October 2023 Newsletter
- President's Message
- CaSPA Latest News
- CaSPA Board Update
- The School Photographer - Platinum Partner
- Principal's Wellbeing Survey
- Addressing Rural, Regional and remote Education challenges
- NGS Super - Platinum Partner
- Catholic Education demonstrates a strength of purpose and commitment to mission
- Box Of Books - Platinum Partner
- ARC Discovery Project - Second Round Recruitment Information
- PSW - Platinum Partner
- National Reform Agreement
- Atomi - Gold Partner
- PAVCSS – Celebrating 50 Years of Catholic Education in Victoria
- ACPConnect
- Rory's - Gold Partner
- CaSPA National Conference 2024 – SAVE THE DATE!
- Woods Furniture - Gold Partner
- Unity Painting by Dr Miriam-Rose
- AGH Camps - Gold Partner
- INSTALLING THE SZAPP
Dear Colleagues
I trust that Term 3 has been a great term for you and your community. Hopefully you will be able to enjoy a short break prior to the last term of the year.
Earlier this month, along with ACPPA President Peter Cutrona, I attended the Catholic Education Forum in Canberra. It was a key opportunity for the Directors from around Australia to hear our Principal voice and for them to gain an insight into the work of our Associations.
In particular, we were asked to present to the National Catholic Education Commissioners on the topic of Principal Wellbeing – we thank them for this opportunity. The ACU Australian Principal Occupational Health and Wellbeing Survey Findings were presented. As Professor Herb Marsh said of the feedback – “not only were principals dealing with the stresses of the job, but also carried the burden of significant concerns about the health and wellbeing of staff and students”. By the survey, Catholic Senior Leaders worked the longest hours of leaders in any sector. The top five sources of stress are sheer quantity of work, lack of time to focus on teaching and learning, teacher shortages, mental health issues of students, and mental health issues of staff. We also put forward recommendations for employers, professional associations, and the importance of building protective factors for those in the role – it is essential for all involved to explore models of best practice, and look at ways to implement effectively.
Hopefully, you are able to complete this year’s survey as we are in joint project with ACU to gain the Catholic data as well as the whole sector data.
In addition, Minister Clare addressed the whole Forum of Diocesan Directors, RI/PJP Leaders, Commissions et al, as did ED Jacinta Collins, Fr Frank Brennan, Tony Cook (Secretary of Australian Department of Education) and Deputy Meg Brighton. The NCEC Strategy Director Anna Howarth, NCEC Director Mission & Operations- Robert Tonkli also addressed the Forum over the three days.
Minister Clare raised the following points as key educational issues: the influence of Artificial Intelligence; the upcoming Education Ministers meeting in October; students Vaping; NAPLAN and the challenges with 10% Australian students registering below minimum standards; the importance of education and finishing school; the importance of pre-school and before school training (if a child goes to preschool, more likely to finish school); catch up strategies; shortage of teachers; retention of teachers in training and in the workforce; and raising the status of teachers.
In supporting Catholic Education, NCEC leadership outlined the aim of access, excellence, faith formation and advocacy to government for the 20% of students across the country in Catholic Schools.
On behalf of the CaSPA Board, I would like to congratulate the Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) on its 10 year anniversary and hearty congratulations to the Principals’ Association of Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools (PAVCSS) on their 50th Anniversary – please see the two videos in this newsletter which were developed as a part of the celebrations.
Blessings to All
Ann Rebgetz
CaSPA President
- The latest information documents from AITSL regarding the Australian Teacher Workforce Data (AWTD) were distributed to the State and Territory Secondary Principals Associations. The new Survey was opened on 28 August.
- CaSPA representatives participated in the AITSL Amplify Teacher and Leadership (ATL) Project webinar. More information about this will become available soon.
- CaSPA representatives participated in the latest ACARA Stakeholders meeting related to the National NAPLAN Results. Information has been distributed to State and Territory Associations.
- Collaboration with SchoolZine and Athas Concepts is continuing with the view of finalising amendments to the CaSPA Website.
- The CaSPA Data Project was presented to the Catholic Education Directors and NCEC. Principal wellbeing was also discussed as well as the needs of Rural and Remote Schools.
- The CaSPA Board has finalised the contract of the research to be conducted by ACU to research the development of aspiring leaders. This should be ready by December this year.
- The CaSPA Board Zoom Meeting was held on 12 September. The CaSPA Board discussed plans and meeting schedules for 2024.
- CaSPA is preparing a research funding application with the Principals Australia Research Foundation (PARF). Research is planned for 2024.
