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A Regular update from the
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No 12, 2005. Published 13th November, 2005 |
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Hi Everybody Greetings from Canberra where we have just finished a meeting of the National Executive Council of the Australian Primary Principals’ Association. The meeting continues tomorrow with a briefing and information day from DEST with a range of programs being discussed. A meeting of the Australian Government Primary Principals’ Association (AGPPA) was held on the Friday and Saturday leading up to the APPA meeting which runs on Sunday and Monday. NSW PPA was represented at AGPPA by Geoff Scott and Tim Edwards and both AGPPA and APPA now play key roles as the level of Federal impact on state education systems becomes greater every day. Sufficiency of Resourcing Australia’s Primary Schools (SRAPS 3) The Sufficiency of Resourcing Australia’s Primary Schools Project has run twice before under the auspices of APPA. This project looks at the need which exists for resourcing primary schools to enable them to work toward the goals for schooling as outlined in the Adelaide Declaration. Over 30 NSW public schools have been selected to be part of the sample for this study and it is hoped that those who will be approached as part of this sample will be willing to participate. As with all surveys of this kind, the sample is selected according to strict research criteria, to give the most valid sample possible. You support, if approached, is encouraged. PPA Conference 2005 The Conference this year was an outstanding success. Many thanks to all of those Principals who came along and did their bit to “Connect the Energy.” A huge thank you and congratulations if extended to the organising committee for their demonstration of the power of excellent teamwork. Support Classes Principals of schools with support classes should be receiving letters to outline the actual actions which will be taking place in relation to their classes for next year and beyond. You may have noticed from the press that there have been some recent developments in this area and you are urged to carefully consider any correspondence you may receive in relation to this. The work of our Disabilities Programs Reference Group in this area has been excellent and more information will be provided as it is available. PSFP I don’t need to tell anybody that this is the time of year where you are being asked to evaluate and report on a range of things. If you are in a PSFP school, then there is also a reporting expectation in relation to this. Our representative on the Director General’s Advisory Group for PSFP, Ian Reeson, has provided information to say that: “Briefly the NSWPPA position with regard to Equity Evaluations remains we are committed to following the state and regional expectations as outlined in the state PSFP Guidelines and at regional meetings held early in the year. Namely schools are expected to report on equity programs in the ASR and through the AFS within the expected timelines for each process.” There may be some variations to this position across regions and it is reasonable that Principals assess the impact of any variation. If there are cases where there may be variations which are causing concern, then please let the PPA know about it. Public Education Alliance Conference 2006 The Public Education Alliance, which comprises the NSW PPA, the NSW SPC, the NSW Teachers’ Federation, the PSPF and the Federation of P&C’s is planning a major conference for Term 3, 2006. The conference is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, September 22nd and 23rd. It will be a major landmark event, held in Sydney and aimed at attracting quality presenters, hundreds of participants and significant public attention. The keynote speakers are now being sought from Australia and overseas and the continuing focus will be on such themes as:
Information provided for communication by the PPA SURVEY OF 2006 ANTICIPATED CLASS SIZES IN INFANTS, PRIMARY AND CENTRAL SCHOOLS The Class Size Reduction Unit was established within the Department to achieve the Government’s class size reduction commitment. To provide support for the next school year, all Infants, Primary and Central schools are to be surveyed to ascertain anticipated class sizes for 2006. The survey will be made available through In Principal on 11 November 2005. Principals will be requested to complete and submit this survey online by 23 November 2005. To access the survey principals will need to log on to the Online Management of School Enrolments and Entitlements (OMSEE) site at https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/omsee Once logged on, principals will need to go to the School Survey Home where they will be directed to the 2006 Anticipated Class Size Survey. The information can be entered and submitted online. The survey, in the form of a ‘class size calculator’ seeks information as to the anticipated size of Kindergarten to Year 6 classes to be formed for 2006. Principals can also indicate anticipated additional classes to be formed through the use of other resources. For 2006 schools have been advised that classes with Kindergarten students are to be targeted at 20 and classes with Year 1 students are to be targeted at 22. In addition 2004 Priority Schools Funding Program (PSFP) schools are to target classes with Year 2 students at 24. Principals who anticipate classes above these targets will be requested to liaise with their School Education Director. The annual class size audit will be conducted in March 2006 after classes are formed. If you have any queries about the survey please contact Janice Farmer Hailey, Manager, P-2 Initiatives on 02 9886 7748, email, janice.farmer-hailey@det.nsw.edu.au. Our PPA Executive Officer, Mark Hagan, has been involved with the Class Size Reduction program as the PPA representative for a number of years and may also be a great point of contact for you if you have questions. Mark’s contact details can be found on the PPA website by clicking the ‘Our Executive’ link. Reporting to Parents Principals will know, from the information provided recently, that the Minister has significantly altered the expectations in terms of reporting to parents. To the many of you who have communicated concerns to local members and other politicians, thank you very much, as it has been the ongoing action in this way, and the direct action through media releases and meetings which has assisted this changed position. Readers of the Federation journal Education will have noted that the announcement was made at the PPA Conference of the change in direction, and this, coupled with the Salaries agreement without industrial action provided a good platform for an excellent mood throughout. Well done to you all! Roger Pryor
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