QCEC will continue to monitor the current evolving COVID-19 situation and inform Catholic School Authorities of any updates as they are provided by the Queensland Government. 

At this time, it is important to note that the Queensland Government has determined current gathering restrictions will not impact the existing rules for school operations or school activities/events. 

From a compliance perspective, schools have a general exemption for activities necessary for their normal operation. 

Further to this, school authorities are advised to continue working to the current COVID Operating Guidelines for Queensland Schools.

With increased COVID-19 cases being identified in parts of south-east Queensland however, school authorities should be alert to the risks in their regions and risk manage events and school operations accordingly. 

As has been the case for most of this year, school authorities should be prepared for changes in restrictions at short notice if cases increase in parts of Queensland. 

The Commission held its August meeting last week and COVID-19 was on the agenda.

In particular, Commission members discussed the learning at home experience and provided reflections on how that had played out across the state. 

The overall impression was that learning from home had been a positive experience for most students and schools.

There were, however, groups for whom it was less positive, particularly high needs students and those in the early years. 

We will continue to review our own and other jurisdictions experiences during the pandemic to ensure we remain able to quickly respond to change while still delivering high quality education. 

The Commission also reiterated its desire to advocate with the Queensland Government for the introduction of Positions of Authority offences.

Such offences recognise the breach of trust and abuse of power associated with cases where staff members maintain sexual relationships with students 16 years or older i.e. above the age of consent. 

The introduction of this type of offence was a recommendation from the Royal Commission but disappointingly it has not been included in the Queensland Government’s recently introduced Child Sexual Offences Reform bill.

QCEC will continue to advocate with MPs and parties for its inclusion in legislation. 

Following the Commission meeting, QCEC Chair Margaret White and I met with the Bishops of Queensland to discuss a range of issues affecting Catholic education.  

On Monday I joined the Principals of RI/PJP schools via zoom video conference for our quarterly meeting. 

It was an opportunity to update them on national policy initiatives and included discussion around the key findings of this year’s NCCD data and implications for RI/PJP schools, the status of the NGRSF work plan and projects and the review of the Queensland Professional Experience Reporting Framework.

It was also timely for Kerrie Tuite, Executive Officer for the RI/PJP Education Committee, to introduce Meg Ryan, the newly appointed RI/PJP Inclusive Education Consultant and outline the focus areas of her role. 

QCEC will continue to meet with all Catholic School Authorities on a more frequent basis in relation to COVID-19 matters in addition to the quarterly meetings with Directors and RI/PJP principals. 

Last week I joined the five Diocesan Catholic Education Executive Directors for the quarterly Directors Forum gathering.

We welcomed to part of the meeting Cathy Uechtritz, Director, Government Relations for the Archdiocese of Brisbane.

Cathy outlined the nature and focus of her role and her recent advocacy work with State and Federal politicians.

Directors also discussed a range of topics including the Plenary Council and changes to Catholic Professional Standards Ltd.

The Directors also had the opportunity to meet together with the Queensland Bishops the following day to discuss current and emerging educational issues.  

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference this week released its report The Light from the Southern Cross: Promoting Co-Responsible Governance in the Catholic Church in Australia. The report addresses issues of diocesan and parish governance and management. 

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommended that the Catholic Church undertake a review of its governance arrangements and this report is the result of that review. 

The report is broad ranging and includes recommendations regarding child safety, senior diocesan leadership, finances and a range of other topics which are of interest to Catholic schools.

The report is available here.

Manager – Capital Programs

As his retirement on 4 September draws closer, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Terry Leavy, Manager – Capital Programs, for providing 20 years of dedicated service to QCEC.

Terry is the longest serving of our current Secretariat staff.

Terry has performed a leading role in the administration and management of Government capital grants across Catholic School Authorities.

During his time with the Secretariat, Terry has been involved in hundreds of school capital building projects from Hammond Island in the Torres Strait to Cunnamulla in the far south-west and many locations in between.

I would like to wish Terry all the best for his retirement and thank him again for his wonderful contributions to Catholic education in Queensland.

As Terry leaves us, I would like to welcome Meg Macaulay into the role of Manager – Capital Programs.

Meg comes to QCEC from Okeland Communities Pty Ltd where she was a Senior Development Manager at Providence Estate, Ripley Valley.

Meg has over 20 years of development and delivery experience in significant urban development and infrastructure/capital works projects in Australia and the Middle East.

Meg will take up the role from Monday 7 September 2020. 

Personal Assistant to Director Education

I would also like to welcome Christine (Chrissy) McClelland who has been appointed to the role of Personal Assistant to Director – Education.

Chrissy has previously worked as a PA to senior partners in two legal firms and in recent years has established and helped to run a small-medium enterprise.

Chrissy will commence her new role with the Secretariat on Monday 31 August.

I would like to thank Chloe Coombe from the Cathedral College, Rockhampton for her report on discussions at the Ministerial Student Advisory Council meeting on 21 August.

Chloe was selected as the representative for Catholic schools earlier this year and is one of 16 students across the state who had the opportunity to share with the Minister for Education perspectives on important education matters.

As Chloe’s report outlines, the students found pros and cons in learning from home. Of note was their increased appreciation for the role of their teachers. They have also suggested some ways in which schools might better prepare for disruptions of this sort in the future.

Catholic School Authorities are encouraged to share Chloe’s report from the meeting with their school communities.

You can read and download a copy of Chloe’s report here.

Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher Certification 2021 - Online information sessions available

QCEC in partnership with the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT), will be delivering Introductory Sessions and In-depth Workshops regarding certification for Highly Accomplished Teachers and Lead Teachers (HAT & LT), via Zoom in Terms 3 and 4 of 2020.

Please note, the number of events is limited and is based on the availability of QCT staff. Places are filling quickly.

Click here to view the remaining available sessions and register.

Microsoft webinars for Catholic school staff – August/ September

Microsoft is providing a series of webinars for Queensland Catholic sector staff on a range of leadership, curriculum and technical topics. To view the topics and register for sessions of interest click here.

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

2020 Circulars

084   NCCD 2020 Reflection Phase Sessions

085   Student Attendance 2020 Commencement and Charges

086   Commission Meeting Dates in 2021