Member Update 31 July 2025 | Term 3, 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

As part of a broader effort to understand and respond to the evolving demands faced by Victorian Catholic Primary School Leaders, the VACPSP invites all Principals (past and present) and Deputy Principals to complete this short, anonymous survey. 

The survey questions explore key areas, including workload, parent interactions, student behavioural challenges, administrative pressures, and your future career intentions.

Your insights are invaluable and will help inform future planning, advocacy, and support structures for all school leaders across our Catholic education communities.

The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete, and all responses will remain strictly confidential.

Please click the link below to complete the survey:
👉 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1kIIaNZlorMrTt9hQiaSzXJzuM8b_o3dzFNPLHPqxVA0/edit

We deeply appreciate your time, honesty, and leadership.

Also in this newsletter:

• 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.
  
• 2025 Australian Primary Principals Day: Reminder to encourage the celebration of leadership APPA (Australian Primary Principals Association) and the VACPSPS acknowledges your leadership and is promoting Primary Principals Day  Read more here. “Principal are champions; in every moment, every decision, every challenge, and every triumph - Principals lead with heart, courage, and unwavering hope for their communities."
  
• ACEL National Conference Program Now Available: Join ACEL in Sydney from 29 September – 1 October for this flagship event, presented in partnership with the NSW Department of Education. See more information and tickets here.
• Principal Roles Now recruiting: Principals to lead with purpose across Sandhurst Catholic Education Sandhurst invites courageous, compassionate and visionary educators to consider the position of Primary Principal in one of five Catholic schools across Central and North East Victoria.  To explore the opportunity and learn how you can lead with purpose in the Sandhurst Diocese click here.
• Australian Teacher Workforce Survey: The Australian Teacher Workforce Survey captures insights from teachers and school leaders nationwide to build a clearer, evidence-informed picture of the profession – directly influencing education policy, strengthening workforce planning, and driving national reform. Follow the following link.
• Education Services Australia Webinar: How can we best support neurodivergent children and young people? Thursday 14 August, 4:00PM - 5:00PM AEST. Click here to sign up. 
• Ochre Education Webinar: Primary and secondary teachers: join Ochre for a practical webinar on how to select and effectively use a visualiser / document camera to enhance evidence-based instruction in your classroom. Register here.
• Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership: Explore the new Thrive in 2025: Connect page. brings together trusted tools to help you build meaningful connections this term with peers, your school community and with Country. See the page here.  
  
• Thoughts and Prayers with Helen: 3 August 2025 Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. 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.

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. 

ACPPA Principal Leadership Fund

The Principal Leadership Fund has been established to provide financial support and assistance to principals, building their capacity, skills and comfort in their role. To be considered for the Principal Leadership Fund, an applicant must be a Principal at a Catholic Primary School in Australia, with less than 10 years experience as a Catholic Primary school Principal. 

NOMINATIONS OPEN JUNE 2nd 2025 AND CLOSE AUGUST 6th 2025

2025 Australian Primary Principals Day

On Friday, 1 August 2025, we invite you to use Australian Primary Principals Day as an opportunity to acknowledge your primary principal’s unique place in your school (and wider) community and to say  THANK YOU  for their dedication and valued contribution. 

ACEL National Conference Program Now Available

We’re excited to announce that the full program for the 2025 ACEL National Conference is now available.

Join ACEL in Sydney from 29 September – 1 October for this flagship event, presented in partnership with the NSW Department of Education. This year’s theme, Amplifying every voice, shaping our story, empowering all learners, will guide three days of bold, future-focused dialogue and professional learning.

Explore this newly released program to discover an inspiring lineup of keynote speakers, interactive sessions, and networking opportunities that bring together educators and leaders from across the country.

View the program and start planning your conference experience today.

Principal Roles

Now recruiting: Principals to lead with purpose across Sandhurst

Catholic Education Sandhurst invites courageous, compassionate and visionary educators to consider the position of Primary Principal in one of five Catholic schools across Central and North East Victoria. From larger regional centres to close-knit rural townships, each leadership opportunity reflects our shared mission: Every Student, Every Teacher, Every School, Every Day. 
 
Among these roles is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the founding Principal of St Thomas Aquinas Primary School in Huntly, a brand-new Catholic school about to begin construction in Bendigo’s fastest growing suburb, set to open in 2027. Across all six roles, you’ll be supported by a collaborative network of 51 Principals across the Sandhurst Diocese and lead a school where Magnify Sandhurst drives evidence-based teaching, strong literacy and numeracy, and calm, focused classrooms. 

Australian Teacher Workforce Survey

The Australian Teacher Workforce Survey captures insights from teachers and school leaders nationwide to build a clearer, evidence-informed picture of the profession – directly influencing education policy, strengthening workforce planning, and driving national reform.

Education Services Australia

How can we best support neurodivergent children and young people?
Register now for ESA's upcoming Student Wellbeing Hub webinars with Dr Kathryn Ambrose. An overview of wellbeing for autistic students will introduce inclusive wellbeing practice through a neurodiversity-affirming lens. While Anxiety in autistic students takes a deep dive into how you can support the mental health and wellbeing of autistic students who experience anxiety.

Ochre Education

Free webinar: using a visualiser to support evidence-based instruction.
Primary and secondary teachers: join Ochre for a practical webinar on how to select and effectively use a visualiser / document camera to enhance evidence-based instruction in your classroom.

Learn about: 
•    What to consider when choosing a visualiser for your school
•    Explore practical strategies for using a visualiser to support explicit teaching, student engagement, and Ochre Education resources.

This session is suitable for teachers across all phases and subject areas, from primary to secondary. Join us live to ask and hear questions, and register to be sent a direct link to the recording after the session.  

Hosted  by learning specialist Brad Nguyen. 
Wednesday 13 August, 7:30 PM – 8:15 PM (AEST)

Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership

Explore the new Thrive in 2025: Connect page.

AITSL's updated Thrive in 2025: Connect page brings together trusted tools to help you build meaningful connections this term with peers, your school community and with Country.

Whether you’re teaching, leading or supporting others to do both, there’s something here to help you connect with purpose. 

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