September Newsletter

Dear Colleagues

Again, my thoughts and prayers go out to all States and Territories that have been affected by the recent lockdowns. The demands on Principals, school staff and families have been enormous during these challenging times and I congratulate all of you for the ongoing care of the students at your school. With a sense of hope, I look forward to Australia’s increased level of vaccination so that all Australians can return to a more normal life.

In particular, I would like to acknowledge the Year 12 students and their wonderful teachers who are committed to keep learning happening during the extended lockdowns in NSW, ACT and Victoria. My heart goes out to the students who are also missing out on the social aspects and the rite of passage that is inherent for Year 12s.

My prayers are with you.

The CaSPA Board has also been reflecting on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. As a response the Board drafted a letter, which has been sent to the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the relevant Opposition Leaders. Please see a copy of the letter in this newsletter.

Over the last month CaSPA has been involved in numerous consultations from DESE, ACARA, AITSL and NCEC – please see the details of these in the CaSPA Activities section of the newsletter. At the same time of these consultations, CaSPA has been working with the PIVOT company to develop a survey to investigate the experiences of Principals around Australia especially in Regional and Remote areas. The survey will only take 6 minutes to help CaSPA ascertain key information about Principals and feedback about what CaSPA itself can do for Catholic Principals. Please participate.

Lastly, it was a true pleasure to meet with NCEC, ACPPA, CSPA and CAP recently. CaSPA’s collaboration with these key educational organisations is crucial to ensure our Catholic and Secondary Principal voice continues to be heard.

Blessings to all

Ann Rebgetz

CaSPA President

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• DESE re Disability Standards & Principles Review – Meeting on 23 August to finalise Report.
• Teach for Australia - Consultation on 10 August to promote leadership Pilot Program for Rural and Remote teachers and schools.
• AITSL Meetings – re HALT, ITE & Australian Teacher Workforce Data priorities.
• Negotiating a contract with PIVOT – Developing a survey for Principals regarding experiences especially in Remote and Rural schools.
• Sponsoring the ACU / Phil Riley Research – Principals Health and Wellbeing Survey was released on 23 August and we are hoping for a large number of Catholic Principals to participate to build up the Catholic data.
• ACARA Meeting – 18 August – Regarding release of the 2021 NAPLAN summary and future changes to NAPLAN consultation. Report to Education Council soon.
• Letter to the PM – 27 August - CaSPA supported the message by Fr Frank Brennan regarding the humanitarian response needed for Afghanistan refugees.
• CaSPA Website and Data Project - now being redeveloped to be relaunched later in 2021.
• PWC Consultation – Research being conducted for DESE to review VET In Secondary Schools.

Leading Through Uncertainty

This short course provides a unique framework to help you manage turbulence, leverage risk and make more informed decisions. It's made up of 4 modules, each 3.5 hours in duration so there's not a lot of time away from work. The learning is practical, rich and very relevant.

Each module is delivered by experts with extensive knowledge and significant experience.

PROMOTIONAL CODE  ‘CASPA’ to receive discounted course fee

https://www.acu.edu.au/ltuschools

CaSPA CONFERENCE 2022

Profiles of all the CaSPA Board are available on the CaSPA Website: https://caspa.schoolzineplus.com/current-and-past-board-members

Name: Damian Smith                                                     

Current School: Caritas College, Port Augusta

Previous Position: Principal - St Joseph’s School, Peterborough

First Year as a Principal: 2010

Year of Birth: 1982

My big picture for my current school is: To lead and support the school community so it can be a place where everyone can grow in love, wonder and understanding.

The Joy of Principalship is: I believe there are many joys that come with the role of Principal. One of the greatest joys is having the tremendous privilege of simply being alongside people with their successes and challenges.

Favourite Book: Man’s Search for Meaning (Viktor Frankl)

Favourite Food: Pizza

Interests / Hobbies: Family, friends, sport, running, cycling and playing guitar

My Favourite Well-Being Strategy: Spending time with family and friends

Advice for a Beginning Principal: Don’t forget to be a learner yourself. Let your curious mind lead you (and others) to new and unfamiliar places because that’s where learning really happens. Despite the busyness remember to be kind to yourself. Make time for yourself so you can be the best you can be at school and away from work.

