Greetings Colleagues and Friends,

Welcome to our first eNewsletter for 2019. For the first time in the history of ACPPA the representatives from each State and Territory met as an official Board of Directors since our inception as a Company Limited by Guarantee.

Our meeting was held in Canberra earlier this week over a day and a half. After our meeting, one Director from each State and Territory represent ACPPA at the National Advisory Council of APPA to ensure we have a good representation across each sector: Catholic, Government and Independent Principals.

These are indeed exciting times to be a part of our National Association as we develop new ways of communicating, new procedures and more effective support from a ‘whole of sector’ perspective. In these interesting times, I believe it is vital that we as a profession are very clear about the issues that impact on us, therefore we all need to be a voice for Catholic education.

The information in this newsletter is for you to be better informed at a State level so that we become stronger and more collaborative on a national level.

We continue to be committed to being truly representative and active to support every Catholic Primary Principal and we need your interest and input to keep growing.

Have a read of our newsletter and get in touch. We welcome your thoughts and comments.

As you would remember from the March edition of our TOPICS Journal, ACPPA has now commenced a Premium partnership with Australian catholic Superannuation.

As the fund of choice for the Catholic sector, Australian Catholic Superannuation has a  robust portfolio of superannuation, retirement, financial planning and insurance products,

In these uncertain times, it is refreshing to have a financial services provider you can trust. Australian Catholic Superannuation has been servicing the Catholic education sector for over 38 years, looking after the retirement planning needs of schoolteachers in the Catholic system over this period. Chief Executive Officer of Australian Catholic Superannuation, Greg Cantor said ‘this partnership provides us with a unique opportunity to assist the principals and staff of over 1,200 Catholic primary schools with their financial needs. Improving their retirement outcomes will be our primary objective and we have the resources and capability to deliver on this vision. We look forward to a long and successful partnership’.

This partnership is significant because it means we are able to better deliver on our strategic intent to be a strong voice and advocate for all Catholic primary principals. Greg, Cameron and the team are providing both financial and in kind support to allow ACPPA to develop better communications and services to you.

The official launch took place last Monday in Canberra where the Board and staff of Australian Catholic Superannuation were able to socialise and network.

At each of our Board meetings we are meeting with Diocesan Directors to further establish strong and positive relationships with Catholic education authorities across the country.

It was a pleasure to be able to welcome Peter Turner, Director of Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong, who joined us as our guest speaker.  Peter generously gave his time to explore and discuss both the achievements and challenges of Catholic education in the present social climate.

Peter acknowledged that Catholic schools have been and continue to be high quality places  of both community and learning. We should all be proud of the work we do in schools and we must make sure we have a strong Catholic voice to the community in these trying times for the Catholic church.

Peter encouraged ACPPA to be a voice in the following areas: -

• Parent behaviour around social media and being a responsible and respectful member of the school community.
• Recognising our Catholic primary schools continue to be the face of the Church in many respects, especially in the light of recent events.
• Raising the profile of principals and what the challenges are for them in 2019 and beyond
• Expressing views on the level of domestic violence, the impacts on students, social and emotional needs of students and their families.

In closing Peter stressed that one of the most important skills principals require today is emotional intelligence. EQ in leadership is essential and significant in school communities and there is a need for good mentoring and coaching in this area.

It was great to warmly welcome new Directors to the ACPPA Board. Each new Director participated in an induction program to explain their role in the context of the work and strategy of ACPPA for the future. These important roles represent each of you through your State or Territory and make decisions nationally for the support of Principals in all schools.

Our new Directors are:

Northern Territory - Gez Mulvahil and Jo Martorella

Victoria - Helen Healy and Michael Gray

NSW - Michael Ball

Tasmania - Clynton Scharvi and Marcus Donnelly

During our Board meeting we also worked on the new ACPPA By-Laws which will be a key part of how we function from now on.

Sarah Richardson – Manager School Leadership at AITSL joined us to discuss Principal preparation and the challenges and opportunities this presents for upcoming and aspiring Principals. It is clear from the discussion that any implications and actions for moving forward must take into account our Principal voice and needs to be meaningful, relevant, and supportive without being an additional burden on leaders.

As we prepare for the upcoming Federal election, all Principals need to be mindful of using opportunities with their local member to advance the issues affecting Catholic education in your area.

Some areas of focus which may be worth keeping in mind include to:

• Maintain religious freedom and diversity in schools
• Prioritise and maintain investment in early and primary education
• Provide long term funding certainty for students who are disadvantaged
• Maintain high quality initial teacher education
• Ensure all forms of testing are used to improve student learning.
• Declutter the curriculum
• Assure regular and sustained in school experiences
• Support raising the profile of the teaching profession
• Grow investment in developing and maintaining high quality school leadership
• Support the wellbeing of school leaders
• Engage with key Principal bodies from all sectors

Educational decisions need to be made by educators

As ACPPA is now in more demand for comment and opinion around key educational issues, the Board spent some time discussing what we would like to have a strong position to be able to present key discussion papers for release in the coming months.

The following areas were discussed at length and will now be formalised into key documents.

• NAPLAN MySchool
• Initial Teacher Education
• Principal Health and Wellbeing
• NCDD Data

ACPPA is always keen to hear your opinion about any educational matter that affects you in your school. Please share your thoughts with your local Association or contact Paul Colyer directly. 

• Attendance at NAPLAN Review Symposium
• Presentation to the National Directors Forum in Sydney
• Meetings with National Catholic Education Stakeholder Group, ACU, Catholic Professional Standards
• Correspondence with all Diocesan Directors to build relationships on your behalf
• Capacity to Contribute Forum in Canberra
• Principal Wellbeing – Implications of the report and Violence in Schools
• Support for Caritas in the work they do with primary schools
• Representation on the ACARA Parent/Principals Forums

ACPPA Social May 21^st 5pm   For those attending the ACSP Conference at the Sheraton Grand in Sydney May 22^nd -24^th - Join us for a drink and chat before the ACSP Conference begins

APPA National Conference – 3^rd -6^th September Adelaide

Would you like to get together for a drink or a meal when ACPPA meets in a capital city?

We have already received interest from past members…please email us now!

This photo below was taken at the 2005 Conference in Melbourne.

Great opportunties await for interested past ACPPA Executive to catch up occasionally!

Ron Rosentreter and Frank Hennessy Qld; Kevin Clancy SA; Phil Cash Qld; Jim Smith WA.

Please contact Executive Officer – paul.colyer@acppa.catholic.edu.au

or Kevin Clancy kclancy@ozemail.com.au  for more information.

Once again, thanks for your ongoing support.

From time to time you will receive correspondence from our ACPPA partners. Without our partners, ACPPA could not operate and I urge you to engage with them for their services and products.

Let’s continue to make ACPPA stronger together.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Brad Gaynor

ACPPA President

For any immediate information or to discuss ACPPA matters, please contact our Executive Officer.

Follow us on Twitter – see the side bar of this newsletter