Member Update 10 October 2024 | Term 4, Week 1

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

Welcome back to term 4! I hope you had a restful and restorative break. As I shared in my last newsletter, I was fortunate to attend the Trans-Tasman Conference a couple of weeks ago in New Zealand. It was a great celebration of collegiality, cultural understandings and leadership learning. A big thank you to The School Photographer who hosted drinks for the Australian delegates which provided an opportunity for all Australians to gather together, share their lived school experience with professional colleagues, network and make new friends! APPA President, Angela Falkenberg, who also attended the Conference, shared a fantastic summary of one of the keynote speakers, Gilbert Enoka, NZ All Blacks mental skills coach and leadership manager. I would like to share part of this insightful reflection with you:

One of Gilbert’s life lessons was this: choices not chances determine your destiny.  In relation to our work, it is the decisions we make rather than random events or luck, that shape our career.  It highlights the importance of owning our actions and shows how intentional decisions can shape our journey.  While chance or luck can play a role in life, success is primarily the result of our actions and decisions.

Gilbert went on to say choices build resilience. I take this to mean that through making choices, whether small or significant, our problem-solving skills, confidence, and sense of autonomy grows stronger.  Through repeated experiences of making decisions, facing consequences, and adjusting our actions, we strengthen our ability to make informed choices, becoming more resilient in the face of future challenges. And in our work, future challenges will abound!

Further to Angela's thoughts, a key concept that Gilbert talked about in relation to high performance leaders was, "be where your feet are", meaning be present to the people you are working with. This is a great reminder when completing one year and preparing for the next. It is easy to get trapped into planning for events and activities, but keep in mind Gilbert's sage advice and remember we are working within communities and the relationships that operate within those communities. When making decisions about now and the future, be deliberate with your choices and consider the consequences of any pathway whilst keeping in mind the people that contribute to your experience. Being present to people informs your choices and ensures we are all in this together.

In the spirit of collegiality, I am pleased to share table reservations for the 2025 President's Ball are now open. We are selling tables of 8 and you can secure yours by emailing josephine@vacpsp.org.au. Come as a zone or bring your leadership team or family and friends! This event was highly successful in 2023 and will again be held at the Melbourne Town Hall featuring entertainment by The Baker Boys, three course dinner by premier caterer, Showtime as well as wellbeing giveaways. The event not only celebrates three outstanding Principals but also offers a relaxed environment to spend time with your colleagues and take an evening to celebrate yourselves and each other and the considerable contributions you make every day in Catholic education. I hope to see you there!

Also in this newsletter:

• Presidents Ball 2025: Reservations for tables of 8 now open! Complete the form and email josephine@vacpsp.org.au to secure your spot and bring your team along for a fun night and "Let the Principal Shine".
  

• Knowledge Society: Australian School Improvement Summit: 17 October 2024, CLC

• Extension of the 2024 Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing Survey: Please complete!

• Catholic Dialogue School Newsletter: October 2024 edition.

• Enquiry Tracker recognises Excellence & Dedication to Education in the Inaugural Dunlop Sisters Professional Development Award: Congratulations to Natalie Kenny, Principal at St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School, Camberwell VIC, who was the deserving recipient of this prestigious award. Natalie's leadership reflects the values of the Dunlop Sisters – passion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Read more inside or visit Enquiry Tracker website 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 President's Ball 2025: Tickets for tables of 8 open!

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, or come as a zone group, to Let the Principal Shine on Friday 21 March 2025.

Complete the below form and email to josephine@vacpsp.org.au to secure your table!

Knowledge Society: Australian School Improvement Summit: 17 October 2024, CLC

Extension of the 2024 Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing Survey

Dear Colleagues, Partners and Friends,  

We are pleased to announce that, in response to requests from our principals and associations, the 2024 Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing Survey has been extended until the end of October 2024. We understand the demanding schedules of our principals, and hope this extension provides additional time for participation. We greatly appreciate your support in encouraging participation within your organisation.

• New participants can register at https://healthandwellbeing.org.  
• Returning participants should have received their links, but if contact details have changed, we encourage school leaders to reach out to us.
• Former principals can still contribute by completing a shortened version of the survey.

We are very grateful for the ongoing support of our research partners CSNSW, CaSPA, ACPPA, NSWSPC, APPA, VPA, ASPA and AHISA allowing us to continue this survey. 

For the first time, occupational principal health, safety and wellbeing was put on the agenda  of the nation's Education Ministers' meeting (See Ministers take aim at principals’ workload and wellbeing issues).

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).

Catholic Dialogue School Newsletter: October 2024 edition

Enquiry Tracker recognises Excellence & Dedication to Education in the Inaugural Dunlop Sisters Professional Development Award

On International Women's Day in 2024, Enquiry Tracker proudly joins the global celebration of women's remarkable achievements by unveiling the recipient of the Inaugural Dunlop Sisters Professional Development Award. This prestigious award, named in honour of 'The Four Dunlop Sisters', celebrates the legacy of excellence and dedication to education embodied by these remarkable women.

Greg Campitelli, Director and Co-founder of Enquiry Tracker, reflects on the significance of this award, saying, "The Dunlop Sisters' contributions to education have been instrumental in shaping our values and commitment to excellence at Enquiry Tracker. It's a privilege to honour their legacy through this award."

Antony Campitelli, CEO and Co-founder of Enquiry Tracker, adds, "International Women's Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women who inspire us every day. We are thrilled to recognise Natalie Kenny as the recipient of the Inaugural Dunlop Sisters Professional Development Award for her outstanding leadership and dedication to education."

In 2024, we proudly acknowledge Natalie Kenny, Principal at St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School, Camberwell VIC, as the deserving recipient of this prestigious award. Natalie's leadership reflects the values of the Dunlop Sisters – passion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

Join us in celebrating Natalie Kenny and the countless women shaping the future of education with their dedication, innovation, and leadership. We look forward to acknowledging the legacy of excellence and dedication to education of recipients each year moving forward.

Image 1: (Left to Right) Antony Campitelli, Natalie Kenny, and Gregory Campitelli.

Image 2: (Left to Right) Kathleen Dunlop, Sr Frances Dunlop, Sr Josepha Dunlop / Mary (Molly) Dunlop, and Patricia Dunlop (Campitelli).

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