May 2025 Newsletter

Greetings Colleagues,

I trust you have all had a relaxing break now that all States and Territories have had their Term 1 School Holidays. Hopefully there has been the opportunity for some down time amidst all the work that continues during the breaks.

We continue to be approached by key players in the education and political sectors as a voice for Catholic schools. Both ACARA and AITSL are undergoing self-reviews at the moment and our input has been sought. We recently had our first ICP Oceania/Asia Leaders Meeting via Zoom and discussed the biggest challenges we are facing as leaders in schools. Some of the challenges included, employment, succession planning, a general lack of autonomy, complexity in schooling and the need for co-design of education with governments and governing bodies. There is also an invitation to contribute to the next edition of the ICP Magazine through an article. The theme is Leadership in Action. Articles are due in early July. In September 2026 the ICP Conference will be held in New Zealand and there hope is that we will have greater numbers due to its proximity.

As this Newsletter is published the results of the Federal Election should be coming through, the campaign has been a strange one for Principals, straddling Easter and holidays as it has. It took quite some time to tie down the major parties to policies with little to no change to previous positions and we thank Jacinta and the NCEC team for providing a summary of the education and funding stance of the major parties for our communities . When comparing policies it is clear that Labor and the Coalition have policies that are supportive of Catholic Education and the Greens do not. The Greens ignore the sector blind principles of the Gonski model and favour divisive measures such as free lunches for public school students only.

Catholic Secondary Principals Australia mourn the death of our beloved Pope Francis. Principals have been blessed to witness the way children and young people have engaged with and been inspired by this humble leader, so taken with the poor and those on the margins.

Best wishes

Dr Stephen Kennaugh GAICD

CaSPA President

ACPPA and CaSPA Combined Position Paper

Addressing School Leaders’ Occupational Health and Wellbeing

Last month CaSPA and ACPPA sent a Combined Position Paper Addressing School Leaders’ Occupational Health and Wellbeing to the various national, state, territory, diocesan and RIPJP authorities and proprietors of Catholic Schools. The response so far has been positive though far from comprehensive. With the election over we will be pursuing this action area with vigour. We urge local Principal associations to keep up the momentum on this issue until we see a reversal in the frightening trends measured in our sponsored research through ACU. You will be able to catch an update on the research from Drs HeeRa Ko, Paul Kidson and Theresa Dicke at the ACEC conference in August.

They will be joined by our own Dr Stephen Kennaugh and Phil Schultz from ACPPA.

CaSPA Board Zoom Meeting Wednesday April 9

Meeting Agenda:                                                                         

• Catholic Education Leaders Forum: 2025 Federal Election Briefing - major party comparison from NCEC has now been released.            
• Catholic Education Stakeholder Forum: Catholic Parents once again represented on NCEC, no plans to harness the expertise or restore a voice for principals at this level.                    
• Amplify TSL project (AITSL): CaSPA looking at ways to support / endorse this.
• CaSPA & CAPA Catch up re Position Paper: sent to 49 entities, positive responses from 14 so far.
• AI Seminar Update: Canberra Principals looking to run a seminar in June with CaSPA endorsement, details to be finalised post election.
• Strategic Plan 2026-28 Update Neil:  Draft presented, planning to launch at September joint meeting.      
• Venue and speakers being finalised.
• The CaSPA Board are delighted to announce a new Platinum Partner: Writer’s Toolbox

Writer’s Toolbox is an educational writing programme powered by patented AI. Designed to help students master writing—without doing the work for them—Writer’s Toolbox gives real-time, individualised feedback at scale: in every topic, for every student, at their most teachable moments.

CaSPA Director News

‘Chif’s Chair’ project a tribute former prime minister

Michael Lee with ‘Chif’s Chair’ (Catholic Voice) A humble wooden chair that once seated former prime minister Ben Chifley at St Christopher’s Cathedral is being given a fitting tribute at St Mary MacKillop College, Canberra.

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

• 1 April CaSPA and ACSP meeting with Conference organisers Bumper Conference Management
• 4 April meeting with Br Peter Bray, De La Salle Visitor (Provincial)
• 7 April Mick Egan meets with Dr Neil Carrington for strategic planning
• 9 April CaSPA Board Zoom Meeting
• 9 April AITSL Focus Group Meeting
• 10 April Australasian Society of Association Executives (AuSAE) Demo Day - Association Management Systems (AMS)
• 10 April Focus Group: National peak principals group & Dandolo (ACARA insights)

A focus group discussion on:

• The value that ACARA provides and how it contributes to the education sector
• Priorities and aspirations for ACARA in the evolving education landscape
• Changes in your operating environment and how ACARA might be able to add value

• 23 April Asia & Oceania International Confederation of Principals (ICP) Regional Meeting

Discussion on the following topics:

• • What continues to be the biggest challenges facing your school leaders?
  • What is the most pressing issue for those of us attending Council?
  • What regional issues (not yet mentioned in discussions from above items) do we need to consider?
  • What do you think is currently the most pressing issue for Emerging Leaders in your jurisdiction?
  • What are your hoped-for takeaways from our events in New Delhi?

