Board Communique October 2025
Dear Members
Principals Australia Research Foundation Ltd.’s (PARF) Board met at the Grand Chancellor Hotel, 65 Hindley Street, Adelaide on the 15 October 2025. The agenda included 4 key matters:
1. Investment Portfolio Manager Tender
2. Research and Development Panel and Funding 2026.
3. PARF’s Strategic Plan 2025-2028
4. Board capability and director skills matrix.
Investment Portfolio Manager Tender
The Board received an overview of the tender process, the proposals submitted by the 4 tenderers (in alpha order) Canaccord Genuity, JBWere, Koda Capital & TMS Private Wealth, and considered the recommendation from the Finance and Investment Committee. The Board resolved to appoint the recommended Koda Capital as the Investment Manager for PARF from the beginning of 2026 for a period of 7 years with a review no later than 5 years. A letter of thanks will be forwarded to JBWere, the current investment manager for the service and support of PARF. The Board acknowledged the work done by Director Matthew Wigzell and the Finance & Investment Committee he chairs in working through the tender process.
Research and Development Funding for 2026
The PARF Research Funding Panel received 7 applications for consideration. The panel noted the growing awareness and credibility of the funding program and was impressed by the standard of the applications. The Board considered the recommendations from the Research Funding Panel and was pleased to approve 4 recommended research projects for funding, requiring the Board to approve an increase in total funds allocated to $135,000 for 2026. This is the highest allocation granted by PARF for research projects. 3 applications were unsuccessful. The Board acknowledged the work done by Director Jayne Heath and the Research Funding Panel she chairs in assessing the applications. The allocations in alpha order are:
1. ACTPA - Navigating System Reform: ACT Principals’ Leadership, Agency, and Collaboration in Time of Change.
The panel noted the project focused on system implementation and change management. The project is looking at how principals exercise effective leadership to implement system wide reform. The project is a collaboration between University of Canberra and ACTPA.
2. APPA = Stronger School, Fairer Futures: Developing Principals to Lead for Equity: Professional learning for principals to lead Whole-School Change with Equity and Care.
This project presents as complex; however, the application was well written and addresses the research funding criteria. The literature review on educational leadership research will be a valuable document. Incorporating the AGPPA research was noted. The focus on equity and development of PL for leaders based on Australian research would be welcomed. The thematic mapping of leadership research was a strong point of the application.
3. ASPA - System Leadership in Action: Codesigning approaches that empower principals as catalysts of reform.
The panel noted that this project is very timely and innovative. Identifying the factors that enable principals to be system leaders and leading reform will be of strong interest to all principal associations. The project presents the opportunity to grow awareness of the role of principal advocacy as individuals and through principal associations.
4. QASSP - Why We lead: What Sustains Principals in Challenging Times?
The panel noted the project is taking a positive approach to the challenges of principalship. They are wanting to report on the positive aspects of the principalship. The project aims to inform PL for principals and identify ways to lift the profile of the principal. There is evidence of strong collaboration with university and principal association. The panel noted that there is a strong opportunity to expand the research to other states and territories, and sectors.
The Board looks forward to the outcomes of each funded research project.
PARF Strategic Plan 2025-2028
The Board resolved that the amended strategic plan for 2025-2028 be adopted and published on the website.
Board Capability and Directors’ skills matrix.
The Board considered the revised draft capability matrix for Directors. The Board resolved that the matrix be modified by deleting the Behavioural Competencies and Demographic data and that the Directors assess themselves against the revised matrix.