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Advocacy and support for public primary school leaders

As education professionals, we understand the needs of schools and their leaders.

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Latest News

SAPPA Conference 2026 Registrations now open

🎉 Register early and WIN!🎉 Register by 1 May to go into the draw to win one night’s accommodation including breakfast. We’re excited to announce that the 2026 SAPPA Conference…

SAPPA Board Members 2026

SAPPA would like to announce our President and Board Members for 2026 Tobias O’Connor President Briony Ackland Burra Community School Josh Anderson McLaren Flat Primary School Ngari Boehm Hahndorf Primary…

Congratulations to our winner and to all who were nominated

Congratulations Amanda Badcock of Aldinga Beach Primary School. Inaugural winner of the SAPPA Early Career Principal Award. An amazing leader with a bright future in public education ahead. We…

SAPPA is proudly sponsored by 18 businesses.

SAPPA members have the opportunity to engage with our valued sponsors who provide high quality products and services at great rates. SAPPA sponsors look forward to the opportunity of speaking with members about their school’s individual needs and how they can assist.

The SAPPA Conference is also a great chance to network with our sponsors and is enjoyed by members and sponsors alike each year.

See Our Sponsors

Welcome from the SAPPA President

Tobias O’Connor

As President of SAPPA, I am proud to represent the strong and credible voice of primary school leaders across South Australia.

Our work is grounded in the lived experience of principals. Every day, leaders are navigating increasing complexity, balancing instructional leadership, workforce challenges, inclusion, and community expectations, often within tight resource constraints.

SAPPA exists to ensure those realities are heard, understood and acted upon.

We work constructively with the Department for Education, government and national partners to influence policy, shape reform and advocate for the conditions that enable schools to thrive. This includes a strong focus on leadership workload, sustainable structures, and the support required to lead effectively in today’s environment.

At the same time, SAPPA remains a professional home for primary leaders. Through our networks, professional learning and member engagement, we support connection, capability and confidence in leadership.

Our members are united by a shared commitment to equity, quality public education and the communities we serve.

If you are a public primary leader in South Australia, SAPPA offers both a collective voice and practical support. I encourage you to be part of this important work.

I look forward to continuing this work alongside our members.

Tobias O’Connor
President, SAPPA

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Current priorities

Leadership workload and sustainability
Inclusion and support systems
Early years reform and school-based preschool
Workforce and leadership pipeline
Representing over 460 primary leaders across South Australia.

Member Benefits

Benefits of belonging to SAPPA include: access to information on current topics, collegiate networking, professional development opportunities and the sharing of common issues and support amongst peers.

SAPPA Talk

One of the most valuable aspects of SAPPA membership is our exclusive chat mail, SAPPA-talk. This is a discussion line for SAPPA members to exchange information, share school policies and practices, discuss ideas and connect with colleagues.

Latest Information and Advice

As a SAPPA member, you’ll receive up-to-date information, notifications and advice about relevant issues including newsletters and ‘real time’ communication from the President.

SAPPA News

An informative collection of current topics collated by the SAPPA President and emailed to members twice per school term.

Annual Conference

The annual SAPPA Conference is a popular and unique learning event and great opportunity to benefit from 2 days of professional learning, collegial connections and networking.
Conference registration
The 2026 conference will be held on Thursday 11 and Friday 12 June in the Wolf Blass Event Centre,Morphettville Racecourse.

Professional Learning Opportunities

SAPPA regularly provides opportunities to attend workshops, webinars and information sessions covering topics relevant to members. SAPPA continues to lobby for effective and systemic professional learning.

Sponsor Deals

SAPPA's 18 sponsors are enthusiastic in their support and provide members with special deals and savings on a range of quality products and services.

Become a Member

Join SAPPA today

SAPPA is a recognised and respected association of education leaders in public primary schools.

SAPPA promotes and influences public primary education, including consultation on development of policies and practices in the Department for Education and nationally.

Become a Member

The 2026 SAPPA Conference will be held Thursday 11 and Friday 12 June. We are excited to announce we will be located at a new venue, the Wolf Blass Event Centre, Morphettville Racecourse. Stay tuned for further details.