Member Update 19 September 2024 | Term 3, 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

Today I am sending our weekly newsletter from the amazing city of Christchurch. I am in New Zealand this week attending the APPA Trans-Tasman Conference with about 1000 other delegates! It is my first time in Christchurch and even after knowing about the devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, it is different being here and feeling the effects of the disasters which still very much have an impact on the city today. Not only do catastrophic events like this change the tapestry of the physical city but can change one's perspective on what is really important. In Christchurch this looked like balancing and prioritising rebuild projects based on how they could best serve their community in this modern era. Out of devastation came opportunity.

Amongst many other national treasures, the magnificent Catholic Cathedral was destroyed in the earthquakes and due to limited funds was not immediately rebuilt. (I note that recently, Bishop Michael Gielen announced a new Cathedral will be built on a new site, an exciting undertaking given it will be the first new Catholic cathedral built from scratch in New Zealand for more than 120 years). Importantly though, through innovation and creativity, a new, dynamic building was constructed to serve in its place as a transitional cathedral. The new Cathedral, coined Cardboard Cathedral, was built entirely from cardboard and shipping containers! Have a look at a timelapse video of it being constructed here. And with this new look, has also come a new mindset; the Transitional Cathedral is available for the broader community during the week with this week, for example, hosting a student art show, with many people across the city visiting the church to celebrate the young people’s art. This really got me thinking about our parishes and helped me to remember what it is that is important in connecting to our faith. It's not about embellishments or grand architecture, it is instead about unity. "Church" in its true definition means "assembly"/"congregation"/"meeting". A church is therefore not the place, it is the community of believers within the walls. Out of this devastation in Christchurch, came an opportunity to renew and reflect.

This week's Conference connects principals across states, regions and countries, providing a truly immersive learning opportunity and highlighting that “the best schools are neither educational institutions, nor consumer-centric learning providers but authentic communities of learning, serving, and belonging.” This is our core mission and be it in our schools or our parishes, beyond stones and mortar, what really matters is our communities.

Finally, congratulations on finishing this term! I wish you a well-earned break and ask that you ensure you prioritise self-care; time with friends and family, experiences of the natural environment, or a great book are all possibilities.

Also in this newsletter:

• Presidents Ball 2025: Save the date!

• AERO: Prepare for 2025 with classroom management professional learning resources. 

• AITSL: Implementation trial to foster cultural responsiveness in schools.
  

• Graduate School of Education Professional Education: The Principals' Centre in Australia leadership program.
  

• Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing survey: Live for new participant registrations at https://healthandwellbeing.org.

• ACPPA Survey: 2024 Member Survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ACPPA2024 
  

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 President's Ball 2025: Save the Date

After the success of the 2023 event, the 2025 event will again be held at the Melbourne Town Hall for a formal black-tie dinner and celebration.

Bring family, friends and staff along to Celebrate The Principal.

Save the date for this stellar, sell-out event on Friday 21 March 2025.

AERO: Prepare for 2025 with classroom management professional learning resources

AERO’s classroom management professional learning resources (slide decks with preparation and facilitator notes) have been released to support school leaders to develop shared staff understanding of the evidence-based approaches to classroom management and their school's specific approaches.  

AITSL: Implementation trial to foster cultural responsiveness in schools.

The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) is inviting schools to express their interest in taking part in a short implementation trial scheduled for Term 4, 2024 and Term 1, 2025 this year.

 The trial will evaluate the impact of AITSL’s Indigenous Cultural Responsiveness Self-Reflection Tool on teacher attitudes, values, and beliefs about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and living cultures – to ultimately improve understanding for all students. Express your school’s interest in the trial below. Please note that school participation in this trial requires permission at the principal level.

https://www.aitsl.edu.au/teach/cultural-responsiveness/building-a-culturally-responsive-australian-teaching-workforce/join-our-implementation-trial-to-foster-cultural-responsiveness-in-schools

For any inquiries, please contact AITSL via email at indigenouscc@aitsl.edu.au

The Principals' Centre in Australia

The Principals’ Center in Australia is designed to provide school leaders in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia with the knowledge, leadership strategies, and tools to become effective leaders of instructional change and accelerate learning for all students. Hosted in Sydney and designed for region-specific learning needs, the program brings together school leaders and Harvard faculty over five days. Working with colleagues from across the region, participants will explore research-based techniques and best practices as they develop leadership plans tailored to their schools at home.

With content drawn from local learning contexts and all sessions led by Harvard faculty, the program addresses areas of critical importance to school leaders in Australasia – instructional leadership, school culture, leadership development, strategy, and family and community engagement. Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Learn through faculty-led sessions and case studies using Australia-specific examples and learning contexts.
• Participate in facilitated discussion groups that engage peers in collaborative learning and reflection.
• Reflect on and hone personal leadership goals.
• Develop a school leadership plan that can be implemented in multiple school settings and contexts.
• Build lasting connections by engaging with faculty and fellow principals and school leaders in your cohort.

Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing Survey

We need your voice to tell the world what is happening to Australian School Leaders!    

The Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing Survey is a confidential survey, independent of all employer groups, professional associations and unions. First, you will be able to review your job-related personal health and wellbeing, with an individualised report returned automatically upon completion. Second, global results will build a holistic picture of the state of school leader health and wellbeing. The results provide a system-level report with recommendations for future actions.

This research has significant impact in the diagnostic feedback given to school principals, the evaluation of existing policy initiatives, and the consultation with state departments leading to important new policy initiatives. This year, we have updated the design and layout of our survey and personal report access. If you have taken the survey before, check your email or new participants can register at Health & Wellbeing (healthandwellbeing.org).

Ongoing previously registered participants have received their links but we encourage school leaders to contact us if their emails have changed.  If participants are no longer in a principal role, they can still take the shortened survey. We look forward to hearing the voices of Australian school leaders this year. 

ACPPA Survey: 2024 Member Survey

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