The Term 2 Principals Sub Branch meeting (pictured) was held at the Union’s Parramatta office on 4 May, with a focus on issues such as the increasing compliance demands on principals and staff and associated workload and wellbeing concerns.
Specific issues raised by principal members included the proliferation of testing and assessment regimes and the pressures associated with the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on students with disabilities or other needs.
A warm welcome to Principals Sub Branch was extended to Wollongong Diocese secondary Principal Wayne Marshall at his first meeting, with appreciation being expressed to Don Spencer for his many years of service as IEU Principals Rep in the Wollongong Diocese.
Further 2019 Principals Sub Branch meetings will be held on 3 August and 2 November at the IEU’s Parramatta office.
Regional IEU Principals Meetings at Newcastle and Burwood
Appreciation is expressed to the IEU Newcastle office and to Principals Sub Branch President Sidonie Coffey for hosting a breakfast meeting for principals in Newcastle on 17 May. Discussion included issues for the next principals’ EA, compliance requirements and associated workload concerns, and a range of specific Maitland-Newcastle Diocese matters in relation to the Work Practices Agreement and employment and staffing arrangements.
At Burwood on 21 May, Sydney Inner West region principals joined for breakfast with IEU officers Gloria Taylor, Pam Smith and Donna Widdison to discuss current issues and to explore options for the next principals’ EA. The meeting noted recent developments in the Sydney Archdiocese in relation to staffing for students with special needs and possible proposals for changes to contract renewal arrangements for leadership roles.
Thank you to IEU Principals Sub Branch member Des Fox for organising the Inner West breakfast meeting and for his leadership role with Sydney Archdiocese IEU principal members. The IEU looks forward to opportunities to meet with principals in the other SCS regions and/or collectively with principals in the Archdiocese.
Association of Catholic School Principals Conference
The IEU provided a ‘welcome letter’ to principals attending the Association of Catholic School Principals Conference held in Sydney from 22 to 24 May, with a focus on the valuable role of principals in the Union and the services and support available to principal members. Sincere thanks to those IEU principal members who assisted with the distribution of this Union material.