1 September 2023

President’s Report

The results from the annual Principal Occupational Health, Safety & Wellbeing Survey report from the ACU are well understood by many school leaders. The primary recommendation that they make for principals is ‘….encourage school leaders to draw on supports already available through professional associations and other employment provided services.’ It is heartening that principals and school leaders continue to take such steps to support their collegiality and wellbeing through the TPA.

Welcome Hayley Shelton, Redpa Primary School, one of 27 new members joining the Association this year.

I joined our Northern Branch president Rob Fleming for a series of school visits in the north east of the state. It was a real privilege to be hosted by the three sets of school leaders and to have time to discuss their experiences and what the principalship means in their community context. It is a stunning part of the state, and they have much to be proud of in leading their school communities. If you would like members of our state executive to visit you in your school, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our business manager Tamara Clark manager@tpa.org.au

Indigenous Voice to Parliament

At our recent State Executive meeting we discussed the bearing of TPA having a position on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

The Mparntwe (Alice Springs) Education Declaration outlines the Education Goals for Young Australians, with the first goal that the Australian education system promotes excellence and equity. There are steps that have been taken to address this, but as public educators we know and understand that we continue to have much ground to make. Excellence can be grown through equity, and some of our greatest inequities exist with our indigenous population. Addressing inequities and creating opportunities for the next generation are fundamental to the dispositions of school leaders and that extends to our Association. We thank our West Australian colleagues for providing the basis for our statement:

The TPA Executive unanimously endorsed the following statement:

The United Nations Declaration of Rights for Indigenous Peoples provides for the direct input of indigenous peoples in decision-making; promoting their full and effective participation in all matters that concern them.

The Uluru Statement from the Heart calls for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution.

In recognition of both the United Nations Declaration of Rights for Indigenous Peoples and the Uluru Statement from the Heart; the TPA Executive strongly supports that a First Nations Voice be enshrined in the Australian Constitution.

Membership Changes for 2023/2024

Our state Executive discussed changes to the constitution to be presented at the upcoming Annual General Meeting on Thursday 21^st September

The proposal is to include Advanced Skills Teachers (AST) as they have key leadership responsibilities in our schools, with the AST being the principal’s delegate in all primary schools below 300 students. The Association feels this is an opportunity to provide our support with this part of the principal/leadership journey. Many of our principals remain members when they are in non-school roles, they report that it provides a professional link for them, an opportunity to engage with our Association and to also remain connected with a professional body that they have supported in the principalship, and that has supported them. The second part of the change to membership to be presented at the AGM is that non-school leaders may continue in, or join the Association. The executive feel that the proposed amendments reflect our Association’s vision to ‘Support connected and empowered leaders as an integral part of our public education system’.

ASPA Meeting

Hobart/nipaluna August 27 & 28 2023

The Australian Secondary Principals Association acknowledged with gratitude the leadership that has been provided by Andrew Pierpoint in his role as ASPA president since 2018. Andy Mison (president of ACTPA) will commence the presidency on the 3^rd October 2023. Steve Collins will be the incoming delegate from the ACT from this time.

ASPA Board and Committee members tabled a report from each of their jurisdictions. This provided an opportunity to capture common themes and issues across the country and to learn from colleagues about strategies, approaches and initiatives that can be built on in other states and territories. Common themes included; the pipeline in to the principalship and subsequent retention strategies, forums and papers related to reimagining the principalship/contemporary school leadership, responses to increased violence and antisocial behaviour, staffing shortages and the responses from system leadership, secondary school reviews, workplace health and safety matters particularly relating to principal wellbeing and psychological injury.

The Tasmanian Minister for Education, Roger Jaensch MP, joined the ASPA Committee and engaged in dialogue about key issues that are impacting the principalship, the function of the EMM (Educational Ministers Meeting) and took questions from ASPA committee relating to staffing shortages and steps to address this, violence in schools, initial teacher education, the School Resourcing Standard (SRS) and creating space and licence for principals to lead their schools in recognising the contextual differences in school communities. The Minister spoke about initiatives underway in Tasmania, including the minimum literacy guarantee and that principal voice and perspective is critical in policy design and implementation.

