It's disheartening to see the persistently high numbers of COVID-19 cases in New South Wales forcing the state government to include regional areas in the lockdown this week. With some parts of Victoria and the ACT also in lockdown, I send my thoughts and prayers to all of our school communities during this challenging time.

I'm acutely aware of the impact of protracted lockdowns on our school families and staff, and the toll it takes on wellbeing and learning. 

We know from the research and reporting of remote learning last year, there are vast differences in the experiences for some members of our communities.

Educational disadvantage is more prevalent for students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and students with disability, as well as those from remote areas. 

Families supporting the learning of younger children often find it more difficult than families with older children who have greater independence in their learning. We also know that the digital divide is a real concern for many families who have no or limited access to digital devices and the internet. 

What became clear from last year's experiences was that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to responding to emergency lockdowns. Schools are called to respond creatively and flexibly to meet the needs of their students, families and staff.

However, there were some characteristics that allowed schools to respond most effectively in periods of remote learning and teaching including:

• A strong focus on pastoral care and the wellbeing of all members of the school community
• Regular communication and support for families including providing information and resources to assist with student wellbeing, home learning, online safety, faith formation and prayer
• Support for teachers including staff wellbeing, learning policies and protocols, pedagogical resources and professional learning 
• Offering families financial relief and access to digital devices and the internet

Since our very first schools opened 200 years ago, Catholic education in Australia has been called to provide a preferential option for the poor and the marginalised. The ongoing and profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to highlight that educational disadvantage is still prevalent across our country. 

I want to acknowledge the ongoing commitment and efforts of our schools and systems to respond to the needs of all students and their families, particularly during these tough times. 

Jacinta Collins
National Catholic education executive director

St Agnes’ Primary School, Port Macquarie NSW shared images of students with their families. 

Catholic schools across the country have celebrated Family Week from 8 – 14 August, recognising the significant contribution parents, carers and families have made to the foundation, growth and continuity of Catholic schools in Australia over 200 years.

Despite a number of Catholic school communities currently conducting remote learning, their families were still celebrated with students taking part in virtual activities including completing colouring sheets and prayer. 

Family Week, which was jointly supported by Catholic School Parents Australia and the National Catholic Education Commission, coincided with the Feast Day of Australia’s first Saint, Mary MacKillop, who was a passionate educator and advocate for children and families, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

“Catholic education’s history of strong family values and connection through faith, are at the heart of the work we do, supporting the learning, growth and well-being of the whole child," CEWA executive director Dr Debra Sayce told The Record.  

Western Australia’s oldest Catholic school, Mercedes College in Perth, shared the story of a family where the traditions and values of a Catholic education have been passed down through four generations of students.

Third generation student Sonya Roberts said Mercedes College had been instrumental in their family’s strong sense of integrity.

“So much has changed at the college but the values that would have been here when grandma and mum were students are still very much here today,” she shared in a video message.

Mandurah Catholic College, Dudley Park WA celebrated Family Week with prayer, as Year 12 students lead the Year 5 students through the Family Prayer. The college also marked their Patron's Day, which is the Holy Family, with a school Mass.

Padua College principal Anthony Banks said the school sees the relationship between the student, family and the college as a partnership.

"All the research tells us that when this partnership is positive and healthy, then the child stands the best chance of success.

"We are incredibly grateful for the families of Padua College choosing to send their children here and for the sacrifices they make to enable this education possible," Anthony said.

Padua College parent Sarah Hansen said her children have been challenged to be "the best person they can be and inspired to use their God-given talents to be outward-looking and social justice minded".

"As our last child, Bridget, enters Year 12 in 2022, we feel enormously grateful for the opportunities our family have been afforded as members of a positive, creative and hope-filled learning environment," she said. 

Catholic Schools Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle recently shared a series of family videos, with parents discussing the value of their Catholic education and school community. Watch the videos linked below:

With continued remote learning and COVID-19 lockdown restrictions impacting many Catholic school communities across Australia, Sydney Catholic Schools’ family educators are working to help families stay connected with their school, parish and neighbourhood communities.

Sydney Catholic Schools’ education officer Church Engagement Mouna Roche said now more than ever while people are physically separated and need to feel connected.  

