Member Update 22 May | Term 2, Week 5

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

Advocating for What Matters Most: Leadership, Learning, and the Common Good

In recent weeks, your VACPSP Principal Council representatives have steadfastly championed what truly matters — your voice as Catholic primary school leaders. With clarity, courage, and deep conviction, they’ve brought real-world insights into the conversations that shape our sector — from staffing and student wellbeing to leadership workload and community needs. Every conversation, forum, and meeting has echoed your lived experience and unwavering commitment to the mission of Catholic education.

This is advocacy in action: hopeful, heartfelt, and rooted in service to the common good. Our Principal Council’s leadership is planting seeds for a sustainable, joy-filled future — not just for our schools today, but for future generations of students, staff, and communities.

So, what does this look like in practice?

Recently, our Deputy President (Damian Howard Principal, St Carlo Acutis, Wollert) joined forces with Andrew Delglish (President, Victorian Principals Association) and Joanne Barker (Head of Independent Primary Schools Australia, Victorian Charter and Head of Korowa Anglican Girls’ Junior School) to meet with Ms. Jess Wilson, the newly appointed Shadow Minister for Education in Victoria. Learn more about Jess Wilson →

The purpose of this meeting was to introduce Jess to the leadership and vision of Victoria’s primary principal associations. Together, the group shared key concerns impacting school leadership and outlined the needs of primary schools and the young people we serve. They also presented the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) Position Papers, which provide critical direction on:

• Curriculum: Great Leading, Teaching and Learning
  
• Principal Workload and Wellbeing
  
• Primary Resourcing and
  
• Supporting Students with Complex Needs
  

Your voice is also shaping the national educational conversation.

Rachel Holdsworth (VACPSP Geelong Representative and Principal of Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School, Manifold Heights) represented you at the Australian Catholic Primary Principals Association (ACPPA) meeting in Melbourne. In conversations with national leaders such as Jacinta Collins (Executive Director, NCEC) and Stephen Gniel (CEO, ACARA and former CEO of VCAA), Rachel contributed to key discussions on:

• National policy, curriculum and NAPLAN
• ACPPA’s strategic direction
  
• Association sub-branches and incorporation
  
• Interest and risk registers, and
  
• Finalisation of ACPPA policies and position papers
  

These local and national efforts reflect the dynamic, hope-filled leadership you bring to Catholic education daily. Together, we are making sure the voice of Catholic primary school leaders is heard, deeply respected, and influential in shaping a better future.

Regards,

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.
  
• 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. 25 - 27 March 2026, Mantra Lorne.
  
• APPA Position Paper: To read about the APPA Position Paper click here. 
• Be You Event: Online Webinar: Mental health and wellbeing within schools. Online   Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025  Time: 10 – 11am AEST. Register here, spaces are limited.
  
• Victorian Institute of Teaching Update: Visit the link to find the latest VIT circulars in one convenient place. You'll find updates on upcoming events, registration information, helpful resources, and more. 
• EDUtech Australia Conference:  Held 11–12 June at ICC Sydney! Join thousands of passionate educators and EdTech leaders exploring digitisation, creativity, and inclusion in education. Discover tools that will transform your classrooms and leadership. See below for a discount and website to purchase tickets.
• Education Services Australia Update: Andrew Smith steps down as ESA's CEO to lead Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). Read more here. 
• Charles Darwin University Survey Distribution and Interview Participation: A PhD candidate from Charles Darwin University is conducting a mixed‐methods study on early-career teachers (ECTs). They are particularly interested in capturing how both ECTs and school leaders perceive education structures, supports, and policies. Click here to read more about this.
• Thoughts and Prayers with Helen:  24-25 May 2025, Sixth Sunday of Easter. Read Helens 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.

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. 

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. 

APPA Position Paper

Be You Event: Online Webinar

Are you passionate about mental health and wellbeing outcomes in your service or school, but you’re unsure where to start?

Be You is here to help. 

Be You invites you to join there special event, Demystifying the implementation of mental health strategies in education. 
You will hear from Robyn Mildon, CEO of the Centre for Evidence and Implementation, on overcoming blockers that might be hindering progress and leveraging key factors to drive positive mental health outcomes in your service or school.

Location: Online  
Date: Wednesday, 28 May 2025 
Time: 10 – 11am AEST  

Victorian Institute of Teaching Update

The Victorian Institute of Teaching is here to help you stay informed. In this edition, they have compiled the latest VIT circulars in one convenient place. You'll find updates on upcoming events, registration information, helpful resources, and more.

EDUtech Australia 2025 Conference

We’re thrilled to be exhibiting at EDUtech AU 2025 on 11–12 June at ICC Sydney!
Join thousands of passionate educators and EdTech leaders exploring digitisation, creativity, and inclusion in education. Discover tools that will transform your classrooms and leadership.
Register now and use the code ACPPA20 to get a special discount for Australian Catholic Primary Principals Association members. Link Below

Education Services Australia Update

Andrew Smith steps down as ESA's CEO to lead Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA)

With deep appreciation and a touch of sadness, ESA announces that Andrew Smith will be stepping down from his role as ESA's CEO, to take on a new role as CEO of the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA), beginning in June.
Andrew led ESA through a transformative period, and they are deeply grateful for his leadership, vision, and steadfast dedication to supporting excellence and equity in Australian education.

You can read more about Andrew’s legacy and next chapter on there website below. 

Charles Darwin University Survey Distribution and Interview Participation

A PhD candidate from Charles Darwin University is conducting a mixed‐methods study on early-career teachers (ECTs).  I They are particularly interested in capturing how both ECTs and school leaders perceive education structures, supports, and policies.

How you might be able to assist:
Survey Distribution
Would it be possible for VPA to share a brief copy-and-paste blurb and survey link with your Principal Class and Leading Teacher members, asking them to forward it on to the early-career teachers at their schools?
Principal Interviews
If any principals might be interested, could you let me know or pass along my invitation for a 15-minute Zoom/phone interview scheduled between July and August?

Principal Interviews
Format & Commitment: 15-minute conversations via Zoom or phone, scheduled between July and August.
Participant Info: I’ve attached the Plain-Language Statement and Consent Form for principals, refer attachment.

Why this matters for VPA members:
•    Your members’ insights will directly inform recommendations for induction, mentoring, and professional learning supports that benefit their schools and colleagues.
•    A summary of key findings can be shared with VPA to support advocacy and professional development planning.

Ethics & Contact:
•    All participation is voluntary, confidential, and covered by Charles Darwin University ethics approval (H24028), refer attachment. I also have Department of Education, Victoria ethics approval, refer below screenshot.

Please feel free to contact Kate (kate.edgar@cdu.edu.au) or supervisor, Dr Ania Lian (Ania.Lian@cdu.edu.au), with any further questions.

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. 

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