Independent Primary School Heads of Australia
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| Formation | September 1952 |
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Membership
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380 member schools |
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Federal President
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Deb Dalwood |
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Executive Assistant
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Simone Larwood |
| Website | ipsha.org.au |
The Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA) formerly Junior School Heads Association of Australia (JSHAA), is an incorporated body representing the heads of independent primary schools in Australia. Officially established in September 1952, the Association is broken into state branches, with six offices across Australia. The organisation currently has a membership of nearly 380 Full Members, 60 Associate and Life Members and 23 Overseas Members. Combined, the member schools employ around 6,000 people, and are responsible for educating about 100,000 primary aged children.
Contents
History
The IPSHA evolved largely from informal gatherings of New South Wales headmasters, which called itself the Junior Schools' Conference. The Organisation was established in 1952, when a conference was held at Cranbrook School, Sydney, where a constitution was agreed upon for the establishment of the Junior Schools' Conference of Australia.
The organisation holds biennial conferences, which alternate between states. At the biennial Conference in Perth in 1984, the Constitution was amended and the Heads of Independent Girls' Schools became eligible for membership of the IPSHA. Along with this change, came eligibility for heads of co-educational junior schools to join, which provided a significant boost in membership.
Key relationships
IPSHA recognises the benefit in maintaining healthy and active relationships with peak educational bodies, both here in Australia and overseas including:
National
- Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA). IPSHA has state and federal representatives on both the APPA Secretariat and National Executive Council. The IPSHA Federal President is a member of both these bodies.
- Principals Australia Institute (PAI). The IPSHA President-Elect is a member.
- Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA). Strong communication and liaison exists when addressing matters of mutual concern and benefit to our schools.
- Independent Schools Council of Australia (ISCA)
- Associations of Independent Schools (AIS) in each state
International
- International Confederation of Principals (ICP) – a global voice for school leaders. IPSHA is a member.
- The Association of Heads of the Independent Schools of New Zealand (AHISNZ)
- The Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS) in the United Kingdom
- The Elementary School Heads Association (ESHA) in the United States of America
Mission
The Independent Primary School Heads of Australia (IPSHA) is an Incorporated body of Heads of independent primary schools throughout Australia. It provides professional support for its members and their teachers through ongoing professional learning activities and affirming collegiality. IPSHA has the capacity to organise numerous educational, cultural, spiritual and sporting events for children in its schools. On the national political stage, IPSHA has a voice of influence as a member of peak educational bodies including APPA and Principals Australia Institute. The Association also fosters close links with independent school associations in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. IPSHA aspires to empower independent primary school leaders to achieve excellence in the broad education of children.
Vision
IPSHA is recognised as the leading independent primary school voice that connects with and advocates for school leaders.
Goals
1. To promote the unique nature of independent primary education by
- embracing and nurturing the diversity of educational philosophy among member schools; and
- promoting independent primary education through quality engagement
2. To provide collegial support for members
3. To facilitate the national voice of independent primary schools by
- fostering the cause of independent primary education in Australia; and
- maintaining links with other associations and bodies involved in and with primary education.
4. To deliver and facilitate quality professional learning opportunities for members and their schools by
- promoting quality leadership through professional development and interaction with other educators;
- creating avenues to recognise and acknowledge the valuable contribution of members during their membership; and
- providing opportunities for professional development and networking for staff.
5. To empower school leaders for student success by fostering educational opportunities for children
State branches
The IPSHA has branches in each of Australia's six states, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. Each state has an elected representative.
State representatives
- New South Wales - Judith Butcher (Ascham School)
- Queensland - Bruce Winther (Matthew Flinders Anglican College)
- South Australia - Robert Hoff (Immanuel Lutheran Primary School)
- Tasmania - Angela Dixon (St Michael's Collegiate School)
- Victoria - Julian Carroll (Southern Cross Grammar)
- Western Australia - Lynda Fisher (Carmel School)
New South Wales
With over 120 members from city, suburban and regional primary and middle schools, the New South Wales Branch of IPSHA has a wide diversity of schools represented. Member schools range from stand alone primary schools to K-12 campuses in both single sex and coeducational settings. All are independent and many reflect a variety of faith based and philosophical missions.
