NEW MEMBERS We would like to welcome the following members who have joined our Association.
Craig Beard - East Hamilton Hill PS
Kate Burke - Balga PS
Gemma Jones - Aveley PS
Krystal Kelly - Yanchep Rise PS
Dana Beinke - Bannister Creek 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
NOVEMBER STATE ASSEMBLY
Next week, WAPPA will host our final State Assembly for 2024. It's a dedicated two-day session to build on the collaborative efforts that we started in May. We will be continuing our discussions on critical topics like navigating family law court matters and the impact of the Reporting to Parents announcement.
We will also look toward the bigger picture of advocacy and priorities for the upcoming state election. A significant focus will be on developing our strategic plan direction to enhance our member support as well as targeting specific school leader workload reduction strategies to advocate with the Department. This State Assembly reflects our commitment to addressing the evolving needs of our members and advancing WAPPA’s impact on education in WA primary schools.
Please see the AGENDA and share with your Chapter Chair, your thoughts, examples and any comments on these agenda items.
It is not too late to come and join us for the AGM & Service Awards Sundowner. Register to attend
Celebrating Legacy and Leadership: A Memorable Life Members’ Lunch
On Monday, 21st October, WAPPA was delighted to host its annual Life Members’ Lunch, bringing together Llife Members and Alumni for an afternoon of connection, reflection and inspiration. The event took place on a beautiful sunny day, with the stunning backdrop of Wembley Golf Course providing the ideal setting for colleagues to reconnect and share memories.
One highlight of the event was the history and memorabilia table which captivated attendees with a nostalgic collection of articles, photos, old textbooks and curriculum documents, showcasing the evolution of the profession. Attendees enjoyed reminiscing over these historical pieces and reflecting on how far primary leadership has come.
The afternoon featured a thought-provoking presentation by David Price who shared insights into "Life After Leadership" and inspired attendees to embrace new opportunities in retirement. WAPPA deeply values the contributions of its life members and this event was a celebration of their lasting impact on our community. We look forward to continuing these meaningful connections with our esteemed life members in the years to come.
Special thank you to Abacus Education Supplies for your support at this event.
Advocacy & Support
NATIONAL MEETINGS
This week, members of the WAPPA Executive have attended AGPPA and APPA meetings in Adelaide. Key agenda items at these meetings have been investigating the Better Fairer Schools Agreement and developing advocacy positions regarding resource distribution, hidden costs, timelines and accountability measures linked to the funding.
Further work is being progressed in the areas of Supporting Students with Complex Needs, Managing Leader Workload and Wellbeing and implications for Right to Disconnect Policies.
APPA is in the process of launching a Member Survey into the ongoing implications of Administration ofMedication in Australian Primary Schools. This survey will ask school leaders across the country, in all sectors, to provide information on a variety of issues such as access to storage, time required to administer medication across a whole school, implications for camps and excursions, access (or lack of) to para-professionals such as School Nurses, implications for school staff including school leaders, teachers, EAs, and School Office staff. It is hoped that information from this survey, will allow APPA to better advocate for resourcing and policy changes, in a manner that will support school staff, as well as students with specific medical needs.
MENTAL HEALTH IN EDUCATION
This week WAPPA received a copy of the Be You Beyond Blue, Mental Health in Education Report. As expected, there are no big surprises within this report in relation to the state of mental health in our school communities. The report identifies Key Barriers as being staff turnover and shortages, lack of time and resources and the impact of critical incidents. When read in conjunction with the ACU Principal Health and Wellbeing Survey results, it is easy to see that our schools are at a crisis point in being able to respond to the needs of staff and students, let alone look after one’s own wellbeing as a school leader.
WAPPA will continue to champion for a range of support mechanisms in this space, inclusive of funding for earlier intervention, purpose built facilities, greater access to para-professionals, increased regional support for students and staff, more targeted intergovernmental initiatives and greater support for school leaders within the professional and personal space.
Are you retiring or already retired and still want to stay connected to WAPPA? Then become a WAPPA Alumni Member.
We would like to offer you our Alumni Membership which is free of charge for the first year and just $77 per annum thereafter. You'll have continued access to all social events as well as Alumni events to keep you connected to the profession.
Let us know if you're retiring and we'll get you set up as an Alumni Member. Contact the Business Centre or Register Online.
