ASCA Update

What a year! Looking ahead to Term 4. It’s been a busy and productive year for everyone, and with so much happening, we know many of you are looking forward to a well-deserved break before Term 4—the final term of 2025!

ASCA has also been hard at work, welcoming new suppliers into the ASCA family. This expansion is providing our 8,000+ members nationwide with even more great options for purchasing and tendering. If you're looking for something specific for your school, let us know—we’re always happy to help source more fantastic suppliers for you.

Great Deals for Christmas Shopping with ASCA Preferred Suppliers!

• As the festive season approaches, start your Christmas shopping with amazing savings from our preferred suppliers! Check out the latest offers from The Good Guys Commercial, BFX Furniture, Officeworks, and many more.
• It’s also a great time to remind your staff about ASCAplus, our exclusive staff benefits program. Register to access special deals and discounts for personal purchases, perfect for the holiday season.

Is Your Canteen Registered for the ASCA Rewards Loyalty Program?

• Principals, help your canteen save! Remind your Canteen Manager or Caterer about the ASCA Rewards Loyalty Program. Points earned are valid for two years and can be redeemed for credits with their Distributor or The Good Guys Commercial. 
• Please note: Term 4 will be the final edition of our printed Canteen Newsletter. Click here to opt out of the printed version and receive your newsletter digitally. You can also view it anytime on the ASCA website. Click here to view the latest edition.
• Explore the latest specials from our wonderful suppliers as you prepare for Term 4. What new initiatives are you planning for your canteen? Share your photos with us on the ASCA Facebook page!
• Need inspiration? Visit the Canteen Resource section on our website for helpful ideas and how-to guides.

ASCA Supports Australian Charities

• As a not-for-profit organisation, ASCA donates surplus funds each year to registered charities that support the education of vulnerable children.
• By purchasing from ASCA’s Preferred Suppliers, your school not only receives great value but also contributes to our charity partners. Since our founding in 1979, ASCA has raised $11 million for organisations like The Smith Family.
• Thanks to your continued support, we’re proud to keep giving back to those who need it most
  

PFD Tassie Tradeshow from October 7–9

• ASCA will be attending with exclusive member specials!
• Whether you're in Food Tech, a Canteen Caterer, or a Business Manager, this is a fantastic opportunity to explore the latest in food service innovation, all happening at a city near you.

Professional Learning

Intentional Leadership Professional Wellness Program - Lee Crockett

This program offers school leaders a powerful, year-long experience focused on sustaining clarity, purpose, and professional wellness. 

Professional Wellness Workshop - LEAD WELL. LIVE WELL.

In this FREE 60-minute workshop, you will learn a proven framework for sustainable, high-impact leadership, built on our own 6 Dimensions of Professional Wellness.

Introduction to Leadership Coaching

The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) is bringing PD4HPE to you on Tasmania's pupil-free days, and we'd like you to send your HPE teachers along!

TPA Partners

Platinum

Gold

E: discover@compass.education
T: 03 9005 5217

Click here to view the Compass Website

President's Report

Dear TPA Members & Supporters,

Welcome to our New Members

A warm welcome to Heather Waugh, Jennifer Grubb, Kahlia Hodge, and Eloise Bound. We are delighted that you have made the decision to join an Association focused on supporting and building the capacity of our profession.

The end of term naturally creates an opportunity for thought and reflection. We hope that you hold a great sense of satisfaction and achievement in leading your teams or school community through the peak of winter, dynamics and busyness of term 3. The shift in to term 4 always brings a beautiful blend of energy and emotions; some students will find that ‘a-ha’ moment when a concept really clicks, some will be navigating the emotions of a transition to a new school or workforce, and for all students and staff, it will mark the final quarter of doing this year’s journey together as a team. For those that follow winter sport, we hope that everything falls in to place for your favourite team in their ‘final quarter’. I’m just preparing myself for 2028, with 200,000 other Tasmanian AFL Club members as we wait for the Devils to take to the park for the first time – shout out to Matt Conn, principal from King Island for his updated version of the guernsey!

2026 Tasmanian Educational Leaders Conference

Please mark your calendars and save the date to join us to connect, learn, and be inspired alongside educational leaders from across Tasmania.

More details, including program highlights and registration information, will follow soon.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Kind regards

Mat 

Zart Update

We’re excited to announce lower delivery rates in Tasmania and share the benefits you received as a TPA member. 

