Member Update 29 August 2024 | Term 3, Week 7

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

Sunday just gone was “Social Justice Sunday”. This special day falls on the last Sunday in August each year and is an opportunity for our faith leaders to reflect on the social, political, economic and environmental issues in our society. In anticipation of the day, the Australian Catholic Bishops release a Social Justice Statement. This year's Bishop’s theme, Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World, is an urgent cry for peace amidst suffering worldwide. 

"The 2024 – 2025 Social Justice Statement, Truth & Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World, scrutinises the signs of our own times in the light of the Gospel, sees the violence and asks why the world is as it is and what is needed for there to be peace. It also asks the question: is peace possible? And in a world where many think peace is a mirage, the Statement puts its faith in the possibility of peace. In doing so, it looks back to Pacem in Terris and looks also to Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter, Fratelli Tutti."  Extracted from the statement, Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World

For young people, social justice often resonates deeply because it touches on issues that directly affect their lives and futures, such as education, healthcare, climate change, respect, and equality. Young students see no limits to possibilities, and in Primary schools, this is played out in their love of action. Through our school social justice programs, we have an opportunity to put faith in action and keep the purpose of the church alive. Across our schools throughout the state, we see many examples of primary schools embracing the build-a-better world theme with local action to improve the lives of all. Young people are also inherently loving, optimistic, hopeful which reminds me of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter, Fratelli Tutti (2020) where in calling for an end to war, he appealed to the fraternity of humankind; we are all brothers and sisters. This week I challenge you with the words of our Australian patron saint, Mary McKillop; “We must teach more by example than by word”. How can we model in our everyday lives and school community the fraternity of humankind for a better world? I also invite you to share your social justice action with me so I may share your wonderful work in upholding the churches mission.

In other news, this week we finalised our 2024/2025 Business Partners and Sponsors. A special thank you to Business Partners Woods Furniture, Catholic Development Fund, The School Photographer, OSH Club, and Brennan Law Partners, and Sponsors B2 Architecture, ANZUK Education, Teeth on Wheels, Enquiry Tracker, ASCA, Footsteps, Staffing Organisation Services (SOS) and Schoolzine. 

Without the support of our generous Business Partners and Sponsors, our ability to be the leading voice for Catholic primary school Principals in Victoria would not be possible. You can learn more about our partners in our Trusted Suppliers Directory on our website.

Also in this newsletter:

• Presidents Ball 2025: Save the date!

• Good News for schools from Catholic Development Fund: CDFpay powered by flexischools.

• CESL: Seeking Deputy Director, Mission and Educational Development. Find our more.

• Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing survey: Live for new participant registrations at https://healthandwellbeing.org.

• New Bishop of Cairns Ordained: Former Melbourne priest Joe Caddy has been ordained as the Bishop of Cairns. During his tenure as Episcopal Vicar for Social Services, Bishop Joe made valuable contributions to Catholic Social Services Victoria and the work of social services in Victoria.

• Invitation to participate in research: Decision Support Needs in Schools. How do schools choose mental health interventions?

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.

VACPSP President's Ball 2025: Save the Date

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.

Good News for schools from Catholic Development Fund: CDFpay powered by flexischools.

Catholic Development Fund (CDF) and Australian-based payments and ordering technology company, Flexischools, have committed to a long-term partnership that will help bring innovative and convenient online payments and ordering to Catholic school communities, with the development and launch of a new CDFpay platform, powered by Flexischools.

Through the new partnership, parents will have access to an all-in-one cashless CDFpay smartphone app and website for online canteen orders, uniform shop, events, fundraising and more.

For on-campus cash-free sales, student ID cards and EFTPOS will also be supported.

CDFpay powered by Flexischools will launch later in 2024 and be available to all Catholic schools nationally for the start of the 2025 school year.

For more information, and to register your interest please:

Visit our website: https://www.catholicdevelopmentfund.org.au/organisations/schools  

Contact us: cdfpay.update@melbcdf.org.au

CESL: Seeking Deputy Director, Mission and Educational Development

New Chief Education and Integrity Officer announced for Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited’s advertisement for a Deputy Director: Mission and Educational Development.

This is a new role at CESL, leading the teams of Catholic Mission and Formation, Learning and Teaching; and School Improvement & Safeguarding. We are in the process of building a true multi-school system with a MTSS model of operation across the whole organisation, so many of our people are moving into slightly more nuanced roles and there will be other new positions advertised in the coming weeks. This coming Thursday we will also be launching a $5m investment into teacher development.

Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing Survey

We need your voice to tell the world what is happening to Australian School Leaders!    

The Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing Survey is a confidential survey, independent of all employer groups, professional associations and unions. First, you will be able to review your job-related personal health and wellbeing, with an individualised report returned automatically upon completion. Second, global results will build a holistic picture of the state of school leader health and wellbeing. The results provide a system-level report with recommendations for future actions.

This research has significant impact in the diagnostic feedback given to school principals, the evaluation of existing policy initiatives, and the consultation with state departments leading to important new policy initiatives. This year, we have updated the design and layout of our survey and personal report access. If you have taken the survey before, check your email or new participants can register at Health & Wellbeing (healthandwellbeing.org).

Ongoing previously registered participants have received their links but we encourage school leaders to contact us if their emails have changed.  If participants are no longer in a principal role, they can still take the shortened survey. We look forward to hearing the voices of Australian school leaders this year. 

Invitation to participate in research: Decision Support Needs in Schools. How do schools choose mental health interventions?

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