We are nearly halfway through the school year and the work continues to require agile and creative ways of meeting the changing needs of our school climates, especially the difficulty of attracting staff, even for relief.

The ACPPA Board met in Adelaide last week with an extremely full agenda.

We firstly welcomed two new members, James Quigley from South Australia and Penny Collins representing Queensland.

Our week commenced with Sunday Mass and the feast of the Ascension. Our Directors then participated in a retreat that continued the theme led by Lillian Van Brusse, spiritual director and retreat facilitator and former employee of CESA ( Catholic Education South Australia). It was the first retreat for the board since 2019 and it offered each busy principal an opportunity to slow down and refresh. The work of The Miriam Rose Foundation and Dadirri was our starting focus, with a call to the inner deep listening and quiet. The short YouTube video that we used as a follow up in our Board Meeting can be found at Dadirri. It is well worth the viewing and a reminder for why we need to search inwards to hear what is important to each of us.

 We continue our ongoing work of our strategic plan and subcommittees, which now are an embedded part of the work when we gather as well as between board meetings. This work helps direct work of the board and the management team.

 We met via zoom with the executive director of the NCEC, Jacinta Collins, who outlined several areas of interest at both the national and each jurisdictional level. The complex nature of federal and jurisdictional foci and working together around shared outcomes is something that is also a struggle within our system. The term “unity is strength” was shared with us by Jacinta and will continue to be at the forefront of our discussions and interactions across the nation.

 We also met with members of the CESA leadership team, including their Executive Director Dr Neil McGoran. Four areas were discussed: Faith Formation, Educational Agency, Accessibility and Affordability and how to support the critical role of the principal so they can flourish as a Catholic Leader. The opportunity to have Executive Directors speak to the board provides each member a different viewpoint across the nation and is something unique for ACPPA and is well received and regarded by the different state and territory principals.

With the upcoming APPA conference in Hobart in late July, early August I look forward to seeing many of you attend and gather at the traditional mass and gathering as a Catholic principal community.

Peter Cutrona

PRESIDENT

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. "For the work of generations past and the fate of generations future, Reconciliation Australia's theme for 2023, "Be a voice for generations" urges us all to act today for a more reconciled country."

A Prayer for Reconciliation

God of all creation,

as we journey together in this Great Southern Land,

we pray for healing, forgiveness and unity,

creating a path of good will, with justice and compassion.

Jesus, through the power of your love, you have given us the courage, wisdom and strength to share our gifts and talents in humility.

In peace and understanding we reconcile with each other.

Creator Spirit, we come together in prayer and thanksgiving for the many blessings we have received. Allow your Spirit to wash over us and give us strength to walk together as one.

Sources:
www.reconciliation.org.au
www.natsicc.org.au

ACPPA acknowledges the passing of Fr Anthony Gittins (CSSp PhD).  Fr Tony presented a keynote address at the 2022 National Catholic Education Conference.  The National Catholic Education Commission media release has been provided with permission. *Please note the permission note stated within the article where request from the NCEC is to be gained before sharing.

https://ncec.catholic.edu.au/media-centre/vale-fr-anthony-gittins-cssp-phd-1943-2023/

Prior to the May ACPPA Board meeting in Adelaide, the Board Directors took the opportunity to nourish their own well-being and faith journey by taking part in a Retreat. This was held at The Monastery in Adelaide and facilitated by Lillian Van Brussel. The theme was 'The Great Commission' and allowed time for reflection and focus to 'promote God's voice and take the time to notice Presence in the Ordinary Moments of the Day'.

The location provided the perfect space to give oneself the permission to take time out and reflect on the personal connections to and with God.

MSP Photography are passionate about providing quality, photographic memories for students and families, while making Photo Day as easy as possible for School staff.

Click here to find out more about MSP Photography

Website

The Victorian Association of Catholic Primary Schools (VACPSP) is proud to announce the winners of its inaugural President Ball “Principal Awards’ for 2023. The event was held at the Melbourne Town Hall ‘Swanston Room’ on Friday, 24 March 2023.

The Principal Awards ceremony is a special occasion that honours principals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and contributed significantly to student learning. The event allows Catholic education and school communities to unite to celebrate and recognise outstanding principal leaders.

The Principal Awards ceremony is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our principals, teachers, community and staff. It is a proud moment for principals, and we are excited to announce the three 2023 awards and inaugural winners were:

AWARD: Principal Leadership: Faith & Mission in a Victorian Catholic Primary School

Ms Karen Bergin

St Peter's Catholic Primary School, West Sunshine, Melbourne Archdiocese.

AWARD: Principal Leadership: School Improvement in a Victorian Catholic Primary School

Mr Brendan Keeling

Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Primary School, Donvale, Melbourne Archdiocese.

AWARD: Principal Leadership: Building Community in a Victorian Catholic Primary School

Ms. Gabrielle Espenschied

Lead Principal, St. Mary's Primary School Hastings & St. Joseph's Primary School Crib Point, Melbourne Archdiocese

The board award criteria were:

· The mission of Catholic education at the heart of the enterprise

· Effective leadership and motivation of staff

· Commitment to professional development & parent education

· Achievements during the school years, as evidenced by school improvement and school review data

· The leadership of innovation and change within the school

· Relationships and engagement with students, staff, parents, guardians, and the wider school community, including collaboration, reflection, and feedback.

We would like to thank our sponsors and community partners for their support in making this event possible. Their generosity has allowed us to provide our principals with this wonderful opportunity to be recognized for their achievements.

For more information about the event, please contact VACPSP President at 0408 527 728 or email president@vacpsp.org.au or the individual school principal of the school in your area that was a winner.

About the VACPSP:

The VACPSP is the peek professional body representing Catholic primary school principals across Victoria. The VACPSP is committed to supporting principals' collegiality, advocacy and professional learning within a system framework of mission, excellence in leadership, exceptional student outcomes and community capacity building..

Contact:

Michael Gray, President VACPSP, P: 0408 527 728 E: president@vacpsp.org.au

With a lot of discussion around the country regarding educational reform, this article from Dr Pasi Sahlberg and Professor Sharon Goldfeld explores some ideas for possible reforms for the education sector.

If not now, then when is the right time to re-envisage what schools could be? by Pasi Sahlberg and Sharon Goldfeld

Associations Forum recently held their conference in Sydney. ACPPA staff attended this conference and were engaged in presentations and Master Classes about Board Governance, Risk, Meetings and Financials. The final key note speaker, Jana Pittman,shared the triumphs and challenges of her journey through sport, family and career.

Read the media release from Associations Forum.

https://www.janapittman.com/

ACPConnect continues to provide a platform for principals to access a range of wellbeing and faith resources. The portal is one way that ACPPA, parterned with Brennan Law, Catholic Secondary Principals Australia (CaSPA) and Lutheran Principals Australia (LPA), provides support to principals.

In addition to the portal, the ACPConnect App and Podcast are in the developmental and trial phases, with the first podcast to be launched by June 3oth.

To access ACPConnect, head to ACPConnect

 

In a recent media release, Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare announced the release of a survey for teachers, parents and students to have their say on the future of education.   This forms part of the work of the Expert Panel Review into the National School Reform Agreement. It is expected that further stakeholder surveys will be conducted prior to the recommendations due to all Australian Education Ministers at the end of October.

Teachers, Parents and Students encouraged to have their say on the future of education

After the recent retirement of Malcolm Elliott, the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) has welcomed Angela Falkenberg as the new association President.  The ACPPA Board welcomes Angela to this role and look forward to working with her to continue to advocate for primary principals in Australia.

APPA_Media_Release_APPA_President_Angela_Falkenberg_Final_.pdf