"Family Educators’ ‘Be a light in lockdown’ initiative encourages students, along with their families, to complete a series of activities that aim to create a sense of social connection during the COVID-19 pandemic," Mouna told The Catholic Weekly. 

The initiative is based on the gospel verse Mathew 15:6 “Let your light shine.”

“We’re so conscious of the fact that so many of our school communities are hurting, either being unwell with COVID-19, struggling financially or with the pressure of working and learning from home,” she said.

”We need to live the Gospel by being a light to those in our communities that are living through the darkness.”

The family educators have suggested five ways individuals can be the 'Light in Lockdown':

• Drop a handwritten note into your neighbours’ letterbox, offering to assist with any errands they need help with
• Share your favourite lockdown recipes or have a virtual dinner party, inviting other families to cook the same meal and eat together 
• Hold your own ‘Are You OK During Lockdown’ day - set aside a day where all families in your social circle are encouraged to call someone and ask, ‘Are you okay’?
• Go for a family walk or bike ride to light up your local area and give thanks for God’s creation and reap the health benefits of being active outdoors
• Be a light in your parish and make a card or write a letter to a parishioner who lives alone and may be missing their parish family; your parish priest may also be able to guide you to parishioners who may need this light during lockdown.

Read more

On 5 August the federal government released the first Closing the Gap implementation plan and committed more than $1 billion in funding to help support the achievement of the Closing the Gap targets.

The plan highlights the practical actions taken across federal and state governments to support the four priority reforms - shared decision-making, building the community-controlled sector, transforming government organisations and shared access to regional data.

The measures announced in the plan are focused on new areas in the National Agreement that require early investment, including early childhood, school education and culture and language.

Early education measures include:

• delivering initiatives to lift the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in quality and culturally appropriate early childhood education and care services
• $160 million in new funding to ensure the best start in life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, through initiatives such as the Healthy Mums and Healthy Bubs program, the Community Child Care Fund, the Connected Beginnings Program and the Early Years Education Program.

The federal government is also investing $126 million to improve school education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students particularly in reading, mathematics, attendance and school completion.

The new measures include:

• $75 million to build three new remote boarding schools in Western Australia and the Northern Territory under the innovative Studio Schools model
• $26 million to create partnerships between high-performing city schools and regional and remote schools which will improve leadership, teacher practice, and student outcomes
• $10 million to implement targeted teaching practices and increase attendance in remote WA schools, drawing on the proven success of the Kimberley Schools Project
• $8 million to grow the MultiLit (Making Up Lost Time in Literacy) program, which delivers proven, phonics-based reading instruction in primary schools
• $5 million to expand the pilot run by Good to Great Schools Australia, bringing total funding to $10.8m, which is improving teacher practice and reading outcomes through explicit instruction
• investing in the Commonwealth’s existing Indigenous Languages and Arts program and funding for additional language centres to protect the most at-risk Indigenous languages.

Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge said the investment is focused on programs that have already shown significant positive impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students' results.

“This additional money is deliberately aimed at scaling up practices that work, such as phonics and explicit instruction,” Mr Tudge said in a media release.

“The evidence is there that it does make a difference and so we are confident that thousands of children will improve their learning as a result of this.

“If we don’t close the gap at preschool and school, then we will struggle to do so in other areas," he said. 

Read more 

New research has examined the severe impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on young Australians. 

The Mission Australia report Young Voices of the Pandemic presents findings from responses collected from young people aged 15 to 19 years between April and August 2020.  

Key findings included:

• young Victorians were more likely to report COVID-19 was the biggest issue and were more likely to be concerned about COVID-19 affecting their education, isolation and mental health compared to young people in other parts of the country
• 41.1% of young people nationally who said COVID-19 affected their education were 17 years old
• 68.9% of young females and 23.9% of young males reported mental health concerns due to COVID-19
• Young people affected by COVID-19 described disruptions to their everyday lives as making them feel worried, stressed and without access to their usual supports. 

Mission Australia’s CEO James Toomey said the findings make clear the breadth and depth of the toll that COVID-19 has had on young people living in Australia.

"Major disruptions to education, increased isolation from peers, family and community, and mental health concerns understandably featured heavily within young people’s responses," he said in a statement. 

"These findings reinforce that many young people in Australia completing their final years of school during COVID-19 restrictions may need extra support to achieve their goals. 

