18 April 2017

Newsletter Articles

National School Principal Surveys as part of the CSPA Parent Engagement Project

Investigating the role of school principals in supporting parent engagement – National Surveys of Primary and Secondary School Principals.

For more information and to complete the survey, please follow the relevant links below:

Any questions in relation to the study may be directed to CSPA on 07 3336 9449.

This study has been approved by the University of Southern Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (Approval Number H16REA254).

The Department of Education and Training has funded this project through the Grants Awards Programme 2015-16 to 2018-19. The project is being undertaken by Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) which is in partnership with the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) and with the University of Southern Queensland. This national project, Re-energising parent engagement in Australian primary and secondary schools, seeks the perspectives of primary and secondary school principals across Australia, and principals from all school sectors are welcome to take part.

As part of this project, CSPA will survey school principals on the most effective ways of engaging parents in their children’s schooling and education; from enrolment into primary school, through to secondary school and the transition into tertiary studies and/or the world of work. The study aims to ensure maximum coverage from a wide range of primary and secondary schools, and participation is encouraged.

The findings will be relevant to all Australian school sectors and will be used to develop resources including:

• ‘School kits’ for principals and teachers that articulate effective parent engagement practices; and
• Information around school enrolment and transition practices that foster a culture of partnership between home and school, and articulate the distinct roles and responsibilities of parents in their child’s learning journey.

The surveys have the support of national principal associations across all sectors, and all national, peak parent bodies.

Please note that the surveys are for current Principals in Government, Catholic and Independent schools in Australia.

CSPA Council Meeting Matters

Sydney

The attendance of a senior official from the Australian Government Department of Education and Training has helped our CSPA councillors to understand ongoing efforts to develop a new Commonwealth school funding model. At our recent annual general meeting and council meeting in Sydney, we heard from Tony Cook, the Department’s associate secretary for schools and youth.

CSPA councillors found it very useful to be updated around school funding and also to develop a further appreciation of the challenges facing government in this space. While parents with children in Catholic schools would like certainty around future school funding beyond 2017, we indicated to Tony Cook that we understand that the government needs to hasten slowly in reaching an acceptable model for the equitable distribution of funds. Mr Cook is aware of the Cross-Sectoral Surveys of Australian principals that CSPA is conducting as part of our parent engagement project – he commended CSPA for this work.

Other speakers at the CSPA meeting included Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority CEO Rob Randall and National Catholic Education Commission acting executive director Danielle Cronin.

Ms Cronin spoke about Catholic education being in a time of transition, including in the area of Catholic identity as enrolment and societal trends change and CSPA expressed its interest in being involved in those ongoing discussions. Mr Randall discussed the ongoing preparation for the move to NAPLAN testing being administered online, the use of the My School website and the importance of parent engagement as it relates to the Australian Curriculum.

During the CSPA Council Meeting, further work was undertaken on the CSPA Strategic Plan (2017 – 2020). The plan is outlined within the four Focus Areas of Catholic Identity, Governance and Sustainability, Engagement and Partnership and Representation and Advocacy. Undertakings within each Focus Area are detailed under the headers of Strategies, Priority Actions, Review Points and Success Measures as is those with the key Responsibility to facilitate their completion. The penultimate draft of the Strategic Plan is now complete in readiness for its final completion at the June meeting of council in Melbourne.

At the CSPA AGM, Tony O’Byrne (chair) and deputy chair Carmel Nash were re-elected to their positions for 2017, and 2016 audit documents and the CSPA 2017 final budget were tabled and passed. Following are the Chair and Executive Officer reports which were delivered at the AGM.

Chair’s Report for 2016

The following report was delivered by Tony O’Byrne (Chair, CSPA) at the CSPA AGM on 24 February 2017.

2016 can be characterised as a year of change, continuity and sound development for CSPA.

In terms of change we were saddened to farewell foundation members Ann Bliss, Tracey O’Neill, Karl McKenzie and Trevor Kellam. Members of Council have been most appreciative of the efforts of Ann, Tracey and Trevor and particularly noted Ann and Tracey’s roles as members of CSPA Executive and also Ann’s connected work as a parent representative on NCEC.

