Member Update 23 April 2024 | Term 2, Week 2
-
Acknowledgement of Country
-
From the President
-
MultiLit PD
-
Notre Dame Education Lecture Series - The State of Education: Outlining why behaviour still isn’t where it needs to be, and what can we do about it?
-
AI Workshop
-
Victorian System Update: Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA)
-
Prayer
-
Conclusion
-
Thank you to our Business Partners
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 is an early distribution of our weekly Thursday newsletter in respect for ANZAC Day 2024; “Lest we Forget.”
Before I begin this week's reflection, I remind you of the digital invoicing system for 2024 Membership. Please ensure you renew your membership as soon as possible. Payment may be made by credit card or by Direct Debit. If you missed last week's email, you can find the link to the membership portal through the VACPSP website or directly here.
Being positively connected to others is essential to living a flourishing professional life. You never need to be alone. This is what your State association supports; a rich, diverse, exceptional and friendly community of committed educators leading schools of growth, humility, and resilience.
The 2024 VACPSP Lorne Conference, “with Strength,” encapsulated both support for principals and the opportunity to reflect on your leadership, be challenged with new learning and connect with other professionals.
Record attendance at the conference built a two-way experience; you connect with inspiring thinking and you give back by your presence, sharing wisdom, building insight and connecting with many alternative views to leadership. You can have fun too with many social opportunities with colleagues, friends and sponsors. This sharing, connection and engagement add to the professional community's rich tapestry; growing, learning and creating the work world we need to flourish.
Several Principal quotes from the conference review articulating professional learning in a safe and supportive environment are shared today.
This was my first conference and I am leaving feeling so inspired. Networking with different zones was an fantastic opportunity.
I am so grateful. Loved the Gala dinner as an opportunity to build relationships and have a boogie too!
Thanks for all of your wonderful work - it is just such a high quality event in every way and we appreciate your time and effort.
It was an incredibly enriching experience. With much appreciation and gratitude.
It was a privilege to be here and I'm really grateful for the opportunity. I feel really inspired to be a better leader and better Australian!
Moreover, if anyone would like copy of either Deborah Patterson or Theresa Ardler's presentation, please email josephine@vacpsp.org.au and we will glady provide you a copy.
As always, reach out as needed, it’s the benefit of belonging to an Association. Let's work together,
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: 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.
- Notre Dame Education Lecture Series - The State of Education: a trio of lectures outlining why behaviour still isn’t where it needs to be, and what can we do about it?
- AI Workshop: Brett Moller discussing a progressive approach to AI in learning. Places are limited!
- Victorian System Update: Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA)
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
Notre Dame Education Lecture Series - The State of Education: Outlining why behaviour still isn’t where it needs to be, and what can we do about it?
A unique opportunity is provided for Principals across Australia in response to work conducted regarding Quality Initial Teacher Education (QITE). The lectures will be introduced by Professor David de Carvalho, Executive Dean, Faculty of Education and Philosophy & Theology. (previously ACARA). This is an opportunity for Victorian Principals to engage with the university work and is available at the Catholic Leadership Centre, East Melbourne, Thursday 16 May MELBOURNE
Topic: The Renaissance: preparing future teachers to make good behaviour management decisions. Catholic Leadership Centre, 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne
The issue of principal and teacher wellbeing and the associated issues of student discipline and behaviour management is front of mind for our sector. Better classroom management practice can enhance the likelihood of effective learning.
The University of Notre Dame is sponsoring an upcoming series of three free lectures in May by Mr Tom Bennett OBE.
Tom is the UK's independent classroom behaviour management adviser.
The three lectures are being held in Fremantle (8 May), Sydney (14 May) and Melbourne (16 May), and can be attended in person or online.
Please see the attached registration brochure, as well as information about Tom’s contribution to the global discussion of the issue of supporting teachers to more effectively manage classroom behaviour.
AI Workshop
GUEST GURU: BRETT MOLLER
ST ANDREW'S INSTITUTE OF LEARNING (SAIL)
DISCUSSING A PROGRESSIVE APPROACH TO AI IN LEARNING
Please join us for a relaxed afternoon to pair delicious wine, amazing food, and spectacular views with valuable discussions around Artificial Intelligence's emergent impact on education.
Brett 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.
Location: Jack Rabbit Vineyard, The Bellarine.
Date: 17th of May, 2024.
Luncheon Commences: From 12 noon.
Victorian System Update: Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA)
The VCEA is Victoria's peak body for Catholic education and intends to ensure high-quality education for every student. The Catholic sector in Victoria has over 213,000 students and 25,000 staff across almost 500 schools. VCEA represents Catholic school communities' interests across Victoria to the state and federal governments, school regulators and other relevant agencies. Notably, the VACPSP is regarded as a critical stakeholder with the VCEA, confirmed in the original CECV review of 2022, in helping to ensure Catholic schools are supported and resourced to provide exceptional education and pastoral care to all students.
Recently, the VCEA Board announced Professor Elizabeth Lahone's appointment as the new Chief Executive Officer. Elizabeth will start in May. I welcome Elizabeth to the role on your behalf and look forward to building our professional relationship with the newly formed authority. As part of the transition to the new authority, I am meeting next week with the current Acting CEO, Bruce Phillips.
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.