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: