Welcome to 2024 and the first ACPPA newsletter. This year, we will celebrate our 40th anniversary as an association, a significant milestone. We extend our gratitude to those who had the foresight to establish the original ACPPA in 1984. The NCEC and APPA will also celebrate their 50th anniversaries, and CaSPA will celebrate its 30th, making 2024 a significant year in the education space.

Since our last meeting, our association has:

• Engaged with Federal Minister Jason Clare, in collaboration with our CaSPA colleagues.
• Spent two days in a management committee meeting planning for 2024. This included a training session on risk management from the Associations Forum and further work on the strategic work of the association.
• Discussed shared opportunities to collaborate on issues relevant to all parties in a meeting with Catholic stakeholders, the NCEC, CaSPA, and Catholic Parents.
  Reviewed information related to NAPLAN and the ACARA website, which is linked to the Australian curriculum, in a meeting with ACARA parents and principals. We were encouraged to learn that NAPLAN data, excluding the writing component, should be available to schools before the end of April this year.

During the one-and-a-half-day board meeting in Canberra this week, we spent a significant amount of time discussing the association's constitution. This document is vital for our board and organisation's operation, so it needs to be fit for purpose. We anticipate promoting some changes at the AGM in May. Once finalised, this information will be sent to each member association via their board members.

We welcomed new board members to our association: Paul Mitchell from Queensland, Jason Perry from Tasmania, and Kellie McGinlay from the Northern Territory. Since our last meeting, Reuben Johnson from the NT and Gavin Rick have moved to new positions. We express our gratitude for their service to the association and wish them the best of luck in their new roles in Catholic Education in their respective locations.

During the meeting, the Board received a presentation from Ochre Education www.ochre.org.au Ochre is a national not-for-profit organisation committed to improving student outcomes and closing the disadvantage gap. They support teachers, enabling all Australian students to access a high-quality curriculum through an online library. Currently, they are involved in significant projects across various Catholic dioceses, developing resources with contributions from teachers in these dioceses.

The processes at Ochre which ensure the practicality and quality of their resources were encouraging to learn about. If you haven't yet explored their website or resources, I recommend spending an initial 15 to 20 minutes to see what they can offer your school and teachers.

Danny Casey, the Director of Schools for Broken Bay, was our guest speaker. He discussed their strategic direction, "Towards 2025," and explained its implementation so far. Danny offered a clear and optimistic overview of the diocese's current situation and future direction. He elaborated on several key initiatives implemented in recent years, along with the processes behind them. The "Towards 2025" strategy is designed to optimise existing resources and reimagine ways to provide quality education at the lowest possible cost to parents. The ACPPA board is always eager to understand how different systems operate. There is much to learn from the various states and territories across Australia, and we appreciate the willingness of the diocese directors to share their stories with us.

Over the past few weeks, we've had the opportunity to reconnect with our colleagues in New Zealand. Our relationship with our trans-Tasman counterparts is crucial, and we eagerly anticipate working closely with them. This is particularly true given the upcoming trans-Tasman conference in Christchurch this September. We always have much to discuss and learn from each other, maintaining a long-standing relationship that has lasted for many years.

The Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey is set for release on Friday, 22 March. The survey underscores that wellbeing is a collective responsibility, encompassing employers, governments, and individuals. As an association, we acknowledge the complex nature of the Principal's role in our Catholic Primary School communities and will continue in advocating on your behalf. Practicing self-care and offering support to others can positively influence your wellbeing, which is within each individual's control. The report's information will provide government and employers with insights on how to modify workload and expectations for this vital role within a school.

As we approach Holy Week and Easter, I hope you seize this time of year to reflect and rest, even if just for a few days. The gift of this season is upon us, and we should embrace it whenever possible.

Peter Cutrona

President

Celebrating 30, 40 and 50 years of supporting Catholic education

In 2024, the Australian Catholic Primary Principals' Association celebrates 40 years of advocacy and action for Catholic school leadership. It was in 1984, that the first iteration of ACPPA developed, under the guidance of some exceptionally passionate leaders. Over these 40 years, there have been developments in the governance structure of ACPPA, though the strategic direction has always been to support Catholic primary school leaders. We thank all of those who have ocntributed to the development of ACPPA along the way, and everyone who has helped to build the strong collegial network we have today.

