History
History of the NSWSPC
Hear a short history of Council presented by Bill Kennedy, Brian Ralph and Chris Bonnor at State Assembly 5.3.2010
Origin of the NSWSPC logo
In order to understand the design of our NSWSPC logo, some understanding of the feelings, thoughts and conditions prevailing at the time of its design is necessary.
In 1974, there were three meetings of metropolitan headmasters (principals). These meetings were held in the Canterbury area and were addressed at some length by Mr Arthur Buchan, Director of Secondary Education. Mr Buchan was promoting the idea of a body to represent all secondary headmasters. He wanted this body to be a source of advice to the Department of Education.
An attempt was also being made to set up a Primary Council by Mr Doug Swan, Director of Primary Education.
From the secondary headmasters’ point of view the problems to be overcome in adopting this suggestion appeared to be:
- Suspicion of the Department’s motives by the headmasters present;
- Suspicion and opposition by the Teachers’ Federation;
- Problems of obtaining agreement between the Headmasters’ professional body and a separate professional body, the Headmistresses.
In 1975, a three day conference was held in Wollongong, sponsored by the Department. This was for all secondary principals, both city and country. Further meetings were held in 1976.
In 1977, a two day conference was held at Goulburn. The purpose of this conference was to establish the new Council and to discuss and adopt its constitution. A considerable amount of time was spent in discussing the following concepts:
- Council was to be independent and was to be seen as such by all parties;
- Council members were the leaders in our schools;
- Council was exploring new areas, both with the Department and the Teachers’ Federation.
The Primary Principals’ Association had accepted Department of Education funding and were going to continue to do so for their Annual Conference. The offer of Departmental funding was rejected by the secondary principals at Goulburn because it was thought that it could restrict Council’s independence. Independence was a dominant thread throughout the Goulburn conference.
The SPC logo is made up of a portion of the Eureka flag with a Viking chief’s helmet in its centre.
The Eureka flag was chosen because it represents and is recognised as representing a spirit of independence that is a part of Australia’s history. Council wanted to show that it was an independent body, self supporting and representing principals, ie, answerable to neither the Department nor the Teachers’ Federation when it provided advice on educational matters.
The Viking helmet was chosen as representing leadership. It also represents the unique position of principals in exploring new ideas in education.
The horns on the helmet were drawn in a thinking position rather than standing up defiantly. Council members did not wish to be seen as revolutionaries but rather as quiet achievers and thoughtful leaders.
Harry Brackenbury
Retired Principal
Past Presidents
| Years | President |
|---|---|
| 2024-present | Denise Lofts |
| 2020 -2024 | Craig Petersen |
| 2016-2019 | Chris Presland |
| 2012-2016 | Lila Mularczyk |
| 2010-2012 | Christine Cawsey |
| 2006-2010 | Jim McAlpine |
| 2001-2006 | Chris Bonnor |
| 1998-2001 | Larissa Treskin |
| 1995-1998 | Jim Harkin |
| 1991-1995 | Ron Hurley |
| 1989-1991 | Mary Armstrong |
| 1987-1988 | Ruth Readford |
| 1984-1986 | Nancye Harris |
| 1980-1983 | Bruce Bensley |
| 1977-1979 | Reg Clarke |