NEW MEMBERS We would like to welcome the following members who have joined our Association.
Jae Dornan - Kingston PS
Wayne Bariolo - West Greenwood PS
Trent Lockyer - York District HS
Emily Palmer - Creaney PS
"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 DIRECTOR GENERAL
Members should now be aware that current Deputy Director General Education Business Services, Jay Peckitt, was announced as the incoming Director General. Jay will commence in the role in November of this year. WAPPA welcomes Jay to the position and look forward to continuing to build on the strong relationship that has been established, between the Director General, Corporate Executive and WAPPA. Whilst Jay has been a member of the Department’s Corporate Executive for many years, he will be familiar with WAPPA’s most pressing advocacy issues. In due course, WAPPA will seek to meet with our new Director General to further seek his support in advocating for initiatives that deliver improved outcomes for primary students.
NOVEMBER STATE ASSEMBLY
The Board and Business Centre Staff are eagerly preparing for the November State Assembly to be held on 4th and 5th of November 2024. This two-day event will oversee the ongoing review and development of WAPPA’s current and future Strategic Plans. Also, during the course of State Assembly, WAPPA will be progressing our work from May’s State Assembly - looking into big picture advocacy issues such as resourcing and supporting students with complex needs as well as fine grain work like identifying specific workload reduction requests. Your Chapter Chairs will receive the agenda in coming weeks, and will likely ask you for your input into a number of hot topics, which we would encourage you all to contribute to.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND SERVICE AWARDS
Ordinary Members should have received all the information needed in order to attend this year's WAPPA AGM, or to send a Proxy Vote to the Business Centre. There are a small number of suggested Constitutional changes, pertaining to membership options during times of leave and financial hardship. The WAPPA Board are also seeking to establish a minimum 12 month membership period.
Following the AGM, will be a Sundowner and WAPPA Service Awards, in which we will acknowledge members who have retired in the last 12 months, as well as present the Life Member, Country Representative and Service Awards.
If you are not able to attend the 2024 AGM, we encourage you still have your say using the Proxy Forms, sent to you via email. Alternatively, click the image below to register to attend in person.
BOARD ELECTIONS
Ordinary members will have also received the information required to vote in this year's WAPPA Board Elections by email. There are number of Board positions, as well as a Vice President's position to be determined by way of member vote. Please take the time to read the Nominees’ Statements and lodge your vote via OpaVote which is a secret ballot online, to help shape the next three years for WAPPA.
Advocacy & Support
SCHOOL ED ACT REVIEW
As members would be aware, the Department are currently undertaking a review of the School Education Act 1999, in order to examine the opportunities and barriers that exist, in relation to building a more inclusive education system for students with disability. This is a topic that is very close to the heart of all WAPPA Members, as only last year our collaborative advocacy efforts culminated in the publication of our Supporting Students with Complex Needs Position Paper. The overarching position of the WAPPA Board is quite a simple premise, in that:
Parents should always be afforded choice into which school context best suits their child
All models of inclusion, should be appropriately resourced (financially, infrastructure, support personnel, training, resources etc) to ensure the best possible outcomes for all students
Funding models that privilege higher amounts to students, as early as possible in their schooling, provide the greatest opportunity for students to succeed throughout schooling and into their adult lives
Funding for students with complex needs, should utilise a needs based model of funding, as opposed to a medical/diagnosis based model, if outcomes for all students are to be improved
For many years now, regional and remote principals in areas across the state have benefited from the Youthcare Principal Chaplaincy Program, which will no longer be funded by the Department. Association presidents have met on a regular basis with Youthcare staff and the Chaplains themselves, to hear exactly how beneficial and highly valued this program is. We have read testimonials, had principals share their stories with us and since this announcement, have had principals contact us directly, expressing their extreme disappointment in this decision. One member wrote, “I have made extensive use of our Principal Chaplain. He is one of the few people who will visit you and just talk about the job or life or whatever else you might need.”
Communications sent to principals last week, notifying them that the program would no longer be funded, stated that “The health and wellbeing of leadership staff continues to remain a priority for the Department.” As many WAPPA members know, the annual ACU Principal Health and Wellbeing Survey paints a bleak picture of Principal Class wellbeing. WA’s 2023 figures indicated indicating that 53% of respondents were prepared to leave the profession.
A further 50% of WA respondents received a ‘red flag’ follow up email, as a result of their survey results putting their mental health in a disproportionately high risk category. When this same research indicates that the majority of school leaders seek their support from those outside of the profession, the decision to remove this vital service, in the face of the Principal Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Draft Regional Strategy, seems to be at complete odds with what is needed to attract, retain and support, regional school leaders.
All four Association presidents met with Youtchcare last week, to support them in their bid to overturn this short sighted funding decision and we will continue to keep members updated in relation to how these advocacy efforts progress. As is always the case, we would also urge members to contact WAPPA for any of your support needs, whether that be personal or professional, operational or strategic, big or little.
Our support line and email address are accessible to all Ordinary Members and monitored by both our President and Legal Counsel.
Upcoming Events
Save the Date for 2025!
Our Annual WAPPA Conference is back, bigger and better! It’s the must-attend event for education leaders looking to elevate their skills, network with peers, and explore the latest in school leadership. Mark your calendars now and join us for inspiring keynotes and opportunities to connect with fellow leaders shaping the future of education in WA.
Stay tuned for more details—don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative experience!
Partnership Spotlight
Our Adventure Program lets kids choose how to spend their mornings and afternoons. Happy memories will be made as kids embark on adventures that contain exciting games and challenges. Designed for kids of all ages, skill levels and interests, each activity promotes inclusion and above all else – FUN!
Save the Date for 2025!