TPA Member Discount:

10% off every order – use promo code TPA10 at checkout
5% rebate for TPA – your purchases help give back annually

For support on orders and quotes, please reach out to our Business Relationships Manager, Lyn Rogers 0410 602 238 or lrogers@zartart.com.au

Travel Report - International Seminar for School Principals, Shanghai - Libby Robinson

As an affiliate of ICP (International Confederation of Principals) through ASPA (Australian Secondary Principals Association), TPA were invited to send a representative to present at the 2nd International Seminar for School Principals, Shanghai 2-5 July 2025. This invitation was extended to Libby Robinson, principal of Hobart College, who agreed to represent TPA and Tasmanian Government Schools at that seminar. Here is her report:

If you are ever provided with the opportunity to travel for your work and listen to the experiences of our international colleagues, I fully encourage you to grasp the moment. So it was that in the 38 °C heat of Shanghai’s summer, I found myself listening to theories of practice related to the use of innovative technologies for teacher evaluation and feedback, namely AI. As you might imagine, this very premise confronts a variety of socio-cultural expectations where teacher evaluation itself is very much grounded in how we see our profession as educators. The use of technology immediately raises questions about who or what has the capacity to observe, evaluate, provide feedback, and support improvement in teacher practice and by extension, student learning outcomes and hopefully wellbeing.

Over the course of the seminar, it was apparent that China’s current education platform, aimed at guaranteeing teaching quality across a vast and immensely populated country, is seeking not just an agenda of massive infrastructure development, but also teacher evaluation. At scale, it is politically and economically understandable that the use of AI has reached the forefront of application in China’s strategic thinking on quality teaching. Big questions come to mind at the notion of a teacher using VR to teach a class of virtual students, whose avatars sat in single desk rows, whilst AI evaluates the teacher’s progress through a lesson. I presume at this stage of advancement, AI will only measure what we ask of it, that is what we already know to be best practice. And there are good questions about teacher professionalism and learning beyond performance and compliance (Diamond and Bulfin 2025). By the end of the seminar, a humanistic view had come back into focus, concluding that certainly AI has a place, but only in the service of human relationships and educational endeavours where we make decisions that are adaptable to the myriad of students’ needs.

Perhaps MyCareer and our PDPs have some way to travel before our practice as principals is evaluated by AI, or perhaps it might as well be here already.

Libby Robinson

2nd International Seminar for School Principals, Shanghai

Professional Learning

Intentional Leadership Professional Wellness Program - Lee Crockett

This program offers school leaders a powerful, year-long experience focused on sustaining clarity, purpose, and professional wellness. 

Professional Wellness Workshop - LEAD WELL. LIVE WELL.

In this FREE 60-minute workshop, you will learn a proven framework for sustainable, high-impact leadership, built on our own 6 Dimensions of Professional Wellness.

Instruction to Leadership Coaching

The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (ACHPER) is bringing PD4HPE to you on Tasmania's pupil-free days, and we'd like you to send your HPE teachers along!

TPA Partners

Platinum

Gold

President's Report

Dear TPA Members & Supporters,

Welcome to our New Members

A warm welcome to Lynette Knibbe, Jenna Squire, Tim Elliott, Jill Bosua, Eve Marcus and Amanda Maree. We are delighted that you have made the decision to join an Association focused on supporting and building the capacity of our profession.

Celebrating Growth in Tasmanian Education

When I began teaching almost 25 years ago, thankfully, one outdated classroom practice had already been abandoned—the public display of children’s individual test scores on the wall. For generations, this was seen as acceptable, yet I have never heard anyone from that era speak of the positive impact it had on their learning or self-confidence. For some, it may have provided a momentary push, but for many, it created shame, fear, and disconnection.

What hasn’t changed is this: every learner is on a unique journey. Students don’t start from the same line. Some face obstacles from day one, and many need targeted adjustments and support to achieve the growth they deserve across their education.

For decades, governments have recognised that the greatest predictor of student achievement is parental level of education, captured in the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (ICSEA). This measure informs how schools are resourced nationwide, now delivered through the Better Fairer Schools Agreement, regardless of whether they are government, Catholic, or independent.

While we know that no standardised test can capture every child’s passions, strengths, or potential, we also recognise the value of systematic literacy and numeracy checks. These provide essential data that shape programs, policies, and practices at the school, state, and national levels.

What is less helpful, however, is how these results have been presented in the media. Each year we see headlines such as “Tasmania lagging behind” or “Latest NAPLAN results worrying.” This approach echoes those classroom walls of years past—comparing without context. If ICSEA remains the strongest predictor of outcomes, then it should surprise no one that Tasmania begins behind six other jurisdictions before they step up to the starting line!

The real story and the one too often overlooked is about growth. And here Tasmania is excelling.

• In Year 5 reading, Tasmania has recorded the highest growth in the nation.
• In Year 5 numeracy, Tasmania has achieved the second-highest growth, just behind Victoria.