We were pleased to welcome in their place Leah Bullivant as the Executive Officer of the Federation of Catholic School Communities in South Australia, Rachel Saliba as Executive Officer of the Victorian Catholic Schools Parent Body and Neisha Licitra in her role as Chair of the Council of Catholic School Parents in NSW.

DEVELOPMENT

In terms of development, the scene for this was set at our first meeting of the year in Canberra where Director of Catholic Education Services, Catholic Education Melbourne Mr Paul Sharkey presented cogently on the Enhancing Catholic School Identity project. Paul’s presentation was well received and highlighted for members our mission and our strong Catholic connection.

This meeting also saw our first involvement in working on our Strategic Plan with Ms Prue Salter of Salterhill and Associates. Members of council worked on the strategic plan across the year and had a follow-up session with Prue at our final meeting of the year that took place in Melbourne.

A further aspect of our development has been our project around Parent Engagement in Learning and Wellbeing and the involvement and support this has received from the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, the Department of Education in Canberra and in the latter part of the year, Professor Sue Saltmarsh of the University of Southern Queensland. John O’Brien’s work in this space is particularly valued. Continuing to work on the project will be a prime action for CSPA during 2017.

In terms of development CSPA, particularly through the Queensland Parents and Friends Federation’s role in having Professor Debbie Pushor as a key presenter in Queensland, will spill over in 2017 through her involvement in the ARACY conference and also ongoing plans by our various State and Territory members to have her present. Her presentation at an Executive meeting during 2016 was much appreciated and her work was referenced in presentations made by members of Council at the National Catholic Education Conference in Perth in June.

The NCEC Perth Conference and the support received from the organisers in providing the opportunity for CSPA to have it is own booth was much appreciated and certainly enhanced the CSPA profile as did the various presentations by members of Council along with others from our parent associations.

CONTINUITY

Maintaining continuity in terms of role acceptance of CSPA by education stakeholders is an important responsibility of CSPA council and in particular this was highlighted in 2016 through our continued work as a partner of the National Catholic Education Commission. The involvement of Council members Carmel Nash and Tim Smith in the NCEC funding committee developed for the Federal election and the acceptance by the Bishops Committee for Catholic Education of a CSPA nominee in the person of Carmel Nash to replace Ann Bliss were strong signs of the standing in which CSPA is held.

A further sign of this were the visits and ongoing contact initiated by then NCEC Executive Director Ross Fox who when in various states made himself available for contact and meeting with members of Council including the Chair. His willingness to speak at our Council meetings has also been appreciated. We have wished him well in his new role of Director of Catholic Education in the Canberra – Goulburn Archdiocese.

CHALLENGES

While formal recognition in a direct way by the Minister of CSPA as a peak parent body is yet to come there are signs that this is not far away. For all practical purposes DET and the other peak parent bodies recognise this sense of the role of CSPA.

CSPA with the support of APC was instrumental in scheduling a first meeting of the four peak body associations – ICPA, ACSSO, APC and CSPA that took place in Melbourne on February 13 this year. We look forward to this group meeting on a reasonably regular basis but more importantly working in the best interests of the education of all Australian children and young people.

THANKS

It is important that Council recognise the incredible in-kind support that CSPA receives from the Queensland Parents and Friends Federation not only in terms of fraternal support but also expertise and infrastructure support. I wish to acknowledge the debt the CSPA owes to Wayne Crase and the members of the Queensland Council and in particular to the Executive Director of Qld Parents and Friends Federation, Carmel Nash and her office team particularly John Beaton and Bernadette Kreutzer.

Their support is of great value particularly to the work of our Executive Officer John O’Brien not the least in providing an enjoyable work environment but also a whole range of practical and expertise support.

John’s work particularly in advancing the status and role of CSPA with our various stakeholders has been excellent and he has shown great sensitivity and competence in his generous time commitment to his work, notwithstanding the demands on his time.

