Member Update 5 September 2024 | Term 3, Week 8

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

A key pillar of the VACPSP's work is to share your voice and lived Principal experience with relevant stakeholders and decision makers. As President, I am proud to have many opportunities to do this at a local, state and national level. In order to effectively do this however, it is fundamental that we productively gather your voice so that we may be informed when engaging in advocacy and action for the Catholic Primary Principal. For example, today I met with the Geelong Principals to host an EBA Discussion Forum. During this meeting we had a rich discussion on school wants and needs and the role of the Principal in supporting flourishing schools. This local level discussion will inform our EBA Position Paper and be used in state and national discussions. Consultation like this is fundamental in clarifying the Principal voice. Thank you for engaging in these Forums and sharing your voice. The VACPSP is focused on being a proactive and solutions-minded Association and it is only with your experience that we can generate ideas to foster better outcomes. We are Better, Together. 

At a more global level, I encourage you to participate in surveys. This week I ask to please have some of your time to complete the ACPPA Survey (should take around 5-8 minutes) and the ACU Principal Wellbeing Survey. The data gathered from these surveys is important to inform the National Association's direction (ACPPA) as well as Principalship more broadly.

If you have something you would like to share with me, be it a concern or an idea, please contact me any time by email to president@vacpsp.org.au or book a call with me.

Also in this newsletter:

• Presidents Ball 2025: Save the date!

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

• ACPPA Survey: 2024 Member Survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ACPPA2024 

• In the Spotlight: Leon Colla (VACPSP Vice President): Read the recent Catholic Dialogue School Newsletter interview with VACPSP Vice President, Leon Colla.
  

• The Academy for the Science of Instruction: Professional Learning for Leaders - Leading School Transformation Using an Evidence-based Approach. 23-24 October 2024.

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.

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. 

ACPPA Survey: 2024 Member Survey

ESCI, In the Spotlight: Leon Colla (VACPSP Vice President)

About our Vice President, Leon Colla:

• Leon works in Catholic Education in Victoria, Australia.
• He is both the founding and current Principal of St Mary of the Cross Catholic Primary School in Point Cook, which opened in 2014.
• He finds it a great joy to work with highly talented and creative people, both teachers and children alike!
• Leon has met and spoken to 3 popes: Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI. He's looking forward to adding Pope Francis to the list!

Q: In what way are you involved in the ECSI project in Australia?

A: I visited Leuven in 2002 and met Professor Pollefyt who was working in the emerging ECSI space. I was taken by the content and the high-level thinking and research involved in the ECSI project. I had always had a very simplified understanding of my faith. Exposure to the ECSI project broadened my perspective and has changed my practice. I have worked on the CECV ECSI Steering Committee for the past seven years as the VACPSP Representative. I have also completed the three-week immersion course in Leuven with the Parish team including our five Principals, five RELs, and the Parish Priest. It was an amazing opportunity to get all of the key players on the same page.

Q: What are your thoughts on the concept of the Catholic Dialogue School?

A: In Australia, our Catholic schools continue to grow, but our cohorts are not always 100% Catholic, as they were in the past. In fact, our non-Catholic cohort is growing in most of our Catholic schools. This is reflective of the current situation in our churches and parishes throughout Australia. People are choosing not to follow a particular religion. In the past, we were Baptised into a religion that we followed, because our parents led us on that journey. In the secular world that we live in today, this blind following of religion is no longer a common practice. It is important for the 'survival' of the Catholic/Christian church that we move to a Dialogue model that removes the barriers between churches and religious practice. Understanding the practices of ours and other religions and celebrating them will only help in growing and valuing our own practice in the Catholic faith.

Q: What are your hopes for the future regarding Religious Education and Catholic school identity in Australia?

A: Any form of Religious Education must reflect the signs of our times. I am not suggesting that we discard the ritual, history, or practice of the past, but in our modern world, the church needs to keep abreast of societal changes that are occurring. My great hope for the future is that Catholic schools will find the balance between the church’s rich history, ritual, and practice and the realities of the modern world to ensure that all students discover and come to love the Jesus of the Gospels.

Q. Share an anecdote relating to Catholic school identity that inspired you, in a positive or perhaps a negative way.

A: During a trip to Jerusalem with some Catholic Principal colleagues in 2016, three of us boarded a Palestinian bus bound for Bethlehem. I sat in the middle of the very back seat and, as the bus was due to depart, an elderly gentleman dressed in a long white caftan and an Arabic-inspired hat walked down the aisle looking for a seat. At the time we were speaking with a policeman from Bethlehem who spoke English. As the elderly gentleman approached the back of the bus, I moved aside and signaled for him to sit next to me. He sat down and asked the policeman something in Arabic. The only word we understood in the policeman's reply was, "Australia". The old man nodded and acknowledged each of us in turn. He then took from his shopping bag a loaf of freshly baked Arabic bread that he had bought at the market in Jerusalem. He broke off pieces of bread and handed them to each of us, including the policeman. We all sat in that bus, sharing bread together as we drove toward Bethlehem. Eucharist, recontextualised!

The Academy for the Science of Instruction: Professional Learning for Leaders - Leading School Transformation Using an Evidence-based Approach. 23-24 October 2024.

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. 

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