Ninety principals and executive staff from 136 schools in the west and north of NSW have met to discuss the latest best practice in a range of areas critical to the good running of a school.

Narrabri High School hosted a series of workshops, one which had an emphasis on how best to deliver explicit teaching, a set of principles about how teachers explain and demonstrate material, with students having the opportunity to show they understand, ask questions, practise what they have learnt and get feedback.

Other areas discussed included how best to support students as they transition from pre-school to kindergarten and from primary school to high school, Aboriginal Education, school finances, behaviour, and navigating school publicity on digital platforms.

The Director, Educational Leadership for the Mooki network of schools, Terrie Kay, said the demands on modern principal required them to be multi-skilled like never before.

“As well as being outstanding educators and education managers, they have student welfare leadership, human resource management, community engagement, accountancy and public relations as part of their daily duties," Mr Kay said.

“That’s why it’s even more important that principals and school executives have proper access not only to the right advice but also to each other, because there’s no better teacher than sharing experience.”

The school networks taking part were Armidale, Barwon, Mooki, Namoi, Northern Tablelands, Peel and Western Plains.