On 14 September National Catholic Education executive director Jacinta Collins joined Edmund Rice Education Australia executive director Dr Craig Wattam for their 'in conversation series' to celebrate the bicentenary of Catholic education and mission into the future.

The conversation focused on the priorities for the National Catholic education as Jacinta works within her role as executive director, Bishops Commission for Catholic Education executive secretary and as a member of the Advisory Council for Australian Catholic University’s public policy think tank.  

Jacinta discussed how she has drawn from her experiences in her former roles as Australian parliamentary leader and Labor Senator for Victoria who served over a 25-year period in a number of portfolios, and prior to entering parliament as a social worker and union official. 

Jacinta said the strategic priorities for the National Catholic Education Commission are broadly faith, excellence and access.

"My approach is about building common purpose, in Catholic education we have this fantastic 200 year story about what has been achieved in education in Australia to honour, preserve and build upon," Jacinta said during the conversation. 

"It's this common purpose that I hope at a national level, we can maintain and build upon across our state and territory commissions, Religious Institute and PJPs, embracing the rich heritage we have been given. 

"Catholic education is well placed in the next 200 years," she said. "There is much we can do together and better, with faith, as is our theme, into the future."

EREA's in conversation series has included interviews with a range of Church leaders
as they offer insights from their unique perspectives and life experiences, including 
Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli, Homeboy Industries Los Angeles USA founder Fr Greg Boyle sj and Senior Australian of the Year 2021 and Catholic educator Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann.