President's Message

Dear Colleagues 

By now all would have had the chance to make the transition into the new school year.  I trust it has been full of anticipation, excitement and hope for what is possible. May the activity of your role continue to be enjoyable, fulfilling, affirming and bring success and rewards. To the new principals joining our ranks be assured of our desire to support you in your endeavours and I ask that through the regional networks that all make an effort to share their insights and resources so that in the catch word of the new Director all can ’flourish’. 

This year we welcome Gabrielle Doyle to the executive.  I thank Gabrielle along with the ongoing executive members for their generosity of spirit, willingness and commitment to contribute in a significant way to the work of the association.  There is a genuine endeavour by the executive to have a regard for the diverse contexts each principal is operating in, to have an understanding of present and future trends in our practice of educational leadership and to have a thoughtful influence through strategic conversations on policies and system perspectives.

The executive met early in the year to plan the course of action required for the next twelve months. Once the significant issues have been identified, prioritised and allocated to sub-committees, co-ordination of our responses and actions begin immediately thereafter.  The work that is undertaken by the executive is structured around the four pillars that underpin the association and guided by our ‘Directions 2012-2015’ document accessed through our website.  In focusing our efforts for 2013, a key goal will be for the Association to build a flourishing relationship with the new Director.  

It seems once again the year is shaping up to be a significant one for all of us with the changes to the Australian Education Act, the struggle to maintain current levels of funding for our Catholic schools, the narrow criteria used by government to evaluate the quality and success of our schools, The National Professional Standards for Principals and the alignment with Principal reviews, the Australian professional standards and the link to performance appraisal and teacher development (building instructional capability) and the level of administrative support in our Catholic primary schools.

The executive met with the CPPA sponsors early in the year. Without the strong financial support we are afforded by various sponsors, the association could not undertake a significant part of the work that it does.  In return we ask that you become familiar with our list of business partners and at the very least give these sponsors an opportunity to quote on work and to offer their services to catholic schools across the state.

The CPPA will host three face to face gatherings in 2013 – Members’ Day to be held on 1 March, our Association conference to be held from 25-27 September and the AGM and retiring principal’s lunch on 22 November.  The Members’ Day will feature a presentation by Phil Riley from Monash University on the trends emerging from the data generated by the ‘Health and Well-Being of Principals’ surveys conducted in 2011/2012 and the Conference keynotes will be delivered by Lee Crockett who will focus on shaping the 21st century digital learning environment to develop the fluencies that need to be learned and applied by students in this era.

Also in the planning phase is the 2014 CPPA conference to be held in Broome from 4-6 March. I encourage members to keep this in mind as you plan for next year to ensure your availability to be part of what promises to be a rich experience.

The main national event on the calendar in 2013 is the World Convention of the International Confederation of Principals to be held in Cairns 1-4 July.  This will take the place of the annual Australian Primary Principals Conference.  The program will have five strands that address the areas of Futures, Change, Sustainability, Well-Being and Equity.  

The CPPA has direct representation on two national principal groups in the Australian Catholic Primary Principals Association (ACPPA) and the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA).  APPA is the peak national professional association for primary school principals in Australia, representing affiliated state and territory governments, Catholic and Independent schools across the nation.  It is the national voice on educational issues and speaks directly to the Australian Government on matters that concern school principals and school communities.

I encourage all members to get behind the CPPA executive and to show their support through attendance at the face to face meetings, at the various regional meetings and by responding to the many requests for input when called upon to do so.  Last year we renewed our data base of principals willing to help out with various projects and represent the CPPA at forums and on work parties.  Extensive use has already been made of this list.  If you have not put your name forward and would like to register an interest in being involved, get in touch with me.  Direct involvement in the Association activities helps to support the work of all principals and more importantly contributes to improving the quality of our Catholic schools and communities.

Greg Ward

CPPA President 2013