Beginning teacher support funding is not included in the School Budget Allocation Report (SBAR). This funding will be processed as budget adjustments throughout the year. Formal email notification will be forwarded to schools and to the relevant teachers once eligibility has been confirmed.

This allocation will primarily be used to allow regular release time for the beginning teacher and an experienced teacher to provide mentoring support. Although the funding is costed at the equivalent of teacher release hours, it can be used flexibly to meet the individual needs of the beginning teacher.

The funding should be used to enhance the professional growth of teachers during their induction period. This may include:

• observing other teachers’ lessons
• enabling other teachers to observe their lessons
• engaging in collaborative practices
• receiving structured feedback based on observation
• evaluating the impact of their teaching on student progress and achievement
• implementing effective classroom management strategies
• engaging in professional discussion and personal reflection
• assessing and evaluating student work
• planning quality lessons to maximise their impact on learning
• compiling evidence to achieve mandatory accreditation at Proficient Teacher level with the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA).

If required, the funds can also be used to support a beginning teacher’s participation in targeted professional learning activities that are specifically designed to support their development.