Newsletter

We would like to Welcome Bevan Verryt from Campbells Bay School to the APPA executive as the nominated representative for NZPPA Principals.

I trust you are all well and no doubt looking forward to a much deserved slowdown. This newsletter includes a host of updates concerning work we have been engaging with on your behalf over the term. It would be fair to say there a number of areas that are causing unnecessary pain. Whilst we appreciate some of this is due to the challenges faced by the public sector some things are simply unacceptable such as BT's waiting over a term to be paid their correct salary or Principals flying blind while we wait for resourcing to catch up.

All this being said, stories I have been hearing from Principals about what is happening in their own schools have been totally heartwarming. It's like hearing stories from 5 years ago. Schools are busy, camps are happening, sports are up and running, and young people are keen to be back at school and learning. Whilst it can be easy to focus on the pain points I have always found a walk through the playground or a classroom reminds me why I do this job, a job I love. Kids, that's why we're all here :) 

In case you missed the email, a full list of schools involved in the Property Review process has been uploaded to the MOE website. This link takes you to the relevant section.

https://www.education.govt.nz/our-work/changes-in-education/value-for-money-reviews/

The APPA Executive has worked with the 3 Te Mahau directors across Auckland to establish a working relationship with regular planned meetings. This is a reciprocal relationship that ensures we are able to bring key issues to the three directors in a timely and proactive fashion whilst also gaining insights into MOE developments.

We will continue to seek input from our members to ensure we are capturing the most pressing issues.

Over the past couple of weeks, you will have no doubt seen the reports shared by ERO regarding behaviour in our schools and the implementation and rollout of the New Zealand Histories curriculum. The reports provide a great deal of support to many of our causes. In addition, they also share some great examples of successes across the sector. ERO has recently created a new site that provides much easier access to this fantastic resource and the support material.

This new site is https://www.evidence.ero.govt.nz/

Today it seems a number of schools that had applied for RAPLD have heard that the priorities have changed after the fact meaning many applications may no longer be deemed appropriate. We are looking into this matter and will come back to you with more on this as soon as possible.

This year we met with the following officials;

  • Minster Erica Stanford
  • Opposition Spokesperson Jan Tinetti
  • Secretary for Education Iona Holsted
  • Deputy Chief Executive Review and Improvement ERO Jane Lee
  • Teaching Council Lesley Hoskin
  • NZPF President Leanne Otene

Some of the themes discussed included;

  • Ongoing concerns regarding addressing workforce issues including;
    • the persistent lack of teachers across Auckland
    • understanding graduate numbers
    • salary assessment processes including delays in assessments
    • delays in updating Pourato
    • reintroduction of the PCT Programme
  • Priorities in relation to any review of resourcing reallocation
  • The need for greater resourcing in the Primary sector
  • The impact of High Needs students on schools and the need for support
  • Insights into how the curriculum is progressing

We are currently working very closely with the MOE and EPL to understand and resolve the significant issues around salary assessment timelines. Today we have been informed that the timeline for processing has been extended from 15 to 25 days. In addition, we are putting pressure on resourcing to ensure all requests are resolved by the end of the month. This includes the likes of Kahui Ako time, BT release time and other relevant changes that impact staffing. We have been told this is a resourcing issue at their end which does not make up for the stress and difficulty this places on schools.

One area we are particularly focused on is starting rates. We have queried why a newly trained teacher who has been registered and granted Provisional Certification is not automatically placed on the base qualified rate as a matter of course as the only way to receive Provisional Certification is to hold an appropriate qualification. I think we may finally be making some headway in this space.

It seems no one really knew about this or understood why we continue to start BT's on the unqualified and untrained rate. My hunch is this is a hangover from the old Q1, Q2, Q3 days. We will continue to push this issue until it is resolved.

One thing you can do to assist is to check your Salary Assessment Applications in case you have some outstanding requests.

To do this go here https://takueducationnz.my.site.com/s/

Once you're in click on Salary Assessment at the top of the page to see if you have any active requests.

You will need Taku access in your Education Sector Login portal if you don't already have it.

A very big thank you to all of you who completed this survey. We had 275 responses from 422 schools. Although this only represents 65% of schools, it provides enough data to give a clear picture of the current state of Auckland Staffing to the Minister.

I have spoken directly to the Minister about this report and talked her through the key messages you have shared. One comment she made regarding the challenges relating specifically to Primary teacher supply, is that the MOE has provided national data that suggests we have an oversupply of Primary teachers. This is the underlying reason that only Secondary saw changes to immigration settings. This being said, the minister understands that whilst there may be enough teachers, they are not necessarily in Auckland and of those that are, many are not suitable.

I am currently working with the workforce team to understand the sources of their data so we can ensure there is an accurate picture of the current workforce to make intelligent decisions going forward to address this persistent issue.

Here is a link to the report.

One of the most startling findings suggests that there are approximately 10,000 students across Auckland with no permanent teacher.

