6 June 2025

President’s Report

Dear Members and Supporters of our Association,

I can honestly say that it brought us so much joy to see delegates at our conference engaging deeply in the conference program and making the most of the opportunity to quarantine two full days dedicated to your learning and wellbeing. With our 2025 Tasmanian Educational Leaders Conference at Wrest Point wrapped up, we'd like to provide a recap courtesy of our Association & conference Platinum Partners; MSP Photography, BFX Furniture,  Hart Sport, ZartArt, Easy Turf, Smart Group our conference sponsors Amplify, Caresuper, Moreton Group Medical Services, Growth Coaching, TheirCare and as well as all of our trade exhibitors.

Thank you to our MC Robyn Evans for her generosity of spirit, who so expertly ensured that the conference flowed as smoothly and professionally as it did. We were grateful for the Acknowledgement of Country from Corey Mundy & Ted Barrance, and the address from our Minister for Education, Jo Palmer MLC. The talent, passion and joy from students; Lollie year 6 student from Taroona Primary, Charlotte year 10 from Taroona High and Willa, a year 12 student from Hobart College completely captured the room. I’m sure it’s not the last we’ll see of these three performers!

What a lineup of keynote speakers that treated us with their unique interpretation of the conference theme! Dan Gregory, Tracey Ezard, Tom Brundzell, Rana Hussein, Richard Gerver and Julie Cross each captivated us and left us with some deep reflecting in the time that followed. Finally, we had a great time using our voice (and feet) rocking with The Kick Ons for our conference dinner.
We can’t put on a program of this magnitude without the support of the Conference Planners who were brilliant in pulling everything together to create a seamless experience for us all. TPA thank you all for your support and we look forward to us all coming together again for something special in 2026 in Launceston!

Thank you to delegates who have already completed the post-conference survey. It remains open until Thursday the 12^th of June, we encourage all members and school leaders, whether you attended or not to complete the survey. We’ll be drawing out one survey participant to win a complimentary Full Registration and 2 Nights of Accommodation for the 2026 Conference. https://forms.office.com/r/qCau8u1RKu

TPA Critical Incidents Research Update

In 2024, TPA partnered with the Australian Catholic University (ACU) to undertake a key piece of research in an area that will impact many of us across our careers – ‘Understanding the psycho-social impact on principals leading school communities through critical incidents’. Across recent weeks, we have had opportunities to revisit the finalised report which was published in November. Along with our research partners Dr HeeRa Ko and Dr Theresa Dicke from the ACU, we walked the Principals Australia Research Fund (PARF) Board through the research process, findings, recommendations, and most importantly, the early impact that we have seen as a result of the nationwide research. Across the past fortnight, East Derwent Primary Principal Ted Barrance and I have also presented to the Australian Education Union and the national team at Headspace. We see tremendous opportunities for significant and real policy and practice action at the school, state and national level. 

Secondary Trauma Stress Research

Since our last newsletter, a report was released about the impact and management of secondary trauma in educators. The research behind The Silent Cost, co-produced by Deakin University and The Energy Factory, was initiated by the Australian Special Education Principals Association (ASEPA) and then supported by the Australian Government Primary Principals Association. I’d like to acknowledge TPA members Lisa Wright, Sarah-Jane Murphy, Simon Ellaby and their ASEPA Colleagues for driving this, Dr Adam Fraser and the Energy Factory as project leads, and my West Australian colleague Melissa Gillett for the artful summary.   
The findings make for interesting – if not uncomfortable – reading.  Here are a few of the key findings:

Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) is higher for:

• School leaders, closely followed by teachers
• Educators working in Education Support within a Mainstream School score significantly worse than those working in Education Support Schools/Centres, with both scoring worse than those working in Mainstream Schools.
• Rural and remote schools
• Educators with 16 years or more of experience

Educators experience more STS than other professions in Australia:

• 21% higher than Psychologists
• 23% higher than Mental Health Nurses
• 34% higher than Paramedics

So, what is Secondary Traumatic Stress, and it is the same as Vicarious Trauma, Compassion Fatigue and Burnout?

There are some similarities between each of these, but also some key differences:

• Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) is the emotional stress that results when an individual hears about or witnesses the first-hand trauma of another person. Secondary Trauma is the development of PTSD-like symptoms without directly witnessing or being involved in a traumatic event. STS can occur unexpectedly and suddenly (i.e. not over time)
• Vicarious Trauma occurs from repeated exposure to other peoples’ trauma. It builds up over time, with those affected beginning to mirror the bio-psychosocial effects shown by victims of trauma
• Burnout is a work-related stress, causing emotional and psychological exhaustion. It is (generally) not a form of trauma.
• Compassion Fatigue is caused by the emotional residue of working with those who have experienced trauma. It may cause emotional exhaustion and a lack of empathy towards victims of trauma. Some consider Compassion Fatigue to be a combination of STS and Burnout.

