16 May 2024

President’s Report

Dear Members and Supporters of our Association,

With the House of Assembly reconvening for the first time since the recent state election, we’d like to wish all elected members of the Upper and Lower House well in their respective roles and responsibilities for their parliamentary term. It is heartening that the newly appointed Minister for Education Jo Palmer MLC and new shadow education spokesperson Sarah Lovell MLC reached out to the TPA post-election with a genuine interest in engaging with school leaders through the Association. Already, we have been able to have two meetings with Minister Palmer, with a third meeting scheduled with our extended State Executive later in June. This year we will be looking to convene a ‘Parliamentary Friends of Public Education’ breakfast meeting, to coincide with the sitting week of Parliament. We feel this will be a valuable opportunity for principals and elected members of local, state and federal government to listen to, and learn from our public school leaders through our Association.

We have engaged with the media on a number of issues recently, but also carefully consider where it is appropriate to do so in-line with our 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. In recent weeks, TPA have provided responses to radio media on the Minister's announcement to extend incentives to hard to staff schools, beyond those currently recognised as isolated schools and have also provided comment on the notion of a ‘behaviour curriculum’. Engaging in the media where appropriate, also allows us to provide some balance, or perspective from the profession informed by the reality experienced by our members. We are equally comfortable declining media opportunities, where it may not further the conversation for young people in public education and the school leaders who lead their communities. A recent example is print media running comparative ‘best’ and ‘worst’ articles which TPA was unwilling to contribute to, but chose to provide some direct feedback with our concerns on the data cited and the reporting style.

2024 Educational Leaders Conference

Next week, TPA will host our annual showcase event with the conference theme ‘Capturing Hearts & Minds, Shaping Futures’. On behalf of the membership, I’d like to acknowledge the work of our conference planning committee Jeanagh Viney, Sharon Woodberry, Sarah-Jane Murphy, and Joel Doyle. I want to especially recognise Tamara Clark, who has done an amazing job frequently liaising with Conference Design for this event. This year, we offer a carefully curated line-up of speakers and a program that promises to challenge every delegate and guest. This year we will welcome many first-time attendees who are no doubt eager to network with colleagues, build their leadership skills and knowledge. As is evidenced in research, professional learning isn’t just about benefiting leaders professionally; it also enhances our wellbeing and builds support mechanisms through networking. I look forward to the conference and connecting with members and learning together.

Australian Secondary Principals Association (ASPA) Meeting

As affiliates of ASPA, TPA members are represented through the respective national associations. This always provides a tremendous opportunity to work directly with colleagues representing all states and territories, and access to Federal and state ministers where scheduling allows. For Tasmania, we have gained a lot from the insights and experiences of other member associations across the past 12 months, whether it be those developing a Leadership Capability Framework, principal wellbeing matters, understanding their workforce challenges and the strategies and incentives, or the professional learning available to principals. We encourage members to check in on the ASPA website for updates or to follow the Australian Secondary Principals Association through Linkedin or X social media platforms.

The most recent communique from the Association’s president Andy Mison is a response to the recent federal budget 

Member Visits

Our executive has been conscious of scheduling member visits where possible for the first half of the year. It is always a highlight to learn about the fabulous journeys that schools and their communities are on under the guidance of our school leaders around the state. Thank you to Deloraine High, Cressy District School, Bracknell Primary, Longford Primary, Exeter High and Northern Support Schools for providing us with this opportunity.

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 the Association for many years to come!

• Charlotte White, Cape Barren Island School
• Holly Butler, Launceston College
• Gregory Warman, Molesworth Primary School
• Jacqueline Weeding, Bracknell Primary School
• Jacquie Everson, Exeter High School
• Courtney Hizartzidis, Forth Primary School
• Erin Bonney, Forth Primary School
• Sandra Cook, St Marys District School
• James Thompson, Burnie High School
• Dane Hardy, Latrobe High School

TPA Member Drop-in Sessions

Our member drop-in sessions provide a great opportunity to connect with colleagues from around the state in a safe and confidential setting. We'll often start these sessions with a question to get the 'chat' rolling and this time we asked where people may have observed the recent stunning display of the Aurora Australis. 

