November Newsletter 2020

CaSPA PRESIDENT’S REPORT

December Newsletter 2020

As I step down as President of CaSPA I take this opportunity to reflect and reminisce. My time as ACT Director and the last two years as President have been Full-Filling (purposely written as such). I never thought when I took on the role that I would be given so many opportunities to represent Catholic Secondary Principals across Australia in the way I have. I presumed it was just a couple of extra meetings a year … not a week! I thought that politicians, commissions, departments, agencies, and the media who are out there making decisions and talking about education would actually care about what we had to say … be assured, they do! I for one am proud of what the Association has achieved. So proud, I want to share the achievements with reference to CaSPA's Strategic Plan 2020-2022.

UNITY: Providing a forum for dialogue, exchange of ideas and collegiality both within CaSPA and with other Principal organisations.

• Established the CSSF: Catholic Schools Stakeholders Forum, which includes NCEC Deputy Director, CaSPA, ACPPA, CSPA Executive Officers and Presidents
• Meetings with local Associations and connection with Executive Officers and Presidents.
• Established CAP: Coalition of Australian Principals, which is a coalition of six national peak principal associations: ASPA, APPA, NATSIPA, CaSPA, ASEPA and AHISA
• Creating new business partners to support our Association
• Active member of ICP: International Confederation of Principals
• Successful Korero Conferences in New Zealand and South Australia, where I presented at both conferences
• Celebrating the work and achievements of Catholic Secondary Principals at the Cairns Conference

VOICE: Presenting the views of Catholic Secondary Principals ethically, boldly and with a strong voice.

• Submitting a well-considered and researched document to the Plenary Council and being the Educator Voice on the Writing and Discernment theme of Conversion, Reform and Renewal.
• Representing CaSPA at the Senate Inquiry into funding into Catholic Schools.
• Meeting regularly with the Minister of Education, ACARA, AITSL, ACU, Department of Education, Skills and Employment Office
• Representing CaSPA on Committees, Consultations, Stakeholder Meetings and Panels: such as AITSL, ACARA and DESE
• Gathering and data concerning Principal tenure, awards and length of service

SERVICE: Supporting Catholic Secondary Principals to be thriving, effective and healthy leaders.

• Creating a new website.
• Reporting and monitoring the mental health and wellbeing of Principals through… Phil Riley’s research and now the Broadcast SchoolTV website
• Writing and sharing Social Action Guidelines to support people in need

I therefore take this opportunity to thank the Directors for their dedication and support: Ann Rebgetz, Paddy McEvoy, Stephen Kennaugh, Darren Atkinson, Andree Rice, Joe Hoyne and Frank Pisano.

I wish the new President, Ann Rebgetz, well for the next part of the journey as we forge onwards with the CaSPA Targets. I have enjoyed the challenges of attempting to balance this role with my Principalship and thank Phil Lewis and Frank Fitzgerald for their support.

It has been an honour to serve all of you. Please care for yourself and your family over the coming break. 2020 has been the biggest challenge many of us have faced as educators. However, we have never been alone. We have had each other, you have had the support of the Association working with all the agencies to consider our needs. Ultimately we all know that we have had God by our side, giving us the strength to keep our Catholic mission and culture alive in a spirit of Truth, Faith, Hope and Witness.

God Bless for the Future.

Loretta Wholley

CaSPA President

CaSPA Key Activities (November)

