Victorian President's Report

Welcome back to Term 4.

The final term always seems to arrive quickly, and with it comes one of the busiest periods of the school year. While principals and assistant principals are focused on finishing 2026 strongly, there is already one eye firmly on 2027 — staffing, budgets, planning, transitions and everything else that needs to come together before the year is out.

As always, I want to acknowledge the enormous work being done by school leaders across Victoria. The expectations placed on the Principal Class continue to grow, and the professionalism, resilience and commitment you bring to your schools and communities should never be underestimated.

We also begin the term following the overwhelming endorsement of the VGSA 2026, with 93% of employees voting in support. The agreement will now progress to the Fair Work Commission for approval, and the APF will continue working with the Department to ensure members are supported as the new arrangements are implemented. We will have much more to share with you over the coming weeks as we unpack what the agreement means in practice for principals and assistant principals.

At the same time, the APF continues to advocate strongly with the Department around a number of significant changes affecting schools, particularly the Parent Payments Policy and changes to the Student Resource Package (SRP). We have raised concerns about the timing of these changes, the level of consultation with the Principal Class and the practical challenges they have created for schools at precisely the time leaders are trying to finalise budgets, staffing and planning for 2027. While we recognise the policy objectives behind these changes, implementation needs to properly consider the operational realities of schools and the additional workload being placed on principals and their teams.

We will continue to take the feedback we are receiving directly from members to the Department and advocate for greater clarity, realistic implementation timeframes and genuine consultation when changes have a significant impact on the operation of schools.

Closer to home, I’m really looking forward to seeing many of you at our APF AGM and Seminar next Friday, 16 October. With our theme “Leading with Courage,” it will be a great opportunity to step away from school for a day, connect with colleagues and focus on our own leadership.

If you haven’t registered yet, there are still a small number of places available — we would love to have you there.

Farewell Jenna and Welcome Krystel

I also wanted to take the opportunity to personally acknowledge Jenna, who commenced maternity leave as she begins a very special new chapter in her life and starts her family.

Jenna has been such a valued part of the APF team, and I know many of our members have appreciated her warmth, support and commitment. On behalf of all of us at the APF, I wish Jenna and her family every happiness during this exciting time. We will certainly miss having her around the office and look forward to welcoming her back in the future.

While Jenna is away, I am delighted to welcome Krystel to the APF team. Krystel has stepped into Jenna’s role and is already settling in well. I know our members and State Council will make her feel very welcome.

Please join me in wishing Jenna all the very best and extending a warm APF welcome to Krystel.

Permission to Teach Framework Consultation Sessions

The Victorian Institute of Teaching is reviewing the Permission to Teach (PTT) framework, and you’re invited to contribute your experience and perspectives.

Webinar topics

Please join them for a one-hour webinar for your chance to provide feedback on

• proposed changes to the PTT framework and transition to CATT (Conditional Authority to Teach)
• how these changes may affect schools and employers
• our proposed co-regulatory approach, including employer agreements
• opportunities to reduce regulatory burden for employers

• proposed implementation timelines and next steps.

   

Webinar details 

You’re encouraged to register for one session that best reflects your school setting

• Specialist Schools – 21 October, 10:00am - 11:00am
• Primary Schools (metro) – 22 October, 10:00am - 11:00am
• Secondary Schools (metro) – 23 October, 10:00am - 11:00am
• Primary and Secondary Schools (regional) – 26 October, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
• VET Schools – 27 October, 2:00pm - 3:00pm