The CSPA Council Meeting on 14 and 15 May was the first (almost) full face-to-face meeting since February 2020.  The meeting was attended by Karl Rodrigues (Chair); Rachel Saliba & Matthew Williams (VIC); Dr Pep Turner & Don Ryan (TAS); Carmel Nash OAM & Wayne Crase (QLD); Siobhan Allen & Marina Hayward (WA); Trish Jarvis (SA) (via Zoom); Wayne Davie & Christine Morrison (NSW); Selina Walker (via Zoom) & Nicole Pollock (Proxy) (ACT & Goulburn) and John O’Brien (Executive Officer).   Sarah Rose (CSP ACT + Goulburn) and Fr Michael Twigg OMI were apologies.

Special guests who addressed the meeting included Nicholas Moore (NCEC Chair) and Jacinta Collins (NCEC Executive Director) who updated CSPA members on the work of NCEC with focus on the upcoming federal election, funding for Catholic schools, enrolments including pre-school, capital development, student outcomes and a number of evidenced based initiatives for improvement and the right of parents to expect high quality education for their children.

Karl Rodrigues (CSPA Chair) moved a vote of thanks to Nicholas Moore and Jacinta Collins after their presentation at the CSPA council meeting.

Cameron Wood (ACSRF Head of Marketing and Business Development) and Justin Colley (ACSRF Business Development Manager) gave an update in relation to ACSRF matters and a key focus was on the possible merger with Uni Super.  Reference was also made to the financial literacy program articles provided to CSPA. 

Wayne Crase moved a vote of thanks to ACSRF’s Cameron Wood and Justin Colley after their presentation at the CSPA council meeting.

Some other discussion points at the meeting included:

• Special welcome of those new to CSPA, included: Matthew Williams (VIC), Christine Morrison (NSW) and Nicole Pollock (ACT and Goulburn);
• Building up the bank of CSPA images of parents and children in school settings;
• Member reports, which touched on a broad cross-section of topics;
• Strategies in relation to the Federal election;
• CSPA representative sign up to various CSPA committees;
• An update regarding CSPA NT;
• Updates of project work;
• Remaining meetings for 2022, including 3 & 4 September in Melbourne and 5 & 6 November in Adelaide; and
• The sign off of the CSPA Rights and Respectful Relationships Position Statement.