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Welcome back to what I know will be a busy Term 3 as the teaching and learning journey continues in Queensland Catholic school communities.
Schools continue to face many disruptions as COVID-19, influenza and a variety of other winter illnesses spread through the community forcing both staff and students to remain at home. Catholic schools continue to meet these challenges with resilience.
As the usual routines of school life recommence this week, many schools already have preparations underway to celebrate Catholic Education Week (CEW) from 24-30 July.
CEW provides us with an opportunity to share with each other and the wider community the successes of Catholic education in Queensland.
This year’s theme of Communities of Faith, Hope and Love reminds us that Catholic schools are places where the Christian life is lived out and is on display to all around us.
Follow the QCEC Facebook page for details of the CEW state launch in Toowoomba on 26 July and further information about how to access the livestream event links.
View our Term 3 back-to-school gallery below.
I would like to acknowledge and congratulate the seven recipients of this year’s Spirit of Catholic Education Awards.
This year more than 180 nominations were received from Catholic school communities across the state. Some of the wonderful work being done in Catholic schools by staff, parents, carers and volunteers in our Catholic school communities is recognised through this awards process.
These recipients have all demonstrated excellence through teaching, leadership, service, or support for the community.
The seven recipients of this year’s awards are:
Spirit of Catholic Education Awards:
Kay Holmes, Our Lady’s College, Annerley
Wayne Wood, St Mary’s Catholic College, Woree
Clare Plant, St Joseph’s Catholic School, Mundingburra
Helen Howell, Emmaus College, North Rockhampton
Brian Cantwell, St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba
Andrew Beiers, Brigidine College, Indooroopilly
Aunty Joan Hendriks Reconciliation Award
Jennifer King, St Monica’s College, Cairns
Read more about this year’s recipients on the Catholic Education Week website here.
The fifth Plenary Council concluded last Saturday at the end of a week of deliberation and voting by delegates on a wide range of motions. Catholic School Authorities may wish to note Motion 3.3 which was passed with a qualified majority on both the consultative and deliberative votes. The motion endorses the establishment of a national forum on Catholic education.
Motion 3.3
That those responsible for Catholic schooling and early childhood education, in consultation with representatives of Catholic parents’ groups and parish-based organisations, led by the National Catholic Education Commission and drawing upon the document A Framework for Formation for Mission in Catholic Education (2017), establish a national forum, which will seek to:
- identify and respond to the needs of the diverse and distinct circumstances of Catholic schools in Australia;
- build partnerships which enhance the vision of Catholic education as an instrument of evangelisation and an essential dimension of the contemporary mission of the Church;
- offer a process for critical reflection and discernment of the vocation of Catholic education today;
- support formation opportunities for catechesis, faith formation, leadership development and religious education pedagogy; and
- to assist parish engagement with schools and young people.
Full details of the Plenary Council motions and voting outcomes are available here.
Commission Chair Hon Margaret White AO and I were pleased to meet with the Consul-General of Timor-Leste, Luciano Valentim da Conceiҫão, in Brisbane on 29 June.
The purpose of the Consul-General’s visit was to explore possibilities and seek support for the teaching of Timor-Leste history in Catholic schools.
Many Catholic schools have links with Timor-Leste through a variety of church organisations and other charities. It was interesting to discuss with Mr Valentim da Conceiҫão how we might continue to strengthen our ties.
Photo L to R - The Hon. Margaret White AO, Luciano Valentim da Conceiҫão and Dr Lee-Anne Perry AM
I attended the Breaking Down Barriers for Apprentices event hosted by the Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development, Di Farmer, on Thursday 30 June.
The event highlighted the barriers faced by apprentices and trainees in their workplaces with a focus on boosting female apprentices in male-dominated occupations.
During her address, Minister Farmer announced the government had accepted all 12 recommendations of the Queensland Training Ombudsman’s report into support for the state’s apprentices and trainees.
The recommendations outline additional ways to boost female participation and include engaging companies to develop strategies for the employment of more women. Read the media statement here.
Congratulations to St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie, which received a national award for Exceptional Cultural Connection by a Boarding School.
The college received recognition as part of the Indigenous Boarding Awards run by Indigenous Education and Boarding Australia. It recognises the value of cultural connection through activities and programs that connect boarders with Indigenous culture.
St Teresa’s College was commended for its cultural connection by having a Reconciliation Action Plan, celebrating festivals, displaying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and presenting cultural dances.
Image: Staff and students from St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie
Kathleen Jones concluded her employment at QCEC recently to take up a new role at the Local Government Association of Queensland as Manager, Workforce Services and Industrial Relations.
During her time with QCEC, Kathleen worked with the Workplace Relations team to assist stakeholders with complex employment matters.
I would like to congratulate Kathleen on her new opportunity and also thank her for her service to QCEC and Catholic education over the past two years which have been some of the most difficult years schools have faced in managing workplace relations.
Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher Certification Information - Term 3
QCEC will host and facilitate introductory and in-depth sessions online and in all dioceses throughout Term 3 for teachers who would like to find out more about Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher Certification. To register for a session click here.
Early Career Teacher Mentor Session (presented by QCT) Online (Tuesday 26 July)
This session, presented by the Queensland College of Teachers, and facilitated by Louise Dunlop, Townsville Catholic Education, is for mentors in Queensland Catholic schools who support early career teachers in their transition to full registration. Register here.
Ed-LinQ – Gaming and Screen Use in Students Workshop Brisbane (Thursday 11 August)
The Statewide Ed-LinQ Program are offering a four-hour workshop addressing gaming and screen use in students. These face-to-face workshops are available at no cost to interested Queensland Catholic school staff. Please register your attendance as places are limited.