Scholastic Excellence
The united voice for the collective interests of principals across all school divisions
As Australia navigates the complexities of a changing education landscape, one voice continues to unite leaders across all school systems — Catholic, independent, and public — in the pursuit of better outcomes for children.
That voice belongs to the Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA), the nation’s peak body representing the collective interests of primary school leaders.
Now in its 51st year, APPA stands alone globally as a sector-wide association, providing a platform for collaboration, advocacy, equity and professional support for school leaders who sit at the heart of Australian communities.
“We’re absolutely committed to the advocacy of children to be at their best through having leaders who are well supported, well connected, and professionally sustained,” says Angela Falkenberg, APPA President. “When principals thrive, schools and communities thrive.”
A Vision for Esteemed, Confident, and Thriving Leadership
Guided by its Strategic Plan 2025, APPA’s vision is clear:
To see primary principals esteemed, confident, and thriving in their leadership.
Its mission:
As the national voice for primary school principals, APPA enhances the education and wellbeing of primary leaders, students, and communities through advocacy and support.
To achieve this, the Association’s work is structured around four strategic pillars:
- Advocacy and Policy Co-design
APPA supports community leaders, educators, and policymakers to better understand the realities of contemporary primary leadership. Beyond traditional notions of principals as “nurturers,” today’s school leaders are strategic, data-driven, and community-embedded professionals navigating increasingly complex challenges.
“We’ve been saying for some time that effective policy requires a shared understanding of the problem before designing solutions,” Falkenberg explains. “Too often, strategies are built on assumptions. For example, if we think school attendance is about teacher engagement, but the real issue is parental mental health or housing insecurity, we won’t get the results we need.”
A cornerstone of APPA’s advocacy is the annual Principal Health and Wellbeing Survey, conducted in partnership with the Australian Catholic University. Now in its 12th year, the longitudinal study continues to reveal concerning trends — including a 75% increase in reported violence against principals since the research began.
“The role has become more complex and more exposed,” Falkenberg notes. “We need a system that protects and sustains our leaders so they can continue to give their best.”
- Growing and Developing the Profession
APPA provides professional learning opportunities through its annual national conference, ongoing webinars, and position papers on key issues — from NAPLAN reform and curriculum renewal to principal wellbeing and support for students with additional needs.
These initiatives help principals reflect on best practice, strengthen their professional identity, and build leadership capability across the sector.
“We’re about connection, collaboration, and professional growth,” says Falkenberg. “Our conferences bring together leaders from every corner of the country to share ideas and innovations that genuinely improve outcomes for children.”
- Influencing Primary Education
APPA plays a vital role in national advisory groups and research collaborations, providing insight on issues such as literacy, bullying prevention, mental health, and equity.
The Association partners with organizations like The Smith Family, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the Australian Catholic University, and the International Confederation of Principals, ensuring Australia’s school leaders remain part of the global dialogue on education reform.
A major focus of current advocacy is underinvestment in the early years — particularly the first 1,000 days of life. Research shows that one in four Australian children starts school developmentally vulnerable, and these gaps often persist throughout schooling.
“Early intervention isn’t just an education issue — it’s a national priority,” Falkenberg stresses. “If we invest wisely in those first years, we change lifelong outcomes.”
- Effective Governance and Transparency
With just 2.2 full-time equivalent staff, APPA runs a remarkably lean operation. Falkenberg serves as the only full-time employee, supported by two part-time staff and a highly active National Advisory Council composed of state and territory presidents from all sectors.
“We’re small, but we’re mighty,” Falkenberg says with a smile. “Our board is strategic, task-oriented, and deeply connected to what’s happening in schools. Through our federated model, we can reach more than 8,000 schools nationwide.”
Principals as Literacy Leaders
One of APPA’s landmark programs, Principals as Literacy Leaders, began in the early 2000s as part of a national effort to strengthen literacy outcomes through more effective resource use and leadership focus.
“It grew from our recognition that if literacy outcomes were to improve, we needed clarity about what worked,” says Falkenberg. “By focusing on the ‘Big Six’ of reading — oral language, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension — schools could better target their efforts and resources.”
