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Newsletter, 2024 Term 4 Issue 7

INFORM Newsletter

2024, Term 4, Issue 7

Table of Contents

President's Report

Colin Axup VASSP President

Welcome to Term 4 and the twelve-week run home to the summer break! As you read this newsletter, many of you will be in the process of conducting final assemblies for your Year 12 students as those that choose to do a scored VCE prepare for their exams. This is both an exciting and stressful time for students, you, your staff and parents and I wish you all the best for a successful examination period while you continue to lead the various challenges facing your school.

Principals in Australia face a diverse and demanding set of challenges as they navigate the ever-evolving landscape of education. At the forefront is the increasing complexity of their roles, which now extend far beyond traditional administrative duties. Principals are expected to be educational leaders, community advocates, and mental health supporters, all while managing the daily operations of their schools. This expansive scope of responsibility can be overwhelming, particularly in the face of extra demands on resources and growing expectations.

A key challenge is managing the wellbeing of both staff and students in an environment of heightened stress and uncertainty. The mental health crisis, exacerbated by the impacts of the pandemic (still) and societal pressures, means principals must lead with empathy while ensuring the necessary support structures are in place. This responsibility is compounded by the fact that principals themselves often report high levels of stress and burnout, as evidenced in the ACU Principal Health & Wellbeing survey, highlighting the importance of their own wellbeing.

The role of the principal needs revisiting to better reflect the complexity of the educational environment. The term ‘principal autonomy’ is bandied about often without any true understanding of what that means. It has been thirty years since principal autonomy became part of the educational lexicon; however, the role of the principal and the role of schools has changed dramatically in that time. 

The Review into Administration and Compliance in Schools is highlighting these significant changes and is articulating the burden under which principals operate. While we are not expecting to see the report before December, the five principal associations (VASSP, VPA, APF, PASS and CEP) have continued to work closely together to ensure the role of the principal remains central to the review. 

The associations are drawing extensively upon the numerous reviews of state education from the past two years to make a compelling case for direct consultation with those who possess hands-on experience in school leadership. 

Recognising the critical need to incorporate the voices of those actively managing schools, we took decisive action by convening a workshop with over twenty principals. Together, we explored strategies to make the principalship sustainable and identified the essential support needed from the Department.

Photo: Five associations working together with one common goal-improving the principalship.
Insights from this collaborative session will inform our joint response to the review, underscoring our commitment to ensuring that the principal’s role remains viable and effectively supported. In many respects this is a continuation of the Association’s conference theme Leadership Longevity: Sustaining High Performing Leaders.

In this challenging environment, the role of the principal remains central to the success of schools. Your leadership, resilience, and adaptability are critical in shaping the future of education.

This term is the planning term, including school finances. There have been some changes to the SRP and our SRP Svengali, Sue Peddlesden, will be offering her online workshop on the SRP on 24 October; this is always a useful session to attend. Even if you have been a principal for a while, a refresher is always worthwhile.

This term will also see the rollout of the School Saving Bonus; a cost-of-living measure announced by the state government in the May budget. The necessity of the Bonus to be managed, in some way or form, through schools has resulted in extensive work by the Department to reduce the impact on schools. The policy and operational development of the Bonus has also been a model of genuine consultation by the Department. We are all hopeful that the system will work effectively when it goes live later in November.

The report from the Legislative Council Legal and Social Issues Committee, regarding the Inquiry into the State Education System in Victoria was tabled (and released) on 15 October.

VASSP and VPA provided a joint submission to the inquiry and I, along with Tina King, President of the APF, met with the committee in June. While it is a far-reaching review with a substantial number of findings and recommendations, the section on the teaching workforce covered workforce patterns and trends, attracting new teachers, recruitment, retention and leadership in schools.

Advocacy & Influence, as one of the Association’s Three Pillars, remains a central tenet of our raison d’etre. While this pillar is most often achieved through engaging with various committees within the Department, engaging with inquiries is an important aspect of having the voice of the profession not only listened to but heard.

This term we also have the Annual General Meeting, the final event for the year for our members to meet, learn and celebrate. One of our key speakers is Dr Jordana Hunter, Education Program Director from the Grattan Institute. Jordana has a world view on education and a comprehensive understanding of the challenges facing education in Australia. Following discussions with Jordana at a recent Education State meeting, I know she will both challenge our thinking and educate us!

The AGM is also an opportunity to network with our colleagues and to meet with our Life Members; in fact, included in this newsletter is the information required for you to nominate eligible members for life membership.

I look forward to connecting with you throughout the term at the AGM or regional meetings. And while we work towards the end of the year, remember, in the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt: “When you reach the end of your rope, a tie a knot in it and hang on.”

Need to Know

The Parliamentary Inquiry into State Education

Final Report:

The Parliamentary Inquiry into State Education

The 330-page report is important for all stakeholders. We encourage members to read the findings and recommendations.