I wish to thank the National Catholic Education Commission for its continued support of CSPA, along with the Bishops Commission for Catholic Education and through both groups the annual sponsorship received by CSPA and in this vein also the very generous sponsorship of the Australian Catholic Superannuation and Retirement Fund. As the demands on the time and involvement of CSPA increases, obviously it will be important for Council to attempt to broaden its sponsorship base so we can meet the additional cost that a more involved advocacy and representation will require.

In conclusion, I thank members of Council for their continued commitment to the objectives of CSPA and especially the willingness to represent CSPA as opportunities present. I also recognise the generous and highly professional work of our CSPA executive members – Carmel Nash, Tim Smith and Siobhan Allen and thank them for their support of my role as Chair.

Tony O’Byrne (Chair)
February 2017

Executive Officer’s Report for 2016

The following report was delivered by John O’Brien (Executive Officer, CSPA) at the CSPA AGM on 24 February 2017.

INTRODUCTION

2016 was a year of considerable contrast and change for CSPA highlighted by such realities as: the NCEC Conference in Perth; CSPA’s substantial contribution to national forums and events; the receipt of funding for the CSPA Parent Engagement Project; the publication of the first CSPA Newsletter; the revision of the CSPA website; the slowly evolving status of CSPA as a national, peak parent body; submissions to government; emerging relationship with other national, peak parent bodies; significant changes to the Executive Committee; generation of CSPA promotional materials; development of CSPA’s first Strategic Plan; CSPA’s emergent independency; further steps towards incorporation; financial matters; a consolidating partnership with NCEC; and the role of the Executive Officer. These topics are further discussed below.

NCEC CONFERENCE IN PERTH

The considerable presence of CSPA at the NCEC Conference in Perth, which included two presentations and a trade booth for the duration of the conference, have played a strategic role in ‘putting CSPA on the map’. Many who visited the booth were keen to have clarified where CSPA fitted into the national, Catholic landscape. CSPA branding by way of a pull-up banner and other items together with a scrolling power-point were well received and most informing. Much positive came from our work at the conference and thanks goes to all CSPA Members who generously contributed in some way to our presence.

CSPA’S SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO NATIONAL FORUMS AND EVENTS, AND SUBMISSIONS TO GOVERNMENT

Across 2016, CSPA has continued to contribute a representative and advocating national, Catholic perspective for parents with children and young people in Catholic schools across the nation. Examples of formal contributions include:

• CSPA Response To Senate Select Committee On School Funding Investment;
• CSPA Opening Statement To Senate Select Committee On School Funding Investment April 5 2016;
• Catholic School Parents Australia Submission for Project Funding Through The Grants and Awards Programme;
• Letters lobbying significant party politicians as a lead up to the 2016 federal election;
• Two papers presented at the NCEC Conference, June 2016;
• Various correspondence with key, national Principal and Parent bodies in relation to the CSPA Parent Engagement Survey;
• Invitation to being a representative on the ACU Faculty of Education and Arts, School of Education, National Advisory Board;
• Various inputs to ACARA and ARACY;
• Peer Support Australia; and
• Invitation to have a representative on the National Career Education Strategy Working Group.

FUNDING AND CONTINUED ROLL-OUT OF THE CSPA PARENT ENGAGEMENT PROJECT

Across 2016-2017 Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) is undertaking a project titled: Re-Energising Parent Engagement in Australian Primary and Secondary Schools*. We were very pleased to hear earlier in 2016 that our submission to the federal government for funding to conduct the project had been successful. The fundamental question addressed by the project is how might schools take on more focussed responsibility for enhancing the effectiveness and outcomes of Parent Engagement, and more specifically, what actions of school principals and professional school staff might more proactively promote Parent Engagement to enhance student learning and well-being?