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Name: Kath Little

Current School: St Patrick’s College Townsville

Previous Position: Deputy Principal: Teaching and Learning

First Year as a Principal: 2025

My big picture for my current school is: Building outcomes and aspiration in an authentic 21st century context.

The Joy of becoming a Principal is: empowering others

Favourite Book: Animal Farm

Favourite Food: All things potato

 Interests / Hobbies: Reading, Movie watching

My Favourite Well-Being Strategy: Wasting time with great friends

Advice for an Aspiring Leader: Use the strengths of the team

Favourite Leadership Quote: Will this matter on your death bed?

What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: Leadership: Lessons from historical stuff ups!

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Name:  Glenn Carpenter

Current School:  La Salle Academy, Lithgow

Previous Position:  Assistant Principal Administration, St Monica’s College, Cairns

First Year as a Principal: 2023

My big picture for my current school is:  Empowering staff and students by creating opportunities for growth and success whilst remaining true to the values of the La Sallian mission.  

Favourite Book:  Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)

Favourite Food:  BBQ

Interests / Hobbies:  Gaelic Football, Travel

My Favourite Well-Being Strategy: Travel!  Weekend breaks once a month.  Take in a sports match, city break, cultural experiences. 

Advice for an Aspiring Leader: You never stop learning.  Try to experience leadership outside your silo (your comfort zone). 

Favourite Leadership Quote:  Sports quote that could be adapted to leadership:  You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take (Wayne Gretzky). 

What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book:  How we can change school operations to support teacher wellbeing and retention (I don’t have the answers yet!). 

If you have yet to feature in our Principal Profiles you are welcome to do so, simply send me an email at admin@caspa.edu.au with your answers and a picture.

Mission Australia’s Youth Survey is an annual survey that aims to identify the aspirations, experiences and issues of concern to young people. Participants are from a range of communities across Australia and from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, religious, gender and ability backgrounds. The survey enquires about sociodemographic information; issues of national importance; study and work; housing and financial situation; mental health and wellbeing; sources of support and community connections; climate issues; as well as sources of stress across a range of topics such as body image, cost of living, school, and friends/family. Additional focus areas for 2025 delve into housing and financial matters, school engagement and attendance and hopes for the future.

The survey is open to all young people in Australia aged 14-19 years old and will close on 15 August 2025.

All participating schools are eligible to receive a complimentary, tailored report detailing key Youth Survey findings specific to their young people. They will also receive support from Mission Australia to help identify young people who may be experiencing high psychological distress and/or risk of harm. This is done via a process of reviewing survey responses and reporting details to the relevant school so it can then re-identify each young person and offer support if required.

Schools can register to participate by completing this Consent Form and further information is available at Annual Youth Survey | Mission Australia.

Applications are now open for the 2026 NYSF Year 12 Program!

Do you know a year 11 student with a passion for STEM? Let them know to start their application to the 2026 NYSF Year 12 Program today!

In years 10 - 12? You can register to be the first to hear about the NYSF STEM Hubs taking place in July in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth!

APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN

REGISTER FOR STEM HUBS UPDATES

Registrations are now open for the National Youth STEM Summit!

Are you currently pursuing tertiary studies and training or are in the early stages of your career? Register today for the National Youth STEM Summit to help you discover your professional identity and take real steps toward your dream STEM career. In 2025, the STEM Summit will be held in Melbourne!

REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN

Journalist: Helen Gregory

College leaders Mia Egan and Ben Dezelak said Larry Keating (middle) "always puts his students and staff in front of him" and reminded them all to "never see a need without doing something about it". Picture by Simone De Peak

PRINCIPAL Larry Keating has prioritised one thing above all others in the 50 years he has spent at schools across the Hunter.

"My mantra with staff is relationships before curriculum, before everything else, you have to get to know your students as people to get to know them then as learners," said Mr Keating, principal of St Mary's Catholic College Gateshead since 2004.

He has overseen the school's expansion to years 11 and 12, two stages of its ongoing five stage redevelopment and its focus on the environment. "Caring for people has to be number one."

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle recently presented Mr Keating with a 50 Years of Service Award, alongside Our Lady of Lourdes Tarro principal Cheryl Henderson and its manager of school infrastructure John Tobin.

The father of four and grandfather of 11 said he was filled with "gratitude".

"Professor Thomas Groome says to be an educator is a sacred privilege and an awesome responsibility," he said.

"You're dealing with human beings, the most precious gifts parents have, their children, and we get to share in that precious relationship in terms of raising kids to be responsible and caring adults.

