This is the final Communique for Term 2 and I would like to wish all Catholic school staff a peaceful and restful break over the coming holidays.

This has been a term like no other we have known and I once again thank all staff for their wonderful response to the many challenges that we have faced so far in 2020.

Catholic schools have shown themselves to be innovative, creative, compassionate and resilient in the face of a constantly changing situation to deliver continuity of learning for the young people in our care.

I hope we can all rest a little over the holidays in readiness for whatever Term 3 holds.

The Commission held its June meeting yesterday, once again as a virtual meeting, a way of business we are all coming to accept more frequently as part of the new normal.

The Commission accepted recommendations for 2020 round of capital projects and more information about these projects will be available in coming weeks. My thanks to all members of the Capital Assistance Assessment Committee who met over four days last week for a rigorous examination of all projects put forward for capital assistance.

Yesterday’s Commission meeting also included a presentation on the latest MySchool data with a focus on information about school funding across all sectors.

The Commission also endorsed a proposal to conduct Governance Forums for Catholic School Authorities later this year.

The EB9 process is now in its closing stages with staff due to vote on a new Enterprise Agreement next week.

The voting period to approve the proposed Agreement will start on Wednesday 24 June 2020 and close on Sunday 28 June 2020.

Staff can access all relevant information prior to voting by visiting the EB website.

It has been a long and arduous process to finally reach a proposed Agreement and we look forward to seeing the outcome of the vote. My thanks to all those involved in the negotiations for their tenacity in progressing the EB to this point.

Over the last week QCEC has intensified our advocacy around the restrictions currently preventing some boarding students from returning to school.

The review of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee’s (AHPPC) guidelines which place significant restrictions on the operation of many boarding facilities is taking an unacceptably long time and I have written to the Premier seeking her intervention to speed up the process.

The ABC picked up the story across its radio, television and digital platforms and subsequent stories have appeared in News Corp publications highlighting the number of students still not benefiting from face to face learning.

I have also taken up the issue with Queensland LNP Senator Susan McDonald who has undertaken to discuss the matter with relevant federal ministers.

The Secretariat is farewelling two valued staff members as they embark on exciting new paths.

Rosie Barnes, Personal Assistant to the Director-Education, would be known to many Communique readers through her work on behalf of the Education Team at QCEC, particularly in managing the team’s many events. Rosie is leaving to move to the United States to be with her fiancé.

Dana Messer, Senior Education Officer, is taking up a leadership opportunity with the Department of Education to support early career teachers.

We thank Rosie and Dana for their contribution to QCEC and wish them both all the very best as they begin the next stage of their journey.

TEACHX Awards
The Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) is hoping to see an increased number of entries from the Catholic sector in its TeachX Awards this year.

The awards are an opportunity to recognise the accomplishments of inspirational Catholic school teachers who have been under-represented in the awards in recent years.

The TEACHX Awards, formerly known as the Excellence in Teaching Awards, recognise and celebrate the efforts of teachers with six categories to choose from including: Excellence in Beginning to Teach, Excellence in Teaching, Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning, Outstanding Contribution to Teaching, Outstanding Contribution to School Community and Innovation in Teaching.

Entries close Friday, 24 July.

Spirit of Catholic Education Awards
There is still time to nominate for the Spirit of Catholic Education (SOCE) Awards before entries close on Friday, 26 June.

The SOCE Awards recognise those who have made outstanding contributions within their Catholic school communities.

You can find out more about the award categories and how to nominate here.

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

2020 Circulars

058     Teacher Suspensions and Cancellations

059     Data Collection and Compliance Activities Update

060     Student Attendance (STATS) Collection 2020 Data Technical Specifications

061     National Agreement for Skills and Workforce Development Review