‘The future is listening’ was the theme for the event held from September 4-7 that saw over 1,400 delegates including educators, clergy and religious, students, parents, academics and others from across the country come together in Melbourne and online.
Nine representatives from Catholic Education SA (CESA) were invited to chair or present at the event, shining a national light on some of the strategic and innovative work from our offices and schools that are making a difference in the lives of young people in SA.
National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) Executive Director Jacinta Collins says this is the first time in six years that a national gathering has been held.
'We’re very excited to have had the opportunity to come together after the pandemic delayed our conference by two years,’ Jacinta said.
A full range of topics to continuously improve outcomes for Catholic school students and families was covered across the three-day program, including Catholic identity and mission, leadership and governance, learning and teaching, student wellbeing, and parent engagement.
Over 60 keynotes, panels and sessions covered a wide range of topics for educators, leaders, parents and all those involved in Catholic education - including the nine presented by CESA staff.
Nichii Mardon – Director, Catholic Education Diocese of Port Pirie
National Regional and Remote Catholic Education Workforce Strategy
Nichii presented in collaboration with four Director colleagues from Western Australia, Rockhampton, Northern Territory and Armidale Catholic Education systems, on behalf of the national Catholic Education Directors Regional, Rural and Remote Network.
This national group work together to advocate for, share and enable strategic, collaborative initiatives to improve the quality of, and equitable access to, faith, learning and wellbeing opportunities for regional and remote Catholic education.
The Network has a commitment to ensuring every student in regional and remote Catholic schools across Australia has access to high quality education and faith formation. This is supported by providing students in regional, rural and remote Catholic schools with high quality, faith filled and well-formed staff who are aware of localised Catholic school contexts, opportunities and needs.
The panel shared experiences and evidenced impactful system initiatives that target areas directly aligned with enriching outcomes and opportunities for children and young people in regional and remote Catholic schools.
Kerri Dent – Acting Principal, St Mary MacKillop School, Wallaroo
Authentic and Enhanced Catholic Identity in these Increasingly Secularised Times
Kerri’s substantive position is Deputy Principal at St Augustine’s Parish School, Salisbury. During her time as an RE Consultant she has worked closely with many teachers and leaders in Catholic schools in South Australia identifying and promoting ways of having an authentically Catholic identity in these increasingly secularised times.
Kerri’ presentation explored ways of being identifiably Catholic in a contemporary, invitational and well received way that invites people to recognise what the story of Good News has to say to them with the intention of leading to authentic and lasting engagement in their developing faith.
Uby Faddoul – Strategy Coordinator, Catholic Education SA
Growing Catholic Education: Attracting and retaining students
Uby’s presentation focused on strategy and its importance in attracting and retaining students in Catholic schools.
He explored the decline and improvements in enrolments, the reasons for early departures and their destinations, opportunities to improve retention and shared how to apply strategies as a result of analyses and learnings.
Uby also gave some insight into the current CESA enrolment trajectory.
Dr Neil McGoran – Director, Catholic Education SA
‘In conversation’ panel session: Focus on Current Classroom Practices in Lifting Educational Standards
Neil was invited to be a part of this conversational panel moderated by Geraldine Doogue AO.
He was joined by Dr Peter Ellerton, Director – Curriculum and Pedagogy, Critical Thinking Project, University of Queensland; Leesa Jeffcoat, Diocesan Director, Catholic Education Diocese of Rockhampton; Tony Farley, Executive Director, Sydney Catholic Schools; and Marisa Matthys, Principal, St Mary’s School, Greensborough.
John Mula OAM – Deputy Director, Catholic Education SA
David Mezinec – Principal, Tenison Woods College, Mount Gambier
Ros Oates – Principal, St Joseph’s School, Murray Bridge
Blueprint for Step Change: Building new ways for working in Catholic education
John presented an overview of the ‘Blueprint for Step Change’ strategy, CESA’s response to challenges currently experienced nationally in relation to improving educational outcomes for students. David and Ros shared evidence of the impact of the strategy at primary and secondary school levels.
The Blueprint for Step Change reaffirms the moral purpose of our Catholic schools to ensure that all students learn to their full potential so they can graduate to a world where they can make a difference based on the values and beliefs of their Catholic education.
The presentation outlined CESA’s challenge and opportunity to look at new ways of working, based on a common moral purpose influenced by the values and beliefs modelled by the person of Jesus Christ.
Melanie O’Leary – Education Advisor: Middle Years, Catholic Education SA
Marcia Burgess – Senior Education Advisor: Religious Education Curriculum, Catholic Education SA
Limitless Possibilities: A Model of Social Entrepreneurial Education Informed by Catholic Social Teaching
Melanie and Marcia posed the question: ‘Why is the success of Entrepreneurial learning measured by financial profits?’ They surmised that by foregrounding the social aspect of entrepreneurial learning, students are empowered to create new values as they engage with and act upon social, environmental, and cultural issues, in support of the Common Good.
The senior advisors shared CESA’s model of social entrepreneurial learning, titled Limitless Possibilities, which aims to actively engage future generations to be agents of positive change who address challenges through enterprising approaches.
The conference was also joined by Federal Education Minister, Jason Clare MP, and Victorian Minister for Education, Natalie Hutchins MP who addressed the delegates. New to their portfolios, both outlined Labor’s vision for education and confirmed their ongoing support for Catholic education.
Catholic schools are a significant partner alongside government in educating Australia’s children.
From humble beginnings 200 years ago, Australia’s 1,755 Catholic schools now educate more than 785,000, or one in five Australian students.
They are inclusive of students from all backgrounds and have growing numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and students with disability. Almost 40 per cent of Catholic schools are outside major metropolitan areas. In 2021, Catholic schools employed more than 102,000 teaching and non-teaching staff.
Have you considered teaching in a regional or remote school? Catholic Education South Australia has recently launched an Additional Country Teaching Incentive program.
