• ACE: Australian Council of Education
• ACEL: Australian Council of Educational Leaders
• ACER: Australian Council of Educational Research
• ACPPA: Australian Catholic Primary Principals Association
• ACSSO: Australian Council of State School Organisations
• AGPPA: Australian Government Primary Principals Association
• AHISA: Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia
• AITSL: Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership
• APC: Australian Parents Council
• APPA: Australian Primary Principals Association
• ASPA: Australian Secondary Principals Association
• CaSPA Catholic Secondary Principals Association
• DEEWR: Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
• IPSHA: Independent Primary School Heads of Australia
• MCEECDYA: Ministerial Council of Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs
• NAESP: National Association of Elementary School Principals (USA)
• NAHT: National Association of Head Teachers (UK)
• NZPF: New Zealand Principals Federation
• OPC: Ontario Principals Council
• PA: Principals Australia

APPA - Who Are We?

• The Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) is the national professional association for primary school principals in Australia.
• APPA represents affiliated state and territory Government, Catholic and Independent primary schools across the nation (over 7,000 members).
• APPA is the national voice on national issues. It speaks directly to the Federal Government on matters that concern school principals and their school communities.
• Each state and territory has up to three delegates on the National Executive Council, (one from each of the Government, Catholic and Independent sectors). They meet regularly throughout the year to direct and plan strategically for action and representation.

Our Purpose

APPA’s Core Business

• Be a viable, independent and credible national body.
• Be recognised as a key stakeholder in the national educational debate in Australia.
• Influence the national educational agenda (including appropriate resourcing) and decision making.
• Meet regularly with federal and state government representatives.
• Engage in educational research.

The National Executive Council (NEC)

• One Government, one Catholic and one Independent principal from each state and territory (23 members - one member represents the Independent affiliates in NSW & ACT);
• National presidents of the three national affiliates (if not representing their state sector, the national presidents are there as Observers);
• One elected full-time President; and
• One full-time Executive Director.

The Purpose of the NEC

The Four Pillars

Generally, the NEC operates as a whole council. From time to time it may be more productive or expedient to work in committees based on four distinct pillars.

Key Goals

The following activities have been identified as significant for the coming period. They are presented using the previously developed "four pillar" approach.

Secretariat

The Secretariat is comprised of seven members:

• President
• Deputy President
• Government Sector Representative
• Independent Sector Representative
• Catholic Sector Representative

• Executive Director
• Immediate Past President

The Secretariat of APPA (Inc.) shall comprise the President, Deputy President and one member elected by the National Executive Council from each of the three sectors. In addition, the Immediate Past President shall remain an ex-officio member for one calendar year following the appointment of the Secretariat. The Executive Director is appointed ex-officio for the full term of the Secretariat.  One Secretariat member is elected as Treasurer.

Roles of NEC Members

National Executive Council members shall:

• Represent their affiliates at meetings of the National Executive Council.
• Accept responsibility for communication between their association, the NEC and Secretariat.
• Actively promote and engage in the core business of the association.
• Participate fully in the Pillar activities.

Roles of Secretariat Members

President
The President is the Chief Officer of APPA. The President:

• presides at all meetings of the NEC and ensures that the business of APPA is conducted in due form and with propriety;
• is an ex-officio member of all committees of APPA; and
• is the official representative and spokesperson of the association.

Deputy President

The Deputy President shall:

• provide high level support and advice to the President;
• accept delegated responsibility for APPA tasks from time to time; and
• be prepared to accept the responsibilities of the President in his / her absence.

Treasurer

The Treasurer, in association with the Executive Director:

• is responsible for the keeping of the accounts and financial records of APPA;
• presents a financial statement to each NEC meeting;
• presents an audited financial statement and balance sheet to each Annual General Meeting;
• prepares an annual budget for the forthcoming year;
• keeps record of all accounts passed for payment; and
• is a signatory to all cheques drawn on the approved bank account.

Executive Director

The Executive Director, in collaboration with members of the Secretariat:

• attends meetings of NEC and Secretariat;
• provides executive level support to NEC and Secretariat to facilitate the conduct of APPA business;
• undertakes the duties of Property Officer of APPA;
• is responsible for the receipt, production, answering and filing of applicable correspondence;
• is responsible for the keeping of records and Minutes of NEC and Secretariat;
• is responsible for the keeping of a register of all affiliates of APPA;
• is responsible for the keeping of a register of all members of NEC;
• arranges for the distribution to members, as early as possible, such records, Minutes, Newsletters and any other applicable information which shall from time to time become available;
• liaises with the Treasurer in maintaining appropriate Financial records and processes;
• liaises with the President to maintain the strategic direction of the Association;
• executes management plans to build the capacity of the Association;
• liaises with Business Partners; and
• invoices all Member Affiliates, Professional Learning Service Members and Associate Members for membership fees.

Immediate Past President

The Immediate Past President:

• provides high level support and advice to the President; and
• accepts delegated responsibility for APPA tasks from time to time.

Membership 2010

APPA's Finances

APPA draws its income from the following sources:

• Affiliate fees ($450 + $30 per member)
• Business Partnerships
• National Conference Licence Fee and share of profit 
• Government grants / projects
• Management fees.

Conferences

APPA will hold an annual conference as provided for in the APPA constitution. The purpose of this conference is to:

• provide professional development and an independent forum for the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA) and primary principals across Australia.
• provide the opportunity for members to interact and socialise.
• provide an opportunity for the host state or territory to promote local associations and local primary education.
• promote the development, viability and operations of State/Territory APPA Chapters.
• provide the opportunity to promote future APPA National Conferences.

The Australian Primary Principals Association Annual National Conference Convenors

• 2000        :    Christchurch (Trans Tasman Conference - with New Zealand)
• 2001        :    Brisbane
• 2002        :    Perth
• 2003        :    Adelaide
• 2004        :    Melbourne (Trans Tasman Conference - with New Zealand)
• 2005        :    Canberra
• 2006        :    Alice Springs
• 2007        :    Hobart
• 2008        :    Sydney
• 2009        :    Gold Coast
• 2010        :    Perth
• 2011        :    Adelaide
• 2012        :    Melbourne (Trans Tasman Conference - with New Zealand)