Member Update 29 February 2024 | Term 1, 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

You’re on a mission in life to become the best version of yourself. Not only for yourself, but for the community you serve and the many young people who look up to you for strength and guidance. To accomplish that mission, you’ll need to be well equipped in every way. Recently I saw a post referenceing Oliver Burkeman's 3-3-3 method, a strategy for productivity and it struck me as a valuable tool to support your professional life. The 3-3-3 method supports us to manage our workload and prioritise tasks in a sensible, logical way. The theory resonated with me as I know in our fast paced lives, and busy profession, we often have tasks competing for our attention!

On that note, this week has been jam packed for me and the VACPSP team! The last minute and fine details of the Conference have taken much of our attention whilst still balancing the day to day tasks and operations. On Tuesday I was fortunate to attend the VACPSP Alumni luncheon in Melbourne. It was a great opportunity for new and established retirees to connect, come together, share stories and have a laugh. After heading back to Warrnambool for a couple of days, I am back in Melbourne tomorrow to meet with the MACS team to discuss our ongoing agenda.

I hope you have had a great week so far; somehow today we see out February!

Also in this newsletter: 

• 2024 VACPSP Conference: Limited gala dinner tickets still available! Book now!
  
• OECD Learning Compass: The OECD Learning Compass 2030 is an evolving learning framework that sets out an aspirational vision for the future of education. Find out more inside.
• AERO (Australian Education research Organisation) new discussion paper: Paper 'Effectively managing classrooms to create safe and supportive learning environments'.
  

2024 VACPSP Conference, Lorne

Think. Engage. Lead. WITH STRENGTH.

Building on the previous conference themes of Courage and Hope, we introduce the theme of Strength. The Strength of our Faith and the teachings of Jesus and our own saint, Mary McKillop, the Strength of leading differently and justly, Strength in the face of the challenges of today's society, including a focus on the Strength of our indigenous story and spirituality, and our own inner conviction. A Strength that enables us to lead as we do.

This conference journey will inspire, inform and equip you to make a long-term, sustainable and measurable impact on young people and school communities. The conference is underpinned by “the story of our faith ... treasures handed to us. Whether Catholic or not, practicing or not, we are custodians or keepers of these stories because we work in Catholic schools." (200 Years Catholic Education).

OECD Learning Compass

The OECD Learning Compass 2030 is an evolving learning framework that sets out an aspirational vision for the future of education. It provides points of orientation towards the future we want: individual and collective well-being. The metaphor of a learning compass was adopted to emphasise the need for students to learn to navigate by themselves through unfamiliar contexts.

>>Learning Compass 2030 in brief
>>Learning Compass 2030 concept note

Education Research Organisation (AERO) discussion paper: ‘Effectively managing classrooms to create safe and supportive learning environments’

This project seeks to support teachers and school leaders to develop students’ behavioural engagement by creating and maintaining safe and supportive learning environments through effective classroom management.

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