Member Update 6 February | Term 1, Week 2

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

They say when one door closes, another opens. I am very excited to share our former VACPSP secretary, past Principal and Alumni, Dr Helen Healy will be sharing a weekly prayer resource with you through the VACPSP newsletter. The prayer resource has been designed to be practical and user friendly to support your role as faith leader and may be used with your students, staff and community. Prayer in a school community unites individuals in a shared spiritual experience, fostering a sense of belonging, encouragement, and collective faith. It strengthens relationships, deepens worship, and aligns hearts toward a common purpose. Through communal prayer, believers support one another, intercede for collective needs, and experience the presence of the divine in a way that reinforces their faith and connection to one another.

We thank Helen for her contribution and acknowledge this as a wonderful benefit of VACPSP Membership.

In other news, tickets to the Second President's Ball are closing in just two weeks! Please get involved and support the VACPSP, your Principal peers and most importantly join us for a fun night! 

Also in this newsletter:

• Please support the Second VACPSP President's Ball in 2025: Reservations for all tickets now open on TryBooking! Secure your spot and bring your team along for a fun night and "Let the Principal Shine". Details of the Award Recipients inside.

• Thoughts and Prayers with Helen: 8/9 February 2025 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

• Thoughts and Prayers with Helen: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 15/16 February 2025

• The National Principal (APPA) is working as your voice at a national level: See a summary of their support in 2025.
  

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: All tickets 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.

Thoughts and Prayers with Helen: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Thoughts and Prayers with Helen: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The National Principal (APPA) is working as your voice at a national level: See a summary of their support in 2025

The 2025 APPA National Conference is being held in Brisbane - 26-29 August.

Registrations are now open. http://www.appaconference.com.au/home/registration/

The theme Leading Well. Together acknowledges the importance of leaders being part of and contributing to networks and partnerships to meet students at their point of need.

APPA Position Papers

2024 topics, 1. Primary Resourcing, 2. Principal Workload / Principal Wellbeing, 3. Curriculum - Great Leading, Teaching and Learning in our Primary Schools and 4. Supporting Students with Complex Needs, will be added to in 2025.

The papers ensure leaders have access to the collaborative wisdom of our profession as will the broader community.

The papers can be viewed here: https://appa.asn.au/general-news/sharing-appas-position-papers/

Papers currently in draft include Assessment, Management of Risk and Parent Partnerships.

If there are other topics you would like to be explored, please email me at president@appa.asn.au

 Federal Election 

The APPA Board will leverage position papers to advocate for policies co-designed and developed in collaboration with primary education professionals. Thoughtful design with leaders underpins effective implementation.

APPA Survey into ‘Medication Management in Primary Schools’.

The data is powerful in telling the story about primary school responsibilities that are increasing and yet unfunded. We are seeking more responses.

Please complete the survey here - Medication Management in Primary Schools

APPA Research  ‘Unveiling the Ripple Effect: How Offensive Behaviours Impact School Leaders’ Productivity 

(Review, Surveys, Case Studies) will take place through the year.  Please give time to completing the survey in this world first research.

APPA Primary Summit. Save the date. Monday 26 May - Parliament House Canberra

We will be bringing school, education and community leaders together to engage with provocations around the role of schools in activating the goals of the Mparntwe Declaration. i.e. What are the realistic limits of schools in ensuring the needs of every child are met? How can schools partner with the broader community? How can education leaders foster cooperation across all work sectors / policy sectors to benefit all learners – to enable an inclusive response? …

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