Member Update 2 May 2024 | Term 2, Week 3

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

This week started in Ballarat for our regular Principal Council meeting. Our meeting venue was the brand new Victorian Academy of Teaching & Leadership (VATL), an initiative of the Victorian Government to provide quality leadership development opportunities across Victoria. The focus of this meeting was a thorough conference review, which lead to various discussions with the Principal Council. Your representative will have the opportunity to update you more fully by sharing the VACPSP Infographic Report at your upcoming meetings. Following on from this Conference discussion, for the next few weeks I would like to share my reflection and ponderings about each speaker at the Conference. As the 'dust has settled' in my mind, I notice the different ways the learnings have impacted my life and leadership. 

Ashley Fell

The Conference started with a bang with Ashley Fell's information packed presentation. I have always respected Mccrindle's research and liked the way information is relevant and accessible. In her presentation, Ashley contextualised the status of education by revisiting the past, acknowledging the present and addressing the future of schooling, students and staffing. The research connected wider trends to education and explored how we can use trend information to predict the future. By clarifiying the context and environment of education, Ashley helped us to feel better informed and prepared for whats to come in future generations.

One particular quote resonated with me:

The strength of a school comes from its stories and traditions, but the future of a school rests in its relevance and innovation. Ashley Fell

The mission of the VACPSP is to advocate and be an influence for Principals in enacting their professional role. In order to do this, it is important to not only understand the present challenges and considerations of the role, but to also keep one eye on the future so as to have meaningful, enduring advocacy. Ashley's presentation gave me insight into the people you will lead and some understanding of their mindsets and influences. It made me reflect on the fluidity of our vocation; whilst many things stay the same our student's are always changing. As Ashley touched on, you lived through this first hand with Covid-19 and I am sure many of you would agree the 'Covid babies' already present their own challenges. To continually deliver on education outcomes, not only must the curriculum evolve as societal goals do, but also our understanding of the unique attributes of each generation of child in order to make education meaningful to them.

What do you think? What did Ashley's presentation mean to you?

Regards Michael Gray

President

Also in this newsletter:

• Member Jungle - Invoices for 2024 year avaliable through the portal: Log in through the VACPSP website or click here to renew your membership. You may also pass this onto non members so they may easily sign up! Payment may be made by credit card or direct debit. Fees are due now so please make sure you action this right away.

• MultiLit PD 29 May 2024: Designed for school leaders, this webinar provides an overview of the steps and considerations required to embed a new whole-school, evidence-based approach to literacy.

• Mccrindle Education Insights Event: Tickets are selling fast, so register now to save your space. We have also included some slides from Ashley Fell's 2024 VACPSP Conference presentation as well as a link to free infographic, The Factors Disrupting the Future of Education Infographic. 

• Education Minister's Meeting Communiqués: 26 April 2024.

MultiLit PD

Multi-Lit is a leading provider of effective literacy instruction in Australasia. Their programs are uniquely placed to be effective because they are all grounded in scientific, evidence-based best practice. For over two decades, Multi-Lit has assisted thousands of students in a variety of settings, including schools, their Literacy Centres and community-based literacy projects across Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

Designed for school leaders, this webinar provides an overview of the steps and considerations required to embed a new whole-school, evidence-based approach to literacy. 

What the seminar covers:
Guided by the extensive research underpinning how children best learn to read and organisational change management, this seminar will provide school leaders with an overview of the necessary steps to embed sustainable, practical and evidence-based practices into their schools.

The session examines:
• How to establish the need for change
• How to plan for change
• What evidence-based practices look like in the classroom
• Challenges that making changes may bring

Mcrindle: Education Insights Event

Our Education Insights event is just 3 weeks away!

The new report on 'Building Thriving School Communities' is being finalised and we're excited to share that we'll be specifically looking at:

-The education landscape, and the importance of parental choice

-Teacher burnout and attracting the next generation of teachers

-Characteristics of highly engaged school communities

Tickets are selling fast, so register now to save your space. We look forward to seeing you there. 

Ashley Fell's presentation at the 2024 Conference

Education Ministers Meeting Communique - 26 April

Last Thursday your voice was heard at the Education Ministers meeting in Perth through APPA President, Angela Fulkenberg, where she presented on Principal Wellbeing. The results of that meeting were reported in the Education Ministers Meeting Communiqués available here. Angela and I have a strong working relationship and many of you would have met Angela at the recent VACPSP Conference. Our relationship with APPA is one way the VACPSP has direct impact on the national education agenda and how your voice at a local level is transported to a wider forum.

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