To read the Final Report and VASSP’s submission, or watch a video of the report being tabled, visit our Professional Reading page under the Resources Menu.

VASSP’s involvement in this and other reviews, such as the Review into the Administration Burden, represents one of the fundamental reasons why Professional Associations such as VASSP, VPA, PASS, APF and CEP are so critical: we advocate strongly, ensure the voices of those on the ground are heard, and ultimately influence change.

Image: Victorian Legislative Council Chamber. From From Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

“A system in flux… are our schools fit for purpose? Is the model of our schools actually right for the 21st century? … We are trying to staff a system that fundamentally has not changed in decades, so I would pose the question: is that the right thing? Should we be looking at the nature of what a school looks like?”

– Colin Axup

Page 42 of the Final Report: Inquiry into the State Education System in Victoria.

Summary of key points from VASSP and VPA’s joint submission reflected in the report:

  1. Concerns about the current school model
    1. Schools may not be fit for the 21st century, and the model has not changed in decades.
    2. Staffing is a critical issue, and the complexity of running a school raises questions about whether schools are being staffed correctly.
  2. Increasing expectations and complexity:
    1. Expectations on schools continue to grow, creating a complex landscape that strains both schools and the system.
    2. Schools are now addressing student wellbeing, including mental health, which blurs the lines between educational and allied health processes.
  3. Recommendations for change:
    1. Engage and listen to frontline school staff during the change process.
    2. Co-design improvement initiatives with school leaders and teaching professionals.
    3. Communicate the need and reason for change compellingly.
    4. Tailor changes to fit each school, as one-size does not fit all.
    5. Plan any resource changes adequately to ensure successful implementation.
Honouring our Life Members

Life membership: Honour a colleague and member

Becoming a VASSP Life Member is more than a badge of honour—it’s a commitment to the future of public secondary education. Life Membership is not just recognition for years of dedication, but a pledge to continue shaping our profession.

In a rapidly changing educational landscape, the voice of experience is invaluable. Life Membership guarantees that this voice is not only heard but actively contributes to the future.

Image: Tim Blunt accepts life membership with VASSP at the 2023 AGM and Leadership Seminar.

Why Life Membership Matters:

  1. Legacy of leadership:
    1. Life Members are custodians of wisdom, offering guidance to new and experienced principals and assistant principals alike.
  2. Ongoing influence:
    1. VASSP Life Members are both retired and current principal class who continue to influence policy, advocacy, and best practices.
  3. Community connection:
    1. VASSP Life Membership ensures that those who have given so much to our schools remain part of the evolving conversation, sharing their insights and support.

How to nominate a fellow member for Life Membership 

  • Login to the VASSP website (use forgot password if needed)
  • Visit our Forms page under the Resources menu.
The Student Resource Package (SRP)
Overview of the 2025 SRP
The Student Resource Package (SRP) was introduced to Victorian State schools in 2005. Since then, keeping up-to-date with changes has become an ongoing job for Principals. The SRP comprises of 3 key types of funding:
  • student-based funding
  • school-based funding
  • program funding (criteria applies)
LOGIN to download the 2025 SRP updates from the resources page. Prepared by VASSP Field Officer Sue Peddlesden

WORKSHOP: UNDERSTANDING THE SRP

VASSP Field Officer Sue Peddlesden is running an online workshop ($60 for members) next week (Thu 24th Oct, 3 – 5pm) where the latest changes will be explained. The session will be recorded for those who register but are unable to attend on the day.

New VASSP Business Partner!

Online learning. Simplified.

The Association is thrilled to welcome Atomi as our newest partner, bringing innovative, curriculum-aligned digital learning tools to empower educators and enhance student outcomes.

Chief Operating Officer’s Report​​

Amy Rashid

Chief Operating Officer

Jordana Hunter, Education Director at the Grattan Institute will discuss current research findings, as well as delving into the need for multi-school organisations (MSOs) to boost student performance. The Grattan Institute report, Spreading Success: Why Australia should trial multi-school organisations, argues that many schools are hampered by limited resources, insufficient teacher training, and complex student needs. Successful MSOs, seen in England and New York, centralise leadership, expertise, and support across “families” of schools, enhancing accountability and outcomes. Trials would begin with a high-performing school, gradually expanding to build sustainable improvement.

From Spreading success: Why Australia should trial multi-school organisations;  a report by Jordana Hunter, Amy Haywood, Nick Parkinson

“Running highly effective schools is difficult. Governments have underestimated how much support principals and teachers need, and have not yet found the best way to provide that support.

Principals are straining under the weight of expectations, and teachers frequently find themselves in workplaces that lack the resources and know-how to provide the training and career development essential for a strong profession.

On their own, most schools are too small to marshal the experienced leadership, specialist expertise, and operational nous needed to provide an excellent education.

