April 2025 Newsletter

Greetings to all our Principals,

The onset of April sees the regular rhythm of the school year thumping along; Opening Masses complete, Lenten observances commenced, schools opened for the 2026 intake, enrolment data being crunched, splashing around with swimming carnivals. Never a dull moment, and yet there is more, the irregular, a rare cyclone hitting so far South on our Eastern Seaboard and an ailing Pope to name a few. Our thoughts and prayers are with the principals, teachers and students in areas affected by Alfred. We also pray for our Pope to return to good health and at the same time applaud his persistent advocacy for peace on the world stage, if anything he has been more vocal than usual.

Ministers Principal Round Table 

On Friday 14 March I met with the Principal Round Table group (Presidents of all Principal Groups in the Country) to discuss with the Federal Department of Education as part of the Anti-Bullying Response Task Force. We discussed the need to have a joint definition and understanding of what Bullying is, what could support look like?, shared responsibility and context, past studies into values education and bullying and using this collective wisdom, and how do we future proof this?. More think tanks to come.

Amplify Teacher and Leadership 

AITSL have requested members of the CaSPA Board to consult as part of the Amplify Teacher and Leadership (ATL) project they are conducting as a joint venture with Deakin University. This was scheduled for Monday 24 March.

International Confederation of Principals News

President Stephen Kennaugh to represent CaSPA as the elected delegate in New Delhi India this September at the Members Council Meeting. In 2026 ICP will hold its next Conference in Auckland NZ. 

Our first in-person CaSPA Board meeting was held in Hobart in March with a focus on strategic planning. Our thanks to Dr Neil Carrington for facilitating the strategy portion of the meeting. It was wonderful to be joined on the Monday by CPAT President, Ms Fran Baccarin and for our Tuesday meeting by Stuart Ralph, CPAT, who is Principal at St Brendan Shaw College in Devonport.  Our next in-person Board meeting will be in Perth at the end of May.

Following are a few of the takeaways from a briefing conducted by the NCEC on Tuesday March 18, we look forward to the flow on of support materials for the upcoming Federal Election.

Best wishes

Dr Stephen Kennaugh GAICD

CaSPA President

The CaSPA Board in person agenda included:

• Reports on the Department of Education  Quarterly Principals Meeting
• AITSL meeting , ICP and ACARA.
• Strategic Advance with Dr Neil Carrington

• A review of the Joint CaSPA ACPPA Position Paper on School Leaders Health,
• Updates on partnerships and 2026 conference.
• Discussion on the New Metrics for Success work with Melbourne University and PAVCSS
• A proposed Webinar on AI to run out of Canberra with CaSPA Support

CaSPA Director News

Victorian CaSPA Director Luci Quinn is welcomed to her first in person Board Meeting by CaSPA President Stephen Kennaugh.

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

• 20 February Professional Associations Forum (PAF) facilitated by AITSL
• 11 March CaSPA Website Review
• 14 March Ministers Principal Round Table
• 17 March ACARA peak Principals Group Meeting
• 18 March NCEC Catholic Education Leaders Briefing
• 16-18 March CaSPA Board meetings in Hobart

Tasmanian Director Elizabeth MacDougall, Mick Egan, CPAT President Fran Baccarin and CaSPA President Stephen Kennaugh meeting in Hobart.

Dr Neil Carrington and Dr Stephen Kennaugh strategically planning in March

• 24 March Amplify Teacher and Leadership (ATL) project, joint venture with Deakin University and AITSL.
• 1 April CaSPA and ACSP meeting with Conference organisers Bumper Conference Management

Two Australian Movies

Just a quick plug for two Australian Movies out and about at the moment:

SPIT starring David Wenham  (briefly taught at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College Kensington), good triumphing over evil, an unlikely hero and ridicule of immigration detention, a light hearted laugh .

SEEN featuring Adj. A/Professor Joe Williams (former Marcellin College Randwick student and South Sydney halfback) SEEN is a groundbreaking feature-length documentary that not only explores the transformative power of personal healing for parents but also delves into the scientifically supported effects of such healing on parenting and its impact on child brain development.

Mick Egan

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Name: Matt Ryan

Current School: James Sheahan Catholic High School

Previous Position: Assistant Principal - Domremy College

First Year as a Principal: 2025

My big picture for my current school is: To retain the current welcoming nature and have students realise their academic potential

The Joy of becoming a Principal is: Building relationships with a local community to support students, families and staff. This is a privilege and a joy.

Favourite Book: I enjoy a fast-paced action book to relax - Matthew Reilly’s collection is good for this.

Favourite Food: Indian

Interests / Hobbies: Getting involved in, and watching, my own children in their various sports, fitness, Brumbies and Canberra Raiders, visiting family and friends, travel

My Favourite Well-Being Strategy: A long walk

Advice for an Aspiring Leader: Listen and take on board feedback from people who are good mentors. Being able to

Favourite Leadership Quote: Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. (John F Kennedy)

What Title would you give to your TED Talk or Book: The power of connections.

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.

At the 2024 July Conference 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 Elizabeth Hanney from Sienna College in Camberwell Victoria. - https://vimeo.com/1055076542/41c1c529c5?share=copy

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

Introduction 

This research investigates Australian school leaders’ experiences of critical incidents. By understanding their perspectives and identifying resources and potential outcomes of experiencing critical incidents, we hope to gain insights into how to improve school leaders’ wellbeing and work environments.

Findings

 Australian school leaders reported experiencing cumulative trauma from repeated critical incidents. Additionally, most participants interviewed felt critical incidents are increasing. All participants reported that there needs to be changes or improvements made to better support school leaders in managing critical incidents. The severity of an event is directly related to the level of intrusion it causes. School leaders who feel prepared and able to cope, have resilience, and perceive strong support from the system are less likely to experience adverse consequences, including symptoms such as intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal after experiencing a traumatic event. Critical incidents can also lead to adverse psychosocial outcomes such as burnout and a desire to leave the profession.

Implications

We have identified areas where school leaders’ work environments and educational settings can be improved. We also have provided recommendations which aim to improve school leaders’ ability to manage critical incidents and their impact on themselves and others, ultimately fostering a more supportive and resilient educational environment. - Associate Professor Theresa Dicke, Lead Chief Investigator

National School Drug Education Survey

We are pleased to invite you to join our National Open-Call Survey to inform and update the 2004 Principles to support Alcohol and Other Drug Education in schools. 

We are inviting Principals, Senior School Staff (e.g., Vice Principals and Head of Year Levels), Teachers, Wellbeing Staff and Educators. Your survey response will help the NSW Ministry of Health and NSW Department of Education, along with researchers from Monash University, Turning Point, RMIT University, Deakin University and the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, to inform up-to-date and evidence-based resources to support adolescents in Australia.

This National Survey involves completing eight (8) sections.

Approximate timeframe: 20 - 30 minutes

Please read through the attached Explanatory Statement before deciding whether or not to participate. Submission of a completed questionnaire implies you consent to participate.

National Drug Education Survey_2024_Explanatory Statement.pdf

https://keepfundingfair.org.au/