19 December 2016

Newsletter Articles

A Word from the Executive Officer

John O’Brien

Across 2016, Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA) has continued to work diligently to represent and advocate for the parents and carers with children and young people in Catholic schools across the nation. There was a flurry of activity around the time leading up to the federal election as CSPA worked in close collaboration with the National Catholic Education Commission, largely through the then Executive Director Ross Fox, to generate documentation to inform parents through our Member bodies. It is important that wherever possible CSPA holds positions on what is considered to be best for parents with children in Catholic schools.

CSPA is keen to work with the government of the day around the challenges and initiatives for what a contemporary education requires and to this end is supportive of various plans in the Quality Schools, Quality Outcomes document and the Students First agenda. A key focus has been how Parent Engagement is promoted as a key factor to enhance student learning.

There has been plenty of concerning comment around recent reporting on NAPLAN, TIMSS and PISA data. While good stories and not so good stories are easily found, CSPA believes it is the positive partnership around learning between teachers, students and their parents that hopefully will maximise the learning potential of each child. Each is reliant upon the other to assist in generating a positive attitude to learning.

In a recent address Senator Birmingham stated, “It’s time for Australian leaders, educators and families to focus on what works in our schools and I look forward to collaborating with all sections of the community to implement our reforms which are designed to support all students to achieve their absolute best.” CSPA is keen to play strategic roles in collaborating with government towards achieving the best for the children and young people in schools across the country.

A recent report by Stephanie Balogh in The Australian (12 December, 2016) shared how research at Australian National University found “school identity can influence how well students do in assessments and sits alongside the already well recognised and important factors of socioeconomic circumstances and the education level of parents”. The article goes on to discuss how the ANU research suggested that when students feel connected to a school their literacy and numeracy scores (on NAPLAN) could be lifted by as much as 10 points on average. From a parent perspective, it is suggested that Parent Engagement should play a key role in enhancing a student’s ‘connection to their school’ with the flow on of benefits as suggested by the research.

Speaking of Parent Engagement, a key undertaking that continues for CSPA is the Parent Engagement Project. This project, which has been funded by the Australian Department of Education and Training through the Grants and Awards programme 2015-16 to 2018-19, has been on hold across recent months awaiting Ethics Approval, which was applied for through the University of Southern Queensland. This clearance has now been attained thanks to the vital work and support of Professor Sue Saltmarsh. Prof Saltmarsh and representatives from ARACY are providing on-going assistance with various aspects of the project. The project is further discussed later in this newsletter.

As the Christmas and holiday season is now upon us, the following extract from the Qld P&F Federation December Newsletter has been enclosed for your reflection. CSPA wishes all the blessings and joys of Christmas … and onward and upward in 2017!

Christmas Catechesis through Carols

There are now at least three distinct Australian versions of The Twelve Days of Christmas commonly sung at this time of year. Christmas time, we now discover, is a time when possums play, lizards leap, wombats wash, crocs snooze, dingos dig, brolgas dance, sharks surf, koalas cuddle, parrots prattle etc. It’s all nonsensical good fun – ‘tis the season to be merry, after all!

It would be a pity, however, if the original purpose of carols like The Twelve Days of Christmas was somehow lost in cultural translation. Although it was always intended to be a joyful, comedic song, this sixteenth century English carol carried a deeper level of meaning. It was written at a time when it was difficult and dangerous for Catholics to live their faith openly and to pass it on to their children. It became necessary to make up secret codes to outline their Catholic system of beliefs and so make it possible, through memory alone, for the faith to be passed on from one generation to the other without benefit of churches, schools or clergy.

The Twelve Days, silly as the words may sound, is nothing other than an Aide-mémoire for parents and lay catechists to hang their teachings on. In this case:

What better time than during the family Christmas festivities for old and young to give recitals of favourite rhymes, songs and dances and, at the same time, for Catholic faith to be taught and reinforced along with other family traditions.

Of course the first Christmas storytellers were the Shepherds who so effectively communicated to others the angel’s message: I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by all the people. Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10).

Whether openly or secretly, fostered or prohibited, this simple story of Christmas has been told in every language and culture. Each country produced its own catechetical aids - carols, stories, trees, wreaths, candy canes, puddings and special treats, bells, etc. These traditions and symbols were also designed to take us beyond the actual events at Bethlehem to an appreciation of all the gifts that the Christ child brings: peace, gentleness, compassion, forgiveness, hope and joy. We pass these stories and the values in them on to our children every year at this time.

In Australia, it matters little whether the child Jesus becomes a kookaburra in a gum tree rather than a partridge in a pear tree as long as the meaning of Christmas is not obscured, as long as children once again have the opportunity through song, story and symbol to encounter that generous God who invites them to walk with kings, kneel with shepherds, sing with angelic choirs, and approach the child in the manger to be filled with wonder, surprised by joy and overwhelmed with love.

Christmas wishes.

CSPA Council Meeting Matters

Melbourne

The final CSPA Council meeting for the year was held in Melbourne in early November. A key topic was the continued discernment and reflection around CSPA’s 2017 – 2020 Strategic Plan. CSPA has accessed the input of Prue Salter from the Salterhill Group to assist with this planning and Prue presented as a follow-up from an earlier meeting on CSPA’s Mission, Vision and Core Values. Under Prue’s tutelage groups of Members also worked on identifying goals and strategies within the Focus Areas of Catholic identity, Governance and Sustainability, Engagement and Partnership, and Representation and Advocacy. It is hoped to have the plan finalised early in 2017 after our February Council meeting.

Another key topic of the meeting was the discussion around Member contributions for 2017. Central to the discussion was a position paper with different models for financial contribution which had been emailed some weeks earlier to Members. Key cornerstones of the discussion were the independence of CSPA around sustainability of funding and paying our way. The Qld P&F Federation were once again thanked for their much in-kind support and it was accepted that CSPA would be more independent of this patronage from 2017.

At the CSPA Council meeting dinner, Tony O’Byrne and Carmel Nash moved a vote of thanks for Tracey O’Neill’s invaluable service to Catholic School Parents Australia. Tracey assisted with the setting up of CSPA and was a member of the inaugural CSPA Executive. She was fittingly described as one of the founding ‘mothers’ of CSPA and her knowledge, wisdom, passion and clear thinking were noted as being so vital in seeing CSPA grow into a national, peak parent body. Tracey was further praised for her sense of what is right, and the manner in which she shared her perspective was noted as something from which we all could learn. Tracey’s personality, sense of fun and legal acumen will also be sorely missed as she resigns her role on CSPA due to other work pressures.

During our Melbourne meeting Tony O’Byrne also farewelled Trevor Kellam who was stepping down from his role on the CSPA Council. Trevor was a founding member of CSPA and served for many years as Chair of the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW. Tony thanked Trevor for his valued contribution to CSPA and his input especially around matters financial.

2017 CSPA Council Meetings are scheduled for:

1. February 24/25 - Sydney (includes AGM)
2. June 9/10 - Melbourne (following ARACY Conference)
3. August 26/27 -  Brisbane
4. November 4/5 - Hobart

Prue Salter (Salterhill Group) and Dennis Torpy (CSPA Victoria) at the CSPA Council dinner in Melbourne.

A Slice of History

The following extract is taken from the Catholic Education Office Melbourne, Board Business – A newsletter for Catholic school boards (N28, T4, 2013) and was written soon after the formation of CSPA - the photo shows the inaugural CSPA Council, which includes Tracey O’Neill and Trevor Kellam.

Parent Engagement Project

Update

The project, which has been funded by the Australian Department of Education and Training through the Grants and Awards programme 2015-16 to 2018-19, has been on hold across recent months awaiting Ethics Approval, which was applied for through the University of Southern Queensland. This clearance has now been attained thanks to the vital work and support of Professor Sue Saltmarsh. Prof Saltmarsh and representatives from ARACY are providing on-going assistance with various aspects of the project.

Across early 2017, Government and Independent school Principals will be invited to complete surveys around how Parent Engagement for student learning is part of the culture of their school. These surveys were completed by Principals in Catholic schools during 2016 and evidence from their surveys will be used as archival data for the project. Key elements within the surveys are around Parent Engagement from first contact with primary school, ongoing engagement across the primary years, transition into the secondary years of schooling, continued parent engagement especially through the junior secondary years and the transition to tertiary study or the world of work or both. A sample of Principals from each sector will be interviewed as a follow-up to the surveys. In time, focus groups of parents will be also interviewed.

Key factors that are being explored through the project include the enablers and blockers of Parent Engagement around student learning. A key outcome of the project will be Tool Kits with strategies to support Principals, Teachers and Parents around promoting and implementing effective Parent Engagement for student learning. Recently, CSPA were instrumental in having Parent Engagement becoming a key theme as part of the National Career Education Strategy Roundtable in Darwin.

The CSPA Parent Engagement Project sits comfortably within many initiatives of government. The cross sectoral nature of the project augers well for CSPA contributing to the broader education agenda and CSPA has also been proactive in engaging national, peak parent bodies through the project. CSPA played a key role with the Australian Parents Council in setting up a February meeting next year with the Australian Council of State School Organisations and the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association. CSPA sees the project as a key undertaking and a vital step forward as we work across 2017.

CSPA acknowledges the on-going partnership with ARACY and their assistance in relation to survey design, survey and interview data analyses and report writing. Professor Sue Saltmarsh (University of Southern Queensland) is assisting with various aspects of the project and is a Principal Investigator listed as part of our Ethics Clearance through USQ. A second round of interviewer training will take place prior to our Melbourne meeting on February 24/25 next year.

