Welcome

Welcome to the NSW Branch of IPSHA

It is a great privilege to be involved in the education of children and particularly the education of Primary aged children where those important foundations, so essential for learning and life, are being established.

Leadership in Primary education is also a great privilege and indeed a great challenge in the midst of the increasingly complex and rapidly changing educational landscape within which we work.

IPSHA is a wonderful professional association, which offers so much to assist Primary Heads, their schools and their staff, in doing this vital task of Primary education and leadership well.

Branch meetings each term provide strong collegial support and offer excellent professional development opportunities, including regular key updates from the AIS on significant current educational issues and a strong focus on the important area of national curriculum development.

Members come from a wide range of independent schools across the state, and bring a rich diversity of experience and wisdom to share with others. A strong collegial support network is so important in managing the growing demands of Primary leadership and time for sharing in small group discussions, working together in focussed committee groups, as well as building relational links over meals, are all important aspects also included regularly as part of Branch meetings.

Annual NSW Branch Country Weekends and Bi-ennial National IPSHA Conferences are always wonderful and significant events, which add further to the valuable professional and collegial support available.

While IPSHA offers much for members, the Association also provides a wide range of support networks for staff and many opportunities for students within member schools. Umbrella groups link executive and teaching staff with specialist interests and responsibilities and allow for a rich interchange of ideas and resources through regular meetings and resultant networking activities.

Performing Arts Festivals, Debating programmes, Social Issues Expos, Travelling Art exhibitions, Chess challenges and a wide range of Saturday Sport activities, all offer students in member schools wonderful opportunities to participate, share and develop their talents and interests alongside others. Key sport carnivals and trials also provide a clear and appropriate pathway to CIS for talented sporting students.

We each seek in our own situation, to be effective in our headship roles through providing rich learning environments; wise informed leadership; sound advice and consistent encouragement; and strong pastoral care; while also addressing the multitude of other important areas that all help to build excellent schools. IPSHA is committed to supporting independent primary school heads in this role in a collegial, inclusive, friendly and professional manner.

Regardless of the location, size, nature or age of the school where you are involved, I welcome your membership and encourage your whole-hearted participation. I commend the Association to you sincerely and I look forward to sharing with you during this current bi-ennium.

Graeme Feeney
IPSHA (NSW) President 2010-2012