I hope everyone had a wonderful and refreshing holiday break to prepare for the busy time ahead as students return to the classroom for Term 4. 

The year has brought many challenges, but once again Queensland Catholic school communities have shown their resilience, creativity and adaptability in ensuring quality teaching, learning and wellbeing outcomes continue to be delivered throughout 2021. 

For our Year 12 students entering their final term of schooling it is an especially busy and poignant time and we wish them all well as they navigate these final few weeks with the ever-present uncertainties of COVID-19.  

Some of our excited learners are featured in the gallery below.

While we had good news of no locally acquired COVID-19 cases in Queensland today, the precarious position of the last few weeks has once again highlighted the need for schools to be ready to pivot to a new set of restrictions at a moment’s notice.  

We had hoped mask restrictions in schools might be able to be dispensed with by the end of the holidays but that has not been possible and more Local Government Areas have been included in the mask restrictions.  

These restrictions are set to be reviewed next week and the Queensland Catholic Education Commission will continue to provide updates regarding any changes to restrictions in schools. 

The most recent outbreaks have also led to a significant increase in exposure sites, including shopping centres which would have been visited by hundreds of school families over the holidays.  I encourage everyone to keep track of the current COVID-19 exposure sites listed on the Queensland Government website here. 

The conditions for border zone residents have also been a state of constant flux as outbreaks are detected in northern New South Wales. This has been particularly difficult for schools with students and staff living across the border. The conditions to be able to travel into Queensland are available here.  

Following advocacy from QCEC, the Education Minister Grace Grace has established a committee to examine the issue of ventilation in Queensland schools. 

There has been some recent media attention on this issue as well in light of the ongoing pandemic and the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19 among young people.  

I have been invited to join the committee as a representative of the Catholic sector and all sectors will be represented on the committee. 

This is an important issue for schools and the first step is to establish whether schools have inadequate ventilation and, if so, what might be a proportionate response.  

In Queensland the design of our schools is mostly suited to our tropical and sub-tropical climates so we do not suffer from some of the ventilation issues experienced by more enclosed school designs in southern states.  

Nevertheless, it is important for the ongoing health and wellbeing of our school communities that we explore these issues and, if necessary, develop and implement appropriate guidelines and standards for our Queensland school context.  

The 2022 Capital Round will open to applicants on 25 October 2021.  

The Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) is the approved agent to administer capital grants on behalf of the Australian Government Block Grant Authority and Queensland Government Capital Assistance Authorities.

QCEC’s role is to receive and assess applications for capital assistance from affiliated schools and make recommendations to the Minister for Education (Australian and State Governments). 

Catholic School Authorities (CSAs) may apply for capital assistance for the planning, construction, alteration, extension, renovation, relocation or upgrading of educational facilities for students; boarding facilities for students (and supervisors); and residential accommodation for teachers in remote areas (subject to Ministerial approval).  

To assist CSA’s who would like to apply, QCEC will conduct information sessions about the program, application process and eligibility requirements throughout Term 4.  

Click on the links below to book your preferred session by 15 October 2021.

Townsville - 22 October 2021 - 8:30am  
Toowoomba - 27 October 2021 - 11am  
Cairns - 26 October 2021 - 9am  
Rockhampton - 5 November 2021 – 11am  
Brisbane Session 1 – 8 November 2021 - 9am 
Brisbane Session 2 – 8 November 2021 - 1pm

Twenty-five Queensland Catholic kindergartens will benefit from additional funding to improve learning and developmental outcomes for children. 

The Department of Education will implement the $40 million Kindy uplift pilot from 2022 to 2024 to strengthen children's educational and developmental needs and improve children’s access and participation in the full range of kindergarten experiences.  

The program focuses on five priority areas including social and emotional capability, physicality, thinking and responding, oral language and communication, and access and inclusion. 

Kindergartens to receive funding were pre-selected by the department based on need determined by characteristics including:  

- Number and concentration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander enrolment
- Number and concentration of children from communities with lower parental educational attainment/occupation skill level (using ABS education/occupation index by SA2)
- Number with low English proficiency and low education/occupation 

Participating kindergartens will be required to spend at least 80 percent of their funding on pre-approved items including evidence-based initiatives, programs, professional learning and support. 
 
The program will commence in Term 2, 2022. Details of the program are available here. 

Twenty-nine of Queensland’s most inspirational teachers and school leaders have been named as finalists in this year’s Queensland College of Teachers TEACHX Awards.

