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.