Around the dioceses
Catholic Education Western Australia celebrates the bicentenary
On 13 September over 1,500 students from 52 Western Australian Catholic schools joined together at RAC Arena in Perth for the Spirit of the Arts Concert.
The night of celebrations included song, dance and drama, including a massed choir performance of students singing the song ‘Faith in the Future’, composed by Fr Rob Galea, to mark the 200 year of Catholic education in Australia.
Kearnan College Manjimup, Leschenault Catholic Primary School, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School, Mullewa, St Francis Xavier Primary School, Geraldton, St John’s School, Rangeway, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Pinjarra and St Joseph’s School, Kununurra all recorded footage for a ‘Faith in the Future’ music video that was played at the event.
Catholic Education Western Australia executive director Dr Debra Sayce said Catholic Arts is traditionally a highlight of Term 3, providing students with the opportunity to share their talent after many hours of practice and development.
"Seeing the outstanding achievement of students in Catholic Arts reminds me that such achievement comes through the efforts of many," she said in her end of Term message.
"I would like to congratulate and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of educators, parents and caregivers who support our students to achieve their best, whether in the arts, academically, in sport, and as upcoming leaders in all sorts of fields.
In 2021, 17,000 students were involved in the Performing Arts Festival for Catholic Schools and Colleges across Western Australia.
Catholic education partners with Universities to build teacher capacity
The project is funded by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council, with Brisbane Catholic Education and the University of Queensland also participating.
Teachers from five Catholic primary schools and seven secondary colleges across Melbourne have are participating in the project.
The project draws together key principles for a successful problem-based learning model, and deliver a coherent and sustainable pedagogical framework to inform school-based STEM education.
MACS acting executive director Dr Paul Sharkey said this is an extremely exciting project for Catholic education.
"Our schools and teachers are already highly skilled and invested in problem-solving approaches to learning," he said in a release.
"By combining the expertise of Monash University with that of our teachers, this project will further build capability in this critical area of teaching practice.’
"The teachers will work collaboratively with Monash academics to develop and share expertise as they co-construct a shared understanding of best practice teaching and learning approaches.
"Importantly, this work also supports our response to Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclicalLaudato Si’ which challenges future generations to live sustainably," Paul said.
Above: Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools
Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta awarded NSW VET Provider of the Year
On 9 October Training Services NSW announced the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta (CEDP) had been awarded NSW training provider of the year.
In the virtual award ceremony CEDP executive director Greg Whitby AM KSG said the secret is the staff and their commitment.
"VET allows everyone to dream, use their passion and find a way to make meaning and provide opportunities into the future," he said during the virtual ceremony.
"Their passion feeds through to students.
"It enables them to find meaning, provide opportunities and fuels their joy of learning.”
The CEDP had previously been awarded training provider in 2019.
The CEDP has piloted many successful initiatives that are being scaled across the diocese.
These include the Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways course, which significantly improves NAPLAN results, year 9 access to Stage 6 VET so students can complete HSC in year 10 and undertake further VET, university units or part-time employment, and partnering with NSW Health to deliver certificate III accreditations.
In contrast to the national trend CEDP’s VET enrolments have grown by 45%.
“We are training for now and the future to meet workforce demands in a rapidly changing world,” Greg told the Catholic Outlook.
“Our contribution to the training of young people in Western Sydney continues to assist industry in this expanding region."
"It’s critical that we offer students any pathway and any opportunity to help them achieve their life goals," he said.
Year 10 student at St Mark's Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens in the Diocese of Parramatta Ethan Zammit was also awarded the 2021 NSW VET in Schools Student of the Year.
Ethan completed a certificate III in live production and services and has been appointed AV coordinator at the Parish of St John XXIII, the first young adult to fill the role.
During COVID-19 pandemic Ethan devised innovative ways to run events and broadcast the parish’s mass via live stream.
Ethan said a standard HSC to university pathway isn't always the best option.
"Without alternative pathways, people like me may slip through the cracks," he said in a statement.
"VET gave me crucial industry connections and empowered me to become a valuable contributor to society."
Above: Ethan Zammit Year 10 student St Mark's Catholic College, Stanhope Gardens Diocese of Parramatta.