Australian Primary Principals Association

The APPA 2026 Conference Program has officially launched.

Packed with leading experts, practical workshops, and powerful conversations, this year’s program is built to deliver more than inspiration — it’s designed for real impact in your school.
This is a valuable opportunity to invest in your professional development and explore innovative ideas that can be directly applied within your school community. Join fellow principals from across the country to strengthen your leadership and drive meaningful outcomes for your staff and students.

View the program here: https://appaconference.com.au/program/

We would really value your support with important research by Edith Cowan University that builds on the 2025 APPA Medication in Schools survey findings.
School leaders are increasingly managing complex medication needs within their communities—work that often sits outside funded resourcing yet is critical to student care and wellbeing.
If you are able, please consider contributing to this research. Your insights will help build a clearer picture of this growing responsibility and strengthen the collective voice advocating for appropriate support.
Thank you for the care you show every day, and for considering being part of this work.

We would really value your support with important research by Edith Cowen University that builds on the 2025 APPA Medication in Schools survey findings.
School leaders are increasingly managing complex medication needs within their communities—work that often sits outside funded resourcing yet is critical to student care and wellbeing.
If you are able, please consider contributing to this research. Your insights will help build a clearer picture of this growing responsibility and strengthen the collective voice advocating for appropriate support.
Thank you for the care you show every day, and for considering being part of this work.

📣 Register your interest! Food and nutrition messaging in schools: School Professionals
A/Prof Gabriella Heruc’s research team at Western Sydney University and University of Newcastle are recruiting school professionals (e.g., teachers, canteen staff, principal, school counsellors/psychologist) to provide feedback on a draft version of the school food and nutrition messaging guidelines in a one-off online session (1.5 hours).
Your feedback will help ensure the guidelines are relevant, clear, and acceptable to the people they are designed to support.
🔗 To learn more and register your interest: tinyurl.com/FGA-Guidelines
Please share with anyone who may be interested!

We’re thrilled to announce Virginia Haussegger as the emcee for this year’s National APPA Conference.

A commanding yet compassionate speaker, Virginia brings warmth, wit and insight to every stage. Her keynotes challenge complacency and spark action - inspiring audiences to lead with purpose, courage and conviction.
An award-winning journalist and author, Virginia is one of Australia’s most influential voices on gender equality, leadership and media.

Her thought-provoking commentary is regularly published in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times, where she examines the intersections of gender, politics and power. Her latest book, Unfinished Revolution: The Feminist Fightback, is a powerful and deeply personal call to action for women’s equality and collective courage. She also hosts BroadTalk, a podcast featuring candid conversations with Australia’s most prominent female leaders about courage, influence and change.

We’re excited to welcome Virginia to our 2026 program! Don’t miss your chance to be part of it. Early bird pricing is now available.
Register today: www.appaconference.com.au

Congratulations to Paul Clegg – APPA Life Member
The Australian Primary Principals Association is delighted to recognise Paul Clegg with APPA Life Membership, honouring his significant and enduring contribution to primary school leadership at a national level.
Paul has been a passionate advocate for primary principals and for the work of APPA over many years. His service includes membership of the APPA Board, participation on the National Advisory Council, and leadership through his role as IPSHA National President (2020–2022). He currently serves as IPSHA Executive Officer, continuing to strengthen connections across the profession.
Paul has been a committed supporter of APPA conferences, contributing to conference committees and helping shape the professional dialogue that supports primary leaders across Australia. He was also instrumental in establishing the IPSHA–APPA Connect, helping keep IPSHA members engaged with APPA’s national work and ensuring strong representation of IPSHA on the APPA Board and NAC.
Known by colleagues as collegial, inclusive and deeply committed to principal education, Paul has dedicated decades to strengthening leadership in primary schools. His career also includes long service as Head of Junior School at Somerset College (2007–2022) and over a decade as editor of the IPSHA newsletter, helping connect and inform leaders across the sector.
Paul’s advocacy, generosity and unwavering commitment to the profession make him a most worthy recipient of APPA Life Membership.
👏 Thank you, Paul, for your outstanding contribution to primary school leadership.

