Victorian President's Report

Welcome back to the start of the final school term, a pivotal time as we approach the close of the year. As we enter this busy period, it's time to focus on the key tasks ahead, including planning and preparations for the 2025 school year. This term presents an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved so far while also setting the stage for a successful year ahead. Your leadership during this critical time is essential for ensuring a smooth transition into the new year for both staff and students.

With the release of the indicative SRP, many of you are now deeply involved in strategic workforce planning and staff recruitment efforts.  The workforce shortages remain a significant challenge, creating ongoing hurdles as you work to ensure adequate staffing levels. These shortages demand careful planning and innovative solutions thus the reason why so many schools are advertising early in an attempt to secure applicants for vacancies.  While community expectations for various programs are understandable, it is essential to prioritise and focus on core staffing areas first. Addressing these foundational needs ensures the capacity to deliver critical programs effectively.

World Mental Health Day 2024 which is observed tomorrow, serves as a crucial reminder for school leaders to prioritise their own health and well-being, especially as the busy final term is well and truly upon us.  Leading a school is both fulfilling and demanding, with constant pressures that can impact on your mental and emotional health. Prioritising self-care not only enhances your personal well-being but also enables you to create a supportive and thriving environment for staff and students alike, fostering a healthier school community. The Department provides  free and confidential health and wellbeing supports for school leaders which we encourage members to access. 

Finally, if you have not yet registered, we encourage you to attend our upcoming AGM and Seminar. This event offers a valuable opportunity to network with colleagues and engage with insightful speakers. Please note that registrations close this Friday, and with only a limited number of places remaining, spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.  Registration details are available here.