NSW PPA What's Hot. Term 1, Week 4, 2006

Hi Everybody

Well, here we are in Week 4 already. I hope that it has been a smooth start for you in 2006. A number of things have happened throughout the last week.

The NSW Primary Principals Association Principal Support Reference Group has prepared some resources to outline strategies and assistance available to NSW Primary Principals. The papers outline practical ideas and support available. Download the documents here, by clicking for Principal Role, Practical Ideas and local Support available.

There is now information available in InPrincipal under the heading 'Loan Facility for Schools to Replace Leased Photocopier Equipment' which outlines new arrangements for schools and photocopiers. Please note that new contract arrangemenst are now in place. The key point is spelt out in the statement "NSW Treasury has advised agencies that the new Imaging Devices Contract has no provision for operating leasing and instructs all agencies to purchase these assets from capital funds from 1 January 2006. This includes photocopier equipment required to be replaced at the end of current operating leases." which basically says that you are no longer able to enter into leases for photocopiers.

The PPA has sought clarification about reporting to DOCS following a recent statement in InPrincipal which could have been interpreted as meaning that faxed reports were no longer possible. This is clarified in the response receieved below.

'The memorandum ‘Confirmation of Reports to DoCS Helpline’ (InPrincipal 13 February) informs staff that it is no longer necessary to fax Form A to the Department of Community Services (DoCS) Helpline as confirmation when a risk of harm report is made by phone.

Faxed new reports can continue to be made to DoCS, when the report is not made by phone to a caseworker. As you know, this practice was introduced in 2001 so principals would not have to wait for extended periods to make a report by phone. It is expected that the form would be marked as a 'Faxed New Report' and that additional information would be included to assist DoCS to assess the case. The form should be faxed to DoCS on 9633 7666 and to the School Education Director and a copy filed in the school (as per previous memorandums)'

Members of the NSW Primary Principals’ Association Executive and Learning Innovations Reference Group joined with Secondary Colleagues last Monday in Sydney to undertake more work on the Sustaining Quality Schools project. A significant part of the day was spent planning workshop sessions for a major conference coming up in March.

The PPA office in the grounds of Bourke Street Public School in Surry Hills is gradually becoming operational, playing host in the last week to a meeting of one of the sub-committees of the Retired Principals Association and for a meeting with representatives from the Audit Office of NSW. New furniture and fittings continue to add to the facility of the building.

A number of Principals and members of their staff were amongst those at the annual Leadership Conference hosted by the Australian Centre for Educational Leadership based at the University of Wollongong.

Members of the NSW PPA Executive were saddened to learn of the recent passing of John Sutton who was well known to many in primary education, especially through his links with Western Region.

You have until 5.00pm on this Thursday, 23^rd February, to lodge an Expression of Interest for the casual vacancy which exists for the remainder of 2006 as Executive Officer for the NSW Primary Principals’ Association. More information about this important role is available by clicking here.

Please remember that you can use the feedback form which is linked from What’s Hot to provide the Executive with information about any issues related to Class Size Reduction or Support Classes which have been unable to resolved by reasonable dialogue at the local level.

2006 is an election year for the NSW Primary Principals’ Association.Elections are conducted in accordance with Section 8 of the NSW PPA Constitution which is available for download from the website at http://www.nswppa.org.au/11_05_Constitution.doc

We currently have a vacancy for the position of Returning Officer. The Returning Officer plays a vital role in the conduct of the election and interested members of the NSW PPA are invited to Express Interest in undertaking this role.

If you would like to express interest, please do so by emailing a short statement of no more than 500 words to roger@nswppa.org.au with a cc to brian.collins@det.nsw.edu.au. Please include details of former experience and knowledge appropriate to the role and your contact details.

Expressions of interest for the position of Returning Officer need to be submitted by 5.00pm on Friday 10^th March, 2006

1. Investing In Our Schools – over $186m for small scale infrastructure projects is to be brought forward from 2008 to 2006 due to the overwhelming response. This means that more of the Round 2 grants will be funded than originally anticipated and we should encourage more schools to apply (2006) to take advantage of these immediate funds

2. The new bill is going to ensure that all non government schools catering primarily for students with social, emotional or behavioural difficulties who are at risk of leaving mainstream schooling will receive maximum general recurrent grant funding from the government.

3. Literacy assistance will be provided in 2006 (in Victoria and Queensland). Unspent funding from the Tutorial Voucher Initiative will be made available this year to provide literacy assistance for students in need of extra support in Victoria and Queensland This is because many eligible parents and their children missed out.

Principals are reminded that applications for the APPA Master School Portraits $10,000 Research Award to either the UK, NZ, US or Ontario are due on 1 March. Members can visit the APPA website at http://www.appa.asn.au and click on MSP which will then provide them with the information and application form.

Leading Australia's Schools: Professional Learning Opportunities for Early Career Principals

Early information about this program was sent out last week. Here is more information in the form of a message from Ann McIntyre, Director, Professional Learning and Leadership Development Directorate

Teaching Australia - the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership - has announced a new initiative to support principals in the early years of their leadership careers.

This initiative includes a residential program, personal research project and membership of a national professional community of early career principals.

Teaching Australia provides part-funding to support participation. The balance of costs would need to be met from school funds.

Christine Simmons and Chris Presland, Principal Liaison Officers in the Professional Learning and Leadership Development Directorate are available to assist you with your application. They can be contacted by phone or email - Christine Simmons - 02 9886 77723 christine.simmons @det.nsw.edu.au ; Chris Presland - 02 9886 7745 chris.presland@det.nsw.edu.au .

All principals in the early years of their leadership career are strongly encouraged to apply.

Click here to download an application form. Click here to access the flyer about the program