Kaya
I would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest WAPPA members:
Sue Ashworth, Charthouse PS
Karen Augustson, Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School
Kris Dewson-Hall, Brookton DHS
Sonny Konig, Pegs Creek PS
We look forward to providing you with the Support, Advocacy, Leadership Development and Connection, for which WAPPA is renowned. Likewise, we welcome your voice to the ongoing discussion around primary education and school leadership, through the numerous avenues provided to our members.
It is pleasing to see our membership growing steadily since the start of the year. 31 new members have joined WAPPA this year across both Aspirant and Ordinary membership categories.
WAPPA Advocacy
In recent weeks, I have met with members at Collegial Groups and Chapter Meetings to discuss WAPPA's ongoing support, advocacy and member benefits. During these discussions, it has become apparent that members may not always know of the significant work done in the advocacy space that leads to better outcomes for our members and for primary education in general. As such, I have decided that moving forward, I will let members know of some of these 'broad brush' meetings, remembering that a significant amount of work is done at an individual and confidential level.
Since the start of Term Two, some of the meetings I have attended include:
* Nature Play WA re: design concepts for new primary school builds
* Life Education WA re: support programs in primary schools
* WAPPA Board Meeting
* Fortnightly Conference Planning Meetings
* YouthCare re: Principal Chaplains in regional schools
* Standards and Integrity re: update on processes
* School visit re: new school build complexities
* Armadale Chapter Meeting
* Optimum Collegial Group Meeting
Last week, I raised the concern of the risks associated with comparative NAPLAN data, in the current COVID landscape. Members have reported significant impacts on teaching and learning programs, in particular, student and staff absences in the lead up to NAPLAN and during the assessment period. I have raised these concerns with the Department and they are keen to work with WAPPA to ensure schools aren't unfairly represented through this data.
These concerns were captured in a podcast with The West's Ben O'Shea last week, and can be listened to below.
In coming weeks, WAPPA will also engage in meetings at a Ministerial and Department level, to delve further into the recent education initiatives, announced within the State Budget.
OSHClub 2022 WAPPA Conference Update
WAPPA has recently secured corporate rates for Crown accommodation, during the conference period. These details will be provided to you upon registration for the conference. Make sure you jump online and secure your 3 day or individual day registrations ASAP.
Our Manager Member Support, Phillippa Berkhout, has recently secured a list of alumni members who are happy to 'hold the fort' at schools (regional, remote and metro), should you wish to take up the offer, during your absence at conference. These members have all the required clearances and vaccination status confirmed. Anyone interested, should contact Phillippa at to discuss this process.
As is always the case, we are on the look out for inspiring concurrent presentations, so if you are interested, please complete the EOI.
The Joint Standing Committee on the Commissioner for Children and Young People has called for submissions to their current inquiry, looking into, The most effective ways for Western Australia to address food insecurity for children and young people affected by poverty. This is an inquiry that would impact a significant population of primary schools across the state. I would encourage members to make a submission, if you are one of these schools.
The terms of reference are located at www.parliament.wa.gov.au/jscccyp with submissions due no later than Friday 10 June 2022 via the e-submission portal at: www.parliament.wa.gov.au/laco/submissions
After postponing our Term 1 The Act of Leadership' event with Dan Haesler, we are relaunching this program on 4 & 5 August. This is one of the best leadership opportunities for the year and includes a copy of Dan’s best-selling book. Make sure you register today for this 2-day online event, accessible from wherever you are!
Coming up on May 31, join us for our 2 hr Networking 101 webinar and on June 7 we will be running our very popular Making the Leap to Deputy Principal workshop.
If you are attending the Flourish: Focus: Reset: Network Conference on May 27 at Optus Stadium, please stop in for a chat at the WAPPA Exhibitor's Booth. WAPPA will be running two concurrent sessions and will have lots on offer at our booth during the breaks.
Don't forget, you can always contact us for any in-school or network PL too. The calendar for this year is filling up so get in quick!