Since its inception in 1966, the APPA-TTPA-ASB Travelling Fellowship has been a hallmark of excellence in educational leadership. This prestigious award, supported financially by ASB and granted leave on pay by the Ministry of Education (MOE), has recognized outstanding principals in the Auckland and/or Tai Tokerau areas. Now, as we embark on the journey towards the 2025 fellowship, applications are officially open, offering an opportunity for visionary leaders to expand their horizons overseas and enrich their professional development.

Click here to learn more

We look forward to working closely with you all this year as a new set of directives and policies emerge over the coming months.

We look forward to seeing those who have booked to attend lunch this week. Cluster presidents will be meeting before the lunch. The lunch will include the AGM which will be a relatively short affair.

The lunch details are as follows:

  • Event: Business Partner Luncheon/AGM
  • Date: Wednesday 28th February
  • Time: 12:30pm - 2:00pm
  • Location: Greenlane Events Centre, Tote on Ascot

We are getting very close to being fully subscribed. If you are planning on attending this year we urge you to book ASAP to avoid disappointment. Further information, along with accommodation and booking details are available on the APPA website. www.appa.org.nz 

For a direct link to the booking information please click here

The executive is currently engaged in several projects with the MOE and other agencies. In addition to this work, we will be heading to Wellington shortly for our annual face-to-face meetings with Peak Body Leaders, Ministry Officials and Key Ministers. We also align this with the NZPF moot so we can continue to advocate on your behalf at a national level. Some of the key pieces of work we are currently engaged with are;

  • Identifying and Responding to Rapid Roll Growth
  • Alternative Pathways to Teaching
  • Establishing a National Leadership Centre
  • Supporting the revised Beginning Principal Programme
  • Hosting 'Quartley Education Discussions' with key sector leaders
  • Te Mātaiaho Workplan
  • Reviewing the structure, design and function of the APPA

These past few weeks have certainly been a sobering reminder of the toll leadership can take. With the passing of Paeariki Johnson, Efeso Collins and most recently Paul McKinley, we are reminded of the importance of making sure we care for ourselves so we may continue to care for others. As we are reminded every time we fly...put your own oxygen mask on first so you may then assist others.

I don't need to tell you how demanding this job can be, but I do urge you to take a moment to reflect on the strategies you have in place to make sure you can continue the incredible work you all do for many years to come.

Our thoughts remain with the communities, friends and whānau that have been so sadly impacted over these past few weeks.

APPA congratulates Kevin Bush (Tāmaki Herenga Waka), Saane Faaofo-Oldehaver (Pacific), and Phil Toomer (Tāmaki Herenga Tangata) on their appointments as Leadership Advisors.

It is great that two of our executive team have been appointed to these important roles supporting principals. 

This week Tāmaki Herenga Waka sent out an exhaustive list of tasks for Term 4 of everything we already do (depending on our school context). The list is designed to help principals keep on top of everything in a busy term and to keep principals safe from missing something important. It will also be useful to share with school boards to illustrate the busy-ness of our role.

We are sharing it here with permission.  

The APPA is in discussion with the Ministry of Education to get clarity around the end-of-year reporting requirements. Once we have clarity, we will share this with you.

October Council Meeting 

A reminder that the APPA Council is meeting 12.30pm on 25 October at Kohia Teachers Centre.  We look forward to seeing Cluster/Association Presidents at this meeting.   The Agenda is here. 

End of Year APPA Awards

Retirements

We acknowledge all of those colleagues who are retiring in 2023 at our annual awards luncheon in November. Please let Sue Green know of any principal retirements so we may acknowledge their mahi executivesecretary@appa.org.nz 

The Executive is also seeking nominations for our annual service awards.  See criteria below for our Fellow and Distinguished Fellow Awards.  

Fellow of the APPA Award This award may be given to current principals, retired principals, or others (i.e. not principals) who have given notiable service to the APPA and or made a positive impact on education. APPA Members shall refer nominations to the Executive for approval via their local Principals' Cluster or Association with the endorsement of that Cluster/Association's President.  The Executive may also nominate APPA members for this award. 

Distinguished Fellows of the APPA Award This award may be given to current principals, retired principals, or others (i.e. not principals) who have already been awarded "Fellows of the APPA"  (or the former Service with Distinction Award) and who have continued to give notiable service to the APPA and to education.

APPA Members shall refer nominations to the Executive for approval via their local Principals Cluster/Association with the endorsement of that Cluster/Association's President.  The Executive may also nominate APPA members for this award. 

https://appa.org.nz/appa-awards-and-executive-history - previous awardees.  Please send any nomintions to heathm@appa.org.nz  

Your support in acknowledging our colleagues is much appreciated. 

The recent resourcing and Banked Staffing seminar was a great success. It was fantastic to see many principals there with someone else from their schools who support them in this space. Wayne and Lesley both made it very clear that they are there to help...keeping in mind Wayne is a private contractor. This being said...watch this space as we are looking at creative solutions to make Wayne more readily available to members whilst reducing the financial impact. Lesley Winstanley has made a significant impact in the resourcing space and is doing some excellent work with schools.

Here is a link to Wayne's materials in case you missed the session along with a link to the various staffing and funding forms that may be useful.

Lesley is available at lesley.winstanley@education.govt.nz