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| West Australian Secondary Schools Executives Association | |
|---|---|
| Name | West Australian Secondary Schools Executives Association |
| Abbreviation | WASSEA |
| Formation | 20th century |
| Type | Professional association |
| Headquarters | Perth, Western Australia |
| Region served | Western Australia |
| Membership | Secondary school leaders, principals, deputies, heads of department |
| Leader title | President |
West Australian Secondary Schools Executives Association is a professional association for senior leaders in secondary schools in Perth and regional Western Australia. It connects school principals, deputy principals, and heads of department with policy makers, public institutions, and philanthropic bodies to coordinate leadership development and sector representation. Key activities include advocacy with state agencies, collaboration with universities, and delivery of conferences and workshops across metropolitan and regional centres.
The association emerged amid postwar educational reforms linked to the expansion of secondary schooling associated with the Commonwealth and the growth of Perth suburbs such as Joondalup and Rockingham. Early influences included exchanges with the Australian Education Union and interactions with state bodies like the Western Australian Department of Education. Over successive decades the association engaged with national initiatives steered by the Australian Government and with curriculum developments originating from collaborations with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority. It has intersected with academic partners including The University of Western Australia, Curtin University, and Murdoch University while responding to policy shifts catalysed by reports from bodies such as the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership and inquiries into regional schooling triggered by incidents in distant communities like Kalgoorlie and Broome.
The association’s stated objectives parallel professional networks found in other jurisdictions, engaging with stakeholder organisations such as the Australian Principals Federation, Catholic Education Western Australia, and peak bodies like the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Activities typically include policy submissions to the Western Australian Parliament and consultations with agencies such as the Public Sector Commission (Western Australia). It liaises with tertiary institutions—Edith Cowan University, The University of Notre Dame Australia—and philanthropic organisations exemplified by partnerships akin to those between schools and the Paul Ramsay Foundation or the Ivey Foundation. The association also coordinates with professional standards frameworks advocated by the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership and aligns practice with national awards such as the Australia Day Honours where educational leaders are frequently recognised.
Membership comprises senior executives from government and non-government secondary schools across regions including the Great Southern, the Kimberley, and the Pilbara. Institutional members often represent clusters that correlate with regional education offices used by the Western Australian Department of Education and with diocesan systems like the Catholic Education Office, Perth. The structure emulates other professional bodies with branch networks, committees, and special interest groups that mirror those in organisations such as Principals Australia Institute and Secondary Principals' Associations in other states including Victorian Principals Association and NSW Secondary Principals Council.
Governance is typically vested in an executive committee and an elected presidency, reflecting governance models used by entities such as the Australian Council for Educational Leaders and local boards found within the Local Government Association of Western Australia. Leaders frequently have prior roles in local school systems and maintain links with tertiary partners including The University of Western Australia and Curtin University. The association engages external legal and financial advice consistent with compliance requirements under state instruments such as the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 (WA) and liaises with regulatory authorities like the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission when appropriate.
The association submits policy positions to decision-making forums, engaging with ministers and shadow ministers in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly and contributing to reviews convened by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (Western Australia). It has advocated on workforce matters, resourcing for regional schools in locations such as Geraldton and Albany, and on student welfare aligned with directives from organisations like the National Mental Health Commission and initiatives run by the Telethon Kids Institute. The association maintains relationships with peak employer groups such as the Australian Education Union and with community stakeholders exemplified by collaboration with local councils like the City of Perth.
The association organises conferences, seminars, and leadership programs similar to events hosted by the Australian Council for Educational Leaders and the Principals Australia Institute. Annual conferences have featured keynote speakers drawn from universities including The University of Notre Dame Australia, research institutes such as the Curtin Institute of Education, and national figures involved with the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership. Regional workshops have been held across centres like Bunbury and Kalgoorlie and often include partnership sessions with organisations such as the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority and technology providers supporting digital learning initiatives affiliated with companies headquartered in Perth.
The association publishes briefing papers, position statements, and professional practice guides that mirror resource outputs from bodies like the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership and the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. It circulates newsletters to members and disseminates research summaries derived from collaborations with universities such as Curtin University and Edith Cowan University as well as reports referencing national data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Training materials and templates produced by the association are used in school improvement planning alongside tools promoted by organisations like the Australian Council for Educational Leaders and archived in member portals maintained with support from local IT services and sector partners.
Category:Education in Western Australia Category:Professional associations based in Western Australia