The Commission held its March meeting last week and was briefed on the initial enrolment data for 2022. There are now 158,747 students enrolled in Queensland Catholic schools. Commission members also received a briefing on the Year 12 outcomes for 2021.

Commission members were also updated on some of the policy reforms and initiatives emerging from the Quality Initial Teacher Education Review and a number of associated programs. 

Several of the recommendations of the review have specific implications for Catholic School Authorities and their interactions with Higher Education Institutions that provide initial teacher education. However, any Government decision on accepting and implementing the recommendations will likely depend on the outcome of the forthcoming Federal election.

The Commission also endorsed the continued rotation of Queensland Catholic Education Week (CEW) launch events around the dioceses. The launch this year will be in Toowoomba and I look forward to returning to the Cairns diocese for CEW in 2023.

Similar updates were provided this week to the Term 1 meeting of RI/PJP principals, including information on 2021 Year 12 outcomes, advice in relation to the upcoming federal election and a summary of Non Government Reform Support Fund activities.