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