Member Update 7 August 2025 | Term 3, Week 3

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

On Thursday we were privileged to host the VACPSP Business Partners for a seminar day at the Catholic Leadership Centre, East Melbourne. This VACPSP event was entitled, Partnering for Purpose; Unlocking Shared Impact and sought to both educate our partners on the climate of education (locally, statewide, nationally and internationally), as well as gather feedback from their perspective as to how to best serve schools and how to nurture our mutually supportive relationship. Thank you to those businesses who attended and special thank you to Damian Howard (VACPSP Vice President and Principal of Carlo Acutis Wollert) and Tyson Brennan (Brennan Law Partners) for contributing to the day's agenda. Both Damian and Tyson offered important insight into education and the commercial relationships that exist within our context. 

Through this newsletter I hope to share more updates from our business partners who offer solutions to support principals and schools in a multitude of ways. Whilst we are grateful for the financial support these partners provide, I thought this week was a good opportunity to share the scrutiny we undertake when prospective partners apply to support the VACPSP. The VACPSP is proud to support businesses where there are mutually aligned ethos and ethics. Businesses who show best practices toward education and offer genuine, quality products and services. The VACPSP has a discretion to turn down applications and has done so in the past, ensuring that when we advertise a business, it is a product or service that you can trust. To learn more about our partners, visit the Trusted Supplier's Directory on our website.  

Finally, for those of you who completed the VACPSP survey last week, thank you. It takes about 10 minutes and is strictly confidential. Your insights are invaluable and will help inform future planning, advocacy, and support structures for all school leaders across our Catholic education communities. Collating feedback like this from you also helps us to support you and understand your 'why'. 

Please click the link below to complete the survey:
👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kIIaNZlorMrTt9hQiaSzXJzuM8b_o3dzFNPLHPqxVA0/edit

Also in this newsletter:

• 2026 VACPSP Conference Save the Date: This conference journey will nourish your mind, body and soul and activate a spirit of creativity, enlivened faith and exceptional leadership through the lineup of speakers, activities and offerings. Save the date for 25 - 27 March 2026, Mantra Lorne.
  
• ACEL National Conference Program Now Available: Join ACEL in Sydney from 29 September – 1 October for this flagship event, presented in partnership with the NSW Department of Education. See more information and tickets here.
• Woods Furniture: The Back to School Campaign That Starts Your 2026 Strong visit there website here. 
  
• Australian Teacher Workforce Survey: The Australian Teacher Workforce Survey captures insights from teachers and school leaders nationwide to build a clearer, evidence-informed picture of the profession – directly influencing education policy, strengthening workforce planning, and driving national reform. Follow the following link.
• Teacher Magazine: Join The Differentiation in Teaching & Learning Conference, 22–23 October in Melbourne & Online to learn practical, proven tools to transform your classrooms and lift outcomes without burning out your staff. Read more below for discounted ticket prices. Purchase tickets here. 
• Thoughts and Prayers with Helen: 10 August 2025 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Read Helen's prayer 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.

Save the Date | 2026 VACPSP Conference

 In 2026 we introduce the theme of Nourish Your Purpose.

This conference journey will nourish your mind, body and soul and activate a spirit of creativity, enlivened faith and exceptional leadership through the lineup of speakers, activities and offerings.

Date: 25 - 27 March 2026
Venue: Mantra Lorne

Tickets will be available soon to purchase via trybooking. 

ACEL National Conference Program Now Available

We’re excited to announce that the full program for the 2025 ACEL National Conference is now available.

Join ACEL in Sydney from 29 September – 1 October for this flagship event, presented in partnership with the NSW Department of Education. This year’s theme, Amplifying every voice, shaping our story, empowering all learners, will guide three days of bold, future-focused dialogue and professional learning.

Explore this newly released program to discover an inspiring lineup of keynote speakers, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities that bring together educators and leaders from across the country.

View the program and start planning your conference experience today.

Woods Furniture: The Back to School Campaign That Starts Your 2026 Strong

Let us know what your school needs now and we’ll help you lock in the right furniture, delivery timelines, and solutions well before the rush

Whether you’re planning for new tables and desks, flexible seating, soft furnishings, or smart storage, Woods has you covered.

We create furniture that blends modern design with lasting quality to tailor all educational spaces.

Australian Teacher Workforce Survey

The Australian Teacher Workforce Survey captures insights from teachers and school leaders nationwide to build a clearer, evidence-informed picture of the profession – directly influencing education policy, strengthening workforce planning, and driving national reform.

Australian Catholic Youth Festival (ACYF)

To be held in Melbourne, Australia, from November 30 to December 2, 2025, this national event brings young Catholics (15 to 25) together for three days of faith, fun and community. Young staff members, school community and local parishioners are all invited; the festival includes Prayer, Mass, talks, concerts, workshops, games and more.

See this video of the invitation from the Archbishop of Melbourne, Peter Comensoli.

Teacher Magazine

Are you ready to truly transform learning for every student while easing your workload? Join The Differentiation in Teaching & Learning Conference, 22–23 October in Melbourne & Online to learn practical, proven tools to transform your classrooms and lift outcomes without burning out your staff.

Discover new techniques with Dr Nathaniel Swain from La Trobe University on high-impact differentiation grounded in the science of learning, and 8+ case studies from leading schools across Australia. Deep dive into inclusive and responsive approaches that meet the needs of diverse learners, strengthen teacher capacity, enhance collective efficacy and walk away with practical solutions that lift student outcomes and reduce classroom stress.

If you’re serious about sustainable improvement and real impact, this is the one event you can’t afford to miss. Register now to be part of the change and equip your team with the skills to succeed in 2026 and beyond.

Register by Friday, 15 August & save $500 at checkout with code "TEACHMAG"
Groups of 5+ save 20%      Group of 10+ save 30%

Thoughts and Prayers with Helen

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