Newsletter
Stop distorting the facts, it’s time for the full Gonski
National Catholic education executive director Jacinta Collins says it’s time for fringe commentators and the Australian Education Union (AEU) to stop the distorted reporting on school funding, and for all sectors to realise the full Gonski commitment to Australian education.
“Under the cover of reasonable calls to bring public schools up to 100% of the SRS, fringe commentators, like Save our Schools and Pasi Sahlberg, along with the AEU, are arguing for the end of school choice in this country.
“This is despite a 200 year-long Australian tradition, increasing demand from families, decades of commitment by both major political parties, and a strong track record of delivering social infrastructure including the most bang for buck in the delivery of taxpayer dollars during the Global Financial Crisis.
“Noone is arguing against public schools getting to 100% of the SRS. It was only in 2023 that Catholic schools achieved 100% (which is discounted by families’ capacity to contribute, which in some cases is as much as 80 per cent of the full SRS).
“Cherry-picked examples of a handful of independent schools in high SES areas paints the picture of a great divide between public and ‘private’ schools, but they are highly distorted and misrepresent the diversity of the sector.
“Are the so-called ‘funding wars’ really about funding or are they fuelled by an ideological fervour to rid Australian families of choice, pluralism and freedom?
“Gonski was about fair funding and educational excellence for all students, not at the expense of one sector over another.”
Jacinta CollinsNational Catholic Education - Executive Director
A big year ahead for educational reform, religious freedom and fair fundingLast week I celebrated my fifth year as executive director of the NCEC and I have to say the time has flown by quickly.
I am very pleased with the work we have achieved together with the Commission and our team in the national office, our leaders and colleagues in state, territory and diocesan authorities, as well as Religious Institute and Ministerial Public Juridic Person school authorities, parents and principals associations, and the many that represent Catholic education on our national standing committees, networks and working groups.
Collaboration and accountability has been a key feature of the work of the NCEC over the past five years and we can see great progress across our national strategic priorities.
As part of this national picture, there are some significant federal priorities that we will be significantly involved in over the 12 months to represent the voice of Catholic school communities, including:
- the National School Resourcing Board's review of the Schooling Resource Standard indexationwhich impacts on school funding and keeping pace with increases in the cost of living and education
- the release of the Australian Law Reform Commission'sfinal report and the Albanese government's commitment to religious freedom protections that will influence the way faith-based schools operate and teach
- the development of the next Better and Fairer Schools Agreementto lift student outcomes in Australian schools - I will represent the Catholic education sector on the government's Australian Education Senior Officials Committee (AESOC) subgroup that will work through the detail of this reform agreement
- the National Teacher Workplace Action Planto address critical teacher workforce issues, initial teacher education and teacher quality.
National representation is very important to the work of our school communities and the support our school leaders and staff to better serve the needs of our students and their families.
Jacinta CollinsNational Catholic Education - Executive Director
Name: Rose Connolly
Current School: Thomas Carr College (Tarneit, Victoria)
Previous Position: Deputy Principal: Learning & Innovation at Emmanuel College (Altona North & Point Cook, Victoria)
First Year as a Principal: 2023
My big picture for my current school is: A community of collaboration where there is opportunity for every individual.
The Joy of becoming a Principal is: Enabling growth for everyone.
Favourite Book: No such thing as one!
Favourite Food: Potato Pizza
Interests / Hobbies: Interior Design, Reading
My Favourite Well-Being Strategy: Time with my young son.
Advice for an Aspiring Leader:
- Put your energy into the things you can influence, the other things are wasted energy.
- Failing well is an underestimated leadership trait.
Favourite Leadership Quote: “Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible and suddenly you’re doing the impossible.” St Francis of Assisi
What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: ‘Giraffes Can Dance!’
Name: Lorraine Wolffe
Current School: Burdekin Catholic High School
Previous Position: Deputy Principal – MacKillop Catholic College, Tasmania
First Year as a Principal: 2024
My big picture for my current school is: Provide every opportunity for the young people of the Burdekin Catholic community to reach their potential and to be known and loved.
The Joy of becoming a Principal is: to give service to others to work and learn in a thriving educational environment.
Favourite Book: The Kindness Revolution – Hugh Mackay
Favourite Food: Vietnamese cuisine
Interests / Hobbies: Travel; Sport (Currently Lawn Bowls)
My Favourite Well-Being Strategy: Walking
Advice for an Aspiring Leader: To make time and listen
Favourite Leadership Quote: Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do. – Mother Teresa
What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: What I have learnt along the way…
- CaSPA met with NCEC, CSPA and ACPPA online to discuss National School Reform Agreement and Principal Wellbeing on 5 March.
- CaSPA Directors have enrolled in the Australian Institute of Company Directors (ACID) course.
- CaSPA has distributed the ACU Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey Report to the States and Territories.
- CaSPA continues to investigate ways that it can continue to collaborate with ACPPA to support Catholic Principals. Catholic Primary Principals have been invited to attend the 2024 CaSPA Conference.
- CaSPA has approved the development Infographics for the 2024 Data Project.
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2024 CaSPA Conference - Registrations Open
Registration link: Catholic Secondary Principals Association 2024 Conference (eventsair.com)
This year’s conference will be hosted by CSPA WA in Western Australia and provide an opportunity to reconnect, reimagine and dream the future of Catholic Education together as we meet in Boorloo, Perth, our capital city.
