Regional Report, February 2009

REGIONAL REPORT, FEBRUARY 2009

Bushfire response

I have attended a number of regional meetings of Principals whose schools and communities have been affected, in some cases devastated, by the bushfires.

Principals are at the forefront of their communities in supporting people through events that have been tragic for themselves, their families and their neighbours. It will need all of us, as colleagues and friends, to be mindful of the short and long term effects for Principals as they work their way through their personal and their community’s grief and trauma.

At VASSP out thoughts are with you.

We have included below some related comments.

Ø  National trauma, loss and grief network – a useful link can be found at http://www.earlytraumagrief.anu.edu.au/ This network is run by Professor Beverley Raphael who is an internationally recognised expert. She is currently advising the Prime Minister and is the Victorian expert on the immediate, short-term and long-term effects of the bushfires on children and young people.

Ø  Rubicon and Bogong Outdoor Centres

We want to publicise this message from Dean McLean, Principal at Rubicon and Steve McMurtrie, Principal at Bogong:

Despitefires continuing to burn across the State of Victoria in various locations, DEECD has now declared Rubicon Outdoor Centre and Bogong Outdoor Education Centre to be open. With the support of the Hume Regional Office and local services we are regularly communicating with all appropriate channels to keep abreast of developments and making informed decisions as required. Schools and groups booked may now contact Rubicon (on 5773 2285) and Bogong (on 57541732), to discuss the implications of the recent fires ontheir program/booking.

Unfortunately some schools are cancelling their bookings unnecessarily and therefore placing the local communities under further financial pressure. Wethank our client schools for their understanding and patience

Ø  Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia – thanks to our sponsor Konica Minolta who donated a brand new colour photocopier to one of the schools destroyed by the bushfires. We thank them for their generosity.

Ø  Fundraising – Vicki Nolen, Principal at Cobram Secondary College has sent the following message:

Everyone has been touched by the recent bushfires and like many schools our students are attempting to fundraise and if possible we would appreciate if you could promote their idea with appropriate staff and students.

We support the yellow ribbon however our students decided to design a wrist band that is very appealing to younger people. The cost is extremely cheap and if your school orders the bands it is a fun and easy way to raise money on behalf of your school for the relief fund. Wristbands are offered at .20cents each (+GST .22each) with the following print:

VICTORIA SCHOOLS BUSHFIRE RELIEF APPEAL 2009 TOGETHER, STRONG & UNITED

You can fax an order to PAYLESS PROMOTIONS on 51443999 with details of the number of bands you require and a delivery address. Bands are then sold for $2 with all takings donated to the Bushfire Relief Fund.

IT and Rudd “Computer Money” – the latest

Erle Bourke, General Manager of Information Technology with DEECD, spoke to us at our recent Committee meeting. Some points arose that will help with your planning:

·  New WAPs (Wireless Access Points) are planned for schools to replace the existing ones that are aging. The new ones will be able to better cater for the higher demands coming from increased numbers of machines because of the Rudd money. The one snag though is because the Aussie dollar has dropped the price for these replacements has significantly increased, therefore fewer can be acquired.

·  Schools should now be planning for a “one to one “ ratio of access for students, as this is the new benchmark being proposed by DEECD with the initiatives being rolled out in some regions already e.g. Netbooks for all grade 5 students in 4 regions.

·  The Commonwealth now provides $1000 + $1500 for each new/additional machine under the computer revolution for students at years 9 -12. However, our understanding is, schools will only receive $1700 of this directly. The argument goes as follows:

o  DEECD allocates $600 to increase TSSP time

o  DEECD allocates $200 to pay for Microsoft licences

o  Machines, netbooks/laptops can be bought for $850

o  This means the school has $850 remaining for infrastructure

·  It needs to be noted that if the machine is replacing an existing one the infrastructure money is not available to the school

UBS Young Women’s Leadership Academy 2009

An email was sent to all members last Friday outlining the details of this year’s program. Please note only 15 girls will be selected from Victoria for this prestigious program. The closing date is March 11th.

Recent Advice from the MPB

The new Chairperson of the Merit Protection Board is Peter Hibbins, a former secondary Principal. At recent meetings he has made a number of useful points:

·  You are strongly recommended to bring someone from your professional association with you if you come before the Merit Protection Board.

·  Principals are not updating their understanding of the new guidelines. It is imperative that with changes to the guidelines, particularly in the areas of selection and performance assessment, that principals undertake upskilling.

