Member Update 16 May 2024 | Term 2, Week 5
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
*Please don't forget to pay your membership invoice. It was not sent to you per se but available through online portal. See more details below.*
This week I met with the VACPSP Alumni for their regular lunch catch up. I am always amazed to see where post-principal life leads and really look forward to the stories our Alumni have to tell. Many of them have pursued hobbies and so an array of diverse interests were discussed over lunch. One that stood out to me was a principal who has pursued sailing. I was drawn to this story because of the many challenges nature can throw at us and was reminded of this passage from Matthew 8 23-27:
23 And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24 A windstorm arose on the sea, so great that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25 And they went and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a dead calm. 27 They were amazed, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”
The sea and faith have always been intertwined. The sea is so vast, so great and so beyond what is possible to control. To venture into the sea and ride the waves takes great courage, and great faith. Just like the sea, our God is vast beyond imagination and omnipresent. As just as our colleague would feel about the water when in his tiny boat on the all engulfing sea, God is all around us. To safely navigate the ocean we need to trust in God, respect the power of God and open ourselves to the faith.
Teresa Ardler
Teresa Ardler understood this connection to our natural world. Through her presence and presentation at our recent conference, delegates were invited to connect to the natural world through the wonder of a simple gum leaf. When entering the conference room, we were immediately greeted by the smell of eucalyptus. We were then invited to feel, smell and examine the intricacies of the leaf. She used the leaves to connect us all to the world around us and the mystery that is God. Teresa highlighted an important lesson; there is beauty all around us. There is God all around us and He speaks to us everyday through the wonder of creation. Many of you would have eucalyptus trees in your school grounds. In fact, if you look around today I am sure there are many beautiful trees on the grounds that you have never really seen. I invite you to really look at them today. As meditation teaches us, see and know you are seeing.
Teresa also reminded us of the power of stories to share culture, knowledge, values and life lessons. In your role of principal you have the opportunity to share insights with your students. In fact they look to you for inspiration, knowledge, support and justice. This is a privilege to embrace, not to shy away from. You have the power to foster great thinking and to open their minds to our incredible world. Something I liked to do when I was at St Joseph's was to share a personal life lesson based on truth and universal values on an ad hoc basis at our Friday afternoon assembly. I wonder if this week you would share a story of nature and how the humble gum leaf connects us all?
Regards Michael Gray
President
Also in this newsletter:
- Member Jungle - Invoices for 2024 year avaliable through the portal:
This year we have moved our database, as well as invoicing, to the digital platform Member Jungle. Using your principal@ email address, you will be able to login, confirm enrolment numbers and create an invoice. Payment can still be made by direct debit, or credit card if you prefer. An invoice will be generated by the system instantaneously as well as a receipt which will also be emailed to you upon payment. If you select direct debit, your account will be pending until payment comes through and at this point you will receive an email with your receipt.
Please log in here to confirm enrolment numbers and make payment. You can easily use a 'one time code' to log in, which will be sent to the principal@ email address. If you have already attended to your invoice, thank you for your prompt support.
- Good News from Around the Grounds: In a world that can sometimes feel directly by negative media, we'd like to start a running segment in this newsletter sharing stories of good news, hope and kindness. If you have had something happen in your community, no matter how small, please share it with us at anytime at josephine@vacpsp.org.au and we will anonymously share it in our newsletter for everyone to enjoy.
VCAA Update: F-10 Victorian Curriculum Version 2.0 Update.
Free VCAA Professional learning: Online Language Assessments & Learning Modules for Mathematics.
VACPSP President's Ball 2025: Nominations Open. Nominate your collegaue now!
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.
Free VCAA Professional learning: Online Language Assessments & Learning Modules for Mathematics
Online Language Assessments
The VCAA Language Assessments are designed to support teachers implementing the Victorian F–10 Languages curriculum and consist of a series of multiple choice listening and reading tests in Chinese, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Modern Greek and Spanish.
Register today for 3 short online professional learning sessions on how to use the VCAA's free online language assessments and learn how these can be used to better target individual student learning needs.
Professional learning modules for Mathematics 2.0 available in Term 3
A series of on-demand videos and learning packs for Mathematics Version 2.0 will be available on the F–10 curriculum website in Term 3. The modules can be used by primary and secondary teachers and by curriculum leaders to engage with the revised curriculum. These will support teachers to implement the curriculum and plan teaching and learning units.
VCAA Update: F-10 Victorian Curriculum Version 2.0 Update
The Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0 will give Victorian students the best opportunity to thrive in a world of increasing change and rapid technological advancement.
The revised F–10 curriculum is informed by the findings and recommendations of our education system’s leading specialists involving significant consultation by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority and advice provided by members of the VCAA’s Curriculum Area Reference Panels over the past five years.
Over 250 primary and secondary teachers across Victoria have also contributed to the revision of the curriculum.
Mathematics 2.0 and English 2.0 were released in 2023. The remaining curriculum areas for Version 2.0 (except EAL and other languages) will be released mid 2024 for familiarisation in 2024 and 2025.
To support familiarisation, teachers and school leaders will have access to professional learning programs including on-demand videos and interactive webinars for opportunities to ask questions about the revised curriculum.
The VCAA will also provide teachers and school leaders with resources to help understand the changes and adapt your own teaching and learning plans for implementation in 2025 with confidence.
Subscribe to the VCAA F–10 Update to access the Victorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0 when it is released.
VACPSP President's Ball 2025: Nominations Open
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Principal Awards for Excellence! After the success of the 2023 event, the 2025 event will again be held at the Melbourne Town Hall for a formal black-tie dinner and celebration.
Bring family, friends and staff along to Celebrate The Principal.
Save the date for this stellar, sell-out event on Friday 21 March 2025.
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
