This last week has been a very busy one across the state.

Meeting with Board of Studies

Roger Pryor and Kerry Knox, along with Chairperson of our Curriculum Reference Group, Stephen Bloomfield, met with senior officers of the Board of Studies on Monday and reiterated the need for continued work in developing work samples to assist the assessment process.  All parties agreed that there needs to be careful thought around the use of rubrics and the development of methods of collecting the evidence to inform the 'picture in time' assessment of a child to suit the format of new reports.

Reporting to Parents

In discussions with Principals, it seems that many are working toward the implementation of the new reports and are at the stage of grappling with the best way to provide a mid stage assessment at a point in time. It also seems that many have adopted a pragmatic view of the implementation and are now seeking ideas and support to make it work. 

Unfortunately there have been some initial glitches in what was always going to be a difficult assignment: the provision of software support across a range of school platform and expertise configurations. Principals would be aware of late advice which advises download of software in this coming week.  Many Principals have indicated that they are exploring some of the commercial options available.

Our Educational Measurement Reference Group, under the leadership of Jane Law, has been working hard in the area of providing a context around the A-E which links them to an outcomes philosophy.

Information and resources released from the Office of Schools reflects some good liaison work and knowledge of parent communities by our Principal Liaison Officers, Kerry Knox and Tracey Hayne. The Powerpoint resource for use in meetings with parents provides clear language around the notion of this process being a 'snapshot in time' and firmly points out the need for strong parent support and encouragement at various points of achievement. One of the key messages is the promotion of partnerships between home and school with the united goal of providing the best opportunity and feedback possible for the child.  The point is strongly made within the point of the need to shift the thinking away from notions of 'pass/fail' to one of realistic description of 'what your child can do, and how you can help, encourage and support them.'

The NSW Primary Principals' Association is a Professional Association and has an agreed purpose to provide advice to the DET through tapping into our networks and representative structures. In relation to Reporting to Parents, your Area Council delegates have been provided with updates and information sessions at successive State Council meeting since last year and have been able to follow the ongoing negotiation of responses to the issue of Reporting to Parents.

It is not the role of a Professional Association to take a position in relation to the restriction of work practices, but rather to support the work of our member Principals in their work of Leading and Managing schools. Through our processes of consultation and advice, we have had ongoing input and influence within the negotiation of responses to the requirements around Reporting to Parents.

The next week may see positions being taken on Reporting which enter the industrial arena. The PPA position has been one where the issues around the used of grading are recognised, along with the problems of timelining.  However, many people have worked very hard within our Reference Group and Executive to work with DET officers in making the best linkages possible between what is being demanded from Federal levels and the way that A-E can support the development of partnerships between home and school for the purpose of developing and supporting sound learning programs for all children.  It is also understood that many schools have been working hard within their staff and in consultation with parents to arrive at solutions which meet local needs and which reflect national requirements.

Principals are encouraged to use the information which has been supplied to ensure that they are aware of all of the support available and that they have access to the range of frequently asked questions. Professional dialogue at school level can hopefully focus on the linkages between teaching and learning, and the need to ensure that parents are comfortable with the information they receive about their children.  As Principals, we would be committed to ensuring that any decisions made locally are made professionally, and with due consideration of all sources of information. 

Detailed information will continue to be available to Principals and teachers via the Department’s website at www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/timetoteach/ as well as the information which will be made available via other avenues.

Please feel free to use the feedback form at the end of this 'What's Hot' in relation to this issue or to other matters of importance.

Teleconference and meeting with Minister

The NSW PPA Executive held a teleconference on Tuesday followed by a meeting with the Minister.  At the meeting with the Minister we repeated our call for more time for leaders to lead, especially our Teaching Principals and other executive staff in primary schools.  In addition, we continue to emphasise the untenable situation of PP6 Principals working in situation where they may be the only adult on site for significant portions of the week. In light of the guidelines issued for the Tutorial Voucher initiative, general advice given to teachers and other staff in the light of risk within a Child Protection context and recognition of the isolation and potential for incident, we will continue to push this strongly in the next few weeks, as a resolution is now long overdue and no less necessary.

Regional Conferences

The week was also a busy week in Regions, with conferences being held around the State.  In Moama, on the Murray River, Principals from throughout the Riverina gathered for their annual conference hosted by the Deniliquin Area Council. The NSW Primary Principals' Association Executive was represented by Vice President, Tim Edwards.

At Terrigal, the Principals from Northern Sydney gathered for their annual conference.  The NSW Primary Principals' Association Executive was represented by Vice President, Ralph Taylor.

Coffs Harbour was the venue for the North Coast Regional Conference and a good roll-up was on hand for a program centred around a conference theme of "Riding the Waves"  The NSW Primary Principals' Association Executive was represented by Vice President, Kerry Knox and, within the context of the conference theme focus on development of capability, Roger Pryor was invited to give a presentation with the title: "Primary Principals: partners in tri-level reform."

After many years of hosting their conference at Terrigal, the Hunter Central Coast Region moved their annual conference to Shoal Bay this year with an intent to rotate the location between venues. In keeping with the conference theme, the PPA President was invited to deliver the opening keynote on Friday morning with the title based on the conference theme : 'Clarity and Cohesion: partnerships in primary education.'

