Member Update 19 June 2025 | Term 2, Week 9

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

As President, one of my greatest joys is the continuous learning I gain from each of you – whether it's through our casual conversations, deep dives into conference content, or exploring your insightful digital articles and reflections. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a diverse collection of Principal colleagues, each bringing rich expertise and unique passions to our community.

A key pillar of the Association is promoting collegiality among Victorian Catholic Primary Principals through our events, including the upcoming VACPSP Conference (save the date!) and the recently held President's Ball. Each week, we're also fortunate to receive "Thoughts and Prayers with Helen" from Dr. Helen Healy, an esteemed colleague, former Principal, and expert in faith formation. Following our 2024 Conference, Nate Owen shared a valuable summary of Mark McCrindle and Ashley Fell's book, "Generation Alpha," which beautifully complemented the presentation and posed further food for thought. This week, I'm pleased to share articles from Rachel Holdsworth (Principal Holy Spirit Catholic Primary School, Manifold Heights, Geelong) who recently wrote "Beyond the Bullying Label: Teaching Children to Navigate Social Challenges" and "The Limitation of NAPLAN: A Holistic Perspective", promoting the importance of development and supporting the whole child. From Rachel's insights, we can gain valuable educational discussion around critical issues in young people's learning. 

This week's reflection aims to not only highlight the diverse offerings from your peers – which I'll continue to feature in this newsletter – but also to encourage you to share your own valuable expertise. The Association belongs to all of us; it is the collective voice of Catholic Primary Principals in Victoria, and I truly want to hear from each and every one of you. After all, who can understand you better than a colleague pursuing the like-minded goals of outstanding education and faith formation for all Victorian students?

If you have a comment or something you would like to share, please email me at any time at president@vacpsp.org.au.

Also in this newsletter:

• VACPSP Member Renewal: 2025 Memberships are now overdue. If you are yet to renew, you will soon receive an invoice in the mail. If you have any questions or concerns, or would prefer an email copy, please email admin@vacpsp.org.au.
  
• 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.
  
• Professional Education at HGSE: Presented by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Club of Australia. in-person program designed to help school leaders cultivate and strengthen their leadership skills. When: 12 - 16 January 2026, Sydney. Tuition Discount for Early Application apply now via link. 
• Grattan Report Release The Grattan Institute today publishes a guide for primary school principals on how to implement great maths teaching in their school. Read the guide here. 
  
• Generation Alpha: Inspiring optimism in the parents of the rising generation. Read the summary here. 
• A new era of learning at Werribee Open Range Zoo: Werribee’s new elephant programs go far beyond observation. These education sessions place students alongside educators to explore real-world questions across science and sustainability. Read more here. 
• Beyond the Bullying Label: Teaching Children to Navigate Social Challenges: Read Rachel Holdsworth article here.
• The Limitation of NAPLAN: A Holistic Perspective: Read Rachel Holdsworth article here.
• Thoughts and Prayers with Helen:  22 June the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ 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.

VACPSP Member Renewal

If you are yet to renew, an invoice has been posted to you. 

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. 

Professional Education at HGSE

Presented by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Club of Australia, The Principals’ Centre in Australia is a five-day, in-person program designed to help school leaders cultivate and strengthen their leadership skills. Join us and fellow school leaders from across Australasia to explore challenges specific to your region and your students' learning needs. 

When: 12 - 16 January 2026, Sydney
Tuition Discount for Early Application apply now via link below (Discount ends June 30).

Grattan Report Release

The Grattan Institute today publishes a guide for primary school principals on how to implement great maths teaching in their school. The practical, easy-to-follow guide complements Grattan Institute’s influential April 2025 report, The Maths Guarantee: How to boost students’ learning in primary schools.

That report showed that one in three Australian school students fail to achieve proficiency in maths, and our top-performing maths students lag far behind the best in the world. 

It called on all state governments, and the Catholic and independent school sectors, to commit to a 10-year Maths Guarantee strategy to transform Australia’s maths performance. 

But primary school principals do not need to wait for others to act. This guide identifies the practical steps school leaders can take right now to embed great maths teaching in their classrooms. 

The guide is divided into four sections: 

1. Section 1: explains why primary schools should focus on improving maths performance.
2. Section 2: sets out the key elements of an evidence-informed, systematic approach to maths teaching.
3. Section 3: breaks down the key features of a systematic, school-wide approach to maths, including setting aside purposeful time for maths, using shared curriculum materials, and building teacher expertise.
4. Section 4: is a checklist of the key steps principals can take to embed this in their school. 

The guide draws on lessons Grattan’s education experts learnt studying seven schools across Australia that exemplify great practice.  

• Wattle Grove Primary, a government school in suburban Perth
• Bentleigh West Primary, a government school in suburban Melbourne
• Ballarat Clarendon College, an independent school in regional Victoria
• St Bernard’s Primary, a Catholic school in Batemans Bay on the NSW south coast
• Charlestown South Public, a government school in Newcastle, NSW
• The Entrance Public, a government school on the NSW central coast
• Budgewoi Public, a government school also on the NSW central coast 

Australia has a maths problem, and it starts in primary school. Our guide shows how schools can start to fix it.

Generation Alpha 21

Inspiring optimism in the parents of the rising generation

There’s a lot to learn about ‘Generation Alpha’ as the first generation to be born fully in the 21st Century. If you are a parent, this is the book for you! Renowned social research experts Mark McCrindle and Ashley Fell provide us. with insights and the answers we need to help our switched-on, 21st-century kids thrive in the digital age they were born into. Generation Alpha describes those born between 2010 and 2024. You may have heard about them as the children of Gen Y and coming after Gen Z. Our Gen Alpha kids are living through an era of rapid change and a barrage of information. 

Read more via PDF below. 

A new era of learning at Werribee Open Range Zoo

Werribee’s new elephant programs go far beyond observation. These education sessions place students alongside educators to explore real-world questions across science and sustainability. How do elephants communicate? What does conservation look like in practice? What role do humans play in protecting biodiversity? 

With strong links to the Victorian Curriculum, the program supports critical and creative thinking while nurturing students’ sense of responsibility and connection to the natural world. 

And every school visit includes a free safari tour, taking students on an open-range journey past rhinos, giraffes, zebras, antelope and more – expanding the lens from Asian elephants to broader ecosystems and the diversity of life they contain. 

Beyond the Bullying Label: Teaching Children to Navigate Social Challenges:

The Limitation of NAPLAN: A Holistic Perspective

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