Around the dioceses
Catholic Education Week celebrations held across Queensland
Above: St Mary's Charleville students were visited by Bishop of Toowoomba Robert McGuckin and Toowoomba Catholic Schools Formation and Identity staff.
Queensland’s 309 Catholic schools have remembered the past and are looking to the future as they celebrated Catholic Education Week from 25-31 July, with the 2021 theme, A Spirited Tomorrow.
Queensland Catholic Education Commission executive director Dr Lee-Anne Perry said it was exciting to once again highlight the achievements of Catholic education after celebrations were put on hold in 2020.
“Catholic Education Week is a time for us to reflect on the breadth and depth of Catholic education in Queensland and it’s great for our school communities to be able to come together to celebrate once again,” she said in a media release.
Lee-Anne said the sector experienced good growth in 2021 and was providing affordable options for families seeking a Catholic education for their children.
Celebrations across school communities included liturgies, community outreach activities, grandparents days, and a host of other celebrations unique to each school.
Lee-Anne said 2021 also marked 200 years of Catholic education in Australia.
“The bicentenary of Catholic education in Australia has been a moment to examine our past while fixing our sights on the future,” she said.
“Our theme for Catholic Education Week, A Spirited Tomorrow, reflects the vision of Catholic education our schools aspire to provide.
“It’s an education that is full of life and hope, developing young people able to make a positive contribution and meet their challenges with resilience.”
Lee-Anne said one of the highlights of Catholic Education Week was the presentation of the Spirit of Catholic Education Awards.
“The awards recognise some of the people who make an outstanding contribution to their Catholic school communities,” she said.
Above: Archbishop of Brisbane Mark Coleridge, Brisbane Catholic Education executive director Pam Betts, Toowoomba Catholic Schools chief financial officer Julie Payne (representing Executive Director Dr Pat Coughlan), Queensland Catholic Education Commission executive director Dr Lee-Anne Perry at the Catholic Education Week liturgy.
Catholic school students awarded top prizes at International Youth Music Competition
Above: Guest speaker at Santa Sophia’s Composer’s Club Dr Petar Jovanov, prize winners Anthony Theodosiadis and Marcella Galati, club member Nico Hofma and music coordinator Phil Rooke.
Two students from Santa Sophia Catholic College, Box Hill in the Diocese of Parramatta, have received top prizes in the International Youth Music Competition for their composition.
Year 10 student Anthony Theodosiadis received a first prize for his 'String Octet in A Major (in 3 movements)' and Year 7 student Marcella Galati received a grand prize with a perfect score of 100 per cent for her work for solo violin and piano piece titled 'Snowstorm'.
"I decided to compose the work in the style of Classical/Romantic music, emulating my study of music written hundreds of years ago, in a style that I felt would best express and showcase my musical ideas," Anthony said.
He is planning to write two additional movements to complete the composition.
Marcella said her composition reflects the expression of emotions and perspectives encountered in the journey of life.
Santa Sophia Catholic College principal Mark De Vries said the dedication shown by Anthony and Marcella is very impressive.
"I have no doubt that we will continue to see great achievements from them both in the near future," he said.
Toowoomba Catholic schools celebrate staff excellence
Above: St Joseph College Toowoomba student performers and Toowoomba Catholic Schools executive director Dr Pat Coughlan.
On 29 July Toowoomba Catholic Schools held their annual Excellence Awards ceremony.
The awards identify and showcase practitioners who model, demonstrate and live excellence in their roles every day.
This year over 100 nominations from across the Diocese were received.
Toowoomba Catholic Schools executive director Dr Pat Coughlan said this year’s recipients consistently bring the best ideas and innovations to their teaching, leadership and educational support.
"Without their efforts and influence, exemplary practice remains hidden in pockets and largely unrecognised," he said in a statement. “No system can rise above the capacity of its staff."
"We thank all of our finalists and recognise the invaluable contribution they make to moving our system of schools from great to excellent."
Award recipients:
Excellence in education support
- Teaching and learning support - Joanne Bradford, Our Lady of the Southern Cross College, Dalby
- Administration, finance, and facilities support - Marita Day, Good Samaritan College, Toowoomba
- Volunteer support in a school setting - Katie Mills, Mater Dei Primary School, Toowoomba
Excellence in teaching and learning
- Early career teacher (less than 3 years of teaching experience) - Jade Manteit, Our Lady of the Southern Cross College, Dalby
- Primary expert teacher - Johanna Campbell, St Joseph’s School, Stanthorpe
- Secondary expert teacher - Tammy Banks, St Mary’s College, Toowoomba
- eLearning - Rachel Harlen, St Saviour’s Primary School, Toowoomba
Excellence in leadership
- Emerging leader - Kellie Pritchard, Mater Dei Primary School, Toowoomba
- Middle leadership - Greg Leathart, St Saviour’s College, Toowoomba
- School leadership - Kort Goodman, St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba
Above: Award recipient Marita Day from Good Samaritan College Toowoomba and Dr Pat Coughlan.