26 Sep 2023

President’s Report

The end of term naturally creates an opportunity for thought and reflection. We hope that you hold a great sense of satisfaction in leading your teams or school community through the peak of winter, dynamics and busyness of term 3. The shift in to term 4 always brings a beautiful blend of energy and emotions! Some students will find that ‘a-ha’ moment when a concept really clicks, some will be navigating the emotions of a transition to a new school or workforce, and for all students and staff, it will mark the final quarter of doing this year’s journey together as a team. There aren’t too many professions or industries quite like education, where we get to experience the broadest continuum of emotions, riding the highs and lows together with the young people and colleagues that we spend our working hours with. It’s no wonder that the enduring connections shared in school communities are like that of a family – and for many, that’s what schools and teams represent.

The end of term and AGM have created time for our Association to check in our alignment with our updated vision and mission as we are 6 months in to our new Strategic Plan. A motion was put forward to update the eligibility of membership of the Association and it was unanimously agreed that membership is open to the following staff within DECYP;

6.1.1 Principals (Substantive and Acting)
6.1.2 Assistant Principals (Substantive and Acting)
6.1.3 Advanced Skills Teachers (Substantive)
6.1.4 System leaders on the Teaching Award at the principal non-school level, or educational leaders on the Senior Executive Service Award

This is symbolic of our commitment to growing and representing emerging and established school leaders. Principals are more than aware of the current workforce challenges that we are experiencing and TPA is invested in building the profile of the principalship by creating and supporting collegial networks for aspiring school leaders in our state.  

ACEL Awards

It was a privilege to attend the recent ACEL Tasmania Branch Awards, with a number of current and former colleagues recognised for their outstanding services to education. Jane Bovill, Deb Day and Malcolm Elliott were all acknowledged for their enduring commitment to education in our state and for the tremendous impact of their leadership across their careers.

ACU SCHOOL LEADER HEALTH & WELLBEING SURVEY

Last week, we sent an email regarding the ACU School Leader Health and Wellbeing Survey. 
This is the 13th year this survey has been conducted and the data has been used extensively by TPA, AGPPA and APPA, to advocate in the areas of school leader health and wellbeing, resourcing, workload and work-related demands and expectations.  Data from this survey will be made available early in 2024. The survey can be completed by principals and assistant principals.  Detailed information can be accessed here

Your TPA Executive strongly request that you set some time aside to complete the survey before the end of the term.  

TPA State Executive Meeting

Last Thursday and Friday, our statewide executive were able to meet in Hobart and progress our work against our three sets of key practices of Support & Care, Lead & Develop and Consult & Advocate. We were joined by Director Principal Leadership Matt Bennell, in a workshop to explore contemporary models for school leader professional development and growth. Deb Fisher & Maureen McKeown, Directors of Improvement Partnerships, led us through differentiated models for school support, of which our association was able to provide feedback in to. Finally on Friday, Dr Paul Kidson from Australian Catholic University’s Institute for Positive Psychology & Education, presented to the executive some of the longitudinal trends we are seeing with school leaders wellbeing. It was of tremendous value to have the opportunity for Q and A with Paul on the ‘compression’ that we are seeing with the major factors that negatively impact on the wellbeing of our principals and assistant principals nationwide.  

Mat Grining
TPA President

2024 Tasmanian Educational Leaders Conference

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.

Registration Fees

• Full - Early TPA Member - $600.00
• Full - Early Non-Member - $750.00
• Full - Standard TPA Member - $800.00
• Full - Standard Non-Member - $950.00

Keep updated with the progress by visiting -

Visit ASCA at the upcoming PFD Tradeshow in your City!

Kerry will be at the PFD Tradeshows, 10 am to 5 pm each day:

• Tuesday 10^th October in Devonport
• Wednesday 11^th October in Launceston
• Thursday 12^th October in Hobart

Principals, let your Canteen Manager, Caterer or Food Technology staff know and encourage them to attend this PFD Tradeshow event! There will be tradeshow-only specials and deals for your school on the day, so come prepared to order on the day and obtain some great products (and ideas!) for your school.

Our Preferred Suppliers will be there, and they will be showcasing some wonderful ideas for your menus and products for your schools whilst helping you to streamline your purchasing whilst enjoying exclusive benefits and savings.

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 $5 million donated to partners such as The Smith Family.
• Thanks to your support, we were able to donate record amounts in 2022/23, a year in which our charities really needed it. Thank you.

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

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