14 March 2018
Newsletter Articles
- Difficult conversations – A guide for leaders working with teachers
- Umbrellas, Funnels and Sifters – Tools school leaders need
- A Special Experience In Professional Learning and Ongoing Formation –Principals & APs
- The Mission Of The Catholic School
- CSSA Forum Friday 18 May 2018 NESA HSC Reforms Including the Literacy and Numeracy Standard
- CaSPA Conference 2018 Cairns
- Schools Plus Funding
- No More Harm Conference ACSP Special Offer
Difficult conversations – A guide for leaders working with teachers
Many schools are moving towards developing a culture where feedback is present. It takes time to build such a culture which is based on trusting relationships and ongoing learning. Even within such cultures school leaders find themselves in situations where they need to have difficult conver¬sations with teaching staff. The reasons for having a difficult conversation can vary from situation to situation and leaders need to consider the context and experience of the teacher. For example, the way you would approach a graduate teacher compared to an experienced teacher in regards to classroom behaviour management would be very different. Any difficult conversation needs to be planned for and thought about. This will help to safeguard the relationship between the leader and teacher. As the leader you need to prepare for the conversation. Ringer (2017) in We Have to Talk: A Step-By-Step Checklist for Difficult Conversations, presents ques¬tions leaders can ask themselves prior to entering a conversation.
Umbrellas, Funnels and Sifters – Tools school leaders need
A precious but hazily understood concept is about the tone, harmony and atmosphere existing within people-focussed organisa¬tions. With so much emphasis on account¬ability and a loss of faith and trust in people, the importance of ‘atmosphere’ is often overlooked. Not surprisingly, people working in schools are more stressed than their predecessors. In this context, a metaphor that embraces umbrellas, funnels and sifters can be useful. These metaphoric tools, if un¬derstood and wisely used by school leaders, can help shape and develop excellent schools.
A Special Experience In Professional Learning and Ongoing Formation –Principals & APs
This a wonderful Professional Learning opportunity for all Principals and Assistant Principals for in depth learning, spirituality and networking opportunities. Many of the Diocesan Offices have assisted with the cost of the course. Please find attached a copy of the ELIM 2018 brochure giving details of this program which is in its 23rd year this year. Whereas the brochure gives essential information the best way to get a sense of the program is to speak to a principal or AP who has had the ELIM experience. There are plenty around. The ELIM formula has remained constant over the years but the program is re-tweaked annually in the light of feedback from participants. A significant change in recent years has been the incorporation of the AITSL Reflective Tool. This is an essential component of ELIM, hence the necessity of registration by the stipulated date to permit time for the gathering and the processing of data in readiness for Module 1.
The Mission Of The Catholic School
In 2016 the Executive Directors of Catholic schools in NSW and ACT sponsored a project with the focus on the story and the mission of Catholic schools in Australia. The project –Growing The Story, was officially launched by Dr Dan White, Executive Director of Sydney Catholic schools in March 2017. This resource, which is in ‘dvd/Youtube’ format, consists of 3 short segments, each 5/6 minutes in length and punctuated by pauses with trigger questions for reflection and discussion. The resource is mainly intended for induction of beginning staff –teaching and non-teaching, but could well be used by all staff in a re-focus on what matters most in Catholic schools. It may be accessed as follows:
http://www.growingthestory.com.au
CSSA Forum Friday 18 May 2018 NESA HSC Reforms Including the Literacy and Numeracy Standard
Key input will be provided by:
- NSW Minister for Education Hon. Rob Stokes
- David de Carvalho - Chief Executive Officer, NESA
- Jenny Donovan – Executive Director, Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation, NSW Department of Education
- Paul Cahill – Head of Curriculum, Sydney Catholic Schools
Registration opens at the end of March. To register for this Forum visit the CSSA website below. The CSSA AGM will be held in conjunction with this Forum. AGM papers will be circulated separately.
http://forum.cssa.com.au/
CaSPA Conference 2018 Cairns
The Cairns Conference committee continues to work very hard to prepare for us a wonderful national gathering. The 2018 CaSPA Conference "Tropical and Topical - Leading in DiverseTimes" will be held from July 15 17 in Cairns. I certainly encourage everyone to consider attending our national conference to engage in great professional learning and enjoy the collegiality of Catholic Secondary Principals from around Australia. All information relating to the national conference can be found on the CaSPA website.
Schools Plus Funding
It's an exciting opportunity for eligible schools to receive funding of up to $75,000 for a project that will bring about profound change for students' learning.
Funding available immediately
On Monday March 5, schools will be invited to lodge a simple Expression of Interest (EOI) to be matched with a donor who will provide funding for a significant project designed to improve student outcomes.
Up to 20 projects will be funded in mid-2018, while up to 20 other projects will be promoted to potential Schools Plus donors from May 2018.
Schools can apply individually or in clusters. Eligible schools must have a value below 1000 on the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA). Find out more here.
This is an opportunity to build on the great work being done in schools!
Schools Plus and our donors are passionate about supporting schools so they can make a difference for students facing disadvantage. Since 2015, Schools Plus has funded over 230 projects around Australia, benefiting nearly 60,000 students. We look forward to creating a brighter future for thousands more students through the 2018 Smart Giving round.
Schools need to submit an EOI before April 6.
No More Harm Conference ACSP Special Offer
Does your school have a Bullying Prevention Policy?
Do you want to STOP bullying at your school?
Do you want to better understand the most current methods that are being used to reduce the number of bullying and discriminating incidents?
Do you want to learn new approaches you can implement in your school?
If you answer is YES - lock in the dates to your calendar and attend the 2018 No More Harm National Conference held 12-13 April at Pullman Melbourne on the Park.
Enter code ACSP2018 to save $200 of your registration fee!
For more information and to register visit: nomoreharm.com.au
Schoolzine
Schoolzine is proud to be a digital partner and supporter of ACSP NSW - Association of Catholic School Principals in NSW Inc.
Schoolzine has been an industry leader in digital school communications for 10 years. They are dedicated to customer service, product development and understanding the school landscape that keeps them at the top of the industry. Schoolzine’s Parent Engagement Platform consists of 3 packages, an eNewsletter, Mobile App and Website offering. Purchased separately or together, they guarantee each package will make engaging with parents easy and even enjoyable for a school of any size. Schoolzine addresses the need for media-rich, interactive content that engages parents.