The cross-sectoral national surveys of primary and secondary school principals are revealing keen insights into: principals’ knowledge of parent engagement; principal views of teachers’ knowledge, beliefs and practices regarding parent engagement; strategies for building trust and valuing relationships with parents; effective communication between teachers and parents; effective practices in engaging parents through the enrolment process from first contact with the school to the child starting school; and the enablers and barriers to effective parent engagement towards enhancing student learning and well-being. A second phase of the project across 2017 will take the form of separate interviews with principals and focus groups of parents. A key outcome of the project will be school kits articulating effective Parent Engagement practices for student learning. While these kits will be developed for principals and teachers, they will contain complementary actions for parents.

The project outcomes will be enriched by the involvement of:

• Our project partners the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) and Professor Sue Saltmarsh (University of Southern Queensland);
• The expanding sample of Catholic, Government and Independent school Principals undertaking a survey;
• The on-going interviews of cross-sectoral samples of Principals and focus groups of parents;
• The various national principal bodies including:
  - Australian Primary Principals’ Association (APPA),
  - Australian Secondary Principals’ Association (ASPA),
  - Australian Catholic Primary Principals’ Association (ACPPA), and
  - Catholic Secondary Principals’ Association (CaSPA); and
• The other national, peak parent bodies including:
  - Australian Council of State School Organisations (ACCSO),
  - Australian Parents Council (APC) and
  - Isolated Children Parents’ Australia (ICPA).

*The project has been made possible through funding provided by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training through the Grants and Awards Programme 2015 – 16 to 2018 -19.

A major delay to the project has been the application and subsequent granting of ethics approval to conduct the research. There had been some earlier confusion as to these requirements and subsequently the delays emerged. A revised Implementation Plan is being finalised with DET across Jan/Feb 2017.

A second round of training of interviewers will be conducted at the first meeting of the CSPA Council in Sydney in February 2017. This is in preparation for Principal and Parent interviews – a separate application for Ethics Approval has been submitted to conduct these interviews.

PUBLICATION OF THE FIRST CSPA NEWSLETTER

CSPA’s first Newsletter was published on 1 August 2016 and a second Newsletter was published a week out from Christmas. CSPA is grateful to the generous help and sponsorship from SchoolZine in having our Newsletters generated and published. Our next Newsletter will be published in March 2017 with a key focus on the Parent Engagement Project.

REVISION OF THE CSPA WEBSITE

During the year a working party spent some time in reviewing the CSPA website and made recommendations as to how it could be improved. Jacinta Bennett (School Site Solutions) was brought on board on a cost for work basis to make the recommended changes while some other changes had to be completed by the website designer EON Digital (now Epicuest Platform Pty Ltd). It would be fair to say that the website at this time is of a reasonable standard and continues to be a work in progress - it is planned to continue the evolution of the CSPA website across 2017 utilising the expertise of Jacinta Bennett and various State members.

SLOWLY EVOLVING STATUS OF CSPA AS A NATIONAL, PEAK PARENT BODY

Much work was undertaken across 2016 to consolidate our position as a national, peak parent body. We are getting there by way of now being invited to have a presence at forums alongside representatives from other national, peak parent bodies. Strategic meetings with various government representatives have been most beneficial and promising, and we enter 2017 with renewed hope that our national recognition will soon be made more formal. For example, our project funding has been well received and hopefully symptomatic of some initial renewal around our status. Importantly, we continue to advocate around the redress of the reality that over 80% of parents with children and young people in Catholic schools across the country arguably do not have a voice with the federal government. A significantly increasing number of government representatives are encouragingly supportive of our endeavours.

EMERGING RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER NATIONAL, PEAK PARENT BODIES

In late 2016, CSPA representatives (Carmel Nash, Siobhan Allen and John O’Brien) met with representatives from the Australian Parents Council (Shelly Hill and David Williams). There was good discussion around our respective bodies representational reach and key topics including APC’s training packages and their new unitary model of membership and CSPA’s parent engagement project. We indicated that we would also prefer to meet with representatives of both ACSSO and ICPA and subsequently a meeting between the four parent groups was arranged for mid-February 2017. We firmly are of the view that all peak parent bodies could benefit from a more unified voice to government regarding matters where a common response might be easily reached. We believe that our strength is greatly enhanced through working to complement each other as every opportunity emerges – it is noted here that ACSSO have been particularly supportive of CSPA around such matters.

SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE CSPA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

During the year, two of the foundational executive members of CSPA had to resign their roles because of work commitments. Ann Bliss had to resign her CSPA Executive role and membership of CSPA as she took up the role of Community Development Leader at Nazareth Catholic Community in Adelaide. Tracey O’Neill firstly resigned her executive role and then later her membership of CSPA because of work pressures within her law firm. Both Ann and Tracey were thanked for their unique and invaluable contributions to CSPA reaching back to their time as foundational Executive members of CSPA from 2013.

CSPA PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS

The NCEC Conference in Perth was a catalyst for a number of developments not least of all the generation of a range of CSPA promotional materials. These involved: a photo-shoot earlier in the year to obtain images for use on the pull-up banner, CSPA newsletter, CSPA information sheets and the CSPA Website; sets of CSPA pens, CSPA fridge magnets, CSPA notebooks and two table covers vibrantly displaying the CSPA logo. Later in the year, a purchase was made of better quality pens and branded glasses to be used as gifts as appropriate.

CSPA’S FIRST STRATEGIC PLAN

Across 2016, the CSPA Council worked with Ms Prue Salter from the Salterhill Group to develop CSPA’s first Strategic Plan. Prue was selected for this work given her considerable experience in assisting, for example, with the development of a Strategic Plan for the AFL. At the time of this report, the Strategic Plan is taking shape with a framework in place and Vision, Mission, Core Values, Focus Areas, Goals and Strategies heading for discerned consensus and completion.

CSPA’S EMERGING INDEPENDENCY

CSPA has taken huge steps towards becoming a more independent authority. While CSPA’s identity will always be closely intertwined with the various Catholic P&F authorities from each State and the ACT, each of which has representation on CSPA, there is a slow, deliberate and inevitable journey towards being able to stand alone as a Catholic authority. The significant funding contribution from the Australian Catholic Bishops Commission – NCEC is understood to be at capacity and each year of CSPA’s existence Member contributions have increased. In time, CSPA hopes to access more financial sponsorship as it becomes identified. Currently, CSPA is most appreciative of the generous five-year sponsorship from the Australian Catholic Superannuation and Retirement Fund.

A key aspect of independency is demonstrated through CSPA’s capacity to pay their way. Up until 2017, CSPA has benefited greatly from the generous support of the Qld Catholic P&F Federation (under the leadership of their Executive Director Carmel Nash) where the Executive Officer is located in Brisbane. At the final meeting of CSPA Council in 2016, it was agreed that from 2017, CSPA will commence payment for administrative and accountancy support. The Executive Officer continues at 25 hours per week for 2017 and it was agreed that this role would be remunerated at a higher rate from 2017.

ROLE OF INDEPENDENT CHAIR

Tony O’Byrne has played a key role as CSPA Chair and 2017 will see him in his final year with CSPA. Tony’s engaging manner and his rich experiential knowledge, informed by a notable fifty years in senior leadership in Catholic education, as well as membership of NCEC, have contributed to CSPA’s significant growth under his leadership. The model of Independent Chair has worked very well for CSPA and could be a key consideration moving forward.

PARTNERSHIP WITH NCEC

Across 2016, CSPA has been developing a deeper relationship with NCEC which was enriched by Ann Bliss’ membership of both bodies, and this is now continued through Ann’s parent replacement in Carmel Nash (CSPA’s Deputy Chair and Executive Member). We continue to work closely with NCEC, particularly around the lobbying of the federal government in relation to national matters influencing schools, for example, funding. This aspect of our partnership was evident across the lead-up to the federal election during 2016. Importantly, CSPA sees our role as informing NCEC on matters directly concerning parents with children in Catholic schools. CSPA also lends support to NCEC in a range of responses to federal government initiatives and undertakings.