“Despite various levels of government investing in mental health, there are still large gaps in the mental health system that have been laid bare by COVID-19 – particularly for those who are vulnerable or marginalised," James said. 

A total of 18,486 young people took part in the Youth Survey 2020 and the report analyses the responses of the 953 young people. 

Read more

Australian Catholics magazine commemorates the bicentenary of Catholic education in Australia with a special edition that is being distributed to schools and parishes around the country.

The edition was put together by a team of guest editors from Catholic schools who joined the Australian Catholics team online for a week-long internship program in May.

The 11 students came from schools in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.

The guest editors planned articles for the edition and had the chance to speak with media professionals including Adele Ferguson from The Sydney Morning (SMH) Herald and 4 Corners, John Ferguson from The Australian and James Massola from the The Age/SMH.

The students were asked to brainstorm and plan articles around the theme of ‘Faith in the future’, to tie in with the bicentenary celebrations.

The students explored where they found faith and hope for the future in the world around them. 

Mount Saint Patrick College Murwillumba student and one of the guest editors Amelie Ogg said the internship provided valuable insight into media and journalism careers. 

"It was extremely interesting listening to various peoples’ experiences," Amelie said. "But above all that, it was a rare chance to hang out with people our own age around the country and make new friends with similar interests."

The special edition also included a special 22-page 200th anniversary feature, as well as the winning entries in the 2021 Young Voices Awards which included articles, photos, videos and podcasts from primary and secondary students.

Australian Catholics editor Michael McVeigh said he wanted to bring this year’s youth edition to celebrate the anniversary of Catholic education and highlight the creativity and passion that young people bring to the Catholic community through their schools. 

Read more

Women's 4x Rowing gold medallist Annabelle McIntyre is an alumni (Class of 2013) from Santa Maria College Attadale in Western Australia. She said she first started rowing in Year 12. 

"Obviously the biggest challenge and most recent one has been the pandemic and working out how to maximise training around the different restrictions that have been in place," she said in a statement. 

Women’s Quadruple Sculls bronze medallist, Stella Maris College, Manly alumni and Australian Catholic University (ACU) undergraduate, Rowena Meredith said her journey has been a bumpy road but she wouldn’t change a thing. 

"Balancing study, training and competition was a rewarding mix," she said in a statement. 

Rowena has been studying a Bachelor of Paramedicine studies and said to have something outside rowing is like a breath of fresh air. 

“There’s some difficult conversations about placements and assessment, but it’s worth it in the end.” 

Rowena has been assisted by ACU’s Elite Athlete and Performer Program which supports members in the pursuit of both active and academic lives.

Congratulations to all former students who competed in the games and to those who achieved a medal. 

Above: Bronze medallists Rowena Meredith (second on left). Source: Naomi Baker/Getty Images

See below the full list of Catholic school alumni Olympic medallists

Catholic Education Week celebrated across Tasmania

Students attended Mass at Sacred Heart parish in Ulverstone. Source: Katrina Allen, Catholic Education Tasmania. 

Catholic Education Week celebrations were held across Tasmania’s 38 Catholic schools from 8-14 August, with the bicentenary theme, 'Faith in the future'. 

Chair of the Catholic Education Commission Tasmania (CECT) the Hon Michael Polley AM also announced the recipients of the CECT Awards and 25 Years of Service Awards. 

Read more

Catholic schools gathered together for Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Launceston. Source: Sophie Roberts, Catholic Education Tasmania.

Jane Heatley and Michelle Wootton receiving their 25 Years of Service Awards from Archbishop of Hobart Julian Porteous.

Catholic schools mark national Primary Principals Day

St Michael’s, North Melbourne students celebrate national Primary Principals Day with principal Denise Hussey. Source: Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools. 

On 6 August Catholic primary schools across Australia celebrated the contribution of their principals. 

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) executive director Jim Miles said the role of a Catholic primary school principal is complex, challenging and rewarding. 

"The past 18 months of the pandemic have stress-tested the capabilities of our principals like never before and they have responded magnificently," Jim said in a statement. 

"In the face of the challenges presented, we have seen strong and decisive school leadership, innovation, care and compassion in abundance as our principals have worked tirelessly to maintain learning continuity and support the wellbeing of their students, staff and families.