• DESE COVID-19 response and support for schools by the Commonwealth Government.                                                                                    
• Finalising CaSPA Office Structure. Admin Assistant position to be advertised in early 2021.                                                                                  
• Planning for CaSPA Conference 2022 in Perth.
• DESE – Review of the Architecture of Education and the processes to improve the functions of Education Council. Please see Education Council website.
• DESE – Schools Stakeholder Forum re Direct Measure of Income (DMI) funding model and formation of National Evidence Institute (NEI). Please see the relevant website.
• National Careers Institute (NCI) – consultation re distribution and publication of School Leavers information and the website development. Please see the new website.
• ACARA Stakeholder meetings regarding NAPLAN, Australian Curriculum and MySchool Reviews.
• AITSL School Leadership workshop.
• Meeting with the Coalition of Australian Principals (CAP) to discuss future priorities where all 6 associations can speak with one voice and contribute to educational policyt.
• Principals as Stem Leaders (PASL) reference group meeting (University of Tasmania).
• LaTrobe University Research into Principals’ work - results to be released next year.
• Catholic Schools Stakeholder Forum (CSSF) meeting with National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC), Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) and Catholic Primary Principals (ACPPA) to promote the stakehoder view.
• DESE – Consultation regarding Disability Standards legislation review to be presented to the Edcuation Council in December.

CaSPA Principal Profile

Name: Beth Gilligan 

Current School: Dominic College, Glenorchy Tasmania

Previous Position: Education Consultant

First Year as a Principal: 2009

The hope for my current school is: To have every student believe in themselves, highly engaged in their learning and exceeding their own expectations.

The Joy of Principalship is: Working with students and working with staff leaders and seeing them grow. Shaping a whole community.

A Book I would recommend: ‘The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable’ by Patrick Lencioni

Fun Fact about me: I love dogs.

My valued Well-Being Strategy: Go to bed early, get up early and teach a class of your own (or team teach) every year.

Advice for a Beginning Principal: Learn about the school both past and present – know its history. Ensure you have a good HR lawyer you can trust for excellent advice.

Inspiring Leadership Quote: "If we are one in heart, we can do ten times as much." St. John Bosco. 

What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: Putting Students at the Centre of a School

CaSPA Principal Profile

Name: Matthew Hutchison 

Current School: Marist College Canberra

Previous Position: Head of School, St Augustine’s College Sydney

First Year as a Principal: 2018

The hope for my current school is: To continue to provide students with a diversity of opportunities, which in turn provides them with the skills to lead a purposeful life, to be contributing members of their community, to arm them with knowledge, compassion and commitment to take their place in the world.

The Joy of Principalship is: My richest and most rewarding experience as a leader in schools has been watching other people grow – whether 5, 15, 25, and 55.

A Book I would recommend: Paul Browning’s recent publication ‘Principled’ is well researched and provides practical insights into the diverse and rewarding role of a school leader.

Fun Fact about me: I have always wanted to join a choir so for the first time in my life, I am having singing lessons. 

My valued Well-Being Strategy: Having and sharing a sense of inner calm that keeps everything in perspective.

Advice for a Beginning Principal: Try not to be a hero leader. A Principal’s role is not to solve all problems, doing so impedes growth. I like the metaphor of an umbrella –a Principal’s role is to provide the cover and shelter under which others will grow.

Inspiring Leadership Quote: ‘Preach the word wherever you go, even use words if necessary’ St Francis of Assisi

What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: ‘You have to listen to the river if you want to catch a trout ‘– Irish Proverb

CaSPA Principal Profile

Name: Dan Lynch 

Current School: Christian Brothers College, Adelaide

Previous Position: Deputy Principal, Sacred Heart College, Adelaide.

First Year as a Principal: 2019

The hope for my current school is: That our boys flourish to be the very best they can be, in a school that is faithful to the touchstones of Blessed Edmund Rice.

The Joy of Principalship is: Watching learners exceed their wildest dreams, and providing the platform for staff to be challenged, valued and like the students, flourish.

A Book I would recommend: Principled: 10 Leadership Practices for Building Trust, by Paul Browning

Fun Fact about me: I am a cricket tragic, and if I could invite one person to dinner, it would be Steve Waugh.

My valued Well-Being Strategy: Time with my own family by our pool, or watching them play sport

Advice for a Beginning Principal: Be yourself, seek wisdom, and back your own judgement. 

Inspiring Leadership Quote: “Have courage, the good seed will grow up in the children's hearts later on”; Blessed Edmund Rice

What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: No Regrets