Annual Report 2005 NSW Department of Education and Training

the recommendations arising from the Review of
Aboriginal Education.
Ms Smith’s achievements include an increase in
enrolments from the private sector in several schools
within the region. Student learning outcomes were
improved in a number of schools. A highly successful
regional leadership development strategy was
implemented for beginning and experienced principals,
executive staff and aspiring leaders. A comprehensive
regional professional learning program for all school
staff was developed and implemented. Processes to
identify and support underperforming schools were
put in place. A regional equity committee with strong
school, community and student representation was
established.
Risk assessment and risk management practices
were adopted in the regulation of vocational education
and training practices across the region and in the
establishment and management of regional student
support processes and placement panel protocols.
All senior officers undertook occupational health and
safety training.
Kimble J Fillingham
Regional Director, South Western Sydney
SES Level 5, $221,950
Mr Fillingham provided strategic direction and high
level policy advice in the implementation and delivery
of high quality education and training programs in the
South Western Sydney Region. He led and managed
the successful implementation of key government
initiatives in the region including class size reduction,
the Healthy School Canteen Strategy, Aboriginal
education, six new pre-schools, and the tutorial
voucher initiative. Mr Fillingham has ensured that
public education has been well promoted through
regular newsletters, media articles, awards, launches,
celebrations of student achievement and community
partnerships.
In 2005, Mr Fillingham’s priority objectives focused
on the implementation of a fully operational regional
model. These priorities have resulted in enhanced
student learning outcomes through the provision of
a wide range of teaching and professional programs.
More than 3,500 teachers participated in regional
professional learning activities in literacy, numeracy,
7-10 syllabus implementation, assessing and reporting,
information and communication technologies and
quality teaching strategies.
Mr Fillingham led successful leadership and
professional development programs to cater for
aspiring executives and experienced principals, and
induction and support for early career teachers.
Workshops for principals, school executive and
teacher mentors have been held to ensure that NSW
Institute of Teachers’ requirements for new scheme
teachers were met. An innovative partnership with the
University of Western Sydney was developed to better
train secondary teachers for employment in public
schools in the region.
Mr Fillingham led the implementation of a wide range
of regional programs to meet the needs of students
from diverse communities. Programs to support youth
partnerships, student leadership, vocational education
and training have been strongly supported. The NSW
Government’s Ready for Work plan was successfully
implemented in all high schools and special schools.
Mr Fillingham provided strong leadership and support
for special education initiatives and student welfare.
Mr Fillingham successfully led and managed the
development of a regional planning model to assess
achievements in identified key result areas and set
targets. The 2005 South Western Sydney Strategic
Plan focused on building capacity in regional
resources and consultancy capability, to provide
effective and timely support to school communities.
Risk management procedures were successfully
managed.
Phil Lambert
Regional Director, Sydney
SES Level 5, $214,025
Dr Lambert successfully led and managed Sydney
Region as a quality provider of public education,
comprising 230 schools arranged into eight schooling
networks. His priority objectives in 2005 were
to establish the region under new organisational
arrangements and to develop and implement policies,
programs and innovations strategically to improve and
enhance the learning outcomes of students.
Dr Lambert developed a culture of continuous
improvement in Sydney Region, using performance
data to guide regional and school planning and
to enhance student learning. He oversaw the
implementation of a comprehensive Service Delivery
Strategy and governance model that reflected
departmental priorities and those of parent and
principals’ groups in Sydney Region.
Some of the key initiatives in this strategy included the
formation of eight school networks and regional teams
of School Education Directors, consultants, equity
staff and student services officers; establishment of
a network formed by regional schools, which began
research into the use of information technology in all
courses; the implementation of key actions from the
region’s 2004 evaluation of student services; and the
development of an electronic data system to support
the transition of students from the region’s primary
schools to its secondary schools.
Dr Lambert provided leadership to eight School
Education Directors and three School Development
Officers. He used structured activities to support the
officers to contribute to cultural change, make effective
use of resources and achieve operational and policy
objectives.
Dr Lambert built strong relationships with the region’s
partners from the university and training sector, parent
and community groups, and principals’ associations.
He used various opportunities to highlight the
numerous achievements of government schools in
Appendices
NSW Department of Education and Training - Annual Report 2005 86