We acknowledge the Whadjuk people, the Traditional Custodians of this Land in Perth Western Australia, where we will hold the conference - people who have loved and cared for this Land for thousands of years. It is the perfect location for this gathering and conversations around the future.
The journey to shaping the future of Catholic Education is ongoing. Grounded in our faith, the conference will provide further opportunities to examine innovation, imagination, and collaboration. Together, we will delve into visionary ideas and innovative strategies that will shape the future of Catholic Education, ensuring it remains an educational platform of hope and strength for generations to come.
The two-day program will include three keynote speakers, student panels, sessional presentations and workshops. Themes will range from innovation and adaption, inclusivity and diversity, faith integration and community engagement. You will have a choice of school visits where you will be hosted by the Principal and have a chance to see Catholic Education at work in Western Australia.
Being engaged in thought-provoking discussions, sharing the experience, expertise and perspectives within this collegial environment and the beautiful surrounds of Perth, is sure to be a rich learning experience.
Let us continue to dream boldly, envisioning a future where Catholic Education continues to instill true Gospel values in the hearts and minds of our students.
We invite you to Boorloo, to dream the Future of Catholic Education, in this journey of connection and discovery.
John Bormolini
Chairperson
National Conference Organising Committee
Through an online survey in December 2023, Atomi consulted teachers from all corners of Australia, spanning Government, Independent, and Catholic schools. The report explores how teachers respond to the rise of technology in the classroom, providing a snapshot of the challenges and opportunities edtech presents and offering insights into the future for schools, teachers and students.
Download your free '2024 Tech in Schools' report and explore :
- How 74% of educators believe that technology enhances the learning experience, yet only 29% think their school provides adequate edtech training
- Why 60% of respondents believe the use of AI will significantly change teaching methodologies
- Plus many more insights and trends for your 2024 planning
CTA: Download The Report
The CaSPA Board met in person for the first time in 2024 on 18 & 19 March in Canberra.
CaSPA Board met with National Catholic Education Commission on the Numeracy resources that are available through OCRE Education and the planned 2024 Year 12 Exit Survey.
Next CaSPA Board Meeting will be in Melbourne on 27 & 28 May 2024.
CaSPA Board met with Meg Brighton (Deputy Secretary Schools – Department for Education) to discuss NSRA , Teacher Shortages and ITE.
2024 CaSPA Conference registrations have continued to increase during the Early Bird phase.
CaSPA Board was represented by Steve Kennaugh and Darren Atkinson at the AITSL consultations related to ITE and NTWD.
Steve Kennaugh represented CaSPA at the ACARA Stakeholder Meeting about NAPLAN in March.
CaSPA Board, along with ACPPA, attended the Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial (Canberra)
CaSPA received a detailed update for the Perth Conference from the Conference Committee. Full program being finalised.
Profiles of all the CaSPA Board are available on the CaSPA Website: https://caspa.schoolzineplus.com/current-and-past-board-members
Dear Colleagues
As Term 1 draws to a close I hope the I hope that you and your communities have had a wonderful start to the year and enjoyed the Easter celebrations and break.
Recently CaSPA has been in a number of consultations with the Federal Department for Education, AITSL and ACARA. In addition, the CaSPA Board has had discussions with David de Carvalho and Dr Renee Kohler-Ryan from the University of Notre Dame, as well as Robert Tonkli, Laura Avery and Anna Howard from the National Catholic Education Commission on the Numeracy resources that are available through OCRE Education and the Year 12 Exit Survey.
In mid-March it was a great opportunity to meet in person with CaSPA Directors to discuss a range of educational matters. In particular, the Board discussed the National School Reform Agreement, the CaSPA Strategic Plan Priorities for 2024 and was excited to hear the updates from the CaSPA Conference Committee. I hope you have been able to make plans for you and your Leadership Team to attend the Conference in Perth in July. The guest speakers have been locked in and the concurrent sessions are being finalised in what shapes to be an excellent gathering that spans the Faith, Learning and Wellbeing dimensions of education.
On 22 March the Australian Catholic University (ACU) released its 2023 Australian Principals Occupational, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey Report. The Report has a wealth of information for all Principals and senior leaders in schools and reflects trends that span the whole teacher workforce. The report outlines some key findings in relation to the wellbeing of Principals compared to the general population. What really stood out for me was the statistic that 56.04% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the statement 'I often seriously consider leaving my current job'. This is then broken down by State and Territory. If this were to be realised our education system would be in peril. CaSPA has been asked by a variety of media sources for comment on the survey. Please see the link to the document in this Newsletter. I am sure these findings will be of key interest to your local associations’ meetings and during salary & conditions negotiations.
Recently, I have been asked by some media sources to comment on the proposed Religious Discrimination Bill and how Aspiring Leaders can be best supported in their leadership development. As we all know there are crossovers with these issues in terms of the requirements to be a faith and educational leader in Australian Catholic Schools. The CaSPA Board had a lengthy discussion about the future needs of Catholic School Leadership.
I hope you and your school communities had a wonderful Easter and enjoy your Term 1 break in the coming weeks.
Dr Stephen Kennaugh
CaSPA President
