Minutes

EXECUTIVE MEETING

25 TH JUNE 2004
Simonds Hall, South Yarra,Melbourne

Opening and welcome: Brian

Prayer: Brian

Attendance: Brian Lacey, Trish Haynes, Ted Langford, Russell Sinclair, Kath Garrie, Elizabeth Moroney, Kevin Clancy, Chris Robarts, Brendan Spillane, Carmel Guerin, Maria Canala, Frank Hennessy, Paul Murphy.

Apologies: Peter Douglas, Barbara Myors, Michelle King and Mary Mathias.

What it means to be Leader of Catholic Schools Today

Susan Pascoe (Executive Director of Schools, Archdiocese of Melbourne )

Discussion: Responses to Susan Pascoe's presentation.

Research can be used as abstracts in Topics. We need to share research throughout the national associations.

Brian thanked Susan for her insightful presentation.

Review of Strategic Plan

Brendan presented a process of review of the ACCPA Strategic Plan.

Reflections:

• If ACPPA was disbanded, what would be missed? What impact do we have on the educational context?
• What is the local/global political environment that we are operating in? What is new about it? What is emerging?
• ACPPA Research Project – is this a good model for future ACPPA relevance/role?
• What role does ACPPA play in APPA?
  What are the implications for our association if an ACPPA principal took leadership of APPA?
• What are the implications of the primary school resourcing study from an ACPPA perspective? Do primary schools have the resources to achieve the goals set by governments, Catholic Education Offices etc?
• Should we investigate the community leadership dimension of our principalship? The extra pressures and issues that this role brings:
• moral leadership
• faith leadership
• social (time) implications
• extra aspects of this role
• new Catholic principals need formation on Catholic school leadership issues such as community leadership implications

Suggestion of a travelling ACPPA presenter to discuss leadership/school issues throughout the country.

How do we assist APPA lift the educational profile in the political context with joint statements on common issues? Eg. primary school funding.

• APPA looking at subscription scheme to encourage principals to pay to get ongoing professional support and professional reading. This will allow greater financial independence and encourage a greater impact on the educational and political environment.

Discussion: Identify key strategic actions from the Strategic Plan which we can go forward with into the future.

Brendan walked us through the key priorities of the Strategic Plan with discussion by members. Praise for the strong participation of Catholic Principals in the annual APPA conferences and involvement and representation at all levels.

Recommendations:

• Endorsement of present strategic plan with amendments to springboard for future action.
• Long term strategy to get a Catholic principal elected as president of APPA. Steps to be taken to change the culture of Catholic organisations to support this action.

Finance Report – Trish Haynes

• See distributed financial sheet.
• ACSP cheque presented plus $500( Hobart Diocese) towards research project.
• Outstanding invoices unpaid at this stage.
• About $40,000 per annum in sponsorship
• 2003 affiliation fees paid. 2004 not distributed yet.
• Continuity of affiliation fees discussed.

Motion:

Proposed timing (in May each year) for distribution of Association fees to State/Territory affiliates.

Russell moved.

Chris seconded.

• Costing/Budget on track for the ACPPA Research Project.
• Discussion about increasing affiliation fees into the future. Frank proposed slight increase annually on affiliation fees. Sponsorship is an extra financial benefit to the Association yet fees should be at a level to solely sustain/maintain the association's functions and processes.
• To be moved at the AGM 2004 for decision in 2005:

Motion : It is proposed to align affiliation fees with say a two year timing cycle to CPI and other costing increases.

Motion of Finance Report to be accepted – Trish. Accepted – Russell.

Master Schools Portraits Award

Brian distributed two sheets:

• MSP Professional Award.
• ACPPA/MSP corporate partnership details
• Core Principles
• Guideline

MSP Award – sent to all Australian principals. To be announced at the APPA Conference – ACPPA AGM on 27 June 2004.

Need to renegotiate with CCI for ongoing sponsorship.

'Stress in Teaching' Publications and flyers distributed (Paul Thornton – author).

Emerging Issues for ACPPA

A. ACPPA Website: Kevin to co-ordinate the ongoing maintenance of the site. Add updates, research material, etc.

B. NCEC: Brian distributed paper presented at the NCEC recently.

Issues Raised:

• Primary/Secondary Principals representation on NCEC. Not likely to happen at this time.
• Update on Research Project.
• Creating opportunity for greater communication between NCEC and Principal Associations.

C. APAPDC: Barbara Myers our representative. We need to be more proactively involved.

D. Communication: Now developing database of all Australian Catholic Schools. 'Topics' distribution is our present communication vehicle. APAPDC to assist with website development. Each state possibly build and maintain the Principals/Schools database. Global diocesan databases to be investigated.

E. Bangladesh Principals: Request to assist in developing a Principal Association to aid local principals with professional development, communication, professional links etc.

F. Constitution: Check any areas that need further amendment.

G. ACPPA Awards: Process needs to be communicated for future awards.

H. Becoming Incorporated: Being investigated to ensure propriety and liability risks. Information from Br Ambrose. Brendan suggested that we investigate further.

Project Update: Russell Sinclair

• 4 sheets distributed (see copies).
• Expectations on Principals – increasing responsibilities discussed.
• National Summit in North Sydney on Nov. 12/13

Future Conferences

• 2005 – ACT
• 2006 – NT
• 2007 – Tasmania
• 2008 – NSW

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