Will everyone be affected in the same way?

The short answer is no. The research found there are some people who report low levels of STS, despite having high levels of exposure. They used multiple strategies (usually three or more) to minimise the impact, categorised as:

Is this all that is needed?

No. Relying on the individual as a prime strategy to prevent, reduce and mitigate STS will not work. It needs a multi-pronged response from Governments, Education Departments and School Leaders including:

• Formal recognition of STS as a professional risk
• Introduction of STS as a concern in all undergraduate teaching degrees
• Provision of highly effective evidence-based self-care training to mitigate STS and Burnout
• Provision of trauma-informed practice training at a school level for better student outcomes
• Access to professional supervision for educators
• Increased funding and resourcing to child and health care services and systems – mental health care services, department of Child Services to meet the levels of mandatory reporting
• Better coordination between schools and community services in regions
• Timely and effective responses from mandatory reporting systems
• Supervisor support for School Principals as they provide supervisor support to their teachers

New Members

A warm welcome to our new members who have joined our association in recent weeks. We look forward to your engagement with your Association for many years to come!

• Megan Bennell – Brighton High School
• Megan Hills  – Forest Primary School
  

Farewell

For those not already aware, following 43 years of service to public education in our state, Maureen McKeown has decided to retire. Echoing Trudy Pearce’s comments about Maureen’s character, impact and accomplishments, Maureen is also fiercely proud of the profession, and what it represents. This goes beyond her leadership contributions as Principal – of Snug Primary School, Principal Network Leader, Assistant General Manager, Director of School Improvement and Director Improvement Partnerships, and continuing as a member of our Principals Association for more than 20 years.

Maureen was due to head to family in Canada the next day, so we were just delighted that she joined TPA Vice President Monique Carter, Ali Lacey and I so we could present Maureen with an original framed piece of student artwork from one of our immensely talented year 12 students, as a small token of our appreciation.

Warm regards

Mat

Thank You to Our Valued Conference Supporters

On behalf of the Tasmanian Principals Association, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our partners and supporters for your generous contribution to the success of the 2025 Tasmanian Educational Leaders Conference.

Your commitment plays a pivotal role in helping us create a meaningful and impactful event for school leaders across the state. Whether through your presence as an exhibitor, your engagement in sessions and conversations, or your ongoing partnership throughout the year, your support enhances the experience for our members and helps strengthen connections between schools and the wider education community.

We appreciate your continued support and look forward to working together throughout the year.

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Intentional Leadership Professional Wellness Program

We are pleased to partner with Lee Crocket and provide the opportunity for members to access the  Intentional Leadership Professional Wellness Program, a powerful, year-long experience focused on sustaining clarity, purpose, and professional wellness. This program is a proven way to equip leaders with the tools, community, and support they need to thrive.

• $1995 per participant
• 12-month journey (approx. 3 hours/month)
• Delivered in our private Excellence Network community
• Structured around 4 arcs with 3 professional drivers in each
• School leaders from across Australia learning and growing together

Upcoming free workshop dates to learn more:

• June 11
• June 26
• July 9
• August 6

National Associations

Multipliers

Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your leadership growth and connect with colleagues across the state. Register for the Multipliers leadership program from FranklinCovey.

To ensure the sessions go ahead, we need a minimum of 15 participants, so we encourage you to register as soon as possible.

Teachers Health Fund Awarded - Private Health Insurer of the Year

As the health fund for the education community, we’re checking in ahead of your (hard-earned) winter break! Read on to discover marvelous member savings – or for those still to join, an inviting introductory offer.  

But first, a ’proud health fund moment’... 

Your (double) award-winning fund 
Positive feedback is truly meaningful when it comes from those, you’re most invested in. For you, that may be a student, parent or mentor. For us, it’s our members. 

So, it was great to be recognised, not once but twice, as Roy Morgan’s Private Health Insurer of the Year and Not-for-Profit/Restricted Private Health Insurer of the Year.  

Based on feedback from over 60,000 Australians, these awards reflect our commitment to those who dedicate themselves to others. A good report isn’t grounds for complacency though, so let’s get back to you!   

Cashback for members 
Teachers Health members who join our Member Rewards program can earn cashback shopping at selected retailers. Shivering through recess? Try 5% back at Kathmandu. Sinking into a hot bath? Earn 5% on Sheridan towels or ECOYA candles. Set-and-forget cashback is one of many ways your membership can work as hard as you do.   

Haven’t joined yet? 
Get 6 weeks free when you join with Hospital & Extras cover by 30 June and skip the 2 & 6-month waits on popular Extras*. Get an online quote or call us on 1300 900 301 for more info.  

*Offer ends 30 June 2025, eligibility and T&Cs apply.

TPA Partners

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