Yesterday the Commission held its first face-to-face meeting of the year which was preceded by a welcome to country from songwoman Maroochy Barambah and Mass celebrated by Archbishop Mark Coleridge.

The meeting was also an opportunity to welcome the newest Commission member, Dr Sally Towns, who took up her position as Executive Director of Brisbane Catholic Education earlier this month.

The Commission received a presentation on the findings of the Australian Early Development Census which provided information on the development of the youngest students in Catholic education.

The Commission also endorsed a new Position Statement on the Prevention of Occupational Violence and Aggression which will shortly be added to the QCEC website. The issue of aggression towards staff in schools is a growing one in Australia and this new position statement will assist Catholic School Authorities as they continue to ensure schools are safe workplaces.