Next week we will mark Ash Wednesday, the beginning of this year’s Lenten journey. The Project Compassion theme of Be More is drawn from a quote from St Oscar Romero: Aspire not to have more, but to be more.

It is a theme that, in many ways, reflects what we do in Catholic education every day – aspiring as teachers and leaders to be more and to show the young people in our care how to find their own ways to be more in the world.

The Congregation for Divine Worship has provided guidance on the appropriate distribution of ashes on Ash Wednesday. While not specifically directed at schools, it recommends that during the pandemic ashes are sprinkled over the heads of the congregation members rather than applied to the forehead.  

The advice from the Congregation is available here.

The Productivity Commission has released the Childcare, Education and Training section of the annual Report on Government Services.

The report brings together data from the education sector including funding arrangements, student to staff ratios, attendance rates, retention levels and student outcomes.

It provides a useful overview of the education sector and all it delivers within the context of the broad range of services delivered by government.

I was delighted to attend the opening and blessing of the Edmund Rice Cultural Centre (ERCC) at St Mary’s College, Toowoomba last week.

I attended alongside members of the school community including Principal Brendan Stewart, Bishop Robert McGuckin, Fr Tom Duncan, Fr Ray Crowley and representatives from the Toowoomba Catholic Schools Office.

The ERCC will provide endless possibilities for students and the wider school community as it will host many events including performances, Masses, assemblies and sporting activities.

Pictured below: Photo: Edmund Rice Cultural Centre; Photo L-R: Fr Tom Duncan, Dr Lee-Anne Perry AM and Dr Pat Coughlan; Photo L-R: Bishop Robert McGuckin with College leaders

Catholic School Authority staff are invited to attend training workshops, facilitated by QCEC, for teachers and school leaders to develop and promote a shared understanding of the Australian Government NCCD Guidelines, including any revisions or changes.

Due to venue restrictions places at these workshops are limited - to register for a workshop in your diocese during Term 1 please click on this link.

The Queensland Government has published a new Students with disability website to provide information for parents, carers and the wider school community.

Within the site, Queensland Catholic school communities now have access to the Support to Non-State Schools section which provides access to forms and support materials for Catholic and independent schools.

The next Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) will commence in Term 2.

In the 2018 census Queensland Catholic schools achieved 100 per cent participation and we hope to achieve this again in 2021.

The AEDC provides valuable information to help make a difference in the lives of children, their families and the wider community by building a more complete picture of the health, wellbeing and development of children to better support children and their families.

To find out more about the census visit the AEDC website here.

I would like to congratulate Sally Egan on her appointment as Deputy Director of the National Catholic Education Commission.

Sally’s career spans 30 years' experience in all sectors of schooling, most recently in executive leadership roles within the NSW Department of Education.

I wish Sally all the best in her new role and welcome her to the Catholic educator sector.

Photo source: National Catholic Education Commission

The Australian Catholic University (ACU) has welcomed Professor Belinda Tynan as its new Provost.

Professor Tynan will commence her role this month and we wish her all the best during her time with ACU.

To find out more about Professor Tynan’s appointment click here.

Photo source: Australian Catholic University

Catholic school communities will soon receive their prayer cards for students and staff ahead of the upcoming launch of 200 years of Catholic education in Australia.

The National Catholic Education Commission will host a virtual event at 9am and 1pm AEST on Thursday 18 February.

A streaming link for the virtual event will be shared soon via the NCEC website.

The newly published book Not Forgotten Australian Catholic Educators 1820-2020  features 30 biographies of Catholic educators over 200 years.

Edited by Seamus O’Grady and Anne Benjamin, it showcases the stories of women and men who have built and shaped Catholic education in this country. It is an excellent resource to inform and influence new generations and Catholic educators.

You can find out more here.

Please note that all QCEC Secretariat staff will be attending a professional development session on Friday 12 February between 9.00am – 11.00am. For any urgent matters during this time please telephone the main reception 3316 5800.

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

2021 Circulars

007    Reporting Timetable 1^st Quarter 2021 Update

008     Distribution of Grant Interest

009     Automatic Mutual Recognition of Occupational Registrations, including teachers

010     National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Worker Program

011     NCEC – First Nations People Representation

012     State Census 2021

013     Teacher Suspensions and Cancellations