Welcome to the fourth term edition of the CSPV newsletter. This edition is being released at a time when VCE and VCAL students are completing exams. We wish all the students and families all the best for this very busy time of year. We have included in this issue, an article by Patrick Wright on how to support children as they move on from secondary school. This is an exciting time for young people who still need guidance and support as they navigate their way into a new environment away from school and for some, away from home.

This term began with the welcoming of two new members of the CSPV team. Mr Rod Lewis joined CSPV as the new representative from the diocese of Ballarat. Mr Gary Coy will join CSPV prior to our final meeting for the year in November. Gary will be a representative from the southern region of the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

The most recent focus of the CSPV has been to plan for the future of the council by developing a new strategic plan. During August CSPV went through the process of interviewing key stakeholders and preparing a new direction for the council. The strategic plan 2019-2023 will be ratified in November at the final meeting for 2018.

CSPV recently launched a new Facebook page to bring further information and build connection with our main audience, parents of children in Catholic schools. This platform will enable CSPV further connection with parents and to build awareness on a broader scale of the issues and topical stories in education. We will also use the platform to share good news stories about the wonderful learning and community building happening in Catholic schools.

Catholic schools across Australia breathed a sigh of relief when the federal government and new education Minister Dan Tehan MP finally announced they would reinstate funding to Catholic schools of $3.4billion over ten years. CSPV acknowledges the persistence of Catholic education authorities, particularly the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria in their unwavering lobbying to ensure parent choice in Catholic education continues.

With the Victorian state election being held this month on 24 November and potentially an early federal election on the horizon, each of the parties are sharing their policies and plans, hoping to gain trust in the parents of children in Catholic schools. CSPV recently welcomed pledges from both the Labor and State opposition leaders. You can read more about these pledges in our school funding update in this newsletter.

CSPV representatives from Victoria, Tracy Connors and Rachel Saliba attended the recent Catholic School Parents Australia meeting in Brisbane. The meeting was also attended by special guests Father Frank Brennan, CEO of Catholic Social Services Australia and Mr Ray Collins, Acting Executive Director of the National Catholic Education Commission.

CSPV will hold their AGM in November and will conclude the year with 8 members on council, the CECV representative, Executive Officer and Administration Officer. The maximum number on council is 11 plus the CECV representative so we are seeking three more applicants in the new year.
For expressions of interest, please visit the CSPV website at www.cspv.catholic.edu.au.

All the best for the remainder of the term.

Until next time,

Morgan Murphy
Chair, CSPV