Some news from CSPA Members

Victoria

The following is an extract from the Victorian Catholic Schools Parent Body Newsletter (8 December 2016).

Physical Activity and Wellbeing for Connection

Remember when you were young and played games in the local neighbourhood where you may have experienced the fun of hide and seek, skipping or playing chasy with friends and family.

Physical activity is fundamental to the development and wellbeing of children and young people and helps us all to learn social skills and build a connection with our community.

Helping children to have fun with friends and learn new physical skills can assist in developing positive attitudes to being active as well as a lifelong interest in sport. It is important that children have the opportunity to try a range of movement experiences and achieve a level of competence that allows them to join in games at home and school. Then, if they show interest in a particular sport, there are opportunities in your community for them to compete at a local club.

Your school’s Health and Physical Education programs support children in learning to be physically active. This is made possible through a curriculum that engages students in experiences to develop skills, knowledge and motivation to lead healthy and active lifestyles.

The support of parents is a key factor in motivating children to be active. Talking with your child and sharing ideas about how sport and physical activity can play a greater role in their life and ways you can be active as a family, provides them with the motivation to have a go.

If you are unsure about the Physical Education lessons and sport that are offered at school, always ask questions to understand opportunities for you to support physical activity at home and explore what is available for children in your local area.

One of the best things you can do as a parent is to ride a bike or walk regularly with your children, and encourage them to walk and talk more often. You may like to start a ‘be active family’ campaign with something as simple as a walk around the neighbourhood. This will help you to connect with your child as you are able to share in conversations without other distractions.

It’s also good for children to be aware of their surroundings and to connect with other people who live in your area. Taking them to the park regularly provides opportunity for them to socialise and connect with other children and families in your area.

If you are exploring sporting clubs or activities in your local area, just like school, most sport associations begin by introducing new and inexperienced players to their sport using modified rules and equipment before moving them into competitive games. If you feel your child is just beginning, there are programs that are available for children who are just starting out.

Finally, ask your Physical Education teacher for advice about a suitable sport or activity for your child and in the great tradition of Australian sport, just have a go.

Queensland

The recent Qld Federation of Parents & Friends Newsletter had an article on the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program and this is reproduced below.

Free Program Building a Brighter Future for Kids and Parents

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is taking Queensland by storm with thousands of mums and dads taking advantage of free courses and seminars across the state.

Developed in Queensland, the Triple P program focuses on giving parents evidence-based strategies to raise healthy, happy children. Free group, individual and DIY Triple P parenting support is available to all parents and carers as part of this Queensland Government initiative.

Organise a free seminar at your school by visiting the link below to find a Triple P provider in your area. To promote the availability of free Triple P support to parents, schools can also order free brochures, posters and other promotional material in hard copy or electronic form by emailing qld@triplep.net.

CSPA Chair in Profile

Mr Tony O’Byrne (Independent Chair)

After a long and distinguished forty-six year career committed to teaching and leadership in Catholic education, Tony took on the role of Independent Chair of CSPA. Prior to his ‘retirement’ from secondary education in 2013, Tony was Principal at Aquinas College at Ringwood from 1989. In 2014, Tony’s work was acknowledged when he was awarded an Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) National Fellowship. Over recent years, Tony has taken on an increasing role as Secondary Principal Consultant (Western Region) with Catholic Education in Melbourne.

Tony’s work in schools, his previous connectedness through such bodies as the National Catholic Education Commission, his current role with Catholic Education Melbourne and being a parent of three now adult children, all enrich his understanding of the Australian educational landscape – in turn, he brings this valued experiential knowledge to the CSPA forum.

Ms Leah Bullivant (new Executive Director of the Federation of Catholic School Parent Communities – South Australia) and Mr Tony O’Byrne (CSPA Chair) at the Melbourne CSPA dinner.

NAPLAN on-line

Much information has been generated in relation to NAPLAN on-line which will commence in some schools from 2017. All schools will be undertaking NAPLAN tests on-line from 2019.

Useful information in relation to NAPLAN on-line (including the answers to 18 frequently asked questions) is available on the ACARA website – please click below.

A NAPLAN on-line Public Demonstration Site is now available through the hyperlink below. This includes mini-tests for Yrs. 3, 5, 7 and 9.

Building relationships with government representatives

As a national, peak parent body, Catholic School Parents Australia promotes the development of relationships with political leaders at all levels - local, State and Federal. If CSPA is to represent and advocate for the parents/carers with children and young people in Catholic schools across Australia, all Members should strive to have current, active relationships with their local Members of State and Federal Parliament, Senators and Local Councillors – in short, CSPA Members need to be proactive in ensuring that we are known to local political leaders at all levels of government.

