President's Message

Dear Colleagues,

With a Federal election and a Conclave in the past month there has been a very strong focus on leadership in the public arena and especially so for Catholics. It has also meant that for CaSPA there have been relatively few of our usual consultations and interactions with the Government in caretaker mode.

It was difficult to engage with the election in the provision of comparative information regarding parties and candidates positions on education, often due to the late provision of it. In many jurisdictions Principals were provided with material to distribute that drew a strong public backlash and we are aware that the various associations are supporting those principals caught up. Legally Principals are guided in this space by the ACNC which prohibits campaigning for or against particular political parties or candidates but allows commentary on policy and comparison. As we move into this next Tterm it is vital that we as principals remain engaged with our existing and new federal members to inform them well of our value as a sector and merit as individual school communities.

On behalf of CaSPA I wish to congratulate the Albanese government on their re-election, and particularly our continuing Education Minister Jason Clare. Jason has shown strong form in his first term and has been instrumental in increasing consultation with peak principal's groups as well as engaging in the Principal Wellbeing space and the role of Principal autonomy in creating successful schools.

I congratulate Pope Leo XIV on his election as Pope. It is wonderful to have someone who has worked as a high school teacher as Pope. Leo has also been a school administrator through his role with the Augustinians and as has been proudly proclaimed, a visitor to the Augustinian schools in Australia. In his short time in office, he has articulated a number of positive messages for teachers, not least of which were his remarks on the occasion of the Feast Day of St John Baptist De La Salle, patron saint of teachers on May 15 this year and repeated later in this Newsletter.

At present we are in the midst of planning for our next National Conference in Sydney 7-10 July 2026 in partnership with ACSP NSW. We have locked in the Hyatt Regency as the venue which promises to provide us with an exceptional space to explore our theme of Inspiring Leadership: Celebrating Faith Learning and Wellbeing into the Future. Please create a placeholder in your calendars.

We recently received a CaSPA Partner Report from ACU regarding the 2024 Principal Health and Wellbeing data. It will be placed on the Website. Some key areas of concern continue to be the experience of violent behaviours towards Principals, senior leaders and teachers as well as excessive workloads. We will continue to advocate for our Principals at a State/Territorial and Federal level as opportunities arise as well as creating opportunities to voice the needs of all.

Best wishes

Dr Stephen Kennaugh GAICD

CaSPA President