"Schools have had to alternate between onsite and remote learning, sometimes with only a few hours
notice.

"Stories of principals going above and beyond the call of duty are common across the community.

"The pandemic has also shone new light on the central leadership role principals play, not just within their schools, but also within the fabric of their parish and wider communities," he said. 

Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta also celebrated their 58 primary school principals virtually, as they continue to support and inspire their teachers and students even during current remote learning. 

The hard work and dedication of all Catholic school leaders is appreciated by students, staff and families every day.

Above:St Patrick’s Primary Blacktown principal Monica Fitzalan and student. Source Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta. 

Read more

Catholic schools celebrate National Science Week 

Students take part in a Science Week activity at Infant Jesus School, Morley, WA.

Many Catholic schools are taking part via face-to-face or online events for National Science Week, which is celebrated from 14 - 22 August.  

Free resources including virtual tours and DIY science activities are available via the National Science Week website.

Students at Infant Jesus School in Morley, WA have taken part in a range of activities including creating their own fossil imprints and learning about soil and rocks.

At Saints Peter and Paul's Catholic School in Bulimba QLD, prep students took part in a colour mixing experiment to celebrate. 

National Science Week is supported by the Australian Government partners CSIRO, the Australian Science Teachers Association and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Read more

Australian Catholic University's (ACU) Aunty Joan Hendriks Aboriginal and Torres Strait Leaders scholarships have been awarded to Brisbane’s first Aboriginal Deacon Clinton McGoldrick and law student Onyinye Nwamadwhich. 

The award provides up to $100,000 to emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to support their education and professional careers.

ACU's vice-chancellor and president Professor Zlatko Skrbis said the scholarship will support leaders throughout their lifelong educational journey. 

“They can pursue multiple degrees, create a bespoke mentoring program and access opportunities to expand learning through travel," he said in a statement. 

Clinton has commenced a Bachelor of Theology at ACU’s Brisbane campus but is already eyeing a PhD that would explore the impact on Indigenous cultures of European colonisation in Australia and plans to make a difference through education.

“I want to establish what this country looked like prior to colonisation so people can realise what they’re missing,” he said. “There’s a lot of intellectuals who can take that knowledge and do good things, to drive that reconciliation and truth telling."

Clinton has taught for 13 years in the Diocese of Toowoomba and since 2017 has been the program leader for ministry and service at St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe.

He is responsible for many programs, including Paddy’s Van, which provides meals and an outreach service to disadvantaged families in Sandgate, Bracken Ridge and Brighton. 

“I hope our programs planted a seed within the students to make a difference, to leave here and take the generosity they’ve learned and do amazing things," he said.

Onyinye has commenced a Bachelor of Law and Global Studies at ACU’s North Sydney campus.

"This degree will give me the chance to advocate for people and be proactive for positive change," she said.

Read more 

Above: Clinton McGoldrick and Onyinye Nwamadi. Source CathNews

The Bishops’ Social Justice Statement 2021-22: Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor, affirms that “we human beings need a change of heart, mind, and behaviour”.

It draws from scripture, theological tradition, Catholic Social Teaching and from the wisdom of the world, including the insights of the First Nations.

The statement provides theological foundations to ground and inspire efforts to care for creation while responding to the needs of the disadvantaged and excluded.

The whole Catholic community is invited to take up Pope Francis’ invitation to a seven-year journey towards total ecological sustainability, guided by seven Laudato Si’ Goals.

These goals are response to the cry of the earth, response to the cry of the poor, ecological economics, sustainable lifestyles, ecological spirituality, ecological education, and community engagement and participatory action.

A number of resources are available including:

• Prayer cards 
• Action card
• A podcast
• The launch video and more. 

Read more

From Humble Beginnings: Commemorating 200 years of Catholic education in Australia features a history of the first Catholic school in each existing diocese in Australia. The commemorative book is full colour and includes historical and contemporary images of the schools. It is available in paperback and hardcover versions and would make a great addition to school libraries or as a bicentenary memento.

Pope Francis’ Prayer to the Holy Family (from Amoris Laetitia)

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
in you we contemplate
the splendour of true love;
to you we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer,
authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again experience
violence, rejection and division;
may all who have been hurt or scandalised
find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan.

Amen.

- Family Week Prayer Card (PDF) 2021

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