Many school communities already have very good relationships with their local Members of Parliament and local councillors and ensure that they are involved with various school events. Notably, these local members are our representatives and the lives of our Catholic school communities are very important to them. One should also remember to include Senators in these relationships as Senators are usually a great source of support and information, and often provide a broader perspective on issues.

It is important to develop positive ongoing relationships with your representatives at all levels of government such that they are informed of the great work happening in CSPA and its member organisations. Often, when there is an issue, these representatives will be more likely to listen and act to get answers from the various levels of government for you.

(Adapted from a document by the Qld P&F Federation)

Royal Commission Research Arm

Over the past couple of years, the Royal Commission research arm has generated three papers/reports entitled: Our Safety Counts; Taking Us Seriously; and Creating Child Safe Institutions – 10 key elements. These papers/reports are available below:

ARACY Parent Engagement Conference

The ARACY Parent Engagement Conference will be held at the Pullman Hotel, Albert Park Melbourne on 6-8 June 2017. Notably Dr Debbie Pushor and Dr Karen Mapps are two of the keynote presenters. The CSPA Council meeting will be held following the conference and Dr Pushor will be a guest presenter at our meeting.

Next Council Meeting

Sydney – February 24/25

At the next CSPA Council Meeting on February 24/25 at Mary MacKillop Place in Sydney there will be presentations from Mr Francis Sullivan (Chief Executive Officer of the Truth, Justice and Healing Council) and Mr Rob Randall (Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA]). There will also be the CSPA AGM at our February meeting.

Word from a Sponsor

Australian Catholic Super Retirement Fund

The announcements in the 2016 Federal Budget are a timely reminder of the value of, and need for, financial advice for workers on virtually all levels of income and across all amounts of retirement savings through superannuation.

The Budget changes sound complicated, and perhaps unfair to some, but a brief discussion about the background to the changes will help put it in perspective. Rest assured, despite the changes announced in the Budget, superannuation remains one of the most tax-advantaged means of saving for retirement in Australia today. It’s also important to remember that superannuation is not an investment – it is simply a tax arrangement, under which various investments can then be made.

In the early 2000’s the mining boom was in its early phase. Exports of iron ore and coal to China, in particular, were accelerating at a rapid pace, and the Federal Government was awash with an increased level of taxation receipts. What to do with all the money? The Government of the day decided to hand back some of that revenue in the form of taxpayer subsidies for saving via superannuation. Some of those subsidies were very generous, and cost a large amount of money, but the cost at the time was covered by tax revenue associated with the mining boom. Then the China-led mining boom slowed, and tax receipts decreased. The generosity of earlier years became unaffordable, leading to the current Government announcing in the 2016 Budget what is, in effect, a reversal of some of that earlier generosity.

Amongst the many changes announced in the Budget, there are perhaps three that potentially have the most significant effect on many people:

1. Concessional, or pre-tax contributions – from 1 July, 2017, the Government will limit the amount of savings on which it provides a tax-payer subsidy to $25,000 per year (with a new catch-up provision added)
2. Non-concessional, or after-tax contributions – from 7:30pm 3 May, 2017, the Government will limit the amount of savings on which it provides a tax-payer subsidy to a lifetime cap of $500,000, backdated to include contributions made since 1 July 2007
3. Transition to retirement pensions – from 1 July, 2017, the tax on investment earnings and capital gains on the funds supporting a transition to retirement pension will be increased from nil to 15%, to then be the same as in superannuation.

Despite these Budget announcements, saving for retirement through superannuation remains one of the most advantageous forms of saving. Accumulating $500,000 in after-tax contributions over one’s working life, plus multiple years of saving $25,000 each year, all with the benefit of a taxpayer subsidy, remains the bedrock of a sound retirement savings plan. Additional savings from the sale of investments, proceeds from downsizing a home, receiving an inheritance etc. can all still be part of your overall retirement plan, although those additional savings outside of the super system will no longer receive a taxpayer subsidy.

Superannuation rules can appear complex at the best of times, and the announcements in the Budget may appear more confusing than is usually the case. To help guide members, Australian Catholic Superannuation offers two different appointment-based advice services that can help clear the confusion. The first service is conducted over the phone, and may be suitable for someone who has around $5,000 or more invested in super, and with a question on one of four topics listed at the attached link. The second appointment-based service is a face-to-face meeting with a financial planner (which can also be conducted via Skype) – this service may be more suitable for someone with perhaps $50,000 or more in super, and who wants a more comprehensive level of advice across a wider range of topics. For more details about how we can help, simply go to the link below, or call us on 1300 658 776.

GENERAL ADVICE WARNING

Any advice contained in this document is of a general nature only, and does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Prior to acting on any information in this document, you need to take into account your own financial circumstances, consider the Product Disclosure Statement for any product you are considering, and seek independent financial advice if you are unsure of what action to take. The material contained in this document is based on information received in good faith from sources within the market and on our understanding of the legislation at this time.

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