Greetings to all of you and I hope that Term 2 has been relatively calm and steady. We continue to pray for our Principal colleagues in Victoria, who again have faced difficult challenges recently.

At the end of May, the ACPPA Board met virtually for our second meeting of the year. This year has proven to be both an exciting and very busy time for Directors and ACPPA staff so far.

Our two key initiatives for 2021 have really drawn some attention from across Dioceses in Australia. Principals have always said to us they wanted resources for wellbeing and to have their voice heard on educational issues.  We listened!

Principal Health and Wellbeing Portal

Research project into Initial Teacher Education - Have Your say!

We have held both face to face and virtual meetings with many Diocesan Directors over recent weeks with more to follow. This is exciting for ACPPA as we work towards growing a collaborative and collegial relationship with all Dioceses in achieving better outcomes for all students in Catholic education across the country.

It is interesting to note that both our projects are a tangible way that we can ensure YOUR VOICE as ACPPA members, is heard in the educational agenda that matters most to all of us in schools.  Never before in our history have we had so much connection with our principals across Australia.

Therefore, to make these projects have the best impact on the future I urge you to take part in both by following the links. We need your support NOW!

Here are a few of the national insights of the group from our last Board meeting:

• We are looking at a range of other wellbeing strategies for principals which we will share later in the year.
• AITSL have asked for our input and participation into the workload reduction program and the teacher induction process.
• We are participating in the Minister's review into ITE and he has expressed a keen interest in the outcomes of our national ITE project with our two Catholic Universities.
• Our successful 3-year strategic plan is now coming to its end and will be reviewed and renewed in Term 4 seeking your input though our benchmarking survey in September.
• ACARA CEO David de Carvalho, joined us to discuss the revisions to the Australian Curriculum, stating that the revision process needs to give the best possible opportunity for jurisdictions to engage. Both the timing and the implementation will be key to its success. He encouraged all Principals to provide feedback on elements of the curriculum which most impacted them.
• We congratulated Gez Mulvahil, ACPPA Board Director NT, who has been elected as ACPPA Vice President alongside Peter Cutrona WA.
• In our partnership with CCI, we are developing a Professional Learning Fund to be launched later this year. The PLF will provide funds to eligible Principals in regional, rural and remote areas to participate in professional learning which otherwise may not be accessible. More information to follow.

Thank you for the continuing work you do for the benefit of your school communities.

Regards

Brad Gaynor

President