INCORPORATION

We are awaiting a response from the Australian Catholic Bishops in relation to moving forward around incorporation. It is hoped this will be finalised during 2017.

FINANCIAL MATTERS

CSPA’s first financial audit was completed early 2016 for the 2015 financial year. CSPA finances have been utilised stringently and CSPA members have helped to reduce costs through, for example, early flight bookings for council meetings. CSPA is in a solid financial position as is reported in our February 2017 AGM. Our budgeting process is greatly enhanced through our developing history around operations.

ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The role of the Executive Officer continues to evolve with annual discussion regarding hours and other contractual arrangements. It is a key role that in many ways defines the maturity of CSPA’s presence and assists CSPA Councillors to share their expertise in a timely and efficient manner. Across 2017, there will be further fine tuning of processes to maximise efficiency with key inputs through working parties.

It is a real privilege to continue in serving the CSPA Council and the CSPA Executive through my role as Executive Officer. An increase to 25 hours in 2016 provided much needed additional time to get the job done. I particularly thank Tony O’Byrne and Carmel Nash for their wise counsel and support around my ever evolving role. Finally, I thank the Qld office for their pleasant, informative and generous administrative and accountancy support.

John O’Brien (Executive Officer)
February 2017

When parents are engaged around their children’s learning this has a positive impact on their children’s achievement – such as higher grades and test scores.

Kylie Ind (SA), Rachel Saliba (Vic), Siobhan Allen (WA) and Linda McNeil NSW) take a moment out from working on the CSPA Strategic Plan (2017 – 2019).

SOME HYPERLINKS TO TOPICAL ISSUES

Creating Child Safe Institutions - July 2016

Below is an extract from page 1 of the Creating Child Safe Institutions document. The full document is available at the hyperlink below.

As part of its Terms of Reference the Royal Commission is required to inquire into what institutions and governments should do to better protect children against child sexual abuse and related matters in institutional contexts in the future. A key aspect of this task has been to examine what makes institutions ‘child safe.’ While the Royal Commission is focused on sexual abuse of children in institutions, most child safe frameworks have a broader application and aim to assist institutions to prevent, identify and improve responses to physical, sexual, emotional/psychological abuse and neglect of children. Stakeholders have told us that a broader approach that seeks to prevent all forms of harm to children in institutions will better address the often co-existing nature of different types of abuse and avoid unintended consequences.

The document outlines ten key cornerstones of what is required to create child safe institutions. These include:

1. Child safety is embedded in institutional leadership, governance and culture.
2. Children participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
3. Families and communities are informed and involved.
4. Equity is promoted and diversity respected.
5. People working with children are suitable and supported.
6. Processes to respond to complaints of child sexual abuse are child focussed.
7. Staff are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children safe through continual education and training.
8. Physical and online environments minimise the opportunity for abuse to occur.
9. Implementation of child safe standards is continuously reviewed and improved.
10. Policies and procedures document how the institution is child safe.

Championing Maths by Inquiry

[Below is an extract from Teacher Magazine, ACER, 14 March 2017].
[Access full article through hyperlink below].

• 20-year slide in maths and science learning
• Infographic: Declining maths participation
• Challenging students in maths

A new Australia-wide initiative promoting innovative approaches to mathematics teaching and learning that engage and challenge students is on the hunt for hundreds of teacher champions.

The reSolve: Mathematics by Inquiry project is developing units of work and classroom resources for Foundation to Year 10 linked to the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics, and professional learning modules for teachers.

ARACY Conference

The next CSPA Council Meeting is in Melbourne on 9 & 10 June following the ARACY Parent Engagement Conference (6 – 8 June).

CSPA representatives will be presenting two papers at the conference and have played a major part in assisting with the pre-organisation around Dr Debbie Pushor who currently works as a Professor in the Department of Curriculum Studies at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada. In her program of research, Debbie has engaged in narrative inquiries into parent knowledge and into parent engagement and leadership. In her undergraduate and graduate teaching, Debbie makes central an often absent or underrepresented conversation about the positioning of parents in relation to school landscapes.