Congratulations to the following six finalists from the Catholic education sector:

Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award 
Ariel Hsu-Chia Chen, St James College, Fortitude Valley  
Gayle Walkom, St Patrick’s College, Townsville  

Excellence in Teaching Award 
Deana Dodds, Loreto College, Coorparoo 

Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award 
Daniel Crump, Stuartholme School, Toowong  

Outstanding Contribution to School Community Award 
Elyse Johnston, St Laurence’s College, South Brisbane 

Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award 
Susan Rheinberger, St Patrick’s College, Townsville 

The winners of the QCT TEACHX Awards, which are the only Queensland awards that recognise teachers from all schooling sectors in all subjects, and early childhood services state-wide, will be announced on 28 October, the eve of World Teachers’ Day celebrations in Queensland.

“These inspirational finalists have made extraordinary differences to their students, their colleagues, their communities and the teaching profession. The QCT feels privileged to be able to share and highlight their outstanding work,” QCT Board Chair Emeritus Professor Wendy Patton said. 

My congratulations to all educators who have been recognised in the 2021 Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) National Awards. 

Head of College, Michael Newman from Marist College, Ashgrove, was one of five recipients of the ACEL Leadership Award for Excellent educational leadership in developing and implementing a significant educational initiative, conducting research or influencing educational policy. 

I would also like to congratulate Patrea Walton who received the prestigious ACEL Gold Medal for ‘Most outstanding contribution to the study and practice of educational administration and leadership’. Patrea in her former roles with the Queensland Department of Education, including as Deputy Director-General, has always been a supporter of Catholic education. 

I was delighted to attend a number of ceremonies to celebrate Queensland Catholic school anniversaries and a new building opening recently. 

All Hallows’ School this year celebrates its milestone 160th anniversary. I attended an event to celebrate the school’s rich and diverse history as both the oldest continuing school in Queensland and the first secondary school for girls in the State. 

I also joined the St Ursula’s College, Toowoomba, community to celebrate 90 years of Ursuline education in Toowoomba with a Mass lead by Bishop Robert McGuckin.  

At San Sisto College, Carina, it was great to join the school community to celebrate the opening and blessing of the extension to the FraAngelico Creative Arts Centre. The college celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and will host the San Sisto Alumni 60th Celebrations in November. You can read more about this event in an article published on the QCEC microsite here.  

Congratulations also to schools at opposite ends of the state that recently celebrated their centenaries. St Monica’s School, Oakey, in the Toowoomba Diocese, and Mount St Bernard College at Herberton in the Cairns Diocese both held celebrations with their communities during the school holidays. 

The Australian Teacher Workforce (ATWD) Teacher Survey will close on 8 October.

The ATWD provides valuable information about teacher wellbeing and helps to identify how teachers can be better supported as they deliver quality learning.

The Queensland Catholic Education Commission encourages all registered Queensland Catholic school teachers and school leaders to participate in the survey to ensure their visions are reflected in the national dataset to inform future reforms, policy, and funding.

For further information, email atwd.secretariat@aitsl.edu.au. 

The National Catholic Education Commission will host the Faith in the Future Virtual Symposium later this month.

The free virtual event comes amidst 2021 celebrations for World Teachers’ Day and the Bicentenary of Australian Catholic education. The symposium is suited to Queensland Catholic school educators and leaders interested in joining the discussion on teaching as a profession and effective ways to draw out student potential.

The program will feature keynote speaker Dr Lyn Sharratt, followed by a panel discussion moderated by broadcaster, Geraldine Doogue.

The symposium will take place on Wednesday, 27 October from 3pm - 4.15pm (AEDT). Register here.

I would like to congratulate Brigidine College student Millie Kent who is a recipient of the 2021 Queensland Secondary Schools Citizenship Awards.

Millie was the successful Catholic school award winner among 62 applicants from across Queensland.

The awards recognise students for outstanding community service and encourage them to consider Australian Citizenship and the importance of volunteering and contributing to their community. Find out more about the awards here.

Image: Citizenship award recipient Millie Kent with her mother Miriam, father Mark and brother James.

I would like to welcome and congratulate six new principals of Queensland Catholic schools to commence in Term 1, 2022. They are: 

• Bronwyn Buckley, St Matthew’s Primary School, Cornubia 
• Marcus Richardson, Aquinas College, Ashmore 
• Martina Millard, Marymount College, Burleigh Waters 
• Paul Begg, Villanova College, Coorparoo 
• Renay Condon, St Mary’s Primary School, Beaudesert 
• Petrea Hass, St Patrick’s Primary School, Gympie 

Applications are now open for the Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS). 

The scheme provides financial assistance for families transporting students to non-state schools in Queensland. 

Applications must be submitted by 31 October, 2021 for Semester 2 travel.

To find out more about eligibility requirements click here. Alternatively, watch the NSSTAS introductory video below.

Missed a Circular? Below is a list of Circulars that have been issued recently. Use your login to access them.    
  
2021 Circulars 
 
091     Federal Minister Statement of Intent 
092     National Code for Boarding School Students 
093     Grant opportunities for Indigenous boarding providers 
094     Teacher Suspensions and Cancellations 
095     Information Sessions Capital Projects for 2022 Round