It was great to have the chance to informally meet with many Principals in a range of locations and to gain feedback on a number of issues.  It is hoped that the pile of things to do on your return to school is not too overwhelming.

It is clear that all Principals are feeling that they are being called away from their core business of leading schools on many many occasions due to increased 'compliance' issues and a range of other imperatives. Clearly, we will need to look at ways of minimising this level of frustration.

Important Reminder - Improvement programs

Please remember that, if you are considering an Improvement Program, seek early advice from the Employee Conduct and Efficiency unit (EPAC.) This is critical to ensure that current procedures etc are in place and so that proper advice and assistance can be provided. The unit is especially keen to work with Principals to support their work. There are two deployed DP's in the unit who can assist and who have training to support schools. The best contact at the outset is Kevin Schipp who can be reached on 92668729

On Tuesday evening, I attended a reception in HSBC House for David Hargreaves, who was in Sydney to present conference input for iNET, (International Networking for Educational Trensformation.) iNet is an international network of schools, organisations and individuals who are committed to transforming learning through innovation.  You can find out more about iNet and some of the ways that you may be able to gain access to ideas or resource by visiting their website. Just click the logo at the start of this paragraph to go to the website.

APAPDC News Update - Principals Byte May 2006

Click on the following link (or paste it into your browser) to read Principals Byte, the latest news from the Australian Principals Associations Professional Development Council (APAPDC). The Kids Matter primary school mental health initiative is named and underway.

http://www.beecoswebengine.org/servlet/Web?s=157573&p=NL_MAY_2006

News from Teaching Australia.

Congratulations to all of those who were selected to participate in the first round of the Leading Australia's Schools program. Here is a reminder of information about the next round.

Leading Australia’s Schools 2006  - Call for applications by 9 June 2006

Teaching Australia is providing a further opportunity for principals to apply for the second Leading Australia’s Schools program in 2006.  This program will be offered to around 40 principals and will begin on 13 August 2006.  Applications close: Friday 9 June 2006.

Eligible applicants who applied when the 2006 Leading Australia’s Schools program was first advertised will be considered and need not re-apply. 

Workshop in Wollongong

Please refer to the attached flyer for information on the 13th June 2006 WORKSHOP: Building Sustainable Leadership, presented by Professor Stephen Dinham. This workshop will examine recent approaches, action learning projects & ways for sustaining distributed leadership. Registration is facilitated by our on-line registration site: http://www.uow.edu.au/conferences/2006%20EDU%20Workshops/index.html

Other conferences coming up !

Curriculum Corporation's 13th National Conference

A vision splendid

ICT: research, pedagogy, implementation for schools

Monday 14 & Tuesday 15 August 2006

Hilton Adelaide, 233 Victoria Square, Adelaide

Workshop Selection is now open: Due 31 July 2006 Conference Early bird discount closes 30 June 2006.

 About the conference: A vision splendid

The vision to transform school education through the use of ICT has been in existence for more then two decades.

Join leading researchers, policy makers and practitioners in exploring recent trends and vital factors that will make this vision a reality. Reflect on innovative approaches to ICT integration together with controversial and thoughtful research in this field.

The thematic strands that will be the focus of the conference include:

• Use of ICT to provide personalised learning advantage to accommodate student diversity
• Professional development opportunities and resources to support learning
• Effective ICT integration into teaching practice and curriculum delivery

Keynote speakers

• Professor James Gee, Teacher Education, University Wisconsin, USA
• Jeremy  Roschelle, Director Center for Technology in Learning SRI International, California, USA
• Jillian Dellit, Director, The Le@rning Federation Secretariat, South Australia
• Professor Peter Freebody, Faculty Education, University Queensland, Queensland
• Professor John Hedberg, Australian Centre for Educational Studies, Macquarie University, New South Wales

Registration is now open. Early bird discount will close on 30 June 2006. 

Register now for Curriculum Corporation's 13th National Conference and workshops.  For a full description of workshops, please visit on site on http://cmslive.curriculum.edu.au/conference/2006/conference.asp?id=13049.  Workshop registration preferences are due 31 July 2006. 

 For a full conference program, please visit our site on http://cmslive.curriculum.edu.au/conference/2006 or contact National Curriculum Services by phone 03 9417 3555 or email ncs@ncsonline.com.au

And, advance notice for 2007

Keynote speakers include Mr Andrew Cappie-Wood (NSW Director-General of Education and Training), Professor Viviane Robinson (Professor of Education, University of Auckland), Professor Stephen Dinham (University of Wollongong), and Associate Professor Eileen Piggot-Irvine (Director, New Zealand Action Research & Review Centre, Unitec, New Zealand).

Concurrent workshops will be conducted by highly regarded practitioners and school leaders and will include: Karen Young, Neil Trenear, Peter Kearns, Frank Pitt, Liliana Mularczyk, Wayne Ash, Stephen Galbraith, Tom Alegounarias, and Bill Edmunds.

This Conference is suitable for incumbent and aspiring school leaders, teachers, school leadership teams, government and non-government systemic administrators, trainers and university academics.

The major sponsors of the Conference are: Faculty of Education, University of Wollongong, Catholic Diocese of Wollongong, and NSW Department of Education and Training.

Please visit our Conference website to keep updated on new developments:  

http://www.uow.edu.au/conferences/EDU2007/Home.html