Conferences / Events

2025 CONFERENCE - 28 & 29 August 2025, Paranaple Centre Devonport

"Connection"

This year we come together to Connect at the Tasmanian School Administrators' Association Conference, 28 & 29 August, Paranaple Centre Devonport

Delegates will have the choice of attending DECYP masterclasses over the two days. Topics and specific sessions offered will be shared with delegates closer to the date.

We are very excited to welcome Tia Poole and Dr Lila Landowski as keynote speakers for our 2025 Conference. Tia joins us as an accomplished financial consultant who's personal and professional journey will inspire you. Dr Landowski joins us as neuroscientist working at UTAS, who will enage us on the topic of neuroscience and connection. Both our speakers are sure to inspire and inform you in ways you can't even imagine!

Our Annual Conference Dinner will be on the Thursday evening at the Paranaple Centre, this is included in your registration cost. This year's theme is Fabulous and Fancy. 

Registrations for delegates via Trybooking https://www.trybooking.com/DBMFA

We recommend staying close-by at the Devonport Novotel:https://www.idem.events/r/tsaa-2025-conference

or 

Gateway Hotel, Fenton Street; https://nightcaphotels.com.au/hotels/tas/gateway-hotel-by-nightcap-plus

Both the Novotel and The Gateway have kindly offered us discounted rates. Accommodation costs are NOT included in conference registration. 

Parking is available at both sites along with generous three storey parking adjacent to the Paranaple Convention Centre.

As per previous years’, Aspiring School Business Managers are welcome to forward EOI's to the TSAA Committee (please contact kirsty.morgan@decyp.tas.gov.au). Nominations to be endorsed and signed by both the current SBM and your Principal. SBM’s please have this conversation with your Admin Team. 

On Wednesday evening, 27 August we will have an informal dinner – get-together, for those wishing to catch up with friends and colleagues prior to our conference. Please email Neroli Clothier with RSVP’s for the Wednesday evening dinner. To be held at Frankie J's - 13 Oldaker St, Devonport. Please note, this is NOT included in your conference registration cost. RSVP’s to neroli.clothier@decyp.tas.gov.au

 

We look forward to coming together for two full days of fabulous DECYP sessions, keynote presentations and networking with colleagues and sponsors.

Conference queries: tsaaexecutive@gmail.com

Previous DECYP Masterclasses 

• Recruitment – PageUp Employment Process – (Heather McCambridge)

• Procurement – advice on the rules and how to procure appropriately – (Chris Ferguson & Brett Manning)
  
  

• Facility Services – who we are and what we do (Jason Bell)

• Risk Management tools and how to use them (Clare Povey & Janelle Whitehouse), Security & Emergency Management)

• Moving forward – Looking at system updates and new functionality, supporting you and your team in various forms of communication, resources and let’s talk about training sessions (DSI – Data, Systems & Insights, Michelle Brown)

• Recruitment – Conflict of Interest – does it apply to me? How do I manage this when my school is in a remote area? What things can I do to ensure that we are following process? – (Heather McCambridge)

• From lockouts to lockdowns; a step-by-step guide to managing lockdowns at schools” (Kate Dobson & Simon Natoli, Organisational Safety)

Annual Capital Works Submission process – how does it work and where does the information go – (Craig Grace)

• Attendance and Behaviour Policy Review – Consultation session with SBM’s, provide further information on the policy and procedure review – discussion -

  • Variability in practice and timeframes between schools
  • Ability to quickly respond to parent queries or identify further information
  • How members engage with students who are absent, or late, or returning etc. – Strategic Policy & Projects (Josh Munting & Bryn Griffiths)

• Help Transform Communication within your School – Explore different methods of communication within MS Teams. Utilise “Channel Conversations” to improve communication between your close colleagues and staff in general. Reduce back-and-forth emails between your business operations team and staff. Increase transparency and target communications – (Information Technology Services, Ian Ackerley and Chris Laycock - Regional IT Co-ordinators and Mark Steczkowicz, Business Consultant Information Management Support Services)

• Learning more about your staff’s Awards and Agreements – This session is about understanding your obligations under the award. It looks at supporting and providing clarity for you concerning changing start and finish times / adjusting cleaning areas / sharing roles and duties and other key areas. – (Learning Services – Presented by Jess Collins HR Manager and Margaret Paterson, Senior Performance Consultant)

• Page-Up Employment Processes – Recruitment, (Heather McCambridge)

• Inclusion & Cultural diversity on Educational Adjustments funding Model - Finance & Budget, Joint presentation – Introduction / refresher on Educational Adjustments, underpinning principles, requirements under the Disability Standards for Education, What this all means for SBM’s? (Kalinda Beamish & Ryan O’Halloran, Finance and Budget Services)

• Information Technology – Technology hardware – purchasing & disposal (What’s in scope – which devices ITS help to provide and support, where to get advice about purchasing hardware to ensure it fits the location, is value-for-money and is the best option, purchasing and installation – things to consider for smooth, safe setup, Planning for disposal, and the benefits of e-waste) – (Brooke Maddox, IT Administration & Support Services )

• Staff pathways to supports - This topic will cover information about the different options for staff to access wellbeing supports, where to find out more information and the role of the Staff Wellbeing team based in People Services and Support. Samantha Lawrence)

• The process of employment of a new staff member, from the time you inform the new staff member they are successful till their first day sitting down to commence work – Collaboration ITS and HR (Chris Watson, Senior IT Support Officer, (Richard Farley, Senior IT Consultant))

• Practical information about disability workplace adjustments -This topic will cover practical information about workplace adjustments, what they are, why they matter and the keys steps involved in putting in place a workplace adjustment for a staff member. (Jennie Gorringe, Senior Consultant, Workplace Wellbeing Inclusion and Engagement, PSS)

• Understanding your communication style - Being respectful and kind when faced with your most difficult staff member is one of our biggest challenges, this topic looks at ways and means of doing this respectfully whilst understanding some tips on communicating with others. – (Learning Services – Presented by Jess Collins HR Manager and Margaret Paterson, Senior Performance Consultant)

• Information Management – schools recordkeeping update (Latest updates to procedures and requirements for retention of school records, transfer, archive and disposal – what you can do to make it easier, common questions, what resources are available and where to go if you need help) – (Mark Steczkowicz, Business Consultant Information Management Support Services)