Member Update 14 August 2025 | Term 3, Week 4

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

On Monday the VACPSP held our August Principal Council Meeting, with Principal representatives attending from across the State. Two key agenda items  included the review of our current draft EBA Position Paper, and discussion of the Workload, Pressures, and Future Intentions / Reflections Survey for Principals. If you are yet to complete this survey please do so here. Your insights are invaluable and will help inform future planning, advocacy, and the support structures for all school leaders across our Catholic education communities.

These agenda items highlight the importance, relevance and actions of the VACPSP Executive. Your voice is a critical support to decision makers in Victoria. Decision makers for Catholic education in Victoria include VCEA, governing bodies, Victorian Government and legislated education authorities (including VCAA, ACARA, AITSL, ERA, OCHRE and AERO). The VACPSP connects with these groups via council members and the executive who attend board meetings, workshops, think tanks and advisory committees on your behalf. A unique feature of VACPSP is the ability of a Principal working currently in a Catholic Primary School to have a direct impact on discussions by these groups; be it through attendance at our meetings, engaging with surveys we distribute, serving on the Principal Council or engaging with your local network representative. When you commit to the Association, you have the support of the Executive, the commitment of the Diocesan Directors to the profession of Principalship, and a community commitment to the voice of Primary Principals in education and faith formation. 

With that said, at the upcoming AGM (7 November 2025) there will be new Principal Council Positions opened up in response to our annual cycle of elections. New area MACS network boundaries will also mean new representative positions. We will communicate more about the specifics of the positions closer to the AGM but if you would like to nominate yourself to be on the VACPSP Principal Council please express your interest to me. I would welcome an opportunity to talk with you more about what is involved, the importance of your unique contribution, and the collegial and professional value of being involved with the Association.

Also in this newsletter:

• Looking for a Trusted Supplier? Visit the VACPSP Directory at any time.
• 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.
  
• Planning for Retirement Webinar: Hosted by Events at Catholic Super, Join Events at Catholic Super's Head of Retirement, Sam Higgie, and Senior Financial Planner, Scott Jackson, as they guide you through the retirement journey. Thursday 21 August 2025, 5:00pm - 6:00pm AET/Melbourne time. Register Here. 
• The inaugural MACS Flourishing Learners Conference: Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) is hosting the inaugural Flourishing Learners Conference. The two-day event will enable teachers and leaders across schools in the Archdiocese to deliver equity and excellence in education. The conference will take place 8-9 September 2025 at Marvel Stadium. Buy tickets here.
• AITSL Teacher Workplace Data Survey Results: The data highlights the challenges faced by teachers and school leaders, and using data to inform future decisions provides a unique opportunity to target resources where they will have the most impact across a teacher’s career. Read more here.
•  Thoughts and Prayers with Helen: 17 August 2025 Twentieth 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. 

Planning For Retirement Webinar

Events at Catholic Super understand that everyone’s journey towards retirement is unique, which is why we’re offering a webinar designed to empower you with the knowledge you need to retire with confidence.

Join Events at Catholic Super's Head of Retirement, Sam Higgie, and Senior Financial Planner, Scott Jackson, as they guide you through the retirement journey. At the end of the session Sam and Scott will answer questions and provide guidance on what to do next.

Webinar Details:
Thursday 21 August 2025, 5:00pm - 6:00pm AET/Melbourne time 
Ideal for those starting to think about retirement, this webinar will provide you with an overview of:
•    The key stages in the lead up to retirement
•    Ways to boost your super savings
•    Using super to maximise your remaining working years
•    Introduction to our tools and resources to help you prepare
•    How financial advice can support you into retirement
The event will consist of a 30-minute presentation followed by a Q&A session for approximately 30-minutes.

The Inaugural MACS Flourishing Learners Conference

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) is hosting the inaugural Flourishing Learners Conference. The two-day event will enable teachers and leaders across schools in the Archdiocese to deliver equity and excellence in education.

The Flourishing Learners Conference is not only an unparalleled opportunity for professional networking and access to subject-matter experts, but an environment designed to elicit dialogue around the best way to support teachers so they can best support students.

The conference will take place 8-9 September 2025 at Marvel Stadium

AITSL Teacher Workforce Data Results

Last week, AITSL (The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership)  released the latest teacher workforce data in their National Trends: Teacher Workforce publication and in the Data Portal. Each year, AITSL invite you and your staff to complete the Australian Teacher Workforce Survey, and the information you've shared is invaluable - it provides a clear evidence base that helps inform government policy and sector-wide initiatives. 

The publication and the data in the portal tell your story – AITSL encourages you to take the time to read the publication and explore the portal, given that in Victoria, our sector is about to be engaged in developing the next workforce EBA, this work can provide exceptional professional insight to the discussions.

AITSL thanks the approximately 40,000 people who take part in the Survey each year, which is the nation’s largest survey of teachers and school leaders.

It's impressive to see the depth of experience across the profession being surfaced through the results, with many of you (66%) bringing more than a decade of expertise and senior leaders with 10 to 29 years of experience, increasing from 57% in 2019 to 63% in 2023. This wealth of knowledge is a tremendous asset to the education sector and the communities you serve.

Leadership depth is just one of the insights shared by you. It is incredibly powerful that, through the survey, your voice informs future policy directions and shapes more effective support across the profession. The results also highlight the challenges faced by teachers and school leaders, and using data to inform future decisions provides a unique opportunity to target resources where they will have the most impact across a teacher’s career.

There’s also more opportunity to have your say about what’s working and not working for you when the Australian Teacher Workforce Survey opens in August. Your participation and input are crucial and can drive positive change across the sector. Your voice matters and will help shape education policy in Australia.

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. 

The VACPSP is committed to the safety, wellbeing and dignity of all children and young people.

Thank you to our Business Partners