We also congratulate our colleaguues at the National Education Commission who celebrate 50 years this year, and to the Catholic Secondary Principals Australia who celebrate 30 years. It is also noted that the Australian Primary Principals Association are also celebrating 50 years.

These significant milestones for supporting Catholic education will be acknowledged and celebrated in different ways throughout 2024.

ACPPA continues to work in collaboration with the National Catholic Education Commission to support the work of Catholic school leaders across Australia. The NCEC have an active social media presence and regularly publish the Australian Catholic Education News. 

The NCEC website has a range of resources and information that school leaders can access to support their work in schools.

The National Catholic Education Commission’s 2024-26 Strategic Plan has recently been released, based on these strategic pillars:
 Faith - Enhance the capacity of Catholic school communities to be places of faith and mission
 Excellence - Support the continual improvement of educational outcomes for all students
 Access - Enhance access to a Catholic education for any family that chooses it

"As the peak body for Catholic education in Australia, the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) is responsible for the national coordination and representation of Catholic schools and school authorities.

These priorities build on the previous three-year strategic phase and are aligned to Australia’s national school reform agenda focused on learning improvement, building the teacher workforce and improving equity and access.

Our three-year strategy directly supports the delivery of our mission: to promote Christ-centred education providing excellent and inclusive schooling, and ensures we have clarity and alignment of the intent and impact of our work."

www.ncec.catholic.edu.au

ACPPA Member Survey

We asked. You answered. We listened.

This snapshot of our 2023 Member Survey highlights some of the needs of Catholic school leaders.

With thanks to our partner MultiLit for sponsoring our annual survey.

Watch our 2024 communications for your chance to complete the survey.

Great teachers, changing children’s lives ✨ – Teaching Awards nominations open between 4 March to 8 April 2024.

Nominations for the 2024 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards presented by Schools Plus are now open! 

Each year, national education non-profit Schools Plus with the support of some of Australia’s leading philanthropists chaired by David Gonski AC, and in partnership with Commonwealth Bank celebrates inspirational teachers who are making a transformative impact on children and school communities around Australia. 

Twelve outstanding teachers or school leaders will be chosen for a prestigious award valued at $40,000, including funds for a strategic school project and participation in a unique 12-month Teaching Fellowship. Plus, 10 exceptional early career teachers will receive a $10,000 scholarship for professional development and an exclusive leadership program supported by Salesforce. 

From new teachers to experienced educators making a real difference in the lives of our children, we want to recognise and celebrate them. Nominate an outstanding teacher or apply yourself from4 March to 8 April 2024. Visit schoolsplus.org.au/awards.

Stay tuned for some ACPPA initiatives in 2024

In the coming months, you will hear more about the following inititaives that ACPPA will be undertaking in 2024:

• ACPPA Awards for Outstanding Service
• Principal Leadership Fund
• mycommunity - a way to connect, collaborate and celebrate
• stay conected with Principal Wellbeing through accessing acpconnect.com.au

Thank you to the ACPPA Partners

ACPPA is grateful for the ongoing support from our partners, who work with us to help us promote our vision and mission.

Valued Partners

2024 Partners

Want to know more about InitiaLit?

InitiaLit is an evidence-based, whole-class literacy program that has been rigorously trialled and tested in Australian schools. Developed by MultiLit, a leading provider of effective literacy instruction in Australasia, it utilises a systematic synthetic phonics approach.

Taught through explicit whole-class instruction, small group activities and shared storybook lessons, this three-year program provides all children with the essential core knowledge and strong foundations to become successful readers and writers.

MSP Photography

MSP Photography continue to be a valued partner of ACPPA.  For your school photography needs, consider MSP.

We are pleased to continue our long term partnership with Woods Furniture and are proud to share in their success as a provider of quality furniture.

ACPPA Welcomes New Partner, Higgins Coating

Since 1949, Higgins Coatings have been Australia’s premier commercial painting provider.

With an extensive range of cost-effective services including General Painting, Maintenance Painting Solutions, Multi-Campus Painting, Colour and Specification Consultancy, Specialised Access, Building Services, Project Management and more, Higgins have the experience and resources to provide a complete painting and maintenance solution for your school.

With branches across metropolitan and regional Australia, there is a local painting expert ready to assist with your next painting project. To find out more, visit higgins.com.au or call 1300 HIGGINS

Australian Dental Foundation

Upcoming Conference Dates