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.