About CaSPA

Catholic Secondary Principals Australia (CaSPA) is the national peak body for Australia Catholic secondary school principals.

CaSPA is a federation of State and Territory Catholic secondary schools' associations, representing Catholic secondary school principals.

The objectives of CaSPA are:

• To contribute to the development of national education policy and practice in Australia;
• To support improved education outcomes for Australian secondary students including those that are socially, economically or educationally disadvantaged;
• To support the professional development of principals of Catholic secondary schools and others;
• To provide training and educational opportunities such as conventions, forums and other meetings.

The Board of Directors is committed to advancing the views of Catholic secondary school principals in all forums where policy affecting secondary schools is developed and reviewed.

CaSPA works closely with its member associations, with government (both at ministerial and departmental level), with other peak principals' associations and with other national education organisations, to exercise a positive influence on the development and implementation of sound education policy at the national level.

With other peak Principals' associations, CaSPA is a member of the Australian Principals Associations Professional Development Council (APAPDC). The association is actively involved in a range of APAPDC activities, including the Dare To Lead and Careers Lighthouse programs.

CaSPA consults closely with the Commonwealth government on all matters of national education policy and implementation. This consultation involves regular meetings with both the Minister and with senior officers from the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST).

To this end, CaSPA continues to develop close working relationships with a range of organisations, including Teaching Australia, the Curriculum Standing Committee of National Education Professional Associations (CSNEPA), the National Catholic Education Commission, the Asia Education Forum, universities and other peak principals' associations.

CaSPA has contributed to a number of Parliamentary Inquiries, both in written and verbal submissions, as well as to a wide number of other inquiries ­ in 2007, these included matters such as the National Literacy Inquiry, a DEST inquiry into models of performance pay, and an inquiry by the Royal Australian College of Physicians into the educational issues related to the diagnosis of ADHD, as well as Teaching Australia initiatives in the development of a Charter for the teaching profession and of standards for advanced teaching and principalship, and of policy for beginning teacher accreditation.

CaSPA is also involved in a number of significant research activities, particularly those in concert with other peak principals' associations. These have included research into school autonomy (funded by DEST); beginning teachers and teacher supply; and Principal well-being.

The Board of Directors is made up of a representative from each of the State and Territory associations representing Catholic secondary Principals. The Board strives to be aware of the range and diversity of concerns affecting Catholic secondary principals throughout the country in the many different contexts in which these principals work. It reflects these concerns and experiences in its input regarding policy development and implementation.

CaSPA has since 1998 hosted biennial Conferences that bring together Catholic secondary principals from all areas of the country. These Conferences are held under the auspices and oversight of the Association, and are organised and hosted by State associations. They have provided excellent opportunities not only for high­quality input and professional learning, but also unique opportunities for the development of understanding, support and friendship between Catholic secondary school principals.

CaSPA Board members seek to ensure a full flow of information with State and Territory members through regular reports to each of these associations, through the CaSPA email forum, and through the website.