Although the official launch of this year’s Catholic Education Week (CEW) was cancelled due to the COVID-19 restrictions, it is wonderful to see so many Queensland Catholic schools and offices continuing to mark their own celebrations this week, drawing on the central theme of 175 years of Catholic education.

While every Catholic school is as unique as the community it serves, they are drawn together by common values and a shared heritage, as highlighted on the 175 years website.

In 2020 we have faced new and unexpected challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, but once again Catholic schools have responded by reassuring students and providing continuity of teaching and learning.

At the heart of our school communities are many of this year’s Spirit of Catholic Education Award nominees who I know will be acknowledged by their communities this week.

You can view the list of 2020 Spirit of Catholic Education Award Nominees.

For schools that continue to celebrate Catholic Education Week this week, resources are available on the CEW website.

Best wishes for the week ahead and I look forward to seeing the highlights shared through the Catholic education social media channels.

Last week I attended a meeting of the Ministerial Skills Roundtable, chaired by Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman.

The group provides advice to the Queensland Government on strategies to ensure that young people are being provided with the skills and training that will be needed in the workforce of the future.

The meeting was an opportunity to look at Queensland’s skills and training effort in both the national context and in light of the State Government’s economic recovery planning.

Also last week the Federal Government released Looking to the future – Report of the review of senior secondary pathways into work, further education and training.

The report proposes a new national approach to senior secondary education. Key recommendations include:

• Introduce a Learner Profile that will identify a student’s range of skills, knowledge and experiences both from inside and outside the classroom.
• Develop a national strategy with the Skills Council to deliver VET to secondary students.
• Strengthen career guidance by creating a network of hubs providing individualised career guidance with an initial focus on regional and remote areas.

At both State and Federal level there is some significant education policy work being undertaken which will potentially influence how our schools deliver senior secondary education in coming years.

The Queensland Catholic Education Commission is seeking feedback from Catholic School Authorities to inform a written submission in response to the Australian Government’s review into the Disability Standards for Education 2005 (the Standards).

Feedback can be submitted via a Questionnaire, until Friday 20 August 2020.

The Standards are reviewed every five years to ensure equal access and opportunity is provided to students with disability.

The Standards help students with disability and their families know their rights and make clear the obligations of all education providers – from preschool and kindergarten through to vocational education providers and universities.

Further information regarding the Review is available on the AG DESE website.

Queensland Catholic School Authorities are being asked to encourage teachers to participate in the Australian Teacher Workforce Data (ATWD) Teacher Survey.

The ATWD Teacher Survey will assist in providing a clearer picture of the profession to ensure teachers are adequately supported throughout their careers and provide employers with more robust and accurate insights into teacher supply and demand issues.

It will also provide an insight into the opportunities and challenges facing teachers while ensuring schools are well resourced to provide quality learning for every child.

Teachers will receive a link to the survey when it opens on 3 August from the Queensland College of Teachers.

The survey will remain open until 7 September.

If you require further information, or you do not receive a link to the survey by 3 August, contact atwd@aitsl.edu.au.

Applications are currently being accepted for the Schools Plus 2020 grant round.

Eligible schools can receive grants of up to $30,000 for strategic projects that improve learning outcomes for students.

Entries close 11 September. To find out more click here.

QCEC is hosting a free online seminar presented by the Catholic Leaders Formation Network on Wednesday 19 August from 3pm to 5pm.

This will introduce participants to the opportunities of the Network and there will be a keynote presented by the highly regarded Professor Br David Hall FMS.

Professor Br David is the Dean of ACU’s La Salle Academy and his keynote will address the topic, “What sort of leaders do we want for the future? Implications for contemporary evangelisation.” Register here.

Circulars

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

2020 Circulars

068     2016 Parish social profiles

069     National Online Learning Services Developments

070     Commencement date for changes to Blue Card requirements

071     Reporting Timetable 3^rd Quarter 2020 Update

072     Review of the Disability Standards for Education 2005

073     Impact of COVID-19 Disruption on NGRSF 2020 Projects

074     Spirit of Catholic Education Awards Nominees

075     Distribution of Grant Interest

076     Non-Government Schools Census 2020 Update – Remote and Flexible Learning

077     Australian Teacher Workforce Data initiative

078     Term 3 2020 Levies

079     Cancellation 2020 QCEC Student Protection Forum

080     NAPLAN Online School Readiness Test