·  Be aware that family friendly policy guidelines apply in schools and are relevant to family leave and requests for part time work. A school has to have reasonable grounds to refuse such requests and the onus of proof is on the employer. Schools have to have updated leave policy in line with new rules. It is important to make notes of what was decided and considered along the way.

·  You can only move someone from fixed-term to ongoing employment in response to an advertisement.

·  Selection grievances will only occur if the selection process isn’t correctly followed e.g. manifestly inconsistent with selection criteria, tagging jobs to ensure only one person is eligible

·  Referrals need to be dealt with before other applications can be considered, and unless they don’t meet the criteria within six months with support, they are ongoing with the new school.

·  Only applicants can appeal. Prior knowledge must be declared and documented, relative to the criteria, not shared unless it is validated by a referee. Non-nominated referees can be asked questions related to the criteria, and to the application claims.

Teacher needed

Brauer College in Warrnambool has an Assistant Principal vacancy for Head of Middle School. Details are available on Recruitment Online and applications close on March 4th.

PRINCIPAL CLASS APPOINTMENTS

The following appointments have been recently notified. VASSP members are asked to make contact with newly appointed principal class officers and encourage them to come along to regional meetings and join the Association.

We have also printed below the list of Regional Network Leaders appointments to date.

PRINCIPAL CLASS APPOINTMENTS

Name Position School

Scott Hucker AP2-3 Belmont High School

Susan Kelly AP1-2 Matthew Flinders Girls S C

Ray Stevens AP1-2 Epping Secondary College

Geraldine Moloney PR3-5 Braybrook College

Lynita Taylor PR2-4 Numurkah Secondary College

Lynne Hardy PR2-4 Korumburra Secondary College

Michelle Reid-Metcalf AP1-1 Kurnai College

Heather Redmond PR2-3 Myrtleford P-12 College

Vaya Cross AP1-2 Warragul Regional College

Janine Leed AP1-2 Warragul Regional College

Heather Sarau PR3-5 Wangaratta High School

Nicholas Lynch AP1-2 Torquay P-9 College

Fiona Kerton AP1-2 Caroline Springs College

Matthew Jobling AP2-3 Kurnai College

Peter Tonis AP1-2 Mill Park Secondary College

Cecilia Hoey AP2-3 Sunbury College

Geoff Dillon AP2-3 Sunbury College

Susanne Gill AP1-2 McGuire College Shepparton

Vitina Agosta AP 1-1 Wyndham Vale P-9/Specialist

Patrick Boyd AP2-3 Chandler Secondary College

Christine McKersie PR2-3 Wycheproof P-12 College

Judith Curson AP2-3 Elisabeth Murdoch College

Denise Veltre PR2-4 Lalor North Secondary College

Malcolm Goldsworthy PR2-3 Boort Secondary College

Andrew McIntosh PR2-4 Maffra Secondary College

Geoffrey Sawyer PR2-4 Ararat Community College Colan Distel PR2-3 Hawkesdale P12 College

Geoffrey Rigby PR2-3 Donald High School

Denise McLachlan PR2-3 Lavers Hill P-12 College

Genevieve Simson PR2-4 Brimbank College

Janet Matthews PR2-4 Grovedale College

Helen Gaylard PR2-3 Lorne Aireys Inlet P-12 College

Kim Marie Patterson AP1-2 Oberon High School

Bill Panas AP1-1 The Lakes South Morang P-9

Linda Vincent AP3 Pakenham Secondary College

Randall Jones AP1-1 Cobram Secondary College

Maria Bawden PR3-5 Footscray City College

Lisa Sperling PR3-5 Williamstown High School

Karen Lee AP1-1 Mount Erin Secondary College

Patricia Broom AP1-2 Upper Yarra Secondary College

Barry Holden AP1-2 Myrtleford P-12 College

John Ingram AP2-3 Colac Secondary College

Shelley Kay AP1-1 Ouyen P-12 College

Regional Network Leaders (by Region)