There are multiple other data sets that we could show that validate the growth of our young people as a direct result of the quality of education they receive.

These results, spanning across all school sectors, demonstrate the collective strength of our profession. They reflect the daily commitment of Tasmanian educators to meet learners where they are and help them move forward. This is not about cherry-picking data—it is about telling the fuller story. Our challenge is to encourage the public to look beyond the headlines and celebrate the genuine progress happening in Tasmanian classrooms.

CBCA Book Week

Book Week is a memorable time of the year in most schools and is up there with Christmas for some people! The level of creativity (and craft) on show from principals in the past week has been nothing short of entertaining! Reading has been and always will be a simple experience that can be life changing – it helps us to connect and make sense of our own experiences, with other people and with the world around us. Book Week is much more than dressing up, though. It provides a platform to expose young (and older people to quality Australian literature. We are fortunate in Australia that there is a strong appreciation for literature and some outstanding authors who create texts that engage and inspire our young people. Congratulations to our schools that provided really carefully considered approaches for engagement in every context that go beyond dressing as a literary character, and thank you to colleagues that gave some great insights into their patch.

Book Week

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National Principals Occupational Health, Wellbeing & Safety Survey

Make a Difference: Take the 2025 Australian School Leader Health & Wellbeing Survey

The Australian Principal Health & Wellbeing Survey is confidential and independent of all employer groups, professional associations and unions. This research informs state departments, evaluates existing policies, and drives new initiatives. Participants receive an individualised report on their job-related health and wellbeing upon completion. Global results provide a holistic, system-level picture of principal health and wellbeing, with recommendations for action.

APPA

APPA has released its latest position papers, covering:

1. Raising the Profile
2. Reducing Red Tape
3. Professional Learning
4. Full and Fair Funding
5. Professional Supervision

Learning First Survey

Learning First is conducting a short, anonymous survey on how teachers, curriculum leaders and principals of government schools are implementing the Australian Curriculum. This year’s survey includes questions on how AI is being used in schools to support curriculum implementation. Your feedback will help shape how the DECYP supports schools and teachers. The survey closes on September 18.

2026 Tasmanian Educational Leaders Conference

Please mark your calendars and save the date to join us to connect, learn, and be inspired alongside educational leaders from across Tasmania.

More details, including program highlights and registration information, will follow soon.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Kind regards

Mat 

Professional Learning

Intentional Leadership Professional Wellness Program - Lee Crockett

This program offers school leaders a powerful, year-long experience focused on sustaining clarity, purpose, and professional wellness. 

Professional Wellness Workshop - LEAD WELL. LIVE WELL.

In this FREE 60-minute workshop, you will learn a proven framework for sustainable, high-impact leadership, built on our own 6 Dimensions of Professional Wellness.

• 9th July
• 6th August

The People Leader Program - Simon Breakspear 

Learn the essential skills every team leader needs.

All workshops are streamed live using Zoom between 10 AM - 12 PM (AEST / AEDT)
MODULE 1: Tuesday, 12 August
MODULE 2: Tuesday, 16 September
MODULE 3: Thursday, 30 October

Type TPA30 into the comment section for your discount.

TPA Partners

Platinum

Gold

President’s Report

Dear TPA Members & Supporters,

With this Friday marking Primary Principals Day, it prompted me to give some thought to my own primary school principal from the early 1980’s. I still have clear images in my mind of most of my teachers, but with the principal being a constant from my first day of kinder, through to my last day of grade 6, memories of my principal are particularly vivid! Lining up for a morning assembly address on the asphalt, kicking the brown plastic footballs with us grade 3’s at lunch, his walkthroughs, asking about our learning, or just checking in because he cared, all still stick with me. Right through to his reassuring presence and caring smile when dealing with playground injuries, through to helping the whole school navigate the mixed emotions, apprehension and excitement of our school site ‘closing down’ and moving to a new campus.

Curiosity got the better of me this week, and a quick Google led me to an ABC radio interview with Helen Shield from earlier this year A tale of two teachers - ABC listen; the sound of Nigel Bentley’s distinctive voice immediately took me back to that time! As Nigel says during his interview, school wasn’t always a happy place for everyone when he entered the profession, but he absolutely made it his mission to shift that. From my perspective, I can honestly say it was mission achieved in a way that no test or assessment would have shown.

So whether it’s a handwritten card from a year one, a smile of thanks from a year 6, or a young adult going out of their way to say hi and share some exciting personal news because they remember you care, we’d all have plenty of moments like these that really fill our cup, and remind us of the joy that we can draw from these connections in what really is, as Nigel said, one of the best professions!

