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A Regular update from the
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No 14, 2005. Published 14th December, 2005 |
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Hi Everybody This will be the last What’s Hot for 2005. My thoughts go out to everybody in schools who are struggling with the issues being raised throughout Sydney in relation to recent mob scenes. The paradox of such ill feeling at a time which is meant to be one of joy and beginnings is stark and tinged with sadness. As John Lennon said in that fabulous song: “And so this is Christmas; and what have we done?” No doubt all of us ask ourselves that question and may be left pondering the response. I hope that for all of you there can also be a quiet sense of satisfaction in having taken a school through another year, with all of its beginnings and endings, its highs and its lows. And, to think that across NSW there are tens of thousands of children who have made enormous progress since this time last year, through the leadership and commitment of educators in our schools. We must remain optimistic about the future. To do otherwise is to predetermine, without opportunity for their input, the future for our children. Some bits and pieces of important information follow. Before you get to those though, can I just take this opportunity to publicly thank all of the people who have done some much for the Primary Principals’ Association this year. I especially want to thank all of the members of the Executive who take on a variety of tasks on your behalf and who are planning and looking forward to next year and the shared task of moving the PPA forward positively. I’d also like to thank the Appointed Officers who toil away, often behind the scenes, but without whom we would be unable to operate effectively. Thanks too, to past President, Geoff Scott, who now finishes his term as Immediate Past President, for the plethora of things he has taken on to help the Executive out this year. Have a very happy Christmas and a great holiday ! Roger
A few updates for the end of the year Counsellor Testing materials - update The PPA has raised on a number of occasions concerns that counsellors no longer had adequate access to important test materials to allow them to assist disability confirmation processes. As a result of continued PPA lobbying on this matter, we have recently been told that in January, an outline of expenditure and procedures for WISC 4 will be published by DET in InPrincipal. $400k is to be spent on increased WISC 4 resources as a result of this action. Annual School Report information As previously outlined in a number of communications, the decision about what annual report format a school will use is a decision best made at the local level. The PPA will support Principals in making this choice. Suspensions by casuals – an issue which arises in a PP6 environment. The PPA has sought advice on the matter of suspensions by casual teachers who are taking the place of a PP6 for a day. The following advice is provided as preliminary opinion from the School Safety and Security Unit. Contact information is provided at the end for more discussion. Many thanks to Therese Hinder, Chair of our Student Welfare Reference Group for gaining this information. In theory the casual teacher is relieving for the principal, and as such has the delegated authority. However this presents some interesting questions, especially as the casual may not be a permanent employee. I would have concerns for the following reasons. * The casual teacher would/might have limited understanding of the procedures and it is quite possible they would not be able to implement all of the requirements - leading to the possibility of an appeal etc. * Procedural fairness may be compromised In general "immediate suspension" doesn't mean the student is removed from the school immediately. "Immediate suspension" usually means that because of the serious nature of an incident, the principal determines that suspension should occur without the normal warnings, support, counselling etc. There will still need to be a formal disciplinary interview etc where the student is given the opportunity to respond prior to the principal making the determination to suspend. In general I think the following should apply. * Where possible, if the principal is only absent for the day, the teacher should gather all of the information for the principal. The principal would interview the student the next day, with a parent or carer present if appropriate, and make the determination. The relieving teacher could discuss the matter by phone with the principal if possible. If the student presents an immediate risk to themselves or to others, arrangements could be made for the student to be collected by a parent or carer for the remainder of the day (as per paragraph 4.0.2 of the policy) * If the principal is absent for more than 1 day, seek support from the School Education Director, Student Services Officer or Student Welfare Consultant prior to implementing any action. If they are not immediately available and the matter is urgent, either phone the coordinator of student discipline Paul Lennox, on 9561 8071 or the School Safety and Response Hotline on 1800 363 778 for advice and support. AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT’S “INVESTING IN OUR SCHOOLS PROGRAM” John Vernon, Chair of our Asset Management Reference Group has provided the following information for distribution. Thanks John. Schools were recently advised by the Australian Government as to the success of their applications for round one of the “Investing In Our Schools Program”. Funds for the approved school projects, for other than the schools recognised by the Australian Government as a GSCO, are to be paid to the NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) who will then arrange for the funds to be transferred to individual schools as a tied grant. At this time it is anticipated that DET will receive funds from the Australian Government during the first half of January 2006. Once received, DET, Asset Management Directorate will arrange for the funds to be transferred to schools as a tied grant. Guidelines for the expenditure of funds and acquittal process will be provided at this time. A small number of schools have indicated a desire to commence projects in the upcoming school vacation. This can occur where schools are able to manage the financial risk of payments to contractors during the vacation and potentially into early term 1, 2006. Sufficient funds need to be available to support the commencement of the project while awaiting distribution of the Australian Government funding under the “Investing In Our Schools Program”. [Please click here to use the feedback form] Past web based editions of What's Hot
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