Member Update 23 May 2024 | Term 2, 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

*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.*

One of the biggest privileges of my role is facilitating your voice to be heard at the highest level. Over the past month, your voice has been listened to in several critical and significant national policy development gatherings. A few weeks ago, I shared the Education Minister's Meeting Communique, where APPA President, Angela Fulkenberg presented on Principal Wellbeing. 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. 

Secondly, Peter Cutrona (ACPPA President) recently met with Jacinta Collins and shared the Catholic primary principal perspective from the ACU Institute for Positive Psychology and Education's ‘Australian Principals Health and Wellbeing Survey’; See the 2023 ACPPA Partner Report, ACPPA 2023 Leader Survey Results, and by way of background, the data from the 2022 ACU Final Report. These documents will form the basis for various state and national discussions, including by the VACPSP. For example, this week the VACPSP Executive team will meet with the MACS Executive Director and senior executive leadership team with the ACU Study Catholic Partner Report to be a critical agenda item for discussion. By having these discussions, the VACPSP is working toward a system policy focused on principalship, which enhances principal holistic health, reduces workload, and puts executive support for school leaders in place.

It is well documented and affirmed that the complexity and intensity of the principal role has led to high levels of stress, burnout, and even high turnover rates, which can undermine the stability and quality of school leadership and, by extension, student outcomes. To quote the APPA Team;

Whilst the Education Ministers Meeting marks a hopeful step forward in recognising and addressing the crucial issue of principal workload, we need to see a commitment to take the discussion forward into actionable plans. To this end, we look forward to continued engagement with the Federal Minister.

Recently, the Educator Magazine reported;

For the first time, occupational principal health, safety and wellbeing was put on the agenda after Education Minister Jason Clare committed to urgent action off the back of alarming new research. The latest Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey shows more than half of the nation's school leaders are considering quitting or retiring early due to stress and increasingly unsustainable workloads.

In the Educator Magazine Dr Paul Kidson, a former principal and a senior lecturer at the Australian Catholic University, said it's "an encouraging start" to have both APPA and ASPA able to speak directly to the nation's Education Ministers, but makes a valid point stating:

New initiatives must be carefully developed to avoid additional workload to already stretched and stressed professionals...it would be a disappointing outcome to have some success on the one hand, like that which is possible following APPA’s and ASPA’s briefing, only for it to be negated by new reporting and accountability requirements potentially coming in any new funding agreement.

Mitch Tambo

Following on from my Conference reflections, this week I turn my mind to Mitch Tambo. Mitch shared his life story, his challenges and his journey to finding music and carving out a unique place for himself in the creative world. His words, “Sink or Swim!” have kept echoing in my mind. Mitch, a proud indigenous Gamilaraay man and now a qualified social worker, encountered chaos in his personal identity, friendships, and loyalty to his tribe while growing up and living in a Western democracy. His story was one of discovery and inner strength and I marvelled at his innate spiritual self, his belief that he is a person of worth and his clear sense of purpose in life. In his journey, Mitch was presented with tremendous moral and ethical dilemmas but always maintained a deep sense of what is right and wrong. He chose to "swim" and rise above the challenges he faced. Mitch spoke of feeling alone but that the belief of his school Principal changed his trajectory. This is the power of leadership and of your role. Mitch now blends traditional Aboriginal music with sounds and language and contemporary beats and production. Mitch finished by leading us all singing, feeling a sense of hope and wonder of the magnificence of the human spirit.

Regards Michael Gray

President

Also in this newsletter:

• Member Jungle - Invoices for 2024 year available 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. 
  

• AI in Education Lunch at Jack Rabbit Vineyard, June 21 (New date due to MACS scheduling): Education Advantage is hosting a Lunch at Jack Rabbit on Friday June 21 focused on AI in education. 
  

• VACPSP President's Ball 2025: Nominations Open. Nominate your colleague 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.

AI in Education Lunch at Jack Rabbit Vineyard, June 21 (New date to MACS scheduling)

Education Advantage is hosting a Lunch at Jack Rabbit on Friday June 21 focused on AI in education. Please join EA for a relaxed afternoon to pair delicious wine, amazing food, and spectacular views with valuable discussions around Artificial Intelligence's emergent impact on education. As a sponsor of the VACPSP Conference, Education Advantage is facilitating the event to promote awareness and thoughtful discussion around the use of AI.

The guest speaker, Brett Moller, is a dynamic educational leader who has fully transformed the digital learning landscape at his school, and has shared his experience both nationally and internationally. Brett will also be hosting a robust Q&A session over the course of the lunch to explore questions and ideas.

The event will be limited to 20 Principals and Deputy Principals from the Catholic Network and will fill up quickly.

Please register here before it gets booked out: https://eduadv.ck.page/leadersluncheonai

ACPPA Principal Wellbeing Documents

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