State & Territory Associations Chair Profiles
CaSPA Principal Profile
Name: Michael Egan - ACSP (NSW) Chair
Current School: LaSalle Catholic College, Bankstown
Previous Position: Principal: De La Salle Catholic College, Caringbah
First Year as a Principal: 2009
The hope for my current school is: To offer the best possible Catholic Education to the young people of Bankstown
The Joy of Principalship is: Working with parents to bring their children to know and love Jesus in a safe, supportive educational environment.
A Book I would recommend: Bridging the Gaps, Between Families and Schools by Nance Millar
Fun Fact about me: I once appeared on Red Faces and won
My valued Well-Being Strategy: Swim in the ocean regularly
Advice for a Beginning Principal: Listen carefully to those who criticise you until you understand why.
Inspiring Leadership Quote: “God has chosen you to do his work.” St John Baptist De La Salle, patron Saint of Teachers.
CaSPA Principal Profile
Name: Mark Murphy - PAVCSS (Vic) Chair
Current School: Whitefriars College
Previous Position: Principal at Marcellin College
First Year as a Principal: 2009
The hope for my current school is: That we continue to nurture and grow our identity as a Catholic Carmelite school for boys and that we support our young men to be able to take their place in a contemporary world as good Christians and productive global citizens
The Joy of Principalship is: Walking with and supporting all in our faith learning community to become the best versions of themselves.
A Book I would recommend: Leigh Sales: Any Ordinary Day
Fun Fact about me: A love to surf
My valued Well-Being Strategy: Get as much “salt water therapy” as you can!
Advice for a Beginning Principal: Don’t think you have to know everything. Utilise the great strengths of your team, trust others to run with their own ball, take care of yourself and realise that Principalship is a Marathon not a spirit – pace yourself.
Inspiring Leadership Quote: Don’t so much spend your life planning as preparing. If we prepare we will always be ready to take hold of the next opportunity. – Julian Burnside
What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: “It’s all in the preparation”
CaSPA Principal Profile
Name: Geoff Mills - CSPA (W.A.) Chair
Current School: Ursula Frayne Catholic College – Victoria Park, WA
Previous Position: Principal – Lumen Christi College – Gosnells, WA
First Year as a Principal: 2006
The hope for my current school is: That our school continues to flourish as an authentic learning and faith sharing community, centred in Christ.
The Joy of Principalship is: Working within a community context in which staff and parents are committed to ensuring the best learning environment students and God is part of the conversation.
A Book I would recommend: In enjoy reading about Australian leaders and am currently working my way through the biographies of former Prime Ministers. A current book recommendation is Robert Menzies – The Art of Politics (Troy Bramston) in which Menzies talks about his life, reflects on political events and personalities, offers political lessons, candidly assesses his successors and contains contemporary lessons for those in, or aspiring to, positions of leadership.
Fun Fact about me: I have recently taken up the guitar and juggling – but not simultaneously!
My valued Well-Being Strategy: Ensuring that time is prioritised on weekends to ‘recharge my batteries’ by spending time with family, friends and pursuing personal interests.
Advice for a Beginning Principal: Maintain a clear focus on two interrelated questions: “What have I done to improve student learning today?” and “Where is Jesus in what I am doing?”
Inspiring Leadership Quote: “Agitate, educate and then legislate” – Bob Hawke.
What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: Leading a Christ-centred and student-focused community.
CASPA Principal Profile
Name: Brian Schumacher - APCSS (S.A.) Chair
Current School: Rostrevor College
Previous Position: Principal, Cabra Dominican College
First Year as a Principal: 2005, Sacred Heart College Middle School
The hope for my current school is: To continue to fulfil our mission as a Catholic boarding school for boys in the Edmund Rice Tradition as we move into our second century at Rostrevor.
To emerge stronger, more focussed and confident in our mission after a period of decline.
The Joy of Principalship is: The energy that comes from life fully immersed in a school community.
A Book I would recommend: The Peaceable Kingdom by Stanley Hauerwas
Fun Fact about me: I have a collection of skateboards cluttering up my shed
My valued Well-Being Strategy: Exercise – a lot! Take a break about Week 5/6 – we usually earn our money towards the end of term.
Advice for a Beginning Principal: It takes time (10,000 hours) to learn the job. This can be liberating as you approach new experiences/challenges as learning moments. As you learn the job, learn how to do it in a way that works for you.
You are the gift to your community, in the role of Principal.
Inspiring Leadership Quote: Kindness saves lives.
What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: The Camino (like life itself) is not about the stamps!
CaSPA Principal Profile
Name: Shayne Kidd - CPAT (Tas) Chair
Current School: St Thomas More’s Catholic School, Newstead Tasmania
Previous Position: Head Teacher (Principal) SIS Semarang Indonesia
First Year as a Principal: 2010, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Wadeye NT
The hope for my current school is: To continue to provide an excellent community centred education for our children.
The Joy of Principalship is: Being able to serve my community.
A Book I would recommend: What Great Principals Do Differently (18 Things that matter most) – Todd Whitaker
Fun Fact about me: I enjoy home renovations, one of the biggest jobs I done is build a new kitchen.
My valued Well-Being Strategy: Time for myself outdoors.
Advice for a Beginning Principal: You don’t have to do or know everything in your school. Trust your team.
Inspiring Leadership Quote: Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Stephen Covey
What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: The power of Actions.