History of the VACPSP
From Stronger to Better, Together.
The VACPSP has grown from a small group of Principals to the influential representation of the Victorian Catholic Primary Principal voice delivering advocacy and action to support members and primary education.
First known as the Primary Principals Professional Forum (PPPF), the VACPSP began as an informal group with the purpose of allowing Principals to have direct communication with the then Director of Catholic Education in Melbourne, Fr Tom Doyle. It was fully sanctioned by the director and dealt with matters about the professional duties of Principals.
In the 1980s wage parity with state school Principals became an issue and unlike their secondary Principals colleagues, who had a voice through PAVCSS, Catholic Primary Principals did not have the same access or influence. This meant Principals voted to join the union (V.I.E.U.).
Importantly, V.I.E.U. and PPPF have always been two distinctly different organisations; one concentrating on industrial issues, the other on professional matters about the Principal role.
The PPPF was continually responding to a changing educational landscape with an increasing need for a professional association to consider a Principal’s perspective of government, system and community policies and issues.
Formal bodies also sought advice and representation from Principals about a range of issues that affected their work, schools and education.
Catholic primary school Principal agency was emerging, and partnerships were flourishing. Principals wanted to inform and form the profession, impact Catholic primary education and leadership and have a National voice.
By 2006, Principals across the state recognised there was a need for a formal body to professionally engage and present the voice of Catholic primary school Principals.
With a growing need for accountability and transparency, there was a demand for the formalisation of the group.
This Association would be a vehicle for Principals to share and collaborate and support each other in what was becoming an increasingly complex leadership role.
The Association became a key formal, recognised group by stakeholders, including the system, government and community.
Much legal and administrative pre-investigative work was conducted on formalising a professional, informed, accountable and recognised voice of Principals across Victoria.
In August 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 — known as the VACPSP Inc.
The VACPSP Inc. became the professional Catholic primary Principals’ voice. This formalisation was further consolidated by the National Catholic Primary School Principal Association (ACPPA), passing a motion at the annual general meeting to formally recognise the VACPSP as the Victoria Catholic primary professional body.
As per protocol, the PPPF approached Archbishop Hart and asked if a new Association, once incorporated, could use the word Catholic in its name. This was granted.
The journey to a Full Time President
Following an extensive planning, consultation and implementation process, the President of the VACPSP commenced in a full-time and funded capacity in April 2021. This organisational shift marked the significant development and professionalism of the VACPSP and commenced the new era of stronger representation and advocacy, greater enhancement of the capacity of Principals and heightened engagement with Principals across Victoria to drive excellence throughout the Catholic education sector.
The VACPSP is the only professional association of its sort to have an elected, full time President leading the way for Principal Associations in Australia.
VACPSP TODAY
The VACPSP remains steadfast in its pursuit of leading and representing Catholic Principals with astrong and active voice, enhancing the value of Catholic education in Victoria.
The work of the VACPSP is guided by the Pope’s call to “look others in the eye and listen to what they have to say, to build rapport, to be sensitive to the questions of our sisters and brothers, to let ourselves be enriched by the variety of charisms, vocations, and ministries.”
Our partners. With thanks.
CONTACT US
Always here for a chat. Connect with us by phone, email or book a call with President, Michael Gray.
1800 VACPSP (822 777) | admin@vacpsp.org.au
PO Box 562, Flinders Lane VIC 8009
The VACPSP acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the many lands that encompass our Catholic primary schools across Victoria – Dioceses of Ballarat, Sale, Sandhurst and the Archdiocese of Melbourne. The VACPSP recognises the Traditional Custodians' culture and the continuing spiritual connection to land, sea and waters.
The VACPSP pays our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who live, work, teach and learn within Catholic education in Victoria.
We commit to working together to create culturally safe schools for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to learn and thrive. We commit to working together for reconciliation, justice and treaty.
VACPSP. Better, Together.
Proudly representing Victorian Catholic primary Principals statewide and nationally.
Victorian Association of Catholic Primary Principals Inc | 1800 VACPSP (822777) | admin@vacpsp.org.au | PO Box 562, Flinders Lane VIC 8009
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