While education departments have the organisational heft required, they struggle to provide each school with a clear vision for improvement, and precise and practical operational support. And the advice they provide is sometimes incompatible with day-to-day realities on the ground.”

Dr Jordana Hunter, Education Director, Grattan Institute

Multi-School Organisation Model

ASPA Update

In the latest blog post from ASPA, President Andy Mison advocates for a new national accord to unite governments, educators, and communities in building an equitable Australian education system. At its core is a call for a unified funding and regulatory framework to address systemic inequities, reducing the negative impacts of competition and fostering socioeconomically diverse learning environments. Such diversity benefits all students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Emphasising student wellbeing as critical to academic success, suggesting initiatives like full-service schools, wellbeing coordinators, and greater interagency collaboration. Workforce sustainability is another priority, focusing on teacher recognition, professional development, and increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators. Achieving these goals demands collective action and sustained investment to reshape Australia’s educational future. If you would like to receive the ASPA Bulletin and be part of the mailing list, please register here. *VASSP values our members’ privacy and will not share member information without authorisation.

Things we Like

1.  ARTICLE

Teacher Workforce Policy

An analysis of Australian teacher workforce policy: Challenges and opportunities for teacher recruitment and retention.

By Amy McPherson and Jo Lampert

Addressing the Teacher Workforce Crisis: Challenges and Strategic Responses

Australia’s public education system faces a worsening teacher shortage, particularly in rural, remote, and disadvantaged urban schools. McPherson and Lampert and contends that state responses remain heavily focused on workforce planning from a labour market perspective, treating teacher recruitment as the main strategy to tackle shortages.

There is, however, a clear lag in addressing the working conditions and professional standing of teachers, along with a concerning lack of focus on critical areas, such as schools that are especially challenging to staff.


Key highlights:

  • Recruitment Over Retention: Current state initiatives focus heavily on recruitment, offering scholarships and fast-track teaching routes. Yet, high attrition—especially in hard-to-staff schools—continues to pose a major challenge.
  • Retention and Working Conditions: Emerging policies aim to reduce workload and improve teacher well-being, like cutting back on admin tasks and expanding mentorship for new teachers. These steps are positive, but broader, systemic reforms are essential.
  • Teacher Status: State and national strategies acknowledge the declining public perception of teaching. Boosting teacher morale and restoring the profession’s status are crucial for retention, but comprehensive efforts are still lacking.

2.  EDUCATION RESOURCE

A structured literacy platform for school, intervention and learning at home.

Rupert Denton, a former classroom teacher and assistant principal, recently launched Spellcaster, a web platform for structured reading and spelling support aimed at upper primary and lower secondary students.

Spellcaster provides:

  • One-click lesson plans for explicit literacy instruction
  • Engaging games for skill practice
  • Comprehensive dashboard for tailored insights

Currently being trialled in over 40 schools, the platform has received positive feedback for its engaging phonics practice, targeted lesson plans, and easy-to-use differentiation features.

To reach more students, Rupert is offering Spellcaster free through 2024!

If you have questions, please contact Rupert:

Email: rupert@spellcaster.education
Instagram: @rupert_spellcaster

Upcoming Professional Learning

Partner Messages

Partner messages and updates from friends of VASSP​

Youthrive Victoria, a not-for-profit supporting young rural Victorians, is seeking a passionate Director to join our board. This is a voluntary position.

We seek someone who can assist us to realise our purpose:

To build capacity within rural communities by further developing the skills and capabilities of young rural people, enabling them to make a significant contribution.

We provide scholarships, mentoring, and leadership programs designed by young people, for young people. We collaborate with partners, donors, and alumni to deliver programs that support rural youth in their communities and as they pursue further education or training, with the vision that Victoria’s rural communities will continue to thrive through their skilled, resilient, and engaged young people.

We value:

  • connection with place, people, and community
  • learning & growing to reach and exceed potential
  • empowering all to be their best
  • respect for individuals, communities, and the environment
  • leading by fostering and encouraging positive leadership.

As a Board Director, you’ll attend five meetings annually (a mix of virtual and in-person), assist with fundraising, and represent Youthrive Victoria in rural communities.

Experience in governance and finance is valued, as well as a strong interest in and vision for the development of young people to bring about the renewal of regional and rural communities.

Click here for more information and a full position description. Applications can be made to the Board Chair, Bruce Anderson: bruce.anderson3300@gmail.com

  • Session 01: Managing School Conflicts and Bushfire Preparedness
    Date: 23 October 2024
    Time: 4pm – 5pm
    Key Speakers: Frank Handy, Chairperson, Independent Office for School Dispute Resolution and Angela Gardner, Senior Emergency Management Officer, Department of Education
  • Session 02: Quality Teaching Rounds
    Date: 30 October 2024
    Time: 4pm – 5pm
    Key Speakers: Dr. Sally Patfield, Lecturer, The University of Newcastle and John Guenther, Research Leader, Education and Training.
  • Session 03: A Love of Reading
    Date: 6 November 2024
    Time: 4pm – 5pm
    Key Speakers: Tanya Serry, Professor (Literacy), La Trobe University, Madonna King, Speaker and Co-Author of Out of the Box and Andrew King, President, New Zealand Rural Schools Association.

