Member Update 4 September 2025 | Term 3, Week 7

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

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

It gives me enormous pleasure to announce tickets to our 2026 Conference are now on sale! 

The 2026 Conference theme is Nourish Your Purpose and will take delegates on a journey of personal and professional fulfilment with a focus on nourishing and equipping you in your role as Principal with knowledge, faith and collegiality. Through the lineup of speakers, activities and offerings, the 2026 event seeks to nourish the mind, body and soul of our leaders and activate a spirit of creativity, enlivened faith, inspired understanding and exceptional leadership skills.  

Join us once again at The Mantra Lorne for this not to be missed biennial event on 25 March 2026 to 27 March 2026. I look forward to sharing more information with you in the coming weeks!

Secure your spot now!

Important things to note:

• Early bird ticket prices for MEMBERS ONLY are available until 1 October 2025 so get in quick!
• Gala dinner tickets (Thursday 26th March 2026) are sold separately so make sure you select your room AND a gala dinner ticket should you wish to attend.
• Welcome drinks will take place on the evening of Tuesday 25th March 2026 (save the date!)
• Daily Yoga will be running again (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday).
• We will distribute booklet and full program in due course.

Meet the inspiring speakers and faith leaders who will be guiding our 2026 Conference:

Also in this newsletter:

• Looking for a Trusted Supplier? Visit the VACPSP Directory at any time.
• 2026 VACPSP Conference Tickets: This conference journey will nourish your mind, body and soul and activate a spirit of creativity, enlivened faith, inspired understanding and exceptional leadership through the lineup of speakers, activities and offerings. Join us at The Mantra Lorne on 25 - 27 March 2026. Early Bird offer for members only open until 1 October 2025. Buy tickets now on TryBooking. 
• VACPSP Leadership Survey Results: VACPSP recently commissioned a leadership survey seeking to understand Principalship from the perspective of Deputy Principals, current Principals and Retired Principals. The survey reveals a profession committed to its mission and community impact, yet deeply strained by workload, compliance demands, and behavioural pressures. Read the survey results here.
  
• Thrive by Five: Thrive have built a powerful movement for universal, high-quality early learning. Minderoo Foundation and The Front Project launched the second Cost of Late Intervention report. Read their report around early action below. 
• 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. 12–16 January 2026 | Sydney. Read more and buy tickets below.
• Legal Support for Members: As part of VACPSP Strategic Plan 2021-2025 Members can access legal support. Find out more here.
• Thoughts and Prayers with Helen: 7 September 2025 Twenty-Third 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.

2026 VACPSP Conference Tickets

 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

VACPSP Leadership Survey

VACPSP recently commissioned a leadership survey seeking to understand Principalship from the perspective of Deputy Principals, current Principals and Retired Principals. The turn around, design, distribution and summary for the project was three weeks and yielded 117 responses from Principals (mainly from the MACS region), 104 responses from Deputy Principals and 8 responses from Retired Principals. 

In short, the survey reveals a profession committed to its mission and community impact, yet deeply strained by workload, compliance demands, and behavioural pressures. Strengthening administrative support, wellbeing strategies, and leadership pathways is essential to sustain and retain Catholic school leaders in Victoria.

The survey provides valuable insight that will be used to support the upcoming VACPSP Position Paper on Principalship. 

Thrive by Five

Thrive have built a powerful movement for universal, high-quality early learning. They have helped secure landmark changes to affordability, educator pay, and access to care. Thrive have put children’s wellbeing on the political agenda to create real change. But their work isn’t finished. This week, Minderoo Foundation and The Front Project launched the second Cost of Late Intervention report – a wake-up call that shows just how urgent early action really is.

Here’s what it found:
•    $22.3 billion is spent every year by governments responding to crises that could have been prevented
•    That figure is up 47% since 2019
•    The biggest increases are in child protection and family violence
•    These are only the direct costs to taxpayers, not the broader costs to families, industry or the economy

This is not just about money. It’s about missed moments, when support could have changed a child’s path, strengthened a family, or prevented harm.
We are spending more to help fewer children, later, and at greater cost.
The message is clear: acting early isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do.

What needs to happen next:
Thrive is calling on governments to treat early intervention as core economic policy, and to:
•    Invest in evidence-based support that works
•    Coordinate services so no child falls through the cracks
•    Prioritise equity and access for families doing it toughest
•    Build partnerships between government, philanthropy, business and community
•    Rebuild public trust through safety, transparency and workforce support

Together, our Thrive by Five community has made early learning fairer, stronger and more visible than ever before. But this report is a reminder that we can’t stop now.
This is not about spending more – it’s about spending smarter. We can continue to pay for failure – or we can invest in success.

As we have demonstrated together, there is power in many voices calling for real, lasting change.
Read the report, share it widely, and help us keep the pressure on.

Professional Education at HGSE

The Principals' Centre in Australia
Tuition Discount for Early Application → Apply Now

12–16 January, 2026 | Sydney | Early Bird 2 Deadline 15 September
 
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.

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