President Angela Falkenberg looks back on the crowning achievements of the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA), and what challenges lie ahead, as it reaches a half-century milestone.
APPA’s longevity is testament to its credibility built on the professional wisdom and experience of its members. This wisdom has informed policy and practice, decision making and even building construction. It was the strong advocacy of past President Leonie Trimper that saw the Building Education Revolution (BER) introduced into primary schools in 2008. This initially provided $12.4 billion (later, $14.1 billion) for Australian primary schools to build new facilities, or to upgrade existing facilities.
There is trust in APPA’s advice, feedback, and advocacy work, as there should be, for APPA’s National Advisory Council (NAC) members have been elected by their peers as those best able to represent their collective professional views. The NAC is a nationally representative body of highly credentialed and credible school leaders from every corner of Australia, invested in all children in all schools, having quality educational experiences and opportunities.
Currently there is a national conversation about the need to ‘esteem the profession’ and this will more naturally occur when the profession is engaged at all levels of decision making. Being heard can take courage and persistence and APPA has exercised both many times in its history. The reflections of previous APPA presidents tell this story well and their courage motivates me to continue speaking up to ensure ‘the national voice’ is being clearly heard.
The educator landscape continues to change and evolve, mostly for the better, however, we continue to be confronted with challenges and we have yet to achieve education outcomes parity for our most vulnerable children and young people.
The number of children who have gaps in readiness for learning has increased over past decades. Data from the Australian Early Development Census along with teacher professional judgement informs us that this is the case. In recognition of this, in 2023 APPA joined the Thrive by Five initiative which aims to give all children a head start in life. This builds on the APPA 2019 paper Thrive by Five.
Overwhelming evidence shows that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life are critical for brain development and early experiences impact a child’s future, laying the foundations for learning. Reading to a baby is a key tool to achieve this and in 2024 APPA is inviting school libraries to welcome in families, babies, and young children to read together.
In recognition of the ongoing devastating impact that racism has on First Nation educators and families, APPA has
co-constructed an anti-racism statement and reflected on the role of school leaders in the creation of safe,
inclusive communities.
What does the future hold for APPA?
In nearly every community in Australia you will find a primary school at its heart, with a primary leader who keeps the heart beating. APPA is made up of thousands of heartfelt leaders across Australia.
Primary leaders associating at a national level will continue to be important; to education in general, to policy makers and to each other. APPA’s networks nourish and support members through positive, trusting relationships. APPA’s advocacy, and connected purpose is a crucial lifeline for leaders.
The upwards trajectory of job demands for primary leaders over the past 50 years (and the lack of increased resourcing to meet these demands) tells us that without attention to leader workload and the associated wellbeing, things will become even more dire.
Contributing to the trajectory are increased compliance tasks, measurement and outward facing accountability, complex student behaviour, community challenges such as impact of mental health, poverty, family violence, and the reduction of government and community services in many areas, leaving schools as the village to support the child. Teachers and leaders contribute significant goodwill, but it is a finite resource.
Going forward, I would like to see that the following questions are asked by policy makers and government when considering any new initiative, policy or practice.
What impact might this new initiative, policy or practice have on leader workload?
- Does it reduce it? (Well done)
- Does it maintain status quo? (What needs to be adjusted or resource added to ensure it addresses the challenge of leader workload?)
- Does it add to leader workload? (What needs to be adjusted or resource added
to ensure it addresses the challenge of leader workload?)
Without such consideration, the job that I believe can be the best in the world, will not be viewed as a desirable career. This is equally true for teaching. Workforce shortages that APPA forecast in 2008 have come to be realised and are presenting daily challenges for many leaders, but particularly those in country and remote areas of Australia.
Leaders and teachers will have a crucial role going forward in teaching and expecting respectful relationships, safety and civility and in connecting families to effective support. Schools are already a powerful place-based service but not fully appreciated in terms of their positive contribution to healthy, connected communities across the nation.
APPA’s voice will be essential in advocating for and crafting the primary leadership role to be manageable and therefore attractive, enjoyable, and sustainable. Job resources need to match job demands.
The community in general, and decision makers, need to value the primary profession for the wisdom, skills and experience brought daily to meeting children and young people at their point of need and in ensuring that community context frames successful practice.
There is much to be proud of in Australia’s primary education work and in the personal attributes, goodwill and moral purpose that primary leaders bring to their work.
Let’s pay attention to the impact of this good work and value the demonstrated commitment and expertise. In doing so, we build the trust that fosters the security and stability that underpins professional wellbeing.
Learn more about APPA at www.appa.asn.au.
