Virginia Grantham, SACE Coordinator at Nazareth Catholic College and recipient of the Class Award in this year’s Tom Ffrench Awards for Family Engagement in Catholic Education doesn’t pull any punches when asked about her role. “Unequivocally, (it’s about ensuring) SACE completion for every student. It’s the one way I can guarantee a better future for those kids…it’s not just about getting a job… the whole person seems to be protected with completion of the their secondary education.”
And Virginia’s got a brilliant track record when it comes to achieving that goal with every Year 12 student at Nazareth achieving their SACE over the last 5 years. Virginia is first to acknowledge, though, that this achievement is possible for every young person undertaking the SACE as ‘we have an education system that supports every child. If it didn’t, I wouldn’t support it”.
Coupled with this, is the culture of Nazareth. “Lots of schools ask me to come and talk about the Research Project in their school. I say forget the detail (processes), build the culture of aspiration, achievement and shared pride.”
This culture of shared aspiration, high expectations and pride is now embedded at Nazareth.
Virginia is also quick to recognise that Nazareth’s ‘success for all’ is the culmination of strong partnerships – between school leadership and teachers; between teachers, students and their families; between students, teachers and the SACE coordinator; between the SACE coordinator and families; between the home and the school.
Virginia is, indeed, a worthy recipient of the Federation’s 2015 Tom Ffrench Class Award for Family Engagement in Catholic Education.
Intergenerational playgroups are truly something special — an experience that enriches the lives of both the young and the older members of our community. These playgroups are more than just a space for children to play; they are a vital platform for different generations to come together, share wisdom, and build meaningful relationships.
