Presentation reports on a project to support more of our mob moving into leadership positions in NSW public schools. #OurMobTeach Conference, 30 September 2015

1. #OurMobTeach

2. Welcome …
Welcome and greetings from some of the NSW
Aboriginal language groups:
• Yaama (Gamilaraay Nation)
• Wadeo (Dharawal Nation)
• Giinagay (Gumbaynggirr Nation)
• Marang Ngindhugir Nginha (Wiradjuri Nation)
• Warami Budyyari (Dharug Nation)
• Yugga-danya (Anaiwan Nation)

3. A deadly circle …

4. The story …

5. The story continues …

6. Our Deadly Team
Susan
Daryl
Sasha
Eli
Kurt
Kirsty
Leisa
Peter
Rayna
Leanne
Christine
Greg
Jeremy
Michelle
Ann
Aaron
Dimiti
Della
Adrian Peter
Veronica
Pam
Gavin
Danny
Sam
Suzi

7. Our Goals …
• Moving more Aboriginal secondary teachers
into leadership positions within NSW
Department of Education schools.
• Supporting each of the project participants to
move further in their leadership journeys.
• Influencing the NSW DoE to make these goals
a higher priority (turning good intentions into
actions).

8. Because …
The notion of the under-representation of
Aboriginal people in leadership positions in our
schools is nonsensical in a modern Australia.

9. Why? - The Current Reality …
• There are approximately 770,000 students (50,000
Aboriginal 7%) in 1400 primary schools and 800
secondary/central schools within the NSW DoE.
• There are 20 Aboriginal Principals, 100 Aboriginal
Executive and 900 Aboriginal teachers in our system.
Primary Secondary Total
Principals 15 5 20
Executive 60 40 100
Teachers 600 300 900

10. Why? - The Current Reality …
• The NSW DoE has lighthouse Aboriginal teacher recruitment strategies.
• There is an increase in the number of Aboriginal teachers moving into
leadership positions in our Primary Schools.
• In NSW DoE Secondary Schools the reality is
– 5 Aboriginal Principals
– 5 Aboriginal Deputy Principals
– 30 Aboriginal Head Teachers
– 290 Aboriginal Teachers
– 330 Aboriginal people in teaching or promotions positions in the
secondary workforce out of …
– Good enough?
– Nuh!

11. What do we want?
If 7% of the student population are Aboriginal
Then we want equity …
– 7% of our teachers are Aboriginal
– 7% of our Executive are Aboriginal
– 7% of our Principals are Aboriginal
That seems fair!

12. When do we want it?
By September 2015
MATSITI conference in
Adelaide so we can
report our success.

13. A Plan …
Three strategic directions:
1. Supporting Individual Leadership Planning
2. Building a network of resources and people
3. Establishing Sustainability – A system’s approach

14. The Buy In
1. For our targeted Aboriginal teachers, it is about building confidence, being true to our
heritage, understanding the system and planning their careers.
2. For our Aboriginal Executive it is about role-modeling, mentoring and coaching for success.
3. For our Aboriginal Principals, it is about smoothing the path for those who come behind us.
4. For our Non-Aboriginal SPC Principal colleagues, it is about providing expert support for
success.
5. For our Directors and Directorate colleagues, it is about enabling sustainability at a systems
level

15. Making a start - conference in July
1. Make connections
2. Establish mentor relationships
3. Explore resources
4. Develop individual plans

19. Creating Sustainability
1. Aboriginal Principals supporting Aboriginal Executive
supporting Aboriginal teachers.
1. Develop strategic relationships with NSW SPC, NSW TF,
NSW Deadly Leaders Alliance, NSW AECG.
2. Tapping into the wealth of experience amongst the
principals in the NSW SPC Aboriginal Education Reference.
3. Explore NSW DoE systems capabilities.

24. Why …
We believe that:
• All of our Aboriginal students and teachers
and leaders can be Proud, that they can be
Strong, that they can be Smart and that they
can be Deadly.
• It is up to each one of us to have the tenacity
to make a difference and to be the
unstoppable force and the drivers of change
in the areas of our influence and beyond.