Congratulations to three students from Our Lady Queen of Peace School, Albert Park who were announced yesterday, Monday 18 November, as the national winners of the Kids in Space program.
Year 6 students Zahlia, Amelia, and Charlotte competed against 10 other team finalists, presenting their space related design projects that were created using the 3D design app and 3D printing program at their school. The winning design was in response to finding a solution to the growing issue of ‘space junk’.
Ten years ago, a unique cross-sector initiative between Catholic, public and independent schools in South Australia was established to certify teachers as Highly Accomplished and Lead Teachers (HALT).
Fast forward to November 2024 and Catholic Education SA (CESA) is delighted to announce its 100th certified HALT teacher; Penny Bateman, from Xavier College, Gawler Belt campus. Penny, who holds the position of English Curriculum Leader, began her teaching career in 2021 and started her HALT certification this year. Receiving HALT certification means that Penny will now be able to mentor colleagues in the process and provide expert guidance on evidence-based teaching practices while fostering professional growth within her department.
Four Catholic schools across South Australia have been awarded $6.34 million in grants for capital works to improve learning spaces, increase opportunities for disadvantaged students and cater for more diverse learning needs.
The State Government grants — $6.34 million for Catholic schools and $6.38 million for independent schools — are for building projects to commence over the next year.
Introduced in 2018 to ensure all students have access to a first-class education, the latest funding under the scheme has been approved for four projects at Catholic schools and 103 smaller projects at independent schools.
World Teachers Day, celebrated in Australia this year on October 25, offered a chance to thank all teachers with the ‘Hats Off’ theme, acknowledging the invaluable contributions they make to our communities.
As part of the annual World Teachers’ Day celebrations, Educators SA hosted a gala awards evening to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our state’s outstanding educators.
This year's Educators SA Awards ceremony was held at the Adelaide Oval and attended by more than 300 invited guests, with awards presented by Blair Boyer MP, Minister for Education, Training and Skills and Martin Westwell, Chief Executive of the Department for Education.
Two Catholic schools in South Australia; Whitefriars Catholic School, Woodville Park and St Francis of Assisi College, Renmark have taken home awards for excellence in storytelling, raising awareness, and the performing arts for their performances as part of the 2024 National Wakakirri Story-Dance Festival.
Wakakirri is Australia’s largest performing arts event for schools with 180 schools from across the country taking part in 2024. Participating schools are inspired by the Wakakirri ethos ‘great stories inspire change’ to create and perform story-dances that reflect students’ thoughts, ideas and aspirations. This year’s theme was ‘Belonging’.
On Tuesday 1 October, Playgroup SA presented the Playgroup Excellence Awards at Government House, hosted by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, as part of their 50th year celebrations.
Catholic Education South Australia Executive Director, Dr. Neil McGoran, was in London yesterday attending the launch of The Commonwealth at 75, a commemorative publication celebrating 75 years of the Commonwealth. Held at the historic Westminster Abbey, the launch highlighted the achievements of leaders across the Commonwealth’s 56 member nations and marked King Charles III’s new role as Head of the Commonwealth.
Last week Catholic Education South Australia held two Graduation Ceremonies for Aboriginal students who, this year, completed their studies in a Catholic school.
At the first event, on Monday 23 September, 37 Aboriginal Year 12 students gathered at a Graduation Ceremony at the National Wine Centre, Adelaide, representing 15 Catholic schools. Year 11 students were also invited to attend the event as an opportunity to share in their peers’ achievements.
The Catholic Schools Music Festival (CSMF) has once again positioned itself as the ‘Grand Finale’ for the Term 3 school calendar.
Now in its 36th year, the Catholic Education SA festival brought together approximately 1,800 students from 83 metropolitan and regional Catholic schools from across South Australia to showcase their musical talents.
Nearly 500 children and young people in care are now benefiting from a generous scholarship program offered by Catholic schools.
The partnership between the Department for Child Protection (DCP) and Catholic Education SA (CESA) has grown from strength to strength since forming almost four years ago.
The scholarships allow children and young people in care to attend Catholic schools fee free. More than 100 students in care have been offered the scholarships this year alone, which also include uniforms, textbooks, excursions and extracurricular activities, each year for the duration of a student’s schooling.