NEW MEMBERS We would like to welcome the following members who have joined our Association.
Keren Provost, SSEN:M
Tina Gannon, Koorana 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
2025 WAPPA AWARDS & GRANTS WAPPA are extremely excited to launch the 2025 Awards and Grants Program. Opportunities exist for members to apply for action learning research grants for up to $10,000. We are also calling for nominations for four award categories:
Aspirant Leadership Award
Leadership in Teaching and Learning
Leadership in Wellbeing, Culture and Community
Leadership in Cultural Responsiveness
Recipients of WAPPA Awards and Grants have gained exposure and supported colleagues, by showcasing their whole school practice at Conference, State Assembly and to various Collegial Groups, upon request. Whilst school leaders generally have a reluctance to nominate for individual awards, we know that the opportunity to shine a light on whole school practice, always resonates. (So much so, that our award categories introduced in 2022 have now been adopted into the WA Education Awards' categories.)
We will open the online applications for the Awards & Grants in Week 2, Term 1-2025.
APPA POSITION PAPERS Over the course of 2024, the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) have been developing a number of position papers, to influence Government Education Policy, at a federal level. These papers are reflective of the needs of all primary schools across the country, regardless of sector. APPA President, Angela Falkenberg presented these papers to Minister Jason Clare, recently in Canberra. They can be downloaded below.
This year, WAPPA launched our Professional Communities, designed to bring together school leaders from the same educational contexts, with a view to problem solving, sharing ideas and providing advocacy advice. One of our communities is an Ed Support Community, who recently, have held discussions regarding the resourcing of Inclusive Ed Support settings and specifically, settings within Foundation Schools.
WAPPA believes that a collective voice and learning from each other in this space, is of critical importance, as more and more schools, open with Inclusive settings. Recently WAPPA has been hosting a networking group of Autism SLP Principals and the collective voice of this group, has resulted in some resourcing modifications, and a regular audience with Department's senior leaders, in the areas of Disability and Inclusion as well as Finance and Infrastructure.
If you are keen to network with other leaders of Inclusive Ed Support settings, please contact WAPPA's Member Services Officer, Angie.
REPORTING TO PARENTS TEMPLATE SURVEY As members would be aware, WAPPA has been consulted regularly, in recent weeks, in relation to potential changes to Reporting to Parents Templates for 2025 and beyond. In order to accurately represent the voice of members, WAPPA conducted a snap survey on this topic, with close to 500 responses being received, within two days. This data was presented to Department senior leaders during the consultation process.
The survey data showed a clear response in relation to members wanting consistency across the state. It further highlighted a preference to only have a General Comment, rather than Learning Area comments, although members favoured being able to include Learning Area sub-strand grades. Exactly how this data will be used and what the final templates will look like, will hopefully flow into schools early next year. Thank you to everyone who completed the survey. View survey analysis here.
ACU REPORT INTO UNDERSTANDING CRITICAL INCIDENTS IN OUR SCHOOLS
Earlier this year, WAPPA shared a survey link, into research that was being driven by the Tasmanian Principals Association, focusing on Critical Incidents in Schools. The work was heavily supported by AGPPA, with the research being undertaken by the ACU, who are the same researchers behind the annual Principal Health and Wellbeing Survey.
The final report was released this week, with no great surprises into the findings of the research.
School leaders in Western Australia reported the highest experience of multiple critical incidents.
Tasmanian and Western Australian school leaders reported the most “high” or “extreme” severity incidents.
Most school leaders experienced one or more critical incident (81.5 per cent), with more than half (50.4 per cent) dealing with two or more.
The most common incidents reported were security threats (21.2 per cent), followed by mental health crises (12.3 per cent), suicide threats or attempts (10.8 per cent) bullying (10.8 per cent), and medical emergencies (9.9 per cent).
Almost 67 per cent of respondents experienced cumulative trauma due to multiple critical incidents without a chance to recover, adversely impacting on their mental health and family relationships.
Registrations are open for the Welcome Back 2025 Sundowner proudly brought to you by OSHClub. Thank you to those who have already registered. If you are thinking about attending please register now, so that we can get the numbers needed to make this an outstanding event to kick off the new year. You will also have a chance to win the door prize of a 3 day 2025 WAPPA Conference registration.
Save the Date for WAPPA Conference in 2025!
Plan ahead to join us next year and be a part of the WAPPA experience! Don't get caught out by booking other school events during the WAPPA Conference. Put these dates in your calendar today. 27 - 29 August 2025. #WAPPA25
Exclusive Offer Leadership PL for Deputy Principal Members!
At 9.00am tomorrow, Deputy/Associate Principal Members will receive an email inviting you to register for this discounted two day Professional Learning, exclusive offer. The Apple Education Team and our four School Leader Associations are pleased to bring you this amazing offer, that has already been run in other states, receiving great reviews. Numbers are limited, and strictly for Deputy Principals, so don't delay and register ASAP.
From the Field
Christmas Island District High School Students Aid Turtle Conservation on the Cocos Keeling Islands
Early in term 4, Year 8 students from Christmas Island District High School had an unforgettable experience during their Junior Ranger camp on the Cocos Keeling Islands, where they played an active role in a vital turtle conservation project. Partnering with marine biologists Dr. Scott and Dr. Andrea Whiting, the students assisted in essential research to protect the local turtle population.