Favourite Leadership Quote: “It’s not the critic who counts... the credit belongs to the person in the arena” – Theodore Roosevelt

What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable: exploring new and unfamiliar places as a leader”

Name: Peter Houlihan

Current School: De La Salle College, Malvern

Previous Position: Assistant Principal: Learning at Marcellin College, Bulleen

First Year as a Principal: 2014

Year of Birth: 1964

My big picture for my current school is: Build on the best of our 110 years of Catholic, Lasallian education to create the future of our choice.  Establish ourselves as the school of choice for families looking for their sons to graduate as respectful, quality young men following a pathway of their choice.

The Joy of Principalship is: Seeing students succeed; planned changes come to fruition to the benefit of students, staff and families; the positive relationship you get to build

Favourite Book: The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Richard Flanagan

Favourite Food: Seafood

Interests / Hobbies: Travel, family, handyman “stuff”, AFL footy, swimming, cricket, golf, tennis, reading, TV series/movies, music and musicals

My Favourite Well-Being Strategy: Exercise every morning; don’t read emails on a Sunday night!

Advice for a Beginning Principal: Get to know your staff and the “way things work” around the place before driving major changes

Favourite Leadership Quote: “It’s hard to lead a cavalry charge if you look funny on a horse.”

What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: I told you I was organised!   

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Name: Tim Hildebrandt

Current School: St Peter’s Catholic College, Tuggerah 

Previous Position: Assistant Principal – Oakhill College, Castle Hill

First Year as a Principal: 2017

Year of Birth: 1968

My big picture for my current school is: I want us to be known as a centre of excellence in contemporary an innovative learning, with graduates committed to actively contributing to the world they live in and in service of our God. Not too ambitious really!!

The Joy of Principalship is: Seeing students succeed and sharing their pride in what they have achieved. I always feel honoured and privileged when our young people are prepared to share a bit of their journey with me.

Favourite Book: I’m a bit of a crime and action addict. Favourite Authors at the moment are David Baldacci and Lee Child.

Favourite Food: Nothing beats an aged Rib eye, little bit of horseradish cream and plenty of Chimmi sauce.

Interests / Hobbies: I am a keen aviator; I have done some time as a commercial pilot and flight instructor. While I am no longer flying, I am still drawn towards anything with wings.

My Favourite Well-Being Strategy: Mindfulness is really effective for me. I am very regular user of my smiling minds app.

Advice for a Beginning Principal: It is crucial to learn what is important and what is not and therefore what is your job and what should someone else be doing. I often ask myself, is there someone else that can do this? If the answer is yes, then let them do it. That gives you the time and headspace to do the things that no-one else can, lead the school, without getting buried in less critical tasks.

Favourite Leadership Quote:

“The pessimist complains about the wind.

The optimist expects it to change.

The Leader adjusts the sails”

John C Maxwell

What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: The Journey Continues!

2022 CaSPA Awards and Scholarships – Applications Open

CaSPA is very proud to announce the launching of the 2022 Scholarships and Awards.

Nomination Forms have been sent to all State and Territory Catholic Principal Associations and can be viewed at the following link on the CaSPA website: https://caspa.schoolzineplus.com/introduction

Please remember that all awardees to be eligible are expected to attend the 2022 Conference to receive their award in person.

World Economic Forum Survey of Young People - 2021

“Some interesting information and data related to the experiences of young people around the world in relation to employment skills.

The detailed Report links relate to the COVID times and the long term view of what the future may hold for them.

An interesting read and a video that could be used to share information with staff and students.”

We asked young people about work and skills. Here's what they told us

This is what young people have to say about work and skills | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)

• 11,000 young people around the world responded to UNICEF survey.
• Almost two-thirds are optimistic they will get the job they want.
• They say the pandemic has bolstered their resilience, but that today's education system is not giving them the skills they need.
• And that soft skills are just as important as technical abilities.

“The one thing that would make the biggest difference to me is to actually learn the skills that the job market will require from me once I graduate from university.”

 Survey question: What would make the biggest difference for you to achieve your career goals?

• 32% of the young people selected job-ready skills programmes in school, ahead of things like access to on-the-job training (28%), access to relevant online resources (20%), and a good mentor (19%).
• to be successful, young people will need to become lifelong learners and build strong soft skills such as leadership, creativity and communication.  Need to involved young people in creating these skills programs.

Video: https://youtu.be/HlmoiQNUvvo

• 8 billion young people 15 – 24. 25% of the world’s population. 3 times as likely to be unemployed as adults.
• Currently due to COVID 1 in 6 young people out of work.
• They need opportunities to thrive. Creativity and resilience.
• Soft skills are key
• Creative in ways of developing these skills – life long learning
• Involve young people