Whilst we mark Australian Primary Principal’s Day, it’s a perfect opportunity to acknowledge and show gratitude for the role that ALL of our school leaders play in communities around Tasmania.

On behalf of our state executive (pictured here with Tim Bullard, CEO AITSL and TPA Member guests), thank you for the work that you do, the connections you foster, and your commitment to public education and the profession in our state.

National Association

ASPA and AGPPA co-convened a meeting in Adelaide last week to discuss a range of topics that are relevant and timely to principals across Australia.

Joint Statement by ASPA and AGPPA July 21, 2025

Monday 21 July marked a historic occasion as the Australian Secondary Principals’ Association (ASPA) and the Australian Government Primary Principals’ Association (AGPPA), the two national peak bodies representing all public school leaders across Australia, convened for the first time. United by our shared commitment to equity and excellence, we developed a common vision: to support the learning and wellbeing of every Australian child.

There is a full joint statement focused on 6 key objectives:

• Principal Wellbeing
• Occupational violence
• National Education Policy Reform
• Policy Co-Design and Collaboration
• Leadership support and development
• Student Wellbeing

Other key items covered at the ASPA Board meeting concentrated on key presentations and discussions with Blair Boyer, Minister for Education SA, and Martin Westwell, CEO, SA Education and Dr Sally Larsen with her paper ‘Are Australian students’ academic skills declining?’

All states and territories are actively engaging in advocacy for school leaders based on supporting key wellbeing issues. As one state HR executive framed it, "There is no point in continuing to put healthy fish into a sick pond and expect everything to improve. We need to fix the pond."

Kind regards

Mat

More fun, less tax 

Get a brand new or demonstrator MINI before 30th September 2025 at a low 5.99% per annum comparison rate when you finance with MINI Finance. 

Comparison rate applies to two-, three-, four- and five-year lease terms. 

Plus, when you buy your MINI through a novated lease with Smart, you also get a mix of potential tax savings and convenience that’s hard to beat!  

There’s no GST on your MINI’s purchase prices. Pre-tax salary dollars are used for finance and running costs, so you could pay less income tax. And payments are bundled into one regular pay deduction for simpler budgeting.

Life is Easier with MSP

Introducing Our New Partner Consultants

BFX Furniture

We’re pleased to introduce Andrew Gordon as the new Sales and Project Consultant for BFX Furniture in Tasmania, taking over from Steve Milekovic. Steve has returned to the mainland to spend more quality time with his family, and we thank him for his dedication and contribution.

Andrew brings more than 30 years of experience in sales, account management, and project delivery. A proud Tasmanian—born and raised—he believes that strong local relationships are key to lasting partnerships. With over 15 years of experience working on the mainland, Andrew offers a unique blend of local insight and national expertise to support your school’s furniture needs.

Whether you're refreshing a classroom, fitting out a new space, or simply seeking tailored advice, Andrew is ready to assist. He brings big island experience with local know-how, and a commitment to go the extra mile.

Contact Andrew - Sales and Project Consultant

M: 0459 592 130 E: Andrew.gordon@bfx.com.au
Customer Support: 1300 866 522  
www.bfx.com.au 

Smart 

Smart is thrilled to welcome Tassie local Angela Donovan to the team as a Customer Education Specialist. Angela brings over 30 years of experience in the finance industry, with a strong background in banking and mortgage broking. Now, she’s applying that expertise to support educators in understanding the benefits of novated leasing, one of the most tax-effective ways to own a vehicle.

As part of the Smartgroup family, Smart is a leading provider of employee benefit services in Australia. Through novated leasing, employees can use their pre-tax income to cover the cost of a car, including finance, registration, insurance, fuel, and maintenance, potentially saving thousands of dollars in tax. Smart makes the process simple and seamless, offering access to a wide range of vehicles, expert support, and exclusive deals. 

Based in Lenah Valley, Angela enjoys life on acreage with her two dogs: a lively 14-month-old Labradoodle (possibly a Groodle!) and a 13-year-old rescue pup. Horses have been a part of her life since she was eight, and her love for animals runs deep. 

Contact Angela - Customer Education Specialist

M: 0477 138 856  E: angela.donovan@smartgroup.com.au  

Professional Learning

Franklin Covey - Multipliers - Wednesday 30  July 2025 

Intentional Leadership Professional Wellness Program - Lee Crockett

This program offers school leaders a powerful, year-long experience focused on sustaining clarity, purpose, and professional wellness. 

Professional Wellness Workshop - LEAD WELL. LIVE WELL.

In this FREE 60-minute workshop, you will learn a proven framework for sustainable, high-impact leadership, built on our own 6 Dimensions of Professional Wellness.

