About the VACPSP
The Association works to support the role of all Principals in Catholic Primary Schools across Victoria, focusing on professional matters associated with our work within the Catholic system.
The VACPSP has received recognition and support from the various Directors of Education and the Archbishop of Melbourne.
Our members are represented on a variety of committees and working parties under the auspices of CECV and CEM. Our aim is to extend our representation so that Principals in Regional Dioceses have the support from the Association in their particular areas of professional interest.
Vision and Mission
Vision
Catholic Principals leading with a strong, courageous and active voice, promoting educational excellence for Catholic schools.
Mission Statement
We will achieve this by;
- Promoting the mission of the Church in Catholic Primary Schools
- Providing opportunities for collaboration and professional discussion amongst Catholic Primary School Principals
- Liaising with relevant authorities
- Acting as a catalyst and leading initiatives to enrich the work of Catholic Primary School Principals.
History of the VACPSP
The VACPSP was incorporated in August 2007 as an outcome of the Primary Principals’ Professional Forum (PPPF). It was established in response to the recognised need for an Association that works exclusively to support Catholic Primary School Principals in professional matters.
Purpose was to allow principals to have direct communication with the Director of Catholic education in Melbourne.
Dealt with matters pertaining to the professional duties of principals
Sanctioned by the then Director of Catholic Education, Tom Doyle
In the 1980’s principals voted to join V.I.E.U. (now I.E.U.Vic/Tas) as wage parity with state school principals became an issue.
PPPF and V.I.E.U. were two distinctly different organisations, one concentrating on industrial issues, the other on professional matters pertaining to the principal role.
Secondary principals had a voice with CEOM and government through PAVCSS but Catholic Primary Principals did not have the same access or influence. – This is no longer the case as VACPSP fills this role for Catholic Primary School Principals in Victoria.
During 2006 the PPPF felt the need for a more formal association that would be the voice for Catholic Primary Principals in Victoria, rather than just the Melbourne Archdiocese.
This association would be a vehicle for principals to share and collaborate and support each other in what was becoming an increasingly complex role.
The association approached Archbishop Hart and asked, as per protocol, if the new association, once incorporated, could use the word Catholic in its name. This was granted
Much work involving legal and administrative matters went into the setting up of the Victorian Association of Catholic Primary School Principals Inc. (VACPSP).
The PPPF was responding to a changing environment where there was an increasing need for a professional association to handle government as well as system requests as government bodies sought advice on principal’s perceptions about a whole range of issues that affected their work.
In 2007, the PPPF Executive called an extraordinary general meeting at which resolutions were passed to create an incorporated association for all Victorian Catholic Primary School Principals.
This is now known as the VACPSP Inc.
The Principal Council represent there are for a minimum of two years and are elected by the area and position confirmed at the VACPSP AGM. In 2009 our first Regional representative was elected from Sale. Today there are 3 reps from Sale and 3 from Ballarat Southern and 1 from Sandhurst.
Membership is currently expanding with the VACPSP representing 79% of all catholic Primary Principals in Victoria.
From 2019, VACPSP INC. will be the National Representative of all Victorian Catholic Primary School Principals who are members of VACPSP INC. at both ACPPA and APPA.