Dr Debbie Pushor was the keynote thought provoker at the Qld P&F Federation 2016 Biennial Catholic School Parents Conference in Rockhampton. Information regarding the ARACY conference can be found through the hyperlink http://pecaustralia.com/

The Catholic wrap-up at the Royal Commission

Frank Brennan | 12 February 2017

From EurekaStreet.com.au

Australian Government Department of Education and Training – Parent Engagement eNewsletter

The following information was made available by the Parent Engagement Team l Student Participation Branch, Australian Government Department of Education and Training.

The Australian Government Department of Education and Training is launching an eNewsletter to help schools support parents to engage with their children's learning.

The eNewsletter will give you easy access to resources you can share with parents, and related news of interest to schools, such as the upcoming Parent Engagement Conference.

To receive the eNewsletter, you will need to subscribe.

It's quick, easy, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Useful links include:

Learning Potential eNewsletter

Learning Potential - Hundreds of articles with ideas to help parents support all aspects of learning, from the early years through to high school

Learning Potential Resources - Activities, games and videos parents can use to practise literacy and numeracy skills with primary school children - all support the Australian Curriculum.

parentengagement@education.gov.au

CSPA Councillors in Profile

Paul Compton

Paul was appointed to CSPA in 2016. Paul has worked in the Human Resources and Industrial Relations fields for over 25 years and has been a Director for three companies associated with Charles Sturt University. Paul currently sits on the Catholic Education Commission for the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn, is the Chair of the Catholic School Parents, Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn Council and the Chair of the St Thomas the Apostle Primary School Community Council.

Apart from his volunteer commitments with the Church, Paul volunteers with St John Ambulance Australia (NSW) as the Assistant Commissioner (Youth) where he manages the youth program. Paul holds qualifications in human resources and training and assessment.

Paul was educated in Catholic schools in Sydney and married in the Catholic Cathedral in Bathurst to his wife Emma. He has a daughter, Anna, who attends St Thomas the Apostle Primary School in Kambah, ACT.

Carmel Nash

Mrs Carmel Nash has been a foundational executive member of Catholic School Parents Australia since 2013. Currently, she is a member of the Deputy Chair of CSPA and a member of the CSPA Executive. She is the Executive Director of the Qld P & F Federation. Carmel’s career has involved working in the banking, education, and various commercial sectors in operational and supervisory roles. She has also worked in schools

Carmel has been involved with Parents and Friends for over 30 years. She has held executive roles in P & F’s in various places across the state including as chair of the Rockhampton Diocesan P & F Council for 5 years and a member of the State Committee of the Federation for 6 years. Carmel was made a life member of the Federation in 2002. In 2003 she was appointed Assistant Executive Officer of the Federation of Parents and Friends in Catholic Schools in Queensland and in November of 2010 was appointed Executive Director of the organisation.

During 2016, Carmel was appointed as the Parent Representative on the National Catholic Education Commission. Carmel is also a member of the Qld Catholic Education Commission.

Word from a Sponsor

Australian Catholic Superannuation Retirement Fund

Next Council Meeting

Melbourne

Our next CSPA Council Meeting (9 - 10 June) is timed to follow the ARACY Conference on Parent Engagement (6 – 8 June). Each of these events will be held at The Pullman Hotel, Albert Park in Melbourne.

Schoolzine

Schoolzine is proud to be a digital partner and supporter of CSPA - Parent Engagement.

Schoolzine has been an industry leader in digital school communications for 10 years. They are dedicated to customer service, product development and understanding the school landscape that keeps them at the top of the industry. Schoolzine’s Parent Engagement Platform consists of 3 packages, an eNewsletter, Mobile App and Website offering. Purchased separately or together, they guarantee each package will make engaging with parents easy and even enjoyable for a school of any size. Schoolzine addresses the need for media-rich, interactive content that engages parents.