Member Update 14 March 2024 | Term 1, Week 6
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
In many ways we as leaders are on a mission to become the best version of ourselves. Why? If I thrive, I can lead with hope, passion and energy. If I am my best, I can nurture and support myself, my family, my friends and my professional community. Given that we also work in Catholic leadership, being my best version is also a calling; it is about our development and, importantly, the betterment of others. It is about leading others in a way where they see our God’s heart in action (Luke 15:11-32) and get a glimpse of the Kingdom of God (Luke 4:43, Mark 1:15, Luke 8:1).
To help accomplish the mission of being our best, we need to be well equipped with the finest tools — spiritually, emotionally, physically and technically. Spiritually we must make time for prayer, reflection and scripture engagement, emotionally we need a framework beyond just health and well-being, and to tie it all together we need optimal systems thinking strategies. In such a wholistic profession, we are frequently reminded that beyond competency there are places only character, values, principles and mindset can take us.
When planning for our conference, we keep all these attributes in mind. The program is designed to inspire, enrich and challenge you toward growth. In 2024, we have a fantastic lineup of inspirational speakers who, through story, discussion, reflection and collegiality, will support us all to go deep into ourselves to find our inner strengths and gifts to lead as we do. I look forward to spending time together and going on this journey of learning and self growth.
Confirmation of educational leaders attending Lorne next week:
- Australian Primary Principals Association's (APPA) President, Angela Falkenberg from South Australia.
- Australian Catholic Primary Principal Association's (ACPPA) President, Peter Cutrona, and current Principal of St. Simon Peter Catholic Primary School, Ocean Reef Western Australia. Peter writes today to welcome you to ACPPA.
- Australian Catholic Primary Principal Association's (ACPPA) Executive Officer, Gez Mulvahil.
- Tom Sexton, Executive Director of the Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Schools, attending the conference Gala Dinner.
- Principals' Association of Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools' (PAVCSS) Chief Executive Officer, Melanie Palmer.
Also in this newsletter:
- VACPSP Conference is NEXT WEEK: See the official Booklet!
- NAPLAN: Information for parents and carers brochure.
- ACPPA: Welcome Correspondence.
- Monash Survey: Research into co-designing a wellbeing program for teachers when supporting students who have experienced trauma.
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).
NAPLAN information for parents and carers brochure
The following information is available as a downloadable NAPLAN information for parents and carers brochure (PDF 108 KB) and a Simple English NAPLAN information brochure for parents and carers (PDF 1 MB).
Translated PDFs are available at the bottom of the page also.
ACPPA: Welcome Correspondence
Monash Survey
Message from Monash
I am a member of a team of researchers at Monash University who are interested in co-designing a wellbeing program for teachers when supporting students who have experienced trauma. We are reaching out to invite you and your members to participate in this project by sharing your voice and experiences as school leaders, teachers and support professionals. We would be grateful if you could share this email and/or the attached flyer with your principals and communities.
We are seeking teachers, principals, other school staff, researchers, and experts to complete a 20-minute online survey on the needs and design of a trauma-informed program for teachers in response to students exposed to trauma. Teachers can be negatively impacted by interactions with trauma-exposed students, however, there are limited programs in Australia and internationally to support teachers. Please note that you do not need to have experience with students exposed to trauma to participate.
Please see the attached Explanatory Statement to learn more about this project. To complete the survey, please click this link:
https://monashmnhs.qualtrics.
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
