Member Update 8 February 2024 | Term 1, 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

And just like that, term one, 2024 is well underway! I hope it has been a smooth start to the year and that you enjoyed some valuable family and personal time over the summer break.

The VACPSP is ready to support you in igniting another year of excellence in each Catholic Primary School across Victoria. Together, let's inspire, lead, and make a lasting impact. Here's to a fantastic learning journey ahead! To support your journey, I encourage you to consider our biennial March 2024 conference in the majestic setting of Lorne on the Great Ocean Road; with support from ACU, our governing authorities and many trusted partners, you will be inspired to thrive as a leader.

2024 Conference

The countdown is officially on to the 2024 Conference with tickets to close NEXT WEEK! If you haven't secured your tickets do so now! The VACPSP Conference is a not to be missed Principal event!

Tickets can be purchased through TryBooking here. I would also like to remind you we are selling gala tickets (Thursday of the Conference) seperately to Conference/Accomodation so make sure you purchase your seat for the Thursday dinner too! Gala tickets are now open to non-members as well as members!

The 2024 Conference theme is WITH STRENGTH and will inspire you to think with strength, engage with strength and lead with strength. In a post pandemic world, with global unrest, teacher shortage, changing social, ecclesial and educational contexts and challenges, Principals are challenged to dig deeper than ever before for the strength to lead their communities. Tickets can be bought here.

The 2024 Conference will be underpinned by the strength of leadership of Mary McKillop’s story, who was an educator, a pioneer and a leader, someone who had compassion for others, regardless of their position, situation or ethnicity.

You can find out more information about the 2024 Conference here.

Conference Goals 

The delegates will feel closer to God and open to finding strength in God’s love

Through daily prayer, Mass, opportunities for personal reflection and lessons in spirituality, the delegates’ faith will be nourished and refreshed.

The delegates will experience new ways of thinking to draw on inner strength

Hearing incredible stories from all disciplines and life experiences will stimulate out of the box thinking and new perspectives on the definition of strength. In three days, delegates will benefit from years of knowledge and wisdom that they can transfer to their own life and leadership journey.

The delegates will find their inner strengths

Delegates will be challenged to get out of their comfort zone, to look introspectively and be reminded of their own incredible potential by exploring, discussing and engaging with stories of strength and vision. Delegates will leave the Conference encouraged and inspired to embrace their own inner strengths and that of their staff, students and community.

The delegates will feel empowered by their connection to each-other

The shared collegial experience will refill delegates hearts as they build relationships and bonds with each other. With the support of their peers, delegates will have the strength and confidence ready to lead their school community.

God has put gifts and talents in all of us we probably don’t know anything about.

Other updates: 

Please note: Invoices for 2024 Membership have not yet been issued. We have had some delays with our transfer to new accounting software so please 'watch this space'.

Also in this newsletter: 

• 2024 VACPSP Conference: TICKETS ARE LIVE AND SELLING OUT!!! (*TryBooking is not open to Sponsors). 
• 2024 VACPSP Conference Gala Tickets: TICKETS ARE LIVE AND SELLING OUT!!! (*TryBooking is not open to Sponsors).
• MACS Principals: Register for Key Opportunities - Pathway to Principalship – exploring readiness program and First-year Graduate Teacher Commissioning Mass.
• Nominations for the 2024 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards, presented by Schools Plus: Open now. 
  

MACS Principals: Key Opportunities

Pathway to Principalship – exploring readiness program

Further information can be found here, and the application process is open to submit applications via the CEVN website in the Online Professional Learning (OPL) application using the following code: 24LED200A: Pathway to Principalship - Exploring Readiness Program. I welcome applications from secondary deputy principals, across MACS, RIMPJP schools and from outside the diocese. If there was a chance to have some time at your upcoming meeting, I could unpack some of this with PAVCSS colleagues and provide an overview of other, additional offerings.

 First-year Graduate Teacher Commissioning Mass

Principals who have employed first year graduates are asked to register attendance all new teacher graduates to attend the Graduate Teacher Commissioning Mass, to be presided by Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli via the CEVN website in the Online Professional Learning (OPL) application using the following code: 24GRD011A: First Year Graduate Teachers - Commissioning Mass and Induction.

Nominations for the 2024 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards, presented by Schools Plus: Open

Nominations for the 2024 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards presented by Schools Plus are opening soon.
 
About the Teaching Awards
Each year, national education non-profit Schools Plus with the support of some of Australia’s leading philanthropists chaired by David Gonski AC, and in partnership with Commonwealth Bank celebrates inspirational teachers who are making a transformative impact on children and school communities around Australia.
 
Twelve outstanding teachers or school leaders will receive a prestigious $40,000 award including funding for a strategic school project and participation in a unique 12-month Teaching Fellowship program.
 
Ten early career teachers with the passion and potential to make an increasing impact in education will receive $10,000 for professional development and an exclusive professional learning program.
 
From 4 March to 8 April 2024, teachers and school leaders from all states and sectors are invited to apply for these prestigious awards.
 
We would appreciate your support in sharing this great opportunity with your colleagues, your network and school community. In the coming weeks, please consider:

• publishing a story about the Awards in your next EDM or newsletter.
• sharing a post on your social media channels.
• forwarding this email to your colleagues and communications team

Warm regards,

The Teaching Awards Team 
Australian Schools Plus  

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