October 2022 Newsletter

Dear Colleagues

CaSPA joined other members of the Coalition of Australian (CAP) to discuss education matters with Education Minister Clare on 14 September. The CAP members were delighted to have the opportunity to meet with Minister Clare and hopefully this meeting will be the beginning of many stakeholder consultations with the Minister and the Department for Education. Minister Clare was very receptive to our input.

Minister Clare highlighted his regard to increasing the status of our profession, concern about teacher workload, encouraging entry into the profession by incentives, and sought input into online learning. He also spoke in light of findings of the recent productivity commission report released on September 14. This report is at the link and feedback is sought.

https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/current/school-agreement/interim

Some of the areas to which we were able to draw attention to included the increasing equity gap, the demands of NCCD accountability whilst acknowledging its importance, 40% of teachers teaching maths teaching out of area, the suggestion of Teach for Australia program being supported in all states, VET consistency and recognition of trainers, establishing a Centre for Excellence in Teacher Practicum Training.

As mentioned last newsletter, CaSPA has sent a letter to the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC) to provide feedback about the Plenary Council. The feedback came from the Combined Meeting of Catholic Secondary Principals Associations from around Australia. At the Combined Meeting in July it was decided that as Principals we should add our voice to the ACBC. Please find a copy of the letter in this newsletter.

We would commend National Catholic Education Commission on their recent National Conference - it was tremendous to see such a groundswell of leaders and support for Catholic Education along with several sessions challenging us to think about Catholic identity, innovation, and change in school practices, where we fit in "an increasingly pluralistic society, less tolerant of tradition and authority. " ( Fr Frank Brennan)

It was very productive to have Mark Grant CEO AITSL address our recent Board Meeting in Melbourne and update us on a range of issues, particularly around the teacher workforce situation and planning. He was keen to take our experiences on board and highlight the realities of where we are placed.

Recently CaSPA launched its Social Action and Professional Learning Scholarship Funding for 2023. Please find the Application Forms in this Newsletter. More detail is available on the CaSPA Website if needed. https://caspa.schoolzineplus.com/introduction.

I trust you will enjoy your Term 3 Break.

Blessings to all

Ann Rebgetz - President

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

Presentation at ACARA’s recent Peak Parent and Principals forum on 7 September

The Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing survey is now live for new participant registrations from 31 August 2022 at https://healthandwellbeing.org/AU.

Australian Research Council Discovery Project

Digital technologies are changing the way teachers do their work and learn as they work.

But not much is known about this.

We want to find out how you learn as you work. We invite you to complete an anonymous online survey (10-15mins of your time).

Click here to take the survey

Your responses are important to us!