The NSW Secondary Deputy Principals’ Association Inc.

The New South Wales Secondary Deputy Principals’ Association Inc. (NSWSDPA) supports government school secondary deputy principals across NSW. Association membership is open to substantive deputy principals and those in long-term relieving and acting positions. This includes deputy principals in high schools, colleges, community schools (K – 12), central schools, schools for specific purposes with secondary enrolments and in corporate/support roles outside schools.

The Role of the NSWSDPA

The Association’s role is to enhance the effectiveness of NSW secondary deputy principals through advocacy, support, professional learning and collegial networks. This role will lead to better learning outcomes for students in public education.

The role of the Association includes:

• improving the effectiveness of deputy principals;
• providing a forum for professional discussion and debate;
• co-ordinating and facilitating meetings, professional learning activities and networks to assist deputy principals to be informed and empowered school leaders in learning communities;
• effectively participating in local and state level decision making;
• providing advice and welfare support for deputy principals;
• producing and distributing newsletters, bulletins and publications to deputy principals;
• establishing and maintaining a website and social media presence;
• identifying and meeting particular professional, collegial and personal needs of deputy principals, and preparing and delivering programs to meet those needs;
• representing the views of deputy principals to the Minister, the Department of Education, relevant interest groups and other stakeholder groups;
• advocacy for NSW secondary deputy principals, NSW secondary schools and public education in general;
• working with other professional associations and organisations to enhance the effectiveness of deputy principals and support public education.

Structural Organisation of the NSWSDPA

Members of the Association are represented by an Executive; comprising of the President, Vice-President Professional Learning, Vice-President Wellbeing, Vice President Advocacy, Publicity and Communication, Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Secretary who are elected bi-annually by the membership. When required, elections occur via an online ballot with results declared at the Annual General Meeting which is held during the State Conference. The Association's Constitution was amended in 2020 to allow for electronic voting to elect executive members. 

The Association and it’s members are presently supported by three executive officers, one of which is specifically to support the wellbeing of members and is supported by our Wellbeing Partner Teachers Health Fund.

The Executive meet with the State Congress during week seven of terms one, two and four. The State Congress comprises of representatives from regions and local network areas across NSW. The aim of the congress is to share professional learning and discuss a range of issues affecting the work and wellbeing of deputy principals.

The NSWSDPA also organises a State Professional Learning Day during term one of each school year, an Aspiring Deputy Principals Professional Learning Day in term two and an Annual Conference during term three to improve the professional learning, status and network of deputy principals. The Association works with the School Leadership Institute, the Department of Education and the Secondary principals Council to ensure that targeted professional learning programs, including Induction and Mentoring programs meet the needs of, and support the valuable role of, secondary deputy principals.

Membership

The membership year of the Association runs from Annual Conference to Annual Conference. Secondary Deputy Principals appointed for less than a school year may join for multiples of one school term.

To become a member, click here

Business Operations

For information on our Business Operations click here