Board Communique September 2024
Dear Members
Principals Australia Research Foundation Ltd.’s (PARF) Board met at JB Were Board Room in Adelaide on 10 September. The agenda included 4 key matters:
1. Director administration
2. Investment portfolio update
3. Research and Development Panel and Funding 2025 & 2026.
4. Board capability and director nominations.
Director administration
The Board appointed Matthew Wigzell to fill a casual vacancy in the position of director in accordance with the constitution. Matthew recently retired after an extensive career in the finance and investment industry. He brings a capability that the Board has long assessed that it needs. Matthew has extensive experience as a director on not-for-profit Boards and on regulatory panels.
Investment Performance Update
JB Were fund manager, Nick Costello, updated on PARF’s investment performance and portfolio. The portfolio is edging closer to target return and is likely to meet target over the target period. Some modest recommendations were made regarding buying and selling investments that were dealt with in accordance with policy.
The Board will undertake a full review of the investment policy and contract for managing the investment portfolio in 2025.
Research and Development Processes for 2026
The Board approved the Research and Development Funding Guidelines 2026, and the Application Form 2026 as amended. Both documents will be available on the website soon.
The Board also approved amended Terms of Reference for the Funding Panel for the 2025 process and set up a process to review the Funding Commitment Agreement to apply for 2025.
Research and Development Funding for 2025
The Board considered the recommendations from the Research Funding Panel and was pleased to approve two recommended research projects for funding, A third application failed as not meeting standards.
1. South Australian Secondary Principals’ Association (SASPA): Preparing the Next Generation of Principals.
The Board noted this project provides a comprehensive research description with a co-constructed research model. The research outcomes were clearly indicated, and the topic will be of interest to other associations. The project is linked to previous research and has the capacity to build the knowledge of leadership attraction and retention.
2. Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA): Unveiling the Ripple Effect: how Offensive Behaviours Impact School Leaders’ Productivity.
The Board noted the topic is of major concern for leadership, and that this research could provide evidence to assist advocacy for principal associations. Investigating the concept of impact of offensive behaviours on productivity is new, interesting and potentially productive. The project has a national focus and provides a great opportunity for cross-sector collaboration.
Following feedback from the Research Funding Panel on the application, the Board resolved to seek further details from APPA regarding the project’s budget and timeframe, which were provided expeditiously by the research project leader.
At a follow up meeting online on 16 September the Board considered the additional detail and endorsed the funding in stages 1, 2 and 3 with a 4th stage not to be funded as recommended by the Research Funding Panel.
The Board looks forward to the outcomes of both research projects.
Board Capability and director nominations.
The Board has begun a review of the capability matrix for directors. This information will be collated and used to identify the skills, knowledge and experiences the Board will require in seeking to implement the strategic plan 2025-2028.
To assist APPA and ASPA, as the Members of PARF, the Board resolved to provide a briefing paper on matters to be considered when nominating prospective directors. PARF will seek further discussions with the Presidents of each Member to review the paper.