Welcome back to a new school year. I hope you enjoy our new look of WORDS. I invite you to read the numerous articles, and take up our offers of support and PL, contained within.
Membership News
“We look forward to providing you with the Support, Advocacy, Leadership Development and Connection for which WAPPA is renowned.
We welcome your voice to the ongoing discussions around primary education and school leadership through the numerous avenues provided to our members.”
– The WAPPA Team
NEW MEMBERS
We would like to welcome the following new members who have joined our Association.
- Bec Robson, Swanbourne PS
- Fern Vallesi, Neerigen Brook PS
- Julie Cairnduff, Alkimos Beach PS
- Narelle Bubb, Meekatharra DHS
- Stuart Klose, Walpole PS
- Teana Jenkins, Calista PS
- Paige Greaves, South Bunbury PS
- Robert Hall, Jerramungup DHS
MEMBER SURVEY
Members are reminded to please complete the brief member survey. It will directly impact the development of our Strategic Plan for 2025-2027. We appreciate your time and commitment.
CHAPTER CHAIR UPDATE
We have put a call out for Expressions of Interest for 10 WAPPA Chapter Chair positions, supported by the Board to ensure periodic rotation of the role. We hope that through this process, more members will gain an insight into WAPPA planning, governance and operations, which in turn, may create a more sustainable governance structure. In coming weeks, the Business Centre will send all Chapter Chairs an updated list of their chapter members.
CHAPTER CHAIRS
WAPPA would like to thank the outgoing Chapter Chairs for their commitment to the role, bringing together WAPPA members, and being a conduit of information and voice for their chapters.
- Albany, Sara Floyd
- Alexander, Jo-Anne Large
- Bayswater, Steve Ivey
- Cockburn, Aaron Young
- Fremantle, Amy Dawson
- Lower Midwest, Jancy Whyte
- Katanning, Anita Wills
- Thornlie, Andy Holmes
- Wanneroo, Geoff Smith
- Willetton, Carlene Thorpe
Events & Announcements
2024 WELCOME BACK
SUNSET SOCIAL
Friday, 19 January 2024 – The Welcome Back Sunset Social was held at The Claremont Hotel with more than 80 guests in attendance.
We congratulated Dean Finlay on his Life Member Award and welcomed members to a new and exciting year ahead.
A HUGE THANKS must go to WAPPA Partner, OSHClub, who were major sponsors for this event.
From the Business Centre
Reminder to pay TRB registration. As WAPPA cover TRB fees for ordinary members, if you’ve received a payment reminder directly from TRB, please ensure it is paid to avoid de-registration. If you’re not sure and want to speak to WAPPA staff, feel free to call.Advocacy & Support
COMMITMENT FOR 100% SRS FUNDING
Last week’s announcement by state and federal ministers, committing to 100% School Resourcing Standard funding for WA by 2026, is much welcomed news that has taken over a decade of advocacy to achieve. We note that there is a no disadvantage clause, so if any other state or territory negotiates a better outcome, we will also receive that and the intent is to fund the most disadvantaged schools first. Amidst the satisfaction at hearing this announcement, there are still ongoing concerns that WAPPA has; therefore, we will continue to advocate for:- Ensuring that funds make their way directly to schools, as opposed to other initiatives (currently 4% of funding is directed towards depreciation and funding of bodies such as SCSA and TRBWA)
- Ensuring that the expectation isn’t that schools can now take on additional accountability measures and implement additional programs, now that they are receiving more
- Ensuring that the highest priority for government is funding for government primary schools, if we are to intervene early, better support students with complex needs and give all students the best possible start to their schooling.
DISABILITY ROYAL COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATIONS
Looking for your input
The Department has commenced the development of a Disability Action Plan, which will include the implementation of some of the Royal Commission recommendations.
At the end of the 2023 school year, Debi Taylor, President of Western Australian Education Support Principal and Administrators Association (WAESPAA), was seconded from her school to support this work. Debi is a current WAPPA member and, as President of WAESPAA, has worked closely with us in all areas pertaining to disability and the development of last year’s position paper, Supporting Students with Complex Needs.
She has been tasked with consulting schools on both the Royal Commission recommendations and the Disability Action Plan. She is looking for a range of schools to visit to really find out what is happening for students with a disability or imputed disability.
-Debi
Email: Deborah.Taylor2@education.wa.edu.au
Phone: 0411 822 326
INDUSTRIAL ACTION QUERIES
ED-E-MAIL QUERIES
We are here to support you, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need professional, legal or personal support from our qualified staff.
Professional Learning
WAPPA PL OPPORTUNITIES
We have an exciting lineup of Professional Learning Workshops on offer this year.
For more details, click the image below
STUDENT CENTRED FUNDING PL
To access the full calendar
of events click the link below and search for SCFM.
From the Field
“I had a very specific vision for the school that I wanted to capture in our ethos; “we want our children to love…
Partnership Spotlight
“Fotoworks is thrilled to announce our partnership with WAPPA for an incredible 30 years in 2024! We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone at the 2024 WAPPA Conference. You are appreciated as a WAPPA member. Reach out to us anytime to discuss school photos and marketing.”