Welcome back to a new school year! We hope you had the opportunity to enjoy some well-deserved downtime and quality times with family and loved ones. As the school year begins, there is already plenty of activity underway, and we look forward to an engaging and successful year ahead.

January has brought several key developments in the education sector. After years of lobbying and advocacy, Minister Carroll announced that the Commonwealth Government has agreed to increase its funding for Victorian government schools. Meanwhile, discussions on literacy approaches (the reading wars) have resurfaced in the media, schools continue to navigate the implementation of the School Saving Bonus and staffing shortages, and thousands of students and staff have successfully returned for the new school year.

In addition to the above, there have been key announcements and changes to key executive roles within the Department. Dr David Howes (Deputy Secretary) has moved to the VCAA as Acting CEO for the term as Marcia Devlin has returned to the Academy. Acting in the role of Deputy Secretary Schools and Regional Services is Chris Thompson who many of you know as the Regional Director of SWVR. Chris’ role has been back filled by Tip Kennedy who is Acting Regional Director in SWVR.

Late last year it was announced that Angela Singh, former Regional Director of NWVR, has been substantively appointed as Deputy Secretary First Nations Strategy, Policy & Programs (FNSPP). Angela has been instrumental in the education portfolio and across government for many years, holding various leadership roles to advance better outcomes for First Peoples in Victoria. We commend Angela on her appointment and extend our best wishes for success in this role. The role of Acting Regional Director in NWVR is being undertaken by Dr Stacey Gabriel.

This week, Jenny Atta, Secretary of the Department of Education, announced her appointment as Secretary of the Department of Health, commencing at the end of this month. We extend our sincere congratulations to Jenny and commend her outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to public service. Her commitment to strengthening state education has been commendable, and there is no doubt that she will bring the same vision, integrity, and dedication to her new role.

As President of the APF, I have had the privilege of working closely and collaboratively with Jenny on a range of educational issues and matters. I have always appreciated her responsiveness, willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue, and proactive approach to addressing key issues. Her contributions to education have been significant, and we wish her every success in this next chapter of her service to the public sector. Tony Bates (Deputy Secretary Financial Policy and Information Services) will be Acting Secretary whilst a recruitment process is underway.

Can’t keep up with all the movement and changes? Please visit Department of Education Organisation Chart January 2025 to view and download the latest DE structure.

As the academic year gets underway, there is already significant activity across our schools, and we look forward to a productive and rewarding year ahead. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you are in need of advocacy or support.

All the best for a rewarding and productive year!

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