Australian Secondary Principals' Association

ASPA National Summit: 24–25 March 2026 Australian Secondary Principals' Association

Registrations are now open for the 𝗔𝗦𝗣𝗔 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: 𝘼𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙀𝙦𝙪𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙀𝙭𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚, to be held at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.

Learn more & register: tcm.swoogo.com/aspa2026
#ASPA2026NationalSummit

A big week of leadership in Queensland! Andy Mison is connecting with principals, delivering a ‘National Agenda’ workshop, and attending the QSPA state council. Thank you to outgoing QSPA President Mark Breckenridge and welcome to new QSPA President Kirsten Ferdinands!

We were pleasantly surprised to see ASPA president Andy Mison included in Newscorp's 'National Education Power List' this week. It's a welcome recognition of ASPA's advocacy and influence on behalf of public school leaders.

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ASPA President Andy Mison had the privilege of speaking to the NSW Secondary Principals Council retired principals group yesterday about the national landscape. This experienced group plays an important role in supporting current leaders and public education. We stand on the shoulders of giants!

ASPA President Andy Mison attended the NSW Secondary Principals Council State Council last week to hear Murat Dizdar speak in strong support of public education, calling to close the ‘learning poverty gap’ and boost micro-credentialling for Years 9–10.

South Australia Sets New National Benchmark for School Community Safety The South Australian government has introduced comprehensive legislation that represents Australia's most thorough framework for protecting school staff and communities from harmful behaviour. The Edu...

South Australia sets a new national benchmark for school safety, with stronger protections for staff and students and a focus on supportive school communities. Explore our latest blog: www.aspa.asn.au/post/south-a...
#SchoolSafety #StudentWellbeing #EducationReform

The Australian Government is continuing its support for aspiring teachers through the Commonwealth Teaching Scholarships Program.

📅𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝟑 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝟏𝟕 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
Learn more: education.gov.au/teaching-sch...
Toolkit: 6469bd8b-c707-41f7-aa9d-fcf04f3563ff.filesusr.com/ugd/d0bd1d_b...

Applications are currently open for schools based in 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗮 and the 𝗔𝗖𝗧 to take part in this national initiative.

We encourage all eligible applicants to review the details provided in the post below and consider submitting an application.

#EntrepreneurialSchools

ASPA President Andy Mison met with Shadow Education Minister Julian Leeser MP to discuss principals’ wellbeing, raising esteem for educators, the National Teaching and Learning Commission, and equity and excellence for all students.

Beyond Resilience: A Systemic Approach to Educator Wellbeing is an Urgent National Priority The quality of a nation’s education system is a direct predictor of its future prosperity, innovation, and social cohesion. At the heart of this system are our teachers and school leaders, professiona...

ASPA President Andy Mison reflects on the importance of a collective, system-wide commitment to strengthening educator wellbeing. This piece emphasises that meaningful reform depends on addressing systemic pressures impacting school leaders and teachers. Read blog: www.aspa.asn.au/post/beyond-...

Today, on 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀’ 𝗗𝗮𝘆, we acknowledge the remarkable contribution of teachers across Australia. We commend the dedication, skill, and care of teachers who inspire learning and nurture the potential of young Australians. #WorldTeachersDay #HatsOffToTeachers

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄’𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻!

Attend the online information session tomorrow, Thursday, 30 October 2025, from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm (AEDT).

Register here: events.humanitix.com/2026-2027-en...

The Productivity Commission, AI and schools By Chris Bonnor, former President of the NSW Secondary Principals’ Council and Director of ASPA. He is co-author (with Tom Greenwell) of Lessons from Canada – an equal school system is possible. As a ...

A thought-provoking read from the ASPA blog on how school reforms and AI risk amplifying inequalities unless systemic barriers are addressed. As Chris Bonnor says, “AI doesn’t level the playing field – it exposes and amplifies existing inequalities.” Read: www.aspa.asn.au/post/the-pro...

Learn how your school can accelerate student agency and innovation. Join the upcoming 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟯𝟬 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿, 𝟭:𝟯𝟬–𝟮:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗔𝗘𝗗𝗧. EOIs are also still open until 14 November.

Details: www.aspa.asn.au/entrepreneur...

ASPA Directors Colin Axup (VASSP) and Mark Breckenridge (QSPA) are concluding their terms this year, and the Board celebrated and acknowledged their leadership and service to public secondary education at the national level over the years with ASPA. Thank you, Colin and Mark!

The ASPA Board met with Jo Palmer MLC, Tasmanian Minister for Education, and Ginna Webster, Secretary, DECYP, in Hobart. Discussions focused on public secondary education, school leader wellbeing, admin burden, and student success. ASPA remains committed to collaboration.