"I don't take an autocratic position, it's servant leadership, I'm here to serve the needs of everybody entrusted to our care.

"I love dealing with adolescents, I love their honesty, their love of life, they keep you young, they invigorate you. I love their preparedness to challenge, their desire to search and discover what's life about."

Education has also been a gift in Mr Keating's own life.

Two of his children survived "tragic incidents".

"It's those tragedies that always happen to somebody else, it never happens to you," he said.

"It just changes your life."

Eight years ago his wife Anne fell at home and became a quadriplegic.

She spent 17 months in hospital. He said he drew strength from her "courage of endurance".

"It's pretty hard," he said. "This job - I don't see it as a job, I see it as a privilege, it's a ministry - has been my saviour, and the wonderful people I work with."

He was at the end of six months leave following his wife's accident when it was time to announce the school was expanding to senior grades.

He'd been reading Joan D Chittister's Scarred by Struggle Transformed by Hope and decided to return to the role he relished.

"She says in life there are things you must do and things you want to do and I don't believe in dichotomising, I say to the leadership team here all the time 'Let's think about the 'and' - forget about the 'or' - try and get a win-win'," he said.

"When I came here the community wanted to build a hall and above all else they wanted to go to years 11 and 12, so that's been the goal."

Mr Keating's father worked on the railways and he attended schools in Coonamble, Koorawatha, Capertee, Portland - his first introduction to the Sisters of St Joseph - Blackheath and Lithgow before his family moved to Kotara in 1966.

He went to St Pius X High for year 11 and 12. His economics teacher, Father James Saunders, was a "big influence".

Mr Keating said he wanted to study economics law, but received a four year Department of Education teaching training scholarship. He studied a bachelor of arts majoring in economics and a diploma of education at the University of Newcastle.

During his degree he helped Father Saunders teach first level economics. He did a placement at Broadmeadow Boys High School at the start of his diploma and blocks at Newcastle Boys High.

"There were a number of teachers who were really passionate about education," he said. "They took me under their wing and gave me guidance and advice and I appreciated that.. I think [Father Saunders] might have been sewing a seed and I never knew it."

His wife was working in hospital administration and needed to be in a major city to advance her career. He told the department this, but it said he was needed to fill vacancies across the state.

When they couldn't reach an agreement he resigned, days before the couple's 1973 wedding.

They were on their honeymoon when Father Saunders called and asked if he wanted a job teaching economics at St Anne's and St Pius X. He said at the time teachers at Catholic schools were paid 15 per cent less that their government colleagues and didn't receive superannuation. But he felt he could make a difference.

"The first pay day came around and the bursar said 'Look, we have not got enough money to pay you today but by the middle of next week we will have, so how much do you need for your groceries?'"

Around the same time he met with then acting director of schools Father Frank Coolahan to explain that he had a $1000 bond he needed to repay.

He'd saved money working as a winder at Bradmill Cotton Mills Kotara at nights in case he needed to cover it, but knew that would help buy a house or car.

"He said 'When you get a subpoena to pay the bond back come and see me and I'll support you'... he said 'We're getting a cheap teacher, someone else paid for the training and we have to be prepared to contribute something back'."

The investment paid off. Mr Keating rose from teacher to social science coordinator and deputy principal and oversaw St Pius X's first intake of girls and the end of the cane.

He was one of the founding directors of Australian Catholic Colleges Rugby League in 1979.

He moved as deputy principal to St Mary's in 1985 and was one of the first two lay executive staff members, the first male in leadership and reconnected with the Josephites.

He was assistant principal at St Paul's Catholic College Booragul in 1990 before taking on his first principal role at St Clare's High Taree, where he stayed for 13 years. He returned to St Mary's in 2004.

He said the school previously had periods of low enrolment, but after expanding to years 11 and 12 and its redevelopment could "double our numbers in year seven if we were wanting to do that".

He said in the past week the school had received requests for enrolment for 2027, 2028 and 2034. "The quality of education is improving too because of the intensive professional learning and this is attracting teachers who want to teach in the school."

Mr Keating has had colleagues follow him between schools and supported others to lead their own schools. He said his time at the diocese wasn't over yet.

"I haven't put an end point on it," he said. "I started a [redevelopment] project and I'd like to see it through."

Published February 2023

CaSPA will provide the opportunity for a member or an affiliated State / Territory Catholic Principals’ Association to be involved in Social Action. It is hoped that through involvement in this program the member or association will have the opportunity to engage in prosocial Action that may otherwise not take place. The Social Action gives witness to the tenant of the Catholic Church by supporting those who are in need or marginalised.

Application Link

A part of CaSPA's charter is to promote Excellence in Educational Leadership. Catholic Secondary Principals will have the opportunity to engage in relevant formal study to improve their leadership knowledge and skills.

The CaSPA Board is offering an annual scholarship to the value of $5000 for study in Educational Leadership.

Application Link