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As students return to school, Dr Neil McGoran, Executive Director of Catholic Education South Australia, reflects on the rich heritage that awaits them....

As school bags are packed, uniforms pressed and lunchboxes prepared, the 2025 academic year brings with it excitement and opportunities for students, families and staff across our 101 Catholic schools and colleges in South Australia.

From our young learners beginning Reception to our Year 7 students transitioning to secondary school education and our Year 12 students embarking on their final year of schooling, Catholic education provides guidance and support so students can thrive in every step of their learning journey.

This year marks 180 years since South Australia’s first Catholic school was started by Bishop Francis Murphy, who sent husband and wife, Mr and Mrs James, to establish the school in a temporary chapel in Pirie Street, Adelaide. 

This is a significant milestone for Catholic education and an important time to reflect on our rich heritage of faith, learning and community.

Today, that notion of school as an extension of family remains at the core of Catholic Education South Australia.

Catholic schools offer more than just academic excellence. They are communities who work in partnership with families to educate and nurture the whole person. May our students continue to grow as thriving young people, capable learners and leaders for the world God desires.

In 2025 we are also celebrating a Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church with a series of events across our schools to mark the occasion. The Catholic Church celebrates a Jubilee Year every 25 years, offering a time of reflection and renewal. This year’s theme, Pilgrims of Hope, invites us to walk forward with faith and expectation. With more than 54,000 students being taught the Christ-centred tradition and values at the heart of our faith, I am confident that they will carry this spirit of hope into the future, shaping a world rooted in relationships, compassion, justice and love.

For students and their families joining Catholic education, it’s the start of something remarkable. Imagine the possibilities that lie ahead for these young learners who will grow into the leaders, thinkers and innovators of tomorrow. It’s a testament to the enduring role of Catholic schools in shaping not just minds but hearts – instilling values that go far beyond the classroom.

Staff new to Catholic education will begin their journey with a mix of anticipation and determination, ready to make their mark. I wish them every blessing as they commence their work in this truly rich and rewarding vocation.

And for all of us – students, families and educators alike – the year ahead is filled with promise, purpose and hope.

I pray that, for our students and their families, 2025 will be a year of significant personal growth, good health, exceptional learning and rich faith formation.

As students return to class for 2025, let us embrace the opportunities to flourish – academically, emotionally, and spiritually; let us celebrate the dedicated staff who make it all possible; and let us build meaningful relationships with the families who entrust us with their children’s education.

Best wishes for the 2025 academic year.

This story was featured in the Southern Cross, February 2025