APPA’s National Council met in Canberra this week, bringing together primary leaders from across Australia to focus on the issues shaping our schools.
Council members engaged in thoughtful discussions on rising child and parent anxiety, the implications of AI in education, and the development of position papers on school camps and excursions, principal autonomy, and clear communication between schools and families.
On Tuesday evening, APPA hosted the Parliamentary Friends of Primary Education event at Parliament House. We are grateful for the strong support of Federal Education Minster Jason Clare and co-chairs Joanne Ryan MP and Julian Leeser MP, whose advocacy for the primary years is deeply valued.
Our guest speaker, Pasi Sahlberg, reminded us why play matters in a compelling presentation titled Play Matters: Growing Thriving Australian Children. He emphasised that play is the natural work of childhood and the foundation of healthy development. Through play, children build creativity, problem-solving, self-regulation, and social skills while strengthening their emotional wellbeing. In short, play is not a break from learning—it is one of the most powerful ways children grow and thrive.
Life Membership was awarded to the wise and collegial APPA contributor, Paul Clegg from Queensland.
Advocacy for the primary years remains a key focus for APPA in 2026.
Follow our work at .connect and see the important life-shaping work happening every day in Australia’s primary schools.

🚨 Registrations are now OPEN for the 2026 APPA National Conference!

Join primary school leaders from across Australia for an inspiring four days of connection, ideas, and leadership in action. We’re excited to be heading to the Nation’s Capital, and 2026 is shaping up to be an incredible program.

⏰ Early bird rates are now available, so secure your place and take advantage of the discounted registration while you can.
🔗 Register now: https://appaconference.com.au/registration/

A Year in the Life of a Primary Principal
Influence doesn’t always sit behind a big desk… sometimes it rocks bright green socks and sits cross-legged on a classroom chair. 💚🧦
Our campaign shines a light on the real, everyday moments of primary leadership, the conversations, the care, the quiet decisions that shape an entire school community.
Want to see what real leadership looks like in action?
Head over to .connect and check out the newest post featuring Dean.
Trust us, this is one you’ll want to press play on. 🎥✨

Leading Learning at East Derwent Primary School
A huge thank you to Ted Barrance and the team at East Derwent Primary School for hosting APPA President Angela Falkenberg and The Hutchins School, Head of Junior School, Steve Coventry, for an inspiring visit.
It was a privilege to see first-hand how learning and children are the priority at East Derwent. We were impressed by the thoughtful, student-centred programs implemented to support every child at their specific point of need.
Key highlights from our visit included:
• Conditions for Learning: Creating environments where every student feels known, heard, and included.
• Purposeful Design: Thoughtful use of space and building design to enhance engagement.
• Holistic Support: A deep focus on personal and social management alongside targeted learning interventions.
• Joy & High Expectations: Balancing fun, play, and exploration with a culture of high expectation.
• Community Connection: Strong family engagement and a meaningful commitment to learning about First Nations stories and histories.
The dedication to fostering a "Together We Grow" culture is evident in every classroom. We walked away with so many valuable insights into what high-impact primary leadership looks like in action.

APPA President: What happens when leadership time is hijacked?
APPA is pleased to share a new article by APPA President Angela Falkenberg “What happens when leadership time is hijacked?”, now published in Education Matters online.
The article draws on Unveiling the Ripple Effect: How Offensive Behaviours Impact School Leaders’ Productivity, a new research report commissioned by the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) and conducted in partnership with Australian Catholic University (ACU).
The findings are sobering. The report estimates that the productivity cost of school leaders managing offensive behaviours is at least $206 million each year.
Key findings include:
• 94% of school leaders reported experiencing offensive behaviours
• Offensive behaviours reduce leader productivity
• Offensive behaviours are linked to reduced wellbeing
• The estimated annual productivity loss is at least $206 million to the education sector
Participants called for stronger systemic support and targeted professional learning to prevent and respond to offensive behaviours.
Imagine what school leaders could achieve if their time wasn’t consumed managing the fallout from offensive behaviour?