Since our previous meeting, ASPA have met with a range of key education stakeholders including Andrew Pierpoint & Andy Mison meeting with representatives from the Federal Department of Education to discuss principal wellbeing and key design principles in the creation and implementation of programs. Andrew, Andy and Mark Breckenridge met with the NSRA Expert Panel as part of ASPA’s representation, which included a submission to the public consultation. Next week, Andrew and Andy have a meeting with John Hattie (outgoing AITSL Chairperson) to discuss perspectives about alternative provision and delivery of education.

Fahim Khondaker and John Ryan – Partner Data Analytics BDO presented to the ASPA Committee ‘Generative AI and it’s Future Impact on Schools’. This prompted discussion about the implementation implications for schools, adapting assessment practices and recognising the current equity gaps as a result of technology access and investment across the country. Committee members have been encouraged to consider Fahim’s presentation and an invitation to engage with him with local Associations. Maree Najem (BTS Spark) provided an update of their executive coaching and leadership programs available for school leaders, and examples where they are currently working with educational jurisdictions across the country.

ASPA committee members are to promote the PARF funding Principals’ Australia Research Fund with a closing date of 27 October 2023 and raise awareness of the Prime Ministers Science Awards for 2024. Monash, Deakin & University of Sydney are conducting the ARC Emotional Labour Research Project. There’s an opportunity to share this in Association networks to provide principal voice and lived experiences to this work that would be valuable contributions to this research. Andrew Pierpoint discussed the Deakin University research, ‘School Autonomy and Reform and Social Justice in Australian Public Education’ following ASPA’s engagement with Andrew presenting to panel members, and encouraged Associations to consider their final report, which is now available online.

The next ASPA meeting is scheduled for October 16 & 17 in Canberra

APEC Tour

Rose Bay High School Principal Joel Doyle was selected from a ballot process by ASPA president Andrew Pierpoint to represent secondary school leaders in an APEC summit from July 24 to July 28 in South Korea. This opportunity was funded and supported by the Federal Department of Education. This was a tremendous opportunity to have a Tasmanian school leader engaging in, and then contributing to international conversations about contemporary education and leadership as part of an Australian delegation.

Pictured from left to right, Danny Pinchas (AITSL), Susan Clark (Principal, Boronia Heights State School, Queensland) and Joel Doyle (Principal, Rose Bay High School, Tasmania)

TPA Sponsors

I would like to acknowledge and thank our sponsors who not only provide us with financial assistance, but also demonstrate their commitment to the public education system and support of our association's vision of ‘supporting connected and empowered educational leaders as an integral part of our public education system’ and a commitment to our mission of being ‘the professional voice for - Tasmanian educational leaders’.

We encourage members and their colleagues to engage with our sponsors when considering products and services for your schools and communities. Equally, if there are businesses that you feel would be well aligned to the vision of TPA please don't hesitate to get in touch with manager@tpa.org.au.

Warm regards

Mat

TPA – Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

2024 Tasmanian Educational Leaders Conference

On behalf of the organising committee and the TPA Executive, I am delighted to welcome you to the 2024 Tasmanian Educational Leaders Conference.

Our conference theme is Capturing Hearts & Minds, Shaping Futures and we feel this will call to what is at the core of every leader and educator; that is – the opportunity to engage in provocations, deep learning and conversations leading to something truly special and transformational for the young people in our care. The presenters, structure of the keynote presentations and workshops are being carefully considered to align to the theme of the conference with a focus on ‘extending your learning’, deliberately incorporated into the program so leaders come away with a shift in thinking and professional practice to Shape Futures.  

Devonport provides the perfect destination on the bank of the Mersey River and the paranaple Centre will be our base for what we are confident is a program of memorable learning and networking opportunities across the three days. From bush walks to bike tracks, galleries to gin distilleries, we hope you will also take the time to enjoy the beauty, culture and history of the surrounding area and all it can offer off the back of your time on the North West Coast.

There is no better time to continue to grow as courageous and connected leaders by prioritising your own learning and wellbeing – we look forward to seeing you making this investment in your professional learning. Please place these dates in your calendar (22-24 May 2024), registrations will be open soon.  

Keep updated with the progress by visiting - https://tpa.org.au/tasmanian-principals-conference

TPA Sponsors

Platinum

Gold