Member Update 3 April | Term 1, Week 10

Acknowledgement of Country

The VACPSP acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the many lands that encompass our Catholic primary schools across Victoria – Dioceses of Ballarat, Sale, Sandhurst and the Archdiocese of Melbourne. The VACPSP recognises the Traditional Custodians' culture and the continuing spiritual connection to land, sea and waters.

The VACPSP pays our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who live, work, teach and learn within Catholic education in Victoria.

We commit to working together to create culturally safe schools for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to learn and thrive. We commit to working together for reconciliation, justice and treaty.

From the President

As Term One draws to a close, it is a logical time to take stock and reflect on our progress and achievements thus far this year. In the fast-paced world of leadership, taking the time to pause, assess, and learn from experiences is often overlooked. However, leaders who engage in regular reflection develop deeper self-awareness, enhance decision-making, and cultivate stronger relationships with their teams.

Reflection ensures relevance, helps recognise success, identifies challenges, and focuses actions. It is a powerful leadership strategy that fosters a growth mindset, builds resilience, and ultimately increases effectiveness. 

In a Catholic primary school, leadership reflection is not just a strategy but a spiritual and moral imperative. Founded in the Catholic tradition, reflection allows leaders to align their actions with Gospel values, nurture the faith community, and foster an environment where students and staff flourish holistically.

The VACPSP is constantly working to support you in your endeavour and strengthen the Catholic primary principal profession. We gather regularly as a Principal Council, comprised of representatives from across the state. We invite this group to reflect on issues, analyse data, check information and discuss our lived experiences. This reflective process helps the association's leadership build precise positions that amplify your voice.

Reflecting on the VACPSP’s work and success this term, I can quickly identify two local advocacy impacts and an excellent VACPSP co-ordinated collegial activity.

The VACPSP voice has supported significant improvements to the Reportable Conduct Scheme and school viability policies. The VACPSP has also advocated for a commitment from the VCEA to engage with stakeholders. The VACPSP's position supports all state-wide governing authorities in connecting with primary school principals regarding the future enterprise agreement. I've attached the recent VCEA correspondence supporting stakeholder engagement to this newsletter.

The recent President’s Ball and Principal Award night at the Town Hall in Melbourne was a fun, engaging event celebrating Catholic primary school leadership and endeavour. This type of event esteems the profession and supports collegiality. I want to thank Josephine and Tyson Brennan for their outstanding help and support in organising this exceptional event.

A Catholic primary school leader’s role is more than operational—it is formational. Reflection nurtures wisdom, faith, and service, enabling leaders to create an environment where young people excel academically and grow in faith, hope, and love. Working together builds principalship and ensures your voice is heard, recognised, respected, and actioned.

I wish you a joyful, relaxing term break and a blessed Easter for all our school communities.

Micahel Gray, President.

Also in this newsletter:

• VACPSP Member Renewal: If you are yet to renew, please do so through Member Jungle (use your principal@ email address and select 'one time code' which means you do not need a password). If you have any questions, please chat to your area representative. If you would prefer an invoice emailed to you, please email admin@vacpsp.org.au requesting it. By logging in you can see if you are a current member or yet to renew. Renewal is now overdue.
  
• VACPSP Presidents Ball and Principal's Award: Friday 21 March we celebrated the VACPSP President’s Ball, Letting the Principal Shine, see photos below provided by The School Photographer. 
  
• Kookaburra powered by COS: Kookaburra Powered by COS is a leading Educational Audio Visual supplier. Kookaburra offers an extensive range of high-quality solutions in categories such as Interactive Classroom Panels, Large Format Presentation Screens (LED), Digital Signage, Data Projectors, Smart TV’s, Portable PA’s, School Bell Systems and Stage/Performance Lighting. Click here to see Kookaburra's capabilities. 
• COS: Check out the term 1 Specials!
  
• ACU Study: Australian Catholic Primary Principal Association (ACPPA) Advocacy: Click here to view the report.
  
• Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA) Update: View update here.

The information contained in and/or the views and opinions expressed in content made by third party service providers and shared with VACPSP Members represents the views and opinions of the original creators of that content only and does not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the VACPSP. The sharing of material or content from third party service providers is done for educational purposes only and to provide information and resources that may provide benefit to some or all VACPSP Members. The sharing of this content does not constitute an endorsement by the VACPSP of such content.

The VACPSP disclaims any and all liability to any party for any direct, indirect, implied or other consequential damage or hurt caused by or arising from third party material and content, which is provided as is and without any warranties.

VACPSP Member Renewal

If you are yet to renew, please do so through Member Jungle (use your principal@ email address and select 'one time code' which means you do not need a password). If you have any questions, please chat to your area representative.

If you would prefer an invoice emailed to you, please email admin@vacpsp.org.au requesting it. By logging in you can see if you are a current member or yet to renew. 