• 9th July
• 6th August

The People Leader Program - Simon Breakspear 

Learn the essential skills every team leader needs.

All workshops are streamed live using Zoom between 10 AM - 12 PM (AEST / AEDT)
MODULE 1: Tuesday, 12 August
MODULE 2: Tuesday, 16 September
MODULE 3: Thursday, 30 October

Type TPA30 into the comment section for your discount.

TPA Partners

Platinum

Gold

President’s Report

Dear TPA Members & Supporters,

How often have we heard, or even said ourselves, that schools are essentially a reflection of the broader community, a microcosm of society? In the past few weeks, TPA have continued our involvement in roundtables and working groups – most recently, the LGBTIQ+ Working Group. Forums like these are effective when they have a cross section of system, school and community leaders and representatives, and most importantly, our young people. Reflecting on June also being celebrated as Pride Month, I have spoken with young people who proudly made reference to the inclusive practice in schools and colleges. They highlighted the positive experience of their school providing pride support groups and how they feel genuinely excited about the move to college, where they know the same inclusive supports are in place. They feel safe, supported, connected and empowered. Listening to these reflections and others has been a great step that has led to societal change in our state. It’s also a reminder that schools are powerful places to lead the change that we want to see in our society. If we can have our young people driving and designing, then I am sure we can flip it so instead society becomes a reflection of the best practice already happening in our schools.

With the Winter Solstice behind us, we can enjoy an increasingly ‘little bit’ more daylight at each end of the school day. The daily walk, drive or ride into school can offer the perfect opportunity to prepare ourselves in that transition time between work and home, but only if we can consciously use this time in an intentional and effective way. Many members would be familiar with the work of Dr Adam Fraser on the ‘Third Space’, and recently, colleagues have been sharing how they consciously transition between activities, tasks or different environments. For many, the midyear break may be a timely reminder to revisit Adam’s work, or for those who aren’t familiar, to explore it for the first time.

The Third Space® — Dr Adam Fraser

Professional Learning

Please view and share the upcoming professional learning opportunities with your teams. Multiply your team's natural genius and unlock their full contribution with the Multipliers PL. Join Simon Breakspear in The People Leader Program or Intentional Leadership Professional Wellness Program by Lee Crockett. 

New Members

A warm welcome to our new member, Sarah Geale, Acting Principal of Campania District School, who has recently joined our association. We look forward to your engagement with your Association for many years to come!

Thank you for your engagement with the Association across Term 2. Absolute best wishes for the coming weeks for those that have scheduled holidays, and equally for those that will be working across this time

Warm regards, Mat

Intentional Leadership Professional Wellness Program

We are pleased to partner with Lee Crocket and provide the opportunity for members to access the  Intentional Leadership Professional Wellness Program, a powerful, year-long experience focused on sustaining clarity, purpose, and professional wellness. This program is a proven way to equip leaders with the tools, community, and support they need to thrive.

• $1995 per participant
• 12-month journey (approx. 3 hours/month)
• Delivered in our private Excellence Network community
• Structured around 4 arcs with 3 professional drivers in each
• School leaders from across Australia learning and growing together

Upcoming free workshop dates to learn more:

• June 11
• June 26
• July 9
• August 6

Teachers Health Fund Awarded - Private Health Insurer of the Year

As the health fund for the education community, we’re checking in ahead of your (hard-earned) winter break! Read on to discover marvelous member savings – or for those still to join, an inviting introductory offer.  

But first, a ’proud health fund moment’... 

Your (double) award-winning fund 
Positive feedback is truly meaningful when it comes from those, you’re most invested in. For you, that may be a student, parent or mentor. For us, it’s our members. 

So, it was great to be recognised, not once but twice, as Roy Morgan’s Private Health Insurer of the Year and Not-for-Profit/Restricted Private Health Insurer of the Year.  

Based on feedback from over 60,000 Australians, these awards reflect our commitment to those who dedicate themselves to others. A good report isn’t grounds for complacency though, so let’s get back to you!   

Cashback for members 
Teachers Health members who join our Member Rewards program can earn cashback shopping at selected retailers. Shivering through recess? Try 5% back at Kathmandu. Sinking into a hot bath? Earn 5% on Sheridan towels or ECOYA candles. Set-and-forget cashback is one of many ways your membership can work as hard as you do.   

Haven’t joined yet? 
Get 6 weeks free when you join with Hospital & Extras cover by 30 June and skip the 2 & 6-month waits on popular Extras*. Get an online quote or call us on 1300 900 301 for more info.  

*Offer ends 30 June 2025, eligibility and T&Cs apply.

National Associations