Phone Fax

Barwon South Western Region 5225 1000 5225 1099

PO Box 2086 Ms Robyn Jeffery Barwon South

GEELONG VIC 3220

Ms Anne Hollander Geelong/Bellarine

5A Little Ryrie Street

GEELONG VIC 3220 Mr Graeme Holmes Portland Hamilton

Ms Jane Maine Warrnambool

Ms Vicki Renick Geelong North

Ms Jan Rollinson Colac/Corangamite

Eastern Metropolitan Region 9265 2400 8561 2777

Level 2, 295-297 Springvale Road Mr Jeremy Beard Boroondara Network

GLEN WAVERLEY VIC 3150

Ms Barbara Crowe Yarra Valley

Ms Mandy Dunn Manningham

Mr Garry Embry Yarra Ranges

Mr Geoff Flett Maroondah Network

Ms Vicki Forbes Whiteash Network

Ms Heather Hopcroft Monash Network

Ms Anne-Marie Quinn Dandenong Ranges

Mr Gray Ryan Knox Network

Mr Rod Williamson Whitehorse Network

Gippsland Region 5127 0400 5126 1933

PO Box 381 Ms Robyn Cotton East Gippsland

MOE VIC 3825 Mr Ian Hall

Ph: 5152 4022

Cnr Kirk & Haigh Streets

MOE VIC 3825

Mr Mark Anderson LaTrobe Valley

Mr Anthony Rodaughan

Ph: 5127 0400

Ms Sharon Adams South Gippsland

Ph: 5662 5838

Mr Glyn Milner Wellington Network

Ph: 5144 1844

Ms Alex Panayiotou West Gippsland

Ph: 5623 5766

Phone Fax

Grampians Region 5337 8444 5333 2135

109 Armstrong Street North Ms Wendy Baker Highlands Sth

BALLARAT VIC 3350

Mr Peter Brain Central Network

Mr Dennis Chamberlain North East

Mr John Cortese Highlands City

Mr Brendan Ryan Wimmera East

Hume Region 5761 2100 5762 5039

PO Box 403 Mr Stuart Brain Alpine Network

BENALLA VIC 3672

Ms Jan Gregory Southern Hume

Arundel Street

BENALLA VIC 3672 Ms Janet Gill Kirkman The Ranges

Ms Marian Lawless Goulburn-Murray

Mr Geoffrey Lowcock Upper Hume

Ms Barbara O’Brien Ovens & Murray

Ms Judy Rose Shepparton Network

Loddon Mallee Region 5440 3111 5442 5321

PO Box 442 Ms Robyn Blackie Mallee Network

BENDIGO VIC 3550

Mr Gary Costello Sandhurst Network

37-43 Havlin Street East

BENDIGO VIC 3550 Ms Anne Cunniff Bendigo Network

Mr Vince Dobbs Sunraysia Network

Ms Helen Hobley Goldfields Network

Mr James Mulraney Campaspe Network

Ms Pam Toose Macedon Ranges

Northern Metropolitan Region 9488 9488 9488 9440

Locked Bag 2001 Mr Rob Brookes Whittlesea Network

COBURG VIC 3058

Mr Peter Enright Moreland Network

Level 2, 189 Urquhart Street

COBURG VIC 3058 Ms Susan Gilheany Darebin Network

Mr John Nelson Hume Network

Mr Claude Sgroi Hume Network

Ms Anne M. Rae Banyule Network

Ms Kerri Simpson Moreland Network

Mr Mark Thompson Nillumbik Network

Phone Fax

Southern Metropolitan Region 9794 3555 9794 3500

PO Box 5 Ms Margaret Bainbridge Stonnington

DANDENONG VIC 3175

Ms Leonie Campbell Southern Peninsula

33 Princes Highway

DANDENONG VIC 3175 Ms Cheryl Chapple Northern Peninsula

Mr David Green Port Phillip-Bayside

Ms Judi Gurvich Kingston Network

Mr John Haines Casey North

Mr Simon Hamilton Casey South

Mr John Keysers Greater Dandenong

Mr Brian Mills Central Peninsula N

Ms Jan White Cardinia Network

Western Metropolitan Region 9291 6500 9291 6565

Level 4, 369 Royal Parade Mr Stephen Boyle Wyndham Network

PARKVILLE VIC. 3052

Ms Sue Conquest Hobsons Bay

Mr Jeff Cooper Melton Network

Mr John Dainutis Moonee Valley

Mr Peter Devereux Deer Park/Sunshine

Ms Ann Fox Keilor/St Albans

Ms Lynette Jobson Maribyrnong

VASSP Contacts:

VASSP office phone Ph: 93207100 (Please change your records as the old phone number no longer works)

VASSP office fax Fax: 9326 8147

Marion Heale, Field Officer Ph: 0408 401 755

Morris Sleep, Field Officer Ph: 0409 007 153

Ian Wallis, Project Officer Ph: 0412 805 895

Ron Elliott, Project Officer Ph: 0407 347 470

Brian Burgess, President Ph: 0407 845 036

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