At this stage we are looking at expanding the professional learning offerings of SPC but here are some initial dates to put in your diary. - Friday 2 March ? Term 1 PL Day - Thursday 8 March ? PL Event ?School Finance for principals and relevant staff - Tuesday 19 March ? PL Event ? School Finance for principals and relevant staff - Friday 31 August ? Term 3 PL Day - Friday 23 November ? Term 4 PL Day Also don?t forget: June 12?14 is the SPC Annual Conference in Tweed Heads! As a quick note I would like to acknowledge the work of the North Coast organising committee for the Annual Conference in 2018. It has been a pleasure to be included in their meetings. This highly motivated and very organised group of principals are planning what, in my opinion, will be an outstanding conference.
Finances and Professional Learning Many of you would have received reminders about payments for PL events. Until very recently, SPC could only accept offline payments and this often resulted in many hours of phone calls and follow up emails. Thanks for your patience with this process. Through Cvent, we now have the ability to accept Pcard payments. This is our preferred method as it reduces administration time for all and we have implemented a system where an automated email that can be printed as a pdf is sent to the person registering. This is effectively a receipt that can be stored and used as evidence of spending. The email also has a link to the official tax invoice/receipt if the payee wishes to download that pdf as the evidence of spending. We will continue to offer offline payments through SAP. Finally, I would like to acknowledge and thank the presenters who have lent their expertise to various professional learning occasions in 2017. Universally I have found that principals and teacher leaders in schools are very willing to share. This systems based thinking is so valuable to us as a principal led organisation and brings something different to the professional learning table ? learning delivered by expert practitioners for the benefit of their peers. Enjoy some well deserved ?time-in-lieu?.
17 Out & About
It was a great honour to represent the SPC at the recent retirement functions for Louise Manwaring, Paul Tracey and Meredith Fawcett. All have been fantastic leaders in Public Education in NSW - Chris P. .
18 It was an honour to present Christine Del Gallo with a 2017 Principals Australia John Laing Aw ard for professional learning. Christine has made a massive contribution at so many levels and to receive such a prestigious award is very fitting. At the same ceremony it was terrific to see Nigel Britto recognised as a Cert ified Practicing Principal in the very first cohort to achieve this honour. Chris P.
I had the pleasure of congratulating the PSLs on their work throughout 2018 at their latest PSL Conference - Chris P.
19 Once again we enjoyed a fantastic dinner hosted by the Korean Tourism Organisation. This is a special partnership and one that has benefited many schools. Thanks to Meredith Fawcett for organising this for many years. The baton has now been passed on to Denise Lofts.
20 The Schools Spectacular was once again superb. It is a massive undertaking in sheer volume, let alone the quality of the performers. Well done and congratulations to everyone involved in the organisation of the event and also the many school leaders and their staff who support students through the process.
Congratulations and thanks to everyone who attended the Aboriginal Education PL Event and the Term 4 PL Day. Both events were a great success.
21 It was a great honour to give the launch speech for John Frew and his latest book. It was terrific to do so amongst many SPC leaders - Chris P.
Here?s a shot of two of our SPC champions (Tanya Burns and Amy McKeown) at work in our UTS office!
I recently spent a couple of hours with our NSW DP Associat ion. This was a great chance to provide the DP Association with the same update I provide to Regional SPC meetings ? it was greatly appreciated - Chris P.
22 Program Updates
Replacement of Shared Risk Model from 2018 The Shared Risk Model (SRM) has been used to support leave reimbursements for fully deployed schools for the past 4 years. From the beginning of the 2018 school year a new model will be introduced for all schools. This new model will be known as the Sick & FACS Leave Model (SFLM) - SFLM is a budget management model which provides sick and FACS leave budget allocations to schools to meet the cost of relief when replacing staff on approved Sick & FACS leave. - SFLM uses the last 3-year average of actual sick and FACs leave data to derive the appropriate budget for each school. - Under SFLM, schools are not required to pay Shared Risk Model premiums and no budget reimbursements will be required. - The SLFM budget allocation will be in addition to the school operational funding as advised in the 2018 planned School Budget Allocation Report. - Schools will receive further information on this new model early in term 1 2018.
Which SEF/ SaS t o use? As most of you would realise, the SPC and PPA have advocated for the use of SEF / SaS 1 for completion of the ASR. A compromise has now been reached effectively giving you the choice of either within a set time frame. The following is part of the official communication and highlights your options. ?Following representations from your principal associations, a SEF S-aS based on the original School Excellence Framework will be made available from today, Monday 11 December 2017 and end on Sunday 18 February 2018. This benefits those schools closing out the 2015-2017 school plan and wishing to complete their self-assessment processes using the original School Excellence Framework. This option also benefits the many schools that will experience significant change in leadership positions and/or staff over the coming holiday period who have responsibility for completing the annual report. From Monday 19 February 2018 all remaining schools who have not completed the annual self-assessment as well as those wishing to use version 2 of the School Excellence Framework for the self-assessment will need to complete the SEF S-aS based on the School Excellence Framework Version 2. This new version of the SEF S-aS will help inform 2018-2020 school plans for those sites that take this path and will be made available from Monday 19 February 2018 to Sunday 29 April 2018 (end of Term 1 2018 break). The SEF S-aS will be available under the?Self-assessment?tab within SPaRO.?
23 Rural and Remote Education Human Resources Strategy Every student in every school in NSW ? regardless of their postcode ? deserves to have quality teachers, because we know from research that great teachers have the biggest impact on student learning. The Rural and Remote Education Human Resources Strategy, announced on 30 November 2017, by the Minister for Education, Rob Stokes, is a $59.4 million investment over five years to address and improve teacher availability and experience in rural and remote NSW public schools. Scholarships and incentives will be available for teacher education students to work in rural and remote schools, as well as recruitment and retention benefits and incentives for permanent and temporary teachers and school executives. Staff in more than 150 rural and remote public schools will be eligible for the enhanced benefits and incentives. For more information go to https://teach.nsw.edu.au/find-teaching-jobs/choose-rural
School Websit e Service (SWS) The annual levy for the school website service (SWS) has been removed. The SWS is gearing up for a major transformation in 2018 after Adobe Experience Manager, one of the world's top business platforms, was chosen to host its next generation platform. The department also decided there'll be no cost for author training on the new platform either. Schools will receive an indication of training dates and when they can expect their new websites, before the end of the year.
Do you have a good news story? The Department of Education has been running a positive news program since February 2017, generating and developing news tips about public schools, staff and students for mainstream and social media publication. This year more than 200 positive news stories have been ?worked up? by the positive news team and successfully pitched to metropolitan, suburban and regional media ? across television, print, radio and online channels. The news stories can be about a school initiative; individual students or staff; performing arts, sporting, wellbeing events; or something ?new? or a little bit different. Principals? news tips are warmly welcomed and can be sent to Linda Doherty, Director Communication & Leadership. Email [email protected]/phone 9561 8112 or send directly to the media unit (mark as good news) [email protected]
24 Literacy and Numeracy update The National Literacy and Numeracy Learning Progressions are expected to be released by ACARA in January 2018. The progressions will be released nationally and be available electronically through the ACARA website. Implementation in NSW Public Schools from 2018 Schools involved in Early Action for Success and a group of nominated schools began professional learning in term 4 and will commence using the learning progressions, PLAN2 and the revised Best Start Kindergarten from the beginning of 2018. All other schools will be able to access professional learning from Term 2, 2018. Planned professional learning will be led by School Services and includes: - One day introductory workshops for school leadership teams on the progressions and PLAN2 (All schools) - Two day workshop for early years executive on Effective Reading and Phonics (K-2) - Intensive professional learning in writing and numeracy for literacy and numeracy leaders K-12 (further details will be provided early Term 1) The professional learning will focus on developing leadership capacity to support literacy and numeracy professional learning in schools and will assist school decision making around when to engage in learning progressions and the use of PLAN2. All primary schools will commence using the revised Best Start Kindergarten from 2019 with professional learning in term 4, 2018. A trial of an entry to Year 7 assessment in reading and Maths will commence in Term 2, 2018. For more information about the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, please visit https://education.nsw.gov.au/teaching-and-learning/curriculum/literacy-and-numeracy/initiatives/ literacy-and-numeracy-strategy-2017-2020?
25 OPPORTUNITIES, RESOURCES & UPCOMING EVENTS
It's never too early to start planning! Don't forget to put the 2018 SPC Annual Conference dates in your diary.
Nominations for the 2018 Nanga Mai Awards have been extended! The 2018 Nanga Mai Awards nominations date has now been extended to Friday, 9 February 2018. Nanga Mai is an Eora (Sydney) word meaning ?to dream?. The Nanga Mai Awards celebrate and recognise innovation, excellence and educational achievement in NSW public schools, communities and state offices.Department staff are encouraged to nominate Aboriginal students, teachers and other department staff, Aboriginal community members and schools, demonstrating excellence across a diversity of areas. Please visit the Nanga Mai Awards website for more information.
2018 UBS Young Women's Leadership Academy This is a very popular program and is a wonderful leadership development opportunity for our future female leaders. We strongly encourage you to submit applications from your school. - The Academy is a free residential course held from 16-19 April, 2018. Participants will live at The Women?s College within The University of Sydney. General travel, food and accommodation expenses will be covered by UBS. Applications are invited from female students entering Year 11 in 2018. - The Academy program covers a broad range of themes such as personal branding, goal setting, digital media, cybersafety, tertiary study options and ethical leadership. Participants will also have the opportunity to meet and work closely with female leaders from the business, academic and community sectors. How to apply Each school is limited to a maximum of two applicants and applications must be submitted by COB Tuesday 13 February 2018. The application form and selection criteria were distributed on Share on December 7 2017. Please contact our SPC Administration Officer Tanya Burns if you have any questions. ([email protected])
26 SPC Contacts: Executive Nam e Portfolio Areas Contact Details Chris Presland President - ambassadorial/representational roles St Clair High School President Political links/relationships Endeavour Avenue Emerging issues St Clair NSW 2759 LSLD T: 9670 6700 LMBR M: 0414 986 514 SPARO E:[email protected] Bump It Up GTIL Steering Committee SPC Media CVE task force National and international partnerships UTS partnership Futures Learning Implementation Advisory Group WSU partnership Sydney University Research Project PAI partnership Corporate Communications Christine Del Gallo Deputy President Northern Beaches Secondary Deputy President NESA (with an Exec member responsible for overseeing College Mackellar Girls Campus Accreditation and Teacher Standards) Campbell Pde Teaching/Learning Manly Vale NSW 2093 Curriculum - including sport and VET T: 9949 2083 PSL IAG E:[email protected] GTIL: a) Secretary Steering Committee b b) Deputy Secretary Principals Working Group School Excellence Bump It Up Strategy LMBR assessment and reporting Board SERC/Board School Community languages State Assembly Session 1 Chair Craig Petersen Deputy President Denison College of Secondary Deputy President Repositioning Public Secondary Education Education Manager of SPC Business PO Box 494 Health & Safety Bathurst NSW 2795 Rural Education T: 6331 4544 Corporate Communication E:[email protected] Connected Communities Aboriginal Education Assets/Cleaning LMBR HR Staffing/HR The Arts Unit State Assembly Session 2 Chair
27 Andrew Turvey Deputy President Karabar High School & Distance Deputy President LSLD Education Centre Professional Learning Standing Committee (Chair) Donald Road Principal Standards /Credentialling Queanbeyan NSW 2620 Principal Classification T: 6298 4333 DoE Policies Committee E: [email protected] EPAC State Assembly Session 3 Chair Mark McConville Treasurer Toronto High School Treasurer Finance Field Ave Sponsorship Toronto NSW 2283 Employed Officer contracts T: 4959 1788 Annual Conference financial support E:[email protected]
Kim Chapman Leadership & High Performance ? Leadership & Teacher Rouse Hill High School Quality 105 Withers Road Principal Classification Rouse Hill NSW 2155 School Learning & Improvement Reference Group T:9836 1890
Meredith Fawcett Student Wellbeing Elderslie High School Equity Hilder Street Korean Dinner Narellan NSW 2567 Links to Learning T: 4658 1110 E: [email protected]
Charles Gauci Assets/Maintenance/Cleaning Cowra High School Rural Education PO Box 72 Cowra NSW 2794 T:6342 1766 E: [email protected]
Denise Lofts H&S Ulladulla High School Aboriginal Education (Assistant) PO Box 132 Ulladulla NSW 2539 T: 4455 1799 E: [email protected]
Dianne Marshall LMBR Coffs Harbour Senior College Senior School/Campuses Interest Group 363 Hogbin Drive Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 T: 6659 3054 E:[email protected]
28 Lindsay Paul Professional Learning/Leadership Macintyre High School Finance Swanbrook Road Rural Education Inverell NSW 2360 VET T: 6722 1555 LMBR (Assistant) E: [email protected]
Sharon Parkes Professional Learning/Leadership Warners Bay High School Principal Wellbeing 1 Myles Avenue Retired Principals Support Warners Bay NSW 2282 T: 4594 9488 E: [email protected]
Warren Parkes Technology Robert Townson High School Website development Thunderbolt Drive EPAC Raby NSW 2566 T: 9824 7777 E: [email protected]
Michael Rathborne Central Schools Uralla Central School SRE Interest Group Park Street Uralla NSW 2358 T: 02677 84204 E: [email protected]
Di Soltau Human Resources Maitland Grossmann High School Accreditation and Teacher Standards Cumberland Street East Maitland NSW 2323
T: 4934 2066 E: [email protected]
Paul Tracey Sport Callaghan College Wallsend Campus Aboriginal Education Macquarie Street Corporate Communication Wallsend NSW 2287 DoE Policies Committee T: 4951 1811 E: [email protected]
29 SPC Contacts: Reference Group/ Interest Group Leaders and Employed Officers
Reference Group Leader School
Aboriginal Education Adrian Bell Monaro High School Daryl Irvine Chatham High School Assessment and Reporting Ros Moxham Fort Street High School (currently Rel. Director) Leiza Lewis Erskine Park High School (Rel. RG leader)
Assets Management/Cleaning Tony Fahey Narooma High School Distance Education Hilary Hughes NSW School of Languages
EPAC Susan Wyatt Mosman High School Finance and Administration Michael Smith Narrara Valley High School
Learning, Student Engagement Stephanie McConnell Turramurra High School and Leadership of Learning Stacey Quince Campbelltown Performing Arts High School Legal Services Jann Pattinson Davidson High School Principal Futures Cassy Norris Ryde Secondary College
Principal Support Sharon Parkes Warners Bay High School Professional Betty Harper Bankstown Girls High School Standards/Accreditation Marianne Siokos Principal, School Leadership
Rural Education Gary Hunt Yanco Agricultural High School School Learning and Kim Chapman Rouse hill High School Improvement Staffing/HR Jeanne Bathgate Baulkham Hills High School Student Wellbeing Melanie Meers Anson Street School Technology Warren Parkes Robert Townson High School VET Joanne Jarvis Georges River College WHS Mark King Corrimal High School
30 Interest Group Nam e School Equity Dorothy Hoddinnott Holroyd High School Nicole Hunt Nyngan High School
Exchange Student Programs Adelia Fuller Gundagai High School International Students Mia Kumar Burwood Girls High School Adelia Fuller Gundagai High School
Multi Campus Colleges Judy Kelly Sydney Secondary College
Multicultural Education Adelia Fuller Gundagai High School
Selective Schools Megan Connors Jame Ruse Agricultural High School
Senior Schools/Campuses Dianne Marshall Coffs Harbour Senior College
Special Religious Education Michael Rathborne Uralla Central School
Sport Paul Tracey Callaghan College Wallsend Campus
Sports High Schools Roger Davis Westfields Sports High School
SSP/ETU Toni Simpson Induna Education & Training Unit
SPC Employed Officers
Tanya Burns Administration Officer E: [email protected] Tom Coll Professional Officer E: [email protected] T: 0459 801 510
Geoff Hastings Director of Professional E: [email protected] Learning T: 0411 138 699
Amy McKeown Executive Officer E: [email protected] T: 9514 9078
Terry Tunkunas Website Manager and E: [email protected] Sponsorship Coordinator T: 0419 016 316
31