Board Communique December 2023
Dear Members
Principals Australia Research Foundation Ltd.’s (PARF) Board met at the Ainslie Room, Mercure Hotel Canberra on 29 November 2023. The agenda included 5 key matters:
1. Director administration
2. Investment portfolio review
3. Endorsement of Operational Plan for 2024
4. Research and Development Panel and Funding 2024.
5. Promotion and communication of research reports
Director administration
The AGM on Tuesday 28 November re-elected, two directors; Ros Oates, nominated by APPA, and Michael Hall, nominated by ASPA.
As required by rule 19.4 of the constitution, the Board elected office bearers. Dennis Yarrington was appointed to continue as Chair and Michael Hall to continue as Deputy Chair.
The Board also discussed potential future Directors to bring targeted capabilities to the Board.
Investment Performance Review
The Board resolved to undertake an external review of the investment portfolio and management performance. A review brief was adopted following amendments.
Operational Plan 2024
The Board noted and discussed the proposed Operational Goals for Board Year 2024. The Board resolved to engage a communications contractor to prepare a summary of completed research projects and review content presentation on the PARF website.
Research and Development Panel and Funding for 2024
The Board approved the Research and Development Funding Guidelines 2025 and the Application Form 2025 as amended. Both documents will be available shortly on the website.
The Board considered the recommendation from the Research Funding Panel and was pleased to approve the following recommended research project for funding:
Tasmanian Principals Association (TPA): Understanding the psycho-social impact on principals leading school communities through critical incidents.
The Board noted the following summary regarding the research: The proposed research addresses the critical area of leaders' knowledge of critical incidents, providing valuable insights that are applicable not only within the Australian context but also on a global scale. The research outlines the necessary supports for school leaders and provides strategic recommendations for response strategies.
The panel appreciates that the outcomes of the research aim to go beyond theoretical knowledge and provide practical strategies that school leaders can implement in their daily practice.
PARF looks forward to the outcomes of this research project.
Promotion of Research Reports
The Board received a final research report from New South Wales Primary Principals Association (NSWPPA). This research focused on the impact and valuable contribution experienced principals can have on school leadership professional development programs. PARF will work with NSWPPA to communicate the outcomes and recommendations from the report. The report will be available shortly on the PARF website.