- CaSPA Board passed a final amendment to the updated CaSPA Constitution through a Circular Resolution process. Thank you to Russell Kennedy Lawyers for their assistance.
- CaSPA President, Ann Rebgetz met with NCEC, ACPPA President, CSPA delegates, Catholic Education Directors and the Minister of Education, Jason Clare in Canberra. Over the three days the topics of discussion were related to Catholic Education around Australia and the new National School Reform Agreement.
- The 2023 CaSPA Annual General Meeting will be held in Perth at the November Board Meeting.
- CaSPA Auditors have commenced work for the 2022 / 23 CaSPA Audit Report in readiness for the AGM.
- 2024 CaSPA Conference planning has been ongoing and launch details should be ready in October.
Profiles of all the CaSPA Board are available on the CaSPA Website: https://caspa.schoolzineplus.com/current-and-past-board-members
Addressing rural, regional and remote education challenges
Catholic education regional, rural and remote Directors met with the Assistant Minister for Education and Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm, in Canberra last week as part of the Catholic Education Forum.
National Catholic Education executive director Jacinta Collins said it was a valuable opportunity to consider key issues affecting rural, regional, and remote Catholic schools including teacher recruitment, boarding school funding, wellbeing initiatives and the government’s positive promotion of the teaching profession.
Jacinta acknowledged Senator Chisholm’s strong support for Catholic Education.
“Senator Chisholm in his role as assistant minister for both education and regional development brings an insight and commitment to regional education which overlaps with our work, and our mission and ministry within Catholic education,” Jacinta said.
Senator Chisholm noted the important role Catholic Education played in the regions. “I know that educating in these places is not just about schooling, but you also take on a duty of care for the broader community as well. You have an insight into what’s happening in education and an insight into what’s happening in your communities,” he said.
“The Government has a bold agenda particularly around education reform, from early childhood, to schooling to university, particularly in rural, regional and remote areas and the Catholic sector has an important part to play.”
Key issues discussed during the meeting included measures to incentivise graduate teachers going into regional, rural, and remote areas, and a need for further assistance to support initial teacher education practicum experience in regional and remote areas.
Senator Chisholm heard of the success of the teaching hub program which supports Aboriginal education officers and learning support officers’ remote university study while working within schools in the Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes.
The advantages of federal boarding school funding assistance, including the provision of certainty for education options in remote and rural locations, were outlined as well as the positive outcomes of wellbeing funding.
Images: Top – National Catholic Education Executive Director Jacinta Collins with Assistant Minister for Education and Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm; Centre – Catholic Education regional, rural and remote directors meet with Senator Anthony Chisholm.
(Source: NCEC Newsletter September 2023)
Catholic Education demonstrates a strength of purpose and commitment to mission.
I welcomed representatives and supporters of Catholic Education from across Australia in Canberra last week for the Catholic Education Forum.
It was wonderful to have our chairs and directors from our diocesan, state and territory bodies, and Religious Institutes and Ministerial PJP School Authorities come together, along with principal and parent association representatives – the first time a gathering like this has been held.
We came together in a unified way to discuss national strategic priorities, to engage with and advocate our message and mission to government, while demonstrating a strength of purpose and commitment to mission.
It was a valuable opportunity to share practice and experiences and to speak directly to those in government who are responsible for making policy in our shared mission. The contribution Catholic education has made to Australian society over the past 200 years and continues to make, was affirmed across the political spectrum.
Some of the highlights included a very positive meeting with the Assistant Minister for Education and Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm, at our Regional, Rural and Remote Director’s forum.
We were also privileged to be joined by more than 110 supporters of Catholic education at a reception at Parliament House on Wednesday evening.
Representatives from across the parliamentary sphere included the Minister for Education Jason Clare MP, the Assistant Minister for Education and Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm, Shadow Minister for Education Senator Sarah Henderson and Senator Deborah O'Neill. Former Education Minister Dan Tehan MP, the Department of Education secretary Tony Cook and Deputy secretary Meg Brighton also attended along with the chair of the Bishops Commission for Education, the Archbishop of Sydney Anthony OP.
The gathering was also an opportunity for NCEC chair Nicholas Moore to thank Minister Clare for the work the Government is doing both on education reform and in raising the profile of the teaching profession.
In his address to Catholic Education leaders, Nicholas stressed the importance of good governance and the need for clarity around the goals set for Catholic schools in terms of our strategic priorities of faith, excellence, and access. Nicholas also stressed the importance of collaboration across our schools and dioceses, as we share and learn from the experience and knowledge of others.