VACPSP President's Ball and Principal's Award

Friday 21 March we celebrated the VACPSP President’s Ball, Letting the Principal Shine. What an incredible honour to support, celebrate and acknowledge the incredible achievements of Catholic educational leaders in Victoria.

Congratulations again to the winners, Gavan O’Donnell, Karen Wilson, Michael Mahoney, Jack Lenaghan and Leanne Eastman, each of whom has epitomised the essence of extraordinary leadership in Community, Faith and Education.

Thank you also to The School Photographer for capturing the photos from the night!

Kookaburra Powered by COS

Kookaburra Powered by COS is a leading Educational Audio Visual supplier.  Founded by a teacher in 1989, the business is 100% Australian-owned, proudly serving the Primary & Secondary Education markets.

Kookaburra offers an extensive range of high-quality solutions in categories such as Interactive Classroom Panels, Large Format Presentation Screens (LED), Digital Signage, Data Projectors, Smart TV’s, Portable PA’s, School Bell Systems and Stage/Performance Lighting.

Committed to Education, Kookaburra proudly supports professional development and networking events for school leaders across government and non-government sectors. Our strong industry relationships and dedication to quality continue to drive our success.

Kookaburra’s Victorian State Manager Dean Charge, has over 20 years experience within the Education Industry.  Dean lives on the Mornington Peninsula, and leads a small and experienced team serving Victoria.  Dean and his wife Susan have 2 teenage children attending Padua College in Mornington. 

Welcome new Business Partner, COS: Term 1 Specials

COS is Australia’s largest family-run and operated office and education supplies business, proudly led by second-generation sisters Belinda and Amie Lyone as co-CEOs. Founded in 1977 by the late Dominique Lyone, COS began as a small business with a vision for exceptional service and social responsibility. Over the past 45 years, COS has grown significantly, with over 600 employees and warehouses in every state and territory, ensuring truly national coverage and reliable service.

We are a trusted partner to schools, from early learning and primary to secondary schools, TAFEs, and universities, delivering essential supplies that keep classrooms, staffrooms, and learning spaces safe, healthy, and productive.

As a private, family-owned business, COS is deeply committed to community and sustainability. Through the Lyone Foundation, we donate 1% of annual revenue to support Australian charities, contributing over $20 million to local communities since 2013.

Our sustainability initiatives reflect our dedication to a greener future. We are actively working toward net zero operations and 100% renewable electricity across all our facilities. This includes eliminating single-use plastics in alignment with APCO targets and integrating electric vehicles into our delivery fleet, ensuring we support sustainable practices for schools and learning institutions nationwide. 

ACU Study: Australian Catholic Primary Principal Association (ACPPA) Advocacy

This week, the 2024 Principals Health and Wellbeing Report was released. The Australian Catholic Primary Principals Association is proud to be a research partner for this survey. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this important work. With 14 years of longitudinal data, the evidence is clear that we need to keep the conversation about principal wellbeing a priority. ACPPA will continue to advocate for Catholic school leaders, and we encourage all principals to engage with their local associations actively.

Your Victorian ACPPA national delegate (Rachel Holdsworth, Principal Holy Spirit Manifold Height, Geelong) shares a key point "The response from this survey (since 2011) has lead to establishing an ongoing advisory relationship between the Education Minister (Jason Clare) and Principal Associations, a significant reform platform". 

The VACPSP will also attend the APPA Primary Education Summit in Canberra on May 26, 2025 to ensure your Victorian voice is present at this exceptional advocacy opportunity. 

Click here to view the report.

Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA) Update

Prayer

Loving and generous God, awaken us to your presence as we continue to discern what is life-giving, empowering and sustainable for the good of all Catholic primary Principals, the school communities we support and the students we serve.

May our inspiration and commitment deepen as we reflect on and respond to the needs of Principals according to the vision of the Gospel and the voice of the Spirit.

Pour out your abundant blessings upon all involved in Principalship, a ministry of witness and leadership in Catholic education.

Our Lady of the Southern Cross, Help of Christians, pray for us.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Patron of Catholic Education in Australia, pray for us.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this newsletter update and a snapshot of the actions, connections and programs that the Association supports, leads or engages with on your behalf.

I am proud to represent the Victorian Catholic Primary Principal voice statewide and nationally and lead this professional, influential and trusted collegial body. By being a Member, your perspective, experience and knowledge of the school context joins the wealth of knowledge we take to key stakeholders to inform discussions.

As always, I not only welcome but encourage active communication between myself and members and look forward to engaging with you in person, phone or by email. Please share your insight with me at any time, be it through your Principal Council Representative or directly by emailing president@vacpsp.org.au or booking a call with me here. 

Thank you to our Business Partners