27 June 2024

President’s Report

With the Winter Solstice behind us, we can enjoy an increasingly ‘little bit’ more daylight at each end of the school day. The daily walk, drive or ride into school can offer the perfect opportunity to prepare ourselves in that transition time between work and home, but only if we can consciously use this time in an intentional and effective way. Many members would be familiar with the work of Dr Adam Fraser on the ‘Third Space’ and recently colleagues have been sharing how they consciously transition between activities, tasks or different environments. For many, the midyear break may be a timely reminder to revisit Adam’s work, or for those that aren’t familiar, to explore it for the first time The Third Space® — Dr Adam Fraser

ACARA CEO Members Session

Acting CEO of ACARA, Stephen Gniel joined a group of members last week in Hobart. One key takeaway for many was his genuine interest in the perspectives of principals/school leaders and the accessibility of ACARA for future sessions in Tasmania. Steve expressed interest in a northern session later in the year/early 2025.

TPA Critical Incidents Research Project is Now Live

Our principal associations have partnered with the Australian Catholic University (ACU) to undertake a key piece of research in an area that will impact many of us across our careers – ‘Understanding the psycho-social impact on principals leading school communities through critical incidents’.

We are seeking your support in helping educational systems and stakeholders build an understanding of contemporary school leaders experiences of critical incidents in completing this simple survey - Click Here  

ACU are the perfect research partner with their extensive longitudinal research into Australian Principal Occupational Health & Wellbeing, which has been running since 2011.

The research will seek to understand the types of critical incidents that can occur in schools and examine the internal and external factors, such as personal resilience and employer provided supports to buffer the effects of critical incidents. Understanding the nature and potential impact of these incidents and protective resources is essential, as they are linked to student safety, community trust, emotional and psychological well-being, educational continuity, risk management, and resource allocation etc.

This research is significant in filling a critical knowledge gap surrounding what is known about critical incidents in educational environments and contexts; this was acknowledged by our successful funding submission to Principals Australia Research Fund (PARF). By addressing the impact of critical incidents on school leaders in our context and qualifying the potential protective factors that exist, this study offers an opportunity to gain insights that can be applied not only within Australia, but potentially serve as a valuable resource for educators and policymakers worldwide.

We understand that the impact of critical incidents may be distressing well beyond the initial event, as can the revisiting of sensitive content.

Please remember that access to our department’s EAP Services from Newport and Wildman is available 24/7 on 1800 650 204.

All responses will remain anonymous, and the survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.

The study has ethics approval from ACU HREC (2024- 3502E)

Lead the Way – One Day Powerup for AST & APs

Calling our fabulous middle leaders across our schools, we are excited to announce our first 'Lead the Way - One Day Powerup for AST & AP's' session! Register Here
The program includes keynotes and workshops from Ben Sacco managing Director of the Education Economy and Kristen Douglas, Head of Schools & Communities, headspace Nationally, with principal panels from TPA members and mini masterclasses from the Department for Education, Children and Young People.

Recent Meetings Attended by TPA on Behalf of Members

• Routine meeting online with Directors of Principal Leadership North & South
• Routine meeting online with the Deputy Secretary of Schools & Early Years
• Meeting with the Minister for Education
• Meeting with Shadow Education Spokesperson
• Meeting in Campbell Town with our 8 Senior Secondary College principals
• Meeting with Director of People Services & Support and Deputy Director Strategic Recruitment
• Reporting & Communicating Progress to Families stakeholder meeting
• Deakin University ‘Principal Invisible Labour’ research interview
• TPA State Executive online meeting
• Education Workforce Roundtable meeting in Hobart
• Stakeholder interview for Educational Adjustments Review
• UTAS Course Advisory Committee online – thankyou Simon Ellaby for representing TPA

New TPA Members

A warm welcome to our new members who have joined our association in recent weeks. We look forward to your engagement with your Association for many years to come!

• Mike Flanagan – Campbell Town District School
• Erica Boas – Bothwell District High School
• Britany Roesteneburg – Hobart City High

TPA Sponsors

I would like to acknowledge and thank the ongoing support of our sponsors who share our commitment to the public education system and support our vision of ‘supporting connected and empowered educational leaders as an integral part of our public education system’.  Thank you to our Platinum Sponsors - MSP Photography, BFX Furniture, Zart Art; Gold - Berry Street, ASCA, Schoolzine; and Silver - Teachers Health.

TPA Elections

We will begin our bi-annual election cycle at the beginning of next term, with nominations opening on Wednesday 29 July. Three positions on the TPA Executive, each for a two-year term of office commencing 1 January 2025 are up for election:

• President
• Vice President Primary
• Vice President Secondary.

I encourage you to consider nominating for a position on our Executive.  Being involved is personally and professionally rewarding and a great means of contributing to our wonderful profession. 

Further details will be provided at the commencement of term three.

National Associations

Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA)

View an update from APPA - National Horizons

Growth Coaching Course

Introduction to Leadership Coaching - This practice course explores all three elements of effective coaching practice: the GROWTH conversational framework; the key coaching skills; a coaching Way of Being; and how to apply these in a range of conversational contexts.

This is a two-day workshop held over two one-day sessions -

• Day 1: 30 August 2024
• Day 2: 13 September 2024
• Costs:
  • TPA Member Enrolment Cost $850
    • discount code required contact manager@tpa.org.au 
  • Non-TPA Enrolment Cost $890
  • Venue: Launceston College

ASCA Preferred Suppliers with Great Deals

Make sure you check out the fantastic deals coming from our preferred suppliers for your schools as we head to the new financial year with Officeworks, BFX, The Good Guys Commercial and JB HIFI to name some.

This is also a great time to make sure that you have let your staff know about the ASCAplus staff benefits and that they can register Here to also gain wonderful deals and savings from our suppliers for their personal purchases.

Is your Canteen registered for the ASCA Rewards loyalty program

• Principals - let your Canteen Manager or Caterer know that if they are registered for the ASCA Rewards Loyalty Program, they can earn points which last for 2 years! Points can used toward credits for their Distributor or The Good Guys Commercial  - all translating to great savings for your canteens’ bottom line.
• Check out the ASCA website for ASCA’s “Food for Thought” cookbook - there are hundreds of recipes created specifically with School Canteens in mind.
• Special dietary needs? Our suppliers have you covered. Make sure you ask us about this area as our supplier offer Gluten free, vegetarian and more options.

ASCA supports Australian Charities

• As a not-for-profit organisation, each year ASCA donates its surplus funds to a range of registered charities who assist in the education of vulnerable children. 
• By simply purchasing from ASCA’s Preferred Suppliers, you are not only gaining best value for your school, but indirectly contributing to our Charity Partners.
• Since our inception in 1979, ASCA has continually supported these charities, with almost $11 million raised for partners such as The Smith Family.
• Thanks to your support, we continue to donate to our charities who really need our support. Thank you.

myfuture’s free webinars

myfuture’s free webinars are a great way to learn about current topics from expert presenters both here in Australia, and from around the world. The term 3 webinars are centred around supporting students to make career decisions, and how sustainable development goals (SDGs) can be used to help guide their aspirations.

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: 

Seasons for Growth

TPA Sponsors

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