Archbishop Fisher commended the forum as a way of ensuring Catholic education is closely involved in the national conversation about education and educational reform with government, to develop our education systems for the better.
We also farewelled three of our directors: Executive Director of Catholic Education in Sandhurst Paul Desmond, Director of Catholic Education for the Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese, Peggy Saab, and Director of Schools in the Armidale Diocese Chris Smyth. Together they have served education for 138 years! We congratulate and thank them for their outstanding contribution to Catholic education.
Jacinta Collins
National Catholic Education Executive Director
(Source: NCEC Newsletter – September 2023)
Digital technologies are changing the way teachers go about their work. But not much is known about this.
Our first project phase was a survey – we had good uptake and we thank you for your participation!
We are now wanting to explore in more detail how you are learning as you work.
We invite you to participate in a qualitative research study where you will reflect on how your work is changing due to digitalisation and how you are learning in this evolving context.
This will involve about 9 hours of your time over 12 months where you will be interviewed by a member of our research team and be asked to write reflections about your learning experiences at work.
Participants will receive a certificate, which may be used for recognition of professional development hours, and $150 as a token of thanks.
If you're interested in participating in our study, click here.
The National School Reform Agreement (the agreement) is a joint agreement between the Commonwealth, States and Territories to lift student outcomes across Australian schools.
In December 2022, Education Ministers agreed to establish a panel (the Expert Panel) to inform the next agreement. The Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System (the Review) will advise Education Ministers on what reform priorities should be included in the next agreement. The Expert Panel will deliver its final report to Education Ministers by 31 October 2023.
Link for more information - Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System - Department of Education, Australian Government
Many thanks to The School Photographer
As announced last newsletter, CaSPA has received a commissioned painting from Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann who lives in Daly River in the Northern Territory. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam-Rose_Ungunmerr-Baumann
Unity Painting – Commissioning Outline provided to Dr Miriam-Rose
CaSPA is seeking a painting which:
- brings together what creation spirit means for you together with Catholic spirit.
- represents your story of being a School Principal and leader in education and what this has meant for you in the context of your country and impact.
- will inspire CaSPA and guide us – so please tell your story and paint from the heart. The painting will create a story, your story which will help all Catholic Secondary Principals come together, have a voice, and serve/ support others.
- will have a written message attached to it - a written message telling us about the story of the artwork will be important (just what you normally do).
Unity Painting - explanation
By Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann 2023
At the base of the painting it illustrates that indigenous students have been invited and accepted to be enrolled in a Catholic Secondary College.
The footprints represent that a smoking ceremony should take place for healing, reconciliation, and peace.
Around the footprints there is smoke and also some special leaves painted in brown.
The leaves that we use for the smoking ceremony are from Ironwood, the strongest and hardest tree that grows around the Top End of Australia.
Burning these leaves strengthens the spirit of individuals. The smoke replenishes your being.
The large circle in the centre of the painting is a yarning circle. A circle represents belonging which is a big thing for us culturally. The students need to feel that they belong, that everyone matters.
The six smaller brown circles are our mob, the Elders and family members who belong to the students attending the college.
The other six circles are the senior teachers and the Principal of the College.
They are meeting and listening to each other about how best to care for the students and to be aware of the issues our students may have.
They are all working together as a part of a board that gets together to discuss how best to deal with the students in those schools.
With the experience I have had with sending kids to secondary schools outside of our community. I feel there isn't enough support for them, so I feel that this association should understand how to communicate with our people so that there is more understanding and chances for our kids to adapt to the new place with continual support, and family visiting them as often as possible.
This group should continue to walk with the students through their time at the college to prevent home sickness.
If staff are not sure how to deal with children who are having issues, they need to include aboriginal people particularly family and elders from where that student comes from. They can help the Principals understand about culture and ways to support the students to stay at the school in a loving and caring way.
The Cross in the middle of the circle represents Christ and Christianity
The rays of light is the Holy Spirit. Each of the three points at the top of the cross represents the three days that Christ rose from the dead. It's important in the Catholic schools that the kids receive a lot of pastoral care during their time there.
At the top of the painting are hands, they are welcoming hands which indicate that the students are welcome at the college to come and get a good education. There is also water painted in and around the hands which represents the welcome ceremony that we do for visitors to the Daly River.
Our children need to be welcomed, supported, understood and especially made to feel that they belong by being connected to both the school and also their home and family. This can be achieved through walking alongside each other united, to create the best outcome for the students.