Our member drop-in sessions via Teams provide a great opportunity to connect with colleagues from around the state in a safe and confidential setting. We'll often start these sessions with a question to get the 'chat' rolling and this time we asked whereabouts  people may have observed the recent stunning display of the Aurora Australis, with a few members having a photo handy to share

Warm regards
Mat

Visit ASCA at the upcoming TPA Conference

• Kerry will be manning the stand with a guest supplier, Officeworks, in Devonport at the Paranaple Centre, from Wednesday 22 May– Friday 24 May 2024.
• Great prizes for your schools from our wonderful ASCA suppliers, and more from those around the conference too!
• Find out how your school can obtain access to our 100+ Preferred Supplier partners to streamline your purchasing and enjoy exclusive benefits and savings.
  

May means Celebrate Canteen Week!

• Principals, let your Canteen Manager or Caterer know that the school community is celebrating the canteen via numerous activities that you can download for free from the ASCA website.
• Get your parents and friends committee involved and there are great activities to download.  asca.com.au/canteens/canteen-resources/celebrate-canteen-week/
• Hundreds of recipes created specifically with School Canteens in mind, from the ASCAs Food for Thought Cookbook as well.
• Catering needs?  Our suppliers have you covered make sure you ask us about this area as we have you covered with gluten-free & vegetarian as well.

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 $10 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.

To ensure our email reaches your inbox, please add membership@asca.com.au  to your address book.

Be You Professional Learning Workshops

Be You are offering a series of professional learning workshops, designed to slot into your staff meeting time, exploring whole school approaches to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of your learning community. Allow one of our consultants to facilitate your whole staff professional learning. A member of your staff will attend the Facilitator Briefing (30 mins) and then your whole staff will participate in one or more of the following ‘In Staff Meeting’ sessions. 

Postvention theory and planning

Be You is the leading national provider of Postvention support to educational settings.  The Postvention theory and planning workshops are available to secondary/combined schools, and colleges. The 90-minute online theory sessions are designed to give all members of your critical incident/emergency Response Team an understanding of postvention principles in responding to and recovering from, a suicide in the community.  Once all members of the critical incident/emergency response team have completed the theory training, Be You is available to assist with completing your school’s Suicide Postvention plan (translating theory into practice).  

Term 3 2024 sessions

• 31 July 8:00--9.30 am
• 1 Aug 2:30-4:00 pm
• 15 Aug 2:30-4:00 pm

Please contact your consultant Eva Nicholls, if you would like to discuss scheduling a time more suitable to your school needs enicholls@headspace.org.au

Responding to self-harm in primary and secondary schools

This free, online session will support educators to respond effectively to primary and secondary school students who are self-harming through safe and effective conversations and evidence-based resources:

Educator Wellbeing

This free, online session explores strategies to optimise individual educator wellbeing, and ways of incorporating these into a supportive workplace culture:

Move Well Eat Well

Come to a collaborative workshop to share your thoughts on how MWEW can best support schools and services in the future. 

Workshop details:  

• South: Wednesday22 May, 9:30 am-11:00 am, Glenorchy Library, Glenorchy   

Register for the South workshop here  

• North-West: Wednesday 29 May, 9:30 am-11:00 am, Point Function Room, Burnie  

Register for the North-West workshop here  

• North:Thursday 30 May, 9:30 am-11:00 am, Launceston Conference Centre, Launceston 

Register for the North workshop here  

• Online:Wednesday 5 June, 3:30 pm-5:00 pm via Microsoft Teams 

Register for the online workshop here 

Learn more about the program Refresh and other consultation opportunities: Move Well Eat Well Refresh Updates | Move Well Eat Well 

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