A Regular update from the
NSW Primary Principals' Association Inc.

No 13, 2005. Published 6th December, 2005

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Online survey for PP6

A huge THANK YOU to the P6 Principals who have been so prompt in filling out the online survey that must be completed by Tuesday 6 December on behalf of the Teaching Principals Reference Group to gather accurate data to ensure the necessary OH&S requirements for all PP6s are taken into account .

In case you are a PP6 and have not yet seen the information, please see the information below and follow the link below to get your results back by the end of today, Tuesday 6^th December.

“On behalf of the Teaching Principals Reference Group and NSWPPA we are making an OH&S submission to DET requesting funds to ensure 2 DET paid adults are present in every school site at all times during school hours (half an hour before lessons commence until lessons conclude ie 6 1/2 hours). It is essential that every P6 Principal complete this survey as soon as possible so that the necessary OH&S requirements for all P6s are taken into account.

To assist us in getting this survey to as many P6 Principals as soon as possible could you please fwd this email to all P6 colleagues from your Area immediately so that the survey is filled in by Tuesday 6 December (5pm).

It is essential that you forward the address of this survey to all your P6 colleagues. The survey (for P6 Principals) is located at

http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB224U3D3Q4P8

Glenfield Conference

Don’t forget that the Glenfield conference is coming up in January.  The Glenfield Conference is open to anyone from NSW Public Schools who is keen to develop leadership practices and to be in a position to share professional input and discussion and just, simply, a great time, with like minded people

Please pass on the details to as many of your staff as you feel may be interested and, naturally, come along yourself if you can.  Please help the conference continue its great successes, now in its 41^st year!!

Details available at http://www.nswppa.org.au/conferences/conflinkpage.htm

Support Class update

The current situation is:

“The Special Education Initiative is a$15.6 million initiative – which for the first time will see a teachers’ aide provide support in every continuing special education class by 2007. It is part of the NSW Government’s $774 million allocation for special education in 2006 – which is $130 million fore than 2005. Parents and carers have been extensively involved in the work to improve the current arrangement of special education classes. These changes will deliver major benefits for students in special education classes- putting the services where they are needed. A teachers’ aide for every special education class will make classrooms safer and improve the learning environment for students and their teachers, The changes will also see better use of special education classes and better arrangements where classes have very low enrolments. The Teachers Federation and the P&C have expressed their support.

Under the Special Education Initiative:

• Every child currently in a special needs class will continue in such a class if their parents want them to – ie. No child will be forced into a regular class.
• There will be no reduction in the number of places available for students with a moderate or severe disability.
• 47 moderate or severe disability classes which either have no students enrolled next year or only a small number of students will be amalgamated. Students will be catered for in another special class in the same school.
• In a further 7 classes with very low enrolments, the Department has talked to parents who have accepted alternate placements either in a regular class at that school or another special class at a neighbouring school.
• A further 13 classes with very small numbers will be placed on review.
• All 422 classes for students with a mild disability (IM) will continue in 2006 catering for more than 7,000 students. Currently these classes cater for around 5,700 students. 76 classes with low enrolments will be reviewed in 2006 in consultation with parents and schools.
• Out of 2,191 special classes across NSW, these changes in 2006 will impact on a small number of students in only 54 classes.
• The initiative has been overseen by the 22 member Special Education Advisory Group comprising organisations including the Primary Principals Association, Secondary Principals Council NSW Teachers Federation, P&C Association, Family Advocacy, and Australian Assoc of Special Educators. The advisory group will continue to oversee the changes which will deliver extra support and opportunities for students with special needs.’     Report from Brian Smyth-King, Disability Programs Directorate.

There will be proposed models of operation for IM Classes:

• Traditional discrete IM classes with TAS retained as regional resources and accessed via the regional placement panel for around 18 students.
• A school-based IM resource on caseload of around 15 students with program delivery determined by the school learning support team made up of students from the current class and the home school.
• Some classes will be on review for 2006.

School Development Day 2006

OK, I know that the major focus is just on getting to the end of the year.  When you are planning your first day back, however, you may like to know that there will be a package available to assist in planning for Reporting to Parents.  It will require about 45mins to 1 hour. The PPA is involved in the development of the material, so it may be a good inclusion on that day.

Sustaining Quality Schools

Many of you may have seen information about a joint project being undertaken by the Secondary Principals’ Council and the Primary Principals’ Association which seeks to shake some of the myths around the whole funding debate and which looks at ways forward for NSW Public Schools.

As part of this project, as series of newsletters have been written by Chris Bonnor, President of the SPC.  These are being forwarded to you progressively and you are encouraged to share them with your community and staff. (If you intend making significant changes to the wording, please negotiate with Chris.)

 Last few weeks

Good luck and best wishes as the end of year rollercoaster gets into full swing.

Roger Pryor
President

Principal Support Hotline Number
1300 850 338 

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