Its term meetings are held at a variety of schools and include relevant professional development through keynote speakers, discussion groups and workshops.
Students in member schools have access to a range of excellent events. Performing Arts Festivals, Debating, Social Issues Expos, Travelling Art Exhibitions, and a wide range of Saturday Sport activities offer students opportunities to share and develop their talents and interests alongside others. Key sport carnivals and trials offer a pathway to CIS for talented students.
Queensland
The Queensland branch of the IPSHA now has 80 members from independent schools across the state including single-sex, coeducational, denominational, nondenominational, metropolitan and regional schools.
Members meet once per term at one of the member schools, for the purpose of Professional Development, a Branch Meeting and opportunities for networking. Over the last few years, annual State Branch Refresher weekends have been held, with the majority of them in North Queensland.
South Australia
The South Australian Branch comprises a range of schools in diverse settings in both metropolitan and rural areas. It has a clear intent to promote and strengthen independent primary education in Australia, and thus there is a commitment to support and strengthen each of its schools in SA. The SA Branch Executive is charged with ensuring the operations of the Branch are maintained throughout each year. One Branch meeting a term is scheduled, and these are usually held at a school.
Tasmania
Twelve members representing schools from both the north and south of the State make up the current membership. This includes both Primary and Middle School Heads and all are part of K-12 schools. Both coeducational and single sex schools are represented.
The Tasmanian Branch of IPSHA meets each term, alternating between Hobart and Launceston. Meetings include a professional learning topic or issue, together with an opportunity for sharing learning and leadership practices and for general collegiality
Victoria
The Victorian Branch of IPSHA consists of over one hundred members from Independent schools across Victoria, including single sex, co-educational, denominational, non-denominational, metropolitan and rural schools. Many of its members' Schools are part of a K-12 structure, while some are stand alone Primary Schools.
The main goal of the branch is to maintain the Independent Primary School Heads of Australia as a significant influence in primary education, by fostering the cause of primary education and maintaining links with other associations and official bodies involved in primary education. Providing collegial support for its colleagues and the staff at its schools, is also a priority. By coming to its four Branch meetings annually and attending IPSHA events, members can take advantage of opportunities to network, develop leadership and recognise members' contributions to the wider educational community. The culture of the Victorian Branch of IPSHA is one of professionalism, learning, sharing, mutual support and friendship.
Western Australia
The Western Australian Branch of the IPSHA was formed in 1954 (as the WA Branch of the JSHAA), by Jeffrey G Hart, of Guildford Grammar School. The first formal gathering of Junior School Heads for the purpose of forming an Association was at Guildford Grammar School in 1954. The first formal meeting of the West Australian Branch was held at Christ Church Grammar School in May 1968, at the meeting a sub-committee was appointed for the purpose of drawing up a proposed constitution. The founding members of the organisation were:
- Aquinas College,
- Christ Church Grammar,
- Guildford Grammar,
- Hale School,
- Scotch College,
- Trinity College,
- Wesley College
The Constitution was adopted on 5 July 1968, at the second meeting at Hale School in Perth. Currently, the WA branch features 54 member schools, most of which are located in the Perth Metropolitan area.
Western Australia activities
- Ecumenical service
Students gather in a rotated school hall annually (usually in May), where schools may send a set number of students from middle to upper primary. It was previously held in St. Georges Cathedral, Perth.
- Festival of performing arts
Every second year school groups are invited to perform in front of the IPSHA in the Perth Concert Hall. The concert runs for three evenings and one day (the day being especially for children).
- Art and craft festival
One member school hosts an Art and Craft Festival on alternate years to the Performing Arts concert. Art may come from a range of year levels.
- Chess day
Every year a chess day is held at a member school. IPSHA schools are invited to send a team of four to compete. This event alternates between two set member schools.
