Welcome to our website, created through the dedicated efforts of our Association to better support Deputy Principals in secondary public schools. Their contribution is vital to ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has equal access to quality education.  

As Deputy Principals we play a key role in caring for student wellbeing whilst supporting staff to ensure that our schools deliver high quality education. 

Deputy Principals are critical to the school’s executive team. Their role is characterised by the need to adapt to the specific circumstances of their school and communities.

It is a complex and demanding role and one in which you can find both guidance and camaraderie through our professional association.

In 2025 our Association membership grew to 846 of the approximately 1100 secondary Deputy Principals in NSW public schools. These numbers are made up of substantively appointed secondary Deputy Principals across the state and the many relieving, acting or additional school-funded Deputy Principals employed in schools.

If you are interested in joining us, please click here.

Our Association focuses on three key areas:

1. Wellbeing

We support the wellbeing of Deputy Principals through collegial networks with targeted support from our Wellbeing Officer and Vice President Wellbeing, generously supported by Teachers Health Fund.

2. Professional Learning

• The NSWSDPA State Conference, organised by local conference teams each year in late August or early September
• The NSWSDPA Professional Learning Day, held annually in Sydney
• The NSWSDPA Aspiring Deputy Principal Day, also held each year in Sydney;
• Collegial networks operating in local areas
• Our MS Teams platform, offering collaboration and support opportunities for members
• Our website as a hub of resources

3. Advocacy

       Advocating for the significance of the Deputy Principal role through participation in:

• DoE consultation.
• Collaboration with the State Principal’s Council.
• Collaboration with the School Leadership Institute.

I am honoured to be part of this dynamic Association. The commitment of our members to the Deputy Principal role and to supporting each other is truly exceptional.

Natalie Martin
NSWSDPA PRESIDENT

September 2025