February 2025 Newsletter
- President's Message
- CaSPA Board Update
- CaSPA Activities Update
- AGH Camps - Platinum Partner
- Principal Good News
- Student Health & Wellbeing
- Box Of Books - Platinum Partner
- CaSPA Principal Spotlight
- Principal Profile
- The School Photographer - Platinum Partner
- Social Action Funding 2024
- CaSPA Social Action 2025
- Uniform Group - Platinum Partner
- Funding
- From the Australian Government
- Liverpool Football Club International Academy Australia - Platinum Partner
- Review – Elements in Critical Issues in Teacher Education
- CaSPA Meeting Dates
- Woods Furniture - Gold Partner
- CaSPA 2025 Professional Learning Scholarship
- Atomi - Gold Partner
- CaSPA Strategic Plan – 2025 Priorities
- INSTALLING THE SZAPP
Greetings to all our Principals,
Happy New Year! I trust that you have all had a restful and relaxing break over the Christmas Holidays and things at school have begun well for you and your community.
On behalf of the CaSPA Board, I would like to welcome all of our Beginning Principals around Australia. I hope the year is full of joy and success for you and best wishes for your new career into the future. Please keep in touch with CaSPA through our newsletter, social media and website.
To our ongoing and transferring Principals I also wish you and your community a year of joy and success.
With a Federal Election looming I urge Principals to engage in the political process and reaffirm the reasons Catholic Education deserves support and fair funding. We have requested Jacinta Collins to share with us an overview of each major party's stance on not only educational matters but all policies for distribution across our national network. We know that the Greens are actively working against supporting Catholic education into the future. We must inform our communities of this and all party's approaches as it could impact us significantly into the future.
With new staff inductions and Leadership Team Meetings happening it is a time of excitement and anticipation as we welcome back our students. The dialogue that ensues between staff KLA Leaders, teachers and senior leadership brings a richness to learning and a desire to do better. I hope that your communities experienced substantial learning gains from the 2024 final examinations/gradings.
The employment environment still remains extremely competitive. With these challenges that we all face it is even more important to keep our networks strong and support each other. One way of doing this is attending quality professional learning. Throughout the year we will keep you posted regarding a variety of professional learning opportunities each State and territory are hosting and the location.
This year the CaSPA Board welcomes Luci Quinn as the Victorian Director. Again, my sincere thanks to Darren Atkinson for his wonderful work as a Director in 2023-24. Please see the link in the newsletter to view the Directors’ profiles. https://caspa.schoolzineplus.com/current-and-past-board-members
In 2025 CaSPA will be developing the 2026 – 2028 Strategic Plan. We have engaged Dr Neil Carrington to facilitate this process.
Lastly, please consider nominating for the advertised Social Action and Professional Learning funding offered by CaSPA this year. Please see the details in the Newsletter.
My very best wishes for 2025.
Best wishes
Dr Stephen Kennaugh GAICD
CaSPA President
- Luci Quinn – Victorian Director
- CaSPA Leadership Development Scholarship 2025
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: caspa_prof_learning_scholarshipapplication_2025.docx
- CaSPA Social Action Funding 2025
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.
Profiles of all the CaSPA Board are available on the CaSPA Website: https://caspa.schoolzineplus.com/current-and-past-board-members
- December 3 NCEC Catholic Education Stakeholders Forum (Cancelled)
- December 4 Combined ACPPA and CaSPA Wellbeing meeting attended by Michael Lee, Elizabeth McDougall, Dan McMahon and Mick Egan
- December 5 CaSPA Zoom Board Meeting
- New director Induction – Luci Quinn
- CaSPA Partnerships renewal process
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Congratulations to Thomas More College, Salisbury Downs, Principal Corey Tavella for being recognised as one of the Top 50 Educators in Australia, by The Educator - The Best Educators in Australia - The Hot List. https://lnkd.in/g2AcMYvt
This prestigious honour is a testament to Corey's, outstanding leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to fostering excellence in education.
This incredible achievement reflects the dedication, passion, and collaboration of the entire Thomas More College Community. We are incredibly proud to see our Principal's hard work and the spirit of our community recognised on a national platform.
Well done, Corey, and thank you to everyone who contributes to making Thomas More College an exceptional place to learn and grow!
My Mind Check: A FREE Wellbeing Check-In Tool for Schools
My Mind Check is a new, free digital check-in tool designed by world-renowned youth mental health experts at Macquarie University. It is currently being rolled out nationwide to help Australian schools proactively support their students’ mental health and wellbeing.
Based on years of clinical research and consultation with Australian education, health and community organisations, and funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, My Mind Check, provides schools with valuable, evidence-based data to better understand student mental health and wellbeing.
A pathway to early intervention, the free platform enables schools to perform 10-15 minute check-ins on their students throughout the school year, helping schools understand whether students may benefit from further information or attention. With caregiver or student permission, schools can easily track their students' mood, stress levels and overall mental health and wellbeing over time.
Importantly, My Mind Check is not a diagnostic tool. Instead, it enables students to self-report on aspects of their mental health and wellbeing, identifying areas where they feel positive and areas where they may benefit from more information or support.
Benefits of My Mind Check include:
- Free and Accessible: Available at no cost to Australian schools, with dedicated support for implementation.
- Flexible Check-Ins: Schools can choose the scheduling and frequency, with each check-in taking about 10–15 minutes during school time.
- School Dashboard and Resources: Provides real-time insights for schools, showing individual and group level information, with useful templates and resources to help staff respond.
- Research-Based: Clinical trials in Australian schools show notable improvements in student wellbeing and attendance using My Mind Check to allow proactive and early intervention.
- Privacy and Security: Compliant with Australian Commonwealth Government standards to ensure data privacy and security.
My Mind Check is intended to capture early signs of mental health risks and positive wellbeing protective factors, helping schools take proactive action. It can be tailored to support a school’s existing wellbeing strategies.
If you would like more information or would like to enquire about whether My Mind Check is available in your state or territory, please access the My Mind Check website and click ENQUIRE NOW.
At the July Conference a number of Principals generously agreed to be filmed to give us a snapshot of profiles across the nation. In the coming newsletters we will share links to these.
The next profile is of Tania Cairns.
Name: Vince Bellini
Current School: Our Lady of Mercy College, Australind
Previous Position: Vice Principal at Emmanuel Catholic College
First Year as a Principal: 2023
Year of Birth: 21/04/1973
My big picture for my current school is to create a nurturing environment where students and teachers grow spiritually, academically, and socially. This is achieved through a holistic education that integrates faith and learning, emphasising Catholic values and providing a supportive community.
The Joy of becoming a Principal is: being able to empower and mentor aspiring leaders, equipping them with the necessary skills to develop into the next generation of leaders.
Favourite Book: The Dry by Jane Harper
Favourite Food: Indian cuisine
Interests / Hobbies: reading, travelling and cooking.
My Favourite Well-Being Strategy: Getting outside and doing something away from the hustle and bustle of our roles.
Advice for an Aspiring Leader: Believe in yourself and have the confidence to make a positive difference in your community.
Favourite Leadership Quote: “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” St Teresa of Calcutta
What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: “Why are you leading? Who are you leading? Becoming a leader for today.”
Emmanuel College Warrnambool
Community Meals / Soup Kitchen service
Contact: Natasha Cummings
Rationale
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.
Pope Francis has asked many times during his Papacy to support and work with those at the margins: “Go forth and reach out to all people at the margins of society! Go there and be the Church, with the strength of the Holy Spirit.”
The rationale for the Social Action is that CaSPA and its Corporate Partners are aware of the difficulties individuals or groups face due to ethnicity, remoteness, financial hardship or gender. The project will enhance the Church’s social teaching and provide an opportunity for members who are in need.
Examples of possible projects are: support of Aboriginal education opportunities in remote Australia, support of schools or educational institutions in the South Pacific, support and development of teacher education in Papua New Guinea. The preference is for Australian needs or our near neighbours.
Criteria
The application for the Social Action Funding needs to address the following guiding principles:
Linked to educational and / or leadership professional learning.
Established Financial Need.
Established Social Need.
Timeframe needed (up to 3 years).
Needs to show benefit to school / community / students.
Cost details ($5K limit).
Preference for local region in or around Australia.
At the conclusion of the Social Action Project, the recipient will provide a detailed written summary to the CaSPA Board. In addition, the recipient will be required to present learnings at the following CaSPA Conference.
Applications need to be made to the local State or Territory Catholic Principal association, which will decide on one proposal to be submitted to the CaSPA Board. A decision will then be made to award one recipient with the CaSPA Social Action Funding.
The closing date for applications: 16 May 2025
Funding for the Social Action will be funded through the funds provided by the generous CaSPA Partners.
Helping parents and carers make informed choices about video games with gambling-like content
New classifications are now in place to help parents and carers identify video games with gambling-like content.
Research shows links between gambling-like content in video games and problem gambling, emotional and mental health impacts.
Video games with gambling-like content will now be classified M (not recommended for children under 15) or R18+ (restricted to adults 18 years and over).
We’ve created resources and hope you’ll share these with your interested networks:
- Nadia and Zac’s story - demonstrating how a parent discovered and made some changes to feel more comfortable with the video games her son plays.
Visit www.classification.gov.au/NewGameRatings for more information.
Series: Elements in Critical Issues in Teacher Education
Professional Supervision for Principals
A Primer for Emerging Practice
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 January 2025
School leadership is a complex and greatly changed activity in the 21st century.
For teachers and Principals in particular in Australia we currently have imposed a rather unusual set of accreditation and performance review practices. In school education, quite unlike other professions in say the legal, medical and architectural spaces, Principals do not own and run their own accrediting bodies. This paper puts forward the case for professional supervision as an appropriate and perhaps overdue perspective on a way to move forward. Many jurisdictions flip flop on the support and management of Principals, often placing managers into conflicted roles trying to do both at once. A worthwhile read.
This Element is free online from 8th January 2025 - 5th February 2025
Rationale
CaSPA will provide the opportunity for a member of an affiliated State or Territory Association with an opportunity to be involved in Professional Learning. It is hoped that through involvement in this program the Association member will have the opportunity to engage in professional learning that may otherwise not take place. This Scholarship gives witness to the social teachings of the Catholic Church by supporting those who are in need.
The rationale for the Professional Learning Scholarship is that CaSPA and its Corporate Partners are aware of the difficulties individual Principals can face particularly in rural, remote and low socio-economic contexts.
Application Form is on the CaSPA website under “Awards”.
Criteria
The application for the Professional Learning Scholarship needs to address the following guiding principles:
Linked to educational and / or leadership professional learning.
Established Financial need.
Timeframe needed
Needs to show benefit to school / community / students.
Cost details.
At the conclusion of the Professional Learning, the recipient will be required to provide a detailed written summary to the CaSPA Board. In addition, the recipient may possibly be required to present learnings at the following CaSPA Conference.
Applications need to be made to the local association, which will decide on the applications to be submitted to the CaSPA Executive Officer and Board. A decision will then be made to award one recipient with the CaSPA Professional Learning Scholarship.
The closing date for applications: 16 May 2025
Funding for the Professional Learning Scholarship will be funded through the funds provided by the generous CaSPA Partners.