ASPA President @andymison.bsky.social and TPA President Mat Grining visited Don College and Sheffield K–12 School in Northern Tasmania - two innovative schools delivering fantastic programs and outcomes. Inspiring public school leadership! Thanks John & Wendy for having us!

The 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗹𝘀' 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗔𝗦𝗣𝗔), in partnership with 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 (𝗬𝗖𝗔), is proud to launch 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀!

EOI opens TODAY: aspa.asn.au/entrepreneurial-schools

#EntrepreneurialSchools #InnovationInEducation

The Entrepreneurial Schools project is a two-year national initiative supporting secondary schools to strengthen student agency and innovation. Delivered by Young Change Agents and ASPA.

EOIs open October 15, 2025

Learn more: aspa.asn.au/entrepreneurial-schools

ASPA has been in New Delhi this week for the ICP Annual Council with a strong Aussie contingent. School leaders from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Oceania & Europe gathered under the theme Leadership in Action to examine critical challenges in educational leadership globally.

Advocacy & Activism: Nothing About Us, Without Us! In a recent ASPA post, Australia’s Education System Is Not Failing — But the Narrative Is, Craig Petersen was critical of our nation’s reliance upon standardised test data in shaping education directi...

Is advocacy enough? Dr. Peter Mader's new piece on the ASPA Blog explores the role of activism in education reform. He argues for greater involvement of school leaders in policy decisions. "Nothing about us, without us." Read here: www.aspa.asn.au/post/advocac... #educationpolicy #advocacy #activism

Very excited to partner with Australian Learning Lecture and @aspaleaders.bsky.social to launch the Next Generation Learning Initiative this week in QLD and ACT. School staff and students come together to access professional learning, next-gen assessment tools, and create learner profiles #nextgen

ASPA President joined students and colleagues from around the country at the 3rd annual We Are More meeting in beautiful Arrente Country, Alice Springs. This movement to support learner agency, realise the Mparntwe goals, and enable every young person to thrive is growing across Australia.

ASPA WELCOMES FEDERAL COMMITMENT TO STREAMLINING EDUCATION SUPPORT Australian Secondary Principals' Association calls for profession-centred approach to proposed Teaching and Learning Commission The Australian Secondary Principals' Association (ASPA) welcomes effort...

ASPA welcomes the Federal Government's proposal for a new Teaching and Learning Commission, provided it delivers real benefits for Australian students and schools.

Read our full response: www.aspa.asn.au/aspa-welcome...
#EducationReform #AustralianEducation #SchoolLeadership #TeachingProfession

ACEL and headspace Schools & Communities are partnering on a national pilot to strengthen mental health and wellbeing supports for school leaders. Register your EOI today: headspace.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

For inquiries, please contact: schools&communities@headspace.org.au

ASPA President @andymison.bsky.social joined Queensland DG Sharon Schimming and two student leaders on a panel reimagining education—from hierarchy to partnership, where students are co-architects of their learning. ASPA looks forward to seeing Queensland schools lead this shift.

A big turnout of QLD public secondary school leaders in Brisbane for the future-focused QSPA conference 'What If?'. We heard from Queensland Minister for Education John Paul Langbroek and QSPA President Mark Breckenridge opened the conference, celebrating 60 years of QSPA growth and strength.

Joint Statement by ASPA and AGPPA On July 21, 2025, Australia's two national peak bodies for public school principals and leaders, the Australian Secondary Principals’ Association (ASPA) and the Australian Government Primary Principal...

ASPA and AGPPA, representing over 11,000 leaders from 7,500 government schools serving 2.8 million students, have released a joint statement outlining shared priorities for Australian education. Read the full statement: www.aspa.asn.au/joint-statem...

Victorian Education Minister Ben Carroll highlighted the strong performance of Victorian public schools and acknowledged there is more work to do to fully fund our schools and address conditions for teachers and school leaders, at the VASSP conference in Melbourne today.
@andymison.bsky.social

ASPA Responds to 2025 NAPLAN Results: Time to Move Beyond Test Scores to Address Systemic Inequities The Australian Secondary Principals' Association (ASPA) today responded to the release of the 2025 NAPLAN National Results, emphasising that while modest improvements are encouraging, the persistent a...

Addressing systemic inequities requires a multi-faceted approach. Following up on our recent post, we're exploring solutions that support students, teachers, and communities. Join the conversation!
Blog post: www.aspa.asn.au/post/naplan-...
Media Release: www.aspa.asn.au/aspa-respond...