The initiative exemplifies APPA’s commitment to evidence-informed practice, collaboration, and practical professional learning that improves teaching and learning outcomes.
Championing Equity and Access
A central focus for APPA is equity in education. Australia’s “long tail of underachievement” continues to reflect the persistent gap between students in affluent communities and those in disadvantaged, regional, remote, or First Nations contexts.
“Achievement shouldn’t be determined by postcode,” Falkenberg says. “But too often, children affected by poverty or isolation start behind — and the system isn’t structured to help them catch up.”
APPA highlights the compounding effects of inequity, from limited access to healthcare and early assessments to housing instability and parental stress.
She recalls an example from South Australia where a collaborative study found that one in four children in low-SES schools had undetected vision issues, compared to far lower rates in wealthier areas.
“These are children who are being underserved — not because schools don’t care, but because they’re already stretched,” she says. “Schools are filling the gaps left by other systems, often coordinating health or social services without additional resources. It’s unsustainable.”
Through advocacy and research, APPA continues to call for cross-sector partnerships and whole-of-society approaches that support schools as community hubs — places where families can access educational, health, and wellbeing services in one trusted environment.
Thrive by Five and Beyond
In 2019, APPA launched Thrive by Five, a national discussion paper emphasizing five foundational pillars of early development — play, talk, eat, read, and sleep — in response to increasing developmental vulnerability among young children.
The initiative underlines the association’s belief that education reform must begin long before formal schooling.
“Early investment pays dividends,” says Falkenberg. “Countries like Finland, which spend nearly three times as much on early years as Australia, consistently show stronger outcomes. We need to look seriously at what that tells us.”
Partnerships with Purpose
Whether collaborating with the Australian Medical Association on child wellbeing or working with Scholastic to promote reading engagement, APPA’s partnerships are deliberately purposeful.
“We don’t have time for token relationships,” Falkenberg says. “Our partnerships have to align with our purpose — supporting children, empowering leaders, and improving learning.”
A recent Primary Education Summit, held at Parliament House, exemplified this focus. The event brought together educators, health professionals, and community partners to explore practical solutions for early intervention, student wellbeing, and system-wide equity. The outcomes will inform a forthcoming APPA report on next steps for policy and practice.
Redefining Success and Reclaiming Purpose
Looking to the future, Falkenberg believes Australia must rethink what success in education means.
The overemphasis on standardized testing, she argues, has skewed priorities and undermined teacher and student engagement.
“We’ve moved from assessment for learning to assessment for comparison,” she says.
“NAPLAN has become high-stakes. We’re calling for it to return to sample-based testing — saving time, reducing stress, and reinvesting those resources where they’ll have real impact.”
Beyond metrics, Falkenberg emphasizes the growing importance of human connection, emotional literacy, and student agency.
“We’re seeing rising loneliness globally. Young people are less confident in building relationships and managing conflict,” she explains. “If we want engaged learners and active citizens, we must teach connection before the curriculum.”
Rebuilding Trust and Respect for Educators
Perhaps most importantly, APPA is working to restore public trust and respect for the teaching profession.
“Educators are credentialed experts in child development,” Falkenberg says. “Yet the public narrative often frames teachers and principals as lacking. That’s not only inaccurate — it’s damaging.”
For Falkenberg, re-establishing professional respect is essential to attracting and retaining the next generation of educators.
“Teachers join the profession because they want to make a difference,” she says. “But goodwill alone isn’t sustainable. We need to value their expertise, resource their work, and let them do what they do best — shape minds and change lives.”
A Call to Collective Responsibility
As APPA marks its fifth decade, its message is one of unity — across sectors, systems, and society. The challenges are complex, but the purpose is clear: every child deserves the opportunity to thrive, not in spite of their circumstances, but because of how communities and systems respond to them.
“We can’t keep asking schools to solve everything alone,” Falkenberg concludes. “Education is everyone’s business. When we elevate educators, support families, and work together, we build the kind of future every child deserves.”
AT A GLANCE:
Name: Australian Primary Principals Association (APPA)
What: The advocacy, educational and resource-based voice representing principals across Australia’s school divisions
Where: Working across Australia
Website: www.appa.asn.au
Contact: info@appa.asn.au
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