To access these sessions, all participants need to do is visit our event page and register. The sessions are open to all educators.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Time for a uniform upgrade?

The partnership between Uniform Group and VASSP is a testament to our shared commitment to enhancing educational environments and supporting school communities.

This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to provide the highest-quality uniforms that meet the needs of today’s students and educators. We are excited to work together to enhance the educational experience for school communities and look forward to many years of work together towards our common goals.

Recently, we had the pleasure of visiting one of our newest partners, Narre Warren South P-12 College and the insightful conversation with them highlighted the school’s thoughtful approach to their uniform collection. It is clear that the uniforms at Narre Warren South P-12 College are not just about appearance but are an integral part of promoting equality, unity, and a sense of belonging among students.

GLOBAL LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT

Registrations open for the Victoria – Jiangsu Principals’ Forum

The Department of Education’s International Education Division invites Victorian government schools to the Victoria – Jiangsu Principals’ Forum, scheduled to be held in Melbourne. This year’s theme focuses on critical and creative thinking, STEM, digital education, and fostering networks to enhance student outcomes.

The annual forum aims to share best practice in curriculum and teacher professional development and foster new sister school partnerships with visiting school principals from Jiangsu Province, China.

Benefits of attending the forum include:

  • discussing how different jurisdictions engage students in STEM and digital education
  • learning different approaches to teaching critical and creative thinking
  • establishing partnerships to provide students with global learning and engagement and language learning opportunities.

Event details

  • Wednesday 20 November
  • Forum: 9.00am – 5.00pm. Optional networking and 45-year sister state anniversary event: 5.15pm – 8.00pm
  • RACV City Club, 501 Bourke St, Melbourne, Victoria

Registration

To attend, please register by Monday 4 November using the event registration form. Each school may bring up to 2
participants. For questions, email: international.marketing@education.vic.gov.au

Professional learning at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership.

The Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership (the Academy) offers evidence-informed professional learning that will empower you to create career progression steps. Explore the highlights below or visit the Academy website for further professional learning opportunities.

Teaching Excellence Program

Applications for the 2025 Teaching Excellence Program (TEP) are closing in November.

Principals are encouraged to nominate or recommend their highly skilled teachers apply to the TEP. Teachers accepted into the program will have access to the latest evidence-informed research to apply in their classrooms.

Harvard leadership programs suite

A suite of programs designed to prepare school leaders for the challenges ahead along with the frameworks, skills and knowledge to effectively generate school improvement and student wellbeing.

Lead from any level
Build capacity, knowledge and skills at every career stage. Academy career stage programs offer school leaders and teachers the opportunity to further their professional learning and build a solid pathway to success.

Strategic Management for School Leaders

A collection of professional learning workshops targeted at elevating your school’s organisational performance.

Subscribe to the Academy Connect newsletter to stay up to date with professional learning. Phone: 03 8199 2900

Provisional Appointments

VASSP would like to congratulate the following provisionally appointed leaders.

Assistant Principals

Kim Anne – Sohnle Hazel Glen College
Michael Rogneda – Hazel Glen College
Belinda Anderson – Bairnsdale Secondary College

Leading Teachers

Nathan Storer – Northern Bay P-12 College
Antonella Furolo – Lakeview Senior College
Leigh Kenshole – Sandringham College
Sue Fernando – Hampton Park Secondary College
Angela Natoli – Victorian School of Languages
Gemma McMahon – Narre Warren Sth P-12 College
Jae Taylor – Trafalgar High School
Judith Nicholls – Euroa Secondary College
William Lawson – Euroa Secondary College
Kevin Bott – Euroa Secondary College
Adrian Bright – Euroa Secondary College
Timothy O’Meara – Berwick Secondary College
Matthew Tucker – Maryborough Education Centre
Steven White – Maryborough Education Centre
Cassandra Tucker – Melba Secondary College
Matthew Brauer – Yackandandah Primary School

Learning Specialists

Jennifer Ramus – Lyndale Secondary College
Kelly Mills – Bairnsdale Secondary College
Paulette Norling – Bairnsdale Secondary College
Claire Oppermann – Timboon P-12 School
Petra Beekman – Colac Primary School
Kimberley Saxon – Euroa Secondary College
Ryan Trembath – Euroa Secondary College
Callum McGough – Mernda Central P-12 College
Brooke Nowell – Weeroona College Bendigo