Dear SEPLA members.

SEPLA has advocated to be recognised and supported by the Department, since our establishment as the SSP Principal Network in 1995. The first formal meeting of this network was held at Rowland Hassall SSP on 7th September, 1995 to assess if there was widespread support from SSP Principals to establish their own organisation that advocated for identified issues relating to SSPs which needed to be addressed with the Department.

At a Network meeting in June, 1996, the network accepted an invitation to join with members from other States to consider establishing a National Body. The Australian Federation of Special Education Administrators (AFSEA) was formed as the outcome of the inaugural national conference of special education leaders in Adelaide in November, 1997. This name was later changed to the current body ASEPA.

I can announce today that another submission was made to the Department for flexible funding support for SEPLA. This application has now been approved, and for the first time in our proud history we have gained formal and financial support for our advocacy, professional learning offerings and conferences. I have a meeting with Craig Petersen (President of the Secondary Principals Council), Robyn Evans (President of the NSW Primary Principals Association) and Murat Dizdar (Deputy Secretary) this Thursday to establish protocols of how we work effectively and with shared purpose.

I sincerely acknowledge and honour the work of our past SEPLA presidents, executive and members who have paved the way for this momentous day.  

Onward.