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Last week I addressed the Council of Priests from the Archdiocese of Brisbane on a range of topics relating to Catholic education in Queensland.
The Council is a small group of priests, chaired by Fr Mark Franklin, that advises the Archbishop on matters of governance.
My presentation focused particularly on funding changes and pressures in both the recurrent and capital areas, enrolments and parent expectations.
The Council members were interested in understanding how funding and other reforms of recent years have impacted on Catholic schools both locally and nationally.
Yesterday, along with QCEC Director Education Yvonne Ries, I welcomed new Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority, Jacqui Wilton, to the QCEC office.
The meeting provided an opportunity to formally welcome Jacqui to her new role. QCEC has a long-standing strong working relationship with Jacqui developed over her years as QCAA’s Director of Curriculum Services.
We look forward to continuing that relationship as Jacqui takes on leadership of QCAA.
It was my pleasure to attend the official opening and blessing of the new Administration Building ‘Presentation Place’ and Arts Precinct ‘Cork’ at St Oliver Plunkett Primary School, Cannon Hill, on Friday.
The building names pay tribute to the Presentation Sisters who first staffed the school when it opened in 1947. Presentation Place was chosen to pay tribute to Nano Nagle who founded the Presentation Sisters and Cork acknowledges the location of her first school.
These new buildings, constructed with the assistance of Queensland Government funding, will benefit both staff and students with modern, fit-for-purpose facilities and learning spaces as the school community continues to grow.
San Sisto College, Carina
Congratulations to Warren Bath who will commence his new role as Principal of San Sisto College, Carina in 2023. Warren has spent the last five years as Principal of Seton College, Mt Gravatt East.

Image source: Seton College
St Joseph's Primary School, Bracken Ridge
Congratulations to Brett Kitchener who has been appointed Principal of St Joseph’s Primary School, Bracken Ridge, commencing January 2023. Brett is currently Principal of Our Lady of Dolours Primary School, Mitchelton.
Recently the Secretariat welcomed Anne Parker who has been appointed to the role of Senior Workplace Relations Advisor at QCEC.
Anne commenced her role in the Secretariat on 1 August and holds qualifications in education and law with a strong background in the Catholic education sector.
Anne has worked most recently at Brisbane Catholic Education in school improvement and compliance roles.
I will be taking a period of sabbatical leave from 17 August to 30 September in order to undertake some further study.
I am grateful to the Bishops of Queensland for supporting this leave.
During my absence, the acting Executive Director role will be shared as follows:
- Steven Jeffrey (17 August-4 September)
- Chris Woolley (5 September-18 September)
- Yvonne Ries (19 September-2 October).
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Online Symposium
QCEC’s Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Online Symposium will take place on Thursday 18 August. The ICT symposium will focus on national education initiatives enabled by technology and is designed for Queensland Catholic education representatives including ICT and education staff from Queensland Catholic School Authorities and their schools. The online symposium will be held from 9am – 3.30pm with final registrations due on Tuesday, 16 August. To register click here.
Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher Certification In-Depth Workshops
QCEC and trained diocesan facilitators are delivering in-depth certification workshops for Queensland Catholic school teachers who intend to apply for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher Certification in 2023. These workshops detail the certification process in greater depth, building on the understandings gained in the introductory session. Find out more here.
#HATCHAT #LEADFEED
The Term 3 #HATCHAT #LEADFEED session will take place on Monday 29 August from 3.30pm. The event gives Catholic school teachers, aspiring to certification in 2022 and beyond, the opportunity to meet some of Queensland’s Highly Accomplished and Lead Catholic teachers online. Aspirants will be able to hear the individual stories of certified teachers, ask questions and gain tips for their own certification journey. Register here.
Missed a Circular? Below is a list of Circulars that have been issued recently. Use your login to access them.
2022 Circulars
081 NAPLAN 2023 preliminary schools information kit
082 Distribution of Grant Interest
083 NAPLAN 2023 updated preliminary schools information kit
084 Reporting Timetable 3rd Quarter Update
085 CSPA 2022 Parent Survey on Student Wellbeing and Learning
086 Opportunity to operate and ECEC facility