Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) is committed to providing an affordable, accessible choice of high-quality education for families in all Catholic schools.
One in every five Catholic schools in South Australia is located in a regional, rural or remote community.
The heart of Catholic education beats strongly in our regional schools, located across the outback, mining fields, Aboriginal lands, the Riverland, the Flinders Ranges, the South East, the Clare Valley and in towns along the gulf up and down the Eyre and Yorke peninsulas.
Teachers in regional Catholic schools have many opportunities to grow, learn and lead as a key member of staff within the school and broader school and town community.
Typically, Catholic schools were first established in regional areas to provide quality Catholic education for the children of regional, rural and remote families. This mission remains at the forefront of these schools today. Teachers and leaders have a direct and significant influence on continuing this vision and on students in these areas.
There are many professional, personal and lifestyle benefits that come with teaching and living in regional South Australian communities, for both early career and experienced teachers.
Choosing a career in country teaching is as much about lifestyle as it is about a rewarding career.
“There are a lot of great reasons to teach in a regional, rural or remote community, such as fulfilling your sense of wonder and adventure, and connecting deeply with your school community. Regional centres offer a safe, family friendly environment where teachers and their families are embraced in community life”, said Nichii Mardon, Director, Catholic Education Diocese of Port Pirie.
“Working in Catholic schools in regional towns enables leaders and teachers to have a direct and significant impact on the learning outcomes and opportunities for children and young people in these places. The work itself can be life changing for students and for teachers who live and learn in partnership with each other.”
“School leadership opportunities are enhanced, supported and more readily available for aspirant leaders in regional, rural and remote Catholic schools.”
“As part of a system of Catholic schools dispersed across the state, our country schools are strongly connected, supported and aligned to the broader Catholic Education South Australia landscape.”
“We are passionate about education in our country areas and as part of this we aim to encourage and support the best teachers to work in our country schools.”
CESA offers many opportunities, further benefits and significant additional supports to attract, support, develop, and retain high quality teachers in country Catholic schools.
A range of incentives on offer for regional, rural and remote school teachers, including early career teachers, include:
In addition to the incentives, each year, the South Australian Commission for Catholic Schools (SACCS) offers up to five Catholic Country Teaching Scholarships for aspiring teaching students.
Applications are open to third and fourth year education graduates including those enrolled in a post-graduate educational degree at a tertiary institution in South Australia, who are equally as passionate about establishing a life and commencing a teaching career in the country*.
Recipients of the Scholarship receive:
Other supports and opportunities of country teaching include:
“These towns are sought-after holiday destinations and places that embrace newcomers. You can live and work in the places many families go for holidays!” added Nichii.
Applications for 2021 Catholic Country Teaching Scholarships close at 9am, Friday 30 October 2020.
*South Australian country areas are defined as those 70 km or more away from the Adelaide GPO
Dr Neil McGoran, Director, Catholic Education South Australia, and His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le AC, Governor of South Australia have recorded video messages to the graduating class of 2020, to acknowledge the challenging year that Year 12s have faced.
