As we look forward to the return to school-based learning for all year levels on Monday 25 May, I would especially like to thank our Catholic school communities for their patience and dedication in ensuring the continuity of quality schooling through this time of the pandemic.

Despite the many teaching and learning challenges faced, this experience has taught us that no matter what circumstances we face, we can always find new ways to adapt, draw on our strengths as a community and keep student learning and student and staff wellbeing at the forefront of our endeavours.

Queensland Catholic schools have been working hard to ensure they have the necessary plans in place to meet health requirements when all year levels return on Monday.

My thoughts are also with our boarding schools and boarding families as they face additional challenges in meeting the health requirements that would allow a full complement of students to return.

I continue to attend regular stakeholder briefings convened by several agencies, including the Department of Education, and QCEC will continue to provide updates to Catholic School Authorities as government stakeholders advise.

The Commission held its May meeting yesterday via videoconference.

The Commission was briefed on the extensive work being done in the Secretariat and in Catholic School Authorities to navigate the new circumstances brought about by the pandemic.

The Commission also considered a broad range of governance issues that potentially affect the operation of Catholic schools.

This discussion highlighted for all just how complex school operation has become.

We are challenged every day to ensure we meet a vast array of statutory obligations as well as striving to meet the expectations of students, families, and the broader community while never losing sight of our other critical priorities including learning, faith formation and wellbeing.

The Ministerial Senior Assessment and Tertiary Entrance Taskforce met recently, chaired by Education Minister Grace Grace.

Not surprisingly, the impacts of COVID-19 on the 2020 Senior cohort was high on the agenda with all sectors and all education agencies working together to ensure that the first group of Year 12 to graduate with the new QCE system are not adversely affected.

One of the positives of the pandemic experience has been the reinforcement of the close working ties right across the education sector in Queensland.

EB9 negotiations are continuing and we look forward to positive outcomes in the near future.

Work is currently underway to finalise the terms of a proposed new agreement with a view to offering staff the opportunity to vote as soon as possible.

To stay up to date with all EB9 news, visit the EB website.

Congratulations to Jim Miles who has been appointed Executive Director of Catholic Education Melbourne by the Archbishop of Melbourne, Most Rev. Peter Comensoli.

Jim has extensive experience in education administration and leadership in Victoria’s Catholic and public education sectors.

Jim has been acting in the Executive Director’s role for some months and I look forward to continuing to work with Jim and his team and wish him all the very best as he takes over the role permanently.

Caption: Executive Director of Catholic Education Melbourne, Jim Miles

The 2020 National Catholic Education Conference has been postponed due to restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is disappointing that NCEC has had to make this decision but given the uncertainty still ahead of us it is the only possible course.

A new conference date is yet to be finalised and all abstract authors will be contacted to discuss the next steps.

World Teachers’ Day (WTD) 2020 will take place on Friday 30 October with the theme the many faces of teaching.

Catholic school teachers who would like to be featured in the WTD cross-sectoral campaign are encouraged to:

• provide their details using the online submission form;
  
  
• provide a suitable headshot to Amber Smith from the QCEC Communications team via email at ambers@qcec.catholic.edu.au.

This is a great opportunity for teachers and school communities to be involved in World Teachers’ Day celebrations. Submissions close Friday 29 May.

#thankqldteachers

 

Do you know someone who is developing an improved understanding of Indigenous cultural heritage in a Catholic school? 

Nominate them now for the Aunty Joan Hendriks 2020 Spirit of Catholic Education Reconciliation Award.

Nominations close Friday 26 June.

Parents and caregivers are reminded that funding is still available for transport through the Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme.

Applications for this semester’s student travel rebate will remain open until 31 May.

To find out more about eligibility requirements, click here.

To stay up to date with all the latest news from QCEC and Catholic schools across Queensland, follow our social media pages listed below.

Missed a Circular? Below is a list of Circulars that have been issued recently. Use your login to access them.  

2020 Circulars

050     Online formative assessment initiative – seeking user research school nominations

051     Teacher suspensions and cancellations

052     Student report requirements semester 1 2020

053     School hygiene assistance fund

054     NAPLAN online key activities status update

055     Review of the Australian Curriculum – QCAA request for nominations for working groups