Thank you to all for your work in a generally smooth start to the year.  With final numbers now in and staffing due to be confirmed, I know that learning programs will be in full swing.  It has been great to visit a number of schools and I'm very grateful for the opportunity to meet some of the staff and students in a large number of schools.

It is very clear to all of us that we must remain committed to ensuring that enhanced learning is what it is all about.  At our Office of Schools Portfolio conference in Sydney during the last week of the January vacation, both the DG, Andrew Cappie-Wood and the DDG Trevor Fletcher spoke of the relationship between the NSW State Plan and the drivers for our work on a system wide level.  It is clear that there will be a sustained focus on the use of clear evidence as a basis for decision making and a sustained response to the reality that, as a system consuming 25% of the state budget, there will continue to be rigorous examination by treasury and others of the value which is being added to the public good by state investment.  This conference is mirrored throughout the year by single day meetings at the end of each other vacation period.  They provide an opportunity for all SEDs from across the state to meet and work with DET Senior Officers.

Some of these key messages will be shared by John Mather with all Principals at group meetings taking place in the next weeks, as well as with the Principals' Advisory Group, the P&C Advisory Group etc.

HCC4 Principals will be meeting in conjunction with HCC5 Principals on Tuesday 27th February at Panthers Newcastle.  You will receive more information closer to the date.

If you have anything you'd like to suggest for the agenda, please let me know as soon as possible.

Last week, we held our first Regional Executive meeting for the year, and it was the first time our new team was together. Just like any executive, we have spent time looking at roles, responsibilities and in making plans for the year ahead.

Along with these meetings and a couple of days in Sydney for a Student Services briefing, time has been spent visiting a number of schools.  I've been impressed by the sense of purpose in the schools I've been to, and it has been great to meet a diverse range of people, and to witness first hand the great relationships which exist in some contexts. The opportunity this role provides to meet children and young people across the entire K-12 continuum along with the variety of people who work with them is a great thing !

PARS process and visits

In the next week or so I'll be getting information out about planning for the first of our series of "formal" visits for the year.  Some of you will remember that an online booking system was used last year and I'll be setting up a similar process for this year.  Look for details in the next week or so.  In the meantime, if you'd like to review the background to PARS and see resources from 2006, don't forget to look at the links and posts on the HCC4 blog.  Just remember that the generic username is 'hcc4' and the password 'blog'  If asked to re-enter, please do. 

The PARS information is at http://pryorcommitment.com/hcc4/?page_id=10

Contact Information

I now have a "work" mobile, using the same number as that previously used by Wayne Ible.  The mobile number is 0422 420194.  You can continue to contact me via this number, or the office or by email.  Also happy to receive SMS.  Whatever is going to be the most effective means to suit the situation is fine by me.

School Signs -  Just a couple noticed around our schools in the last few weeks :

"Happy kids...happy teachers!"

"Sometimes they're just too busy to change me!"

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Metaphors for our operation

And finally, I've been giving some though to a mental model which looks at the way that we may operate as an organisational group.  The diagram below is just one possible metaphor.  Prior to our meeting on 27 Feb, why not give some though to any issues we need to discuss related to our structures and our work this year.

And here we are:  week three already.  Coming up this week:  Principals' Advisory Group; Relieving Principal selection for West Wallsend, School Visits in the Beresfield group and others missed so far.  Newcastle and Lake Macquarie PPA meetings. P&C Advisory Group meeting; Merewether High Prefect Induction.

I hope you have a great week