The 2022 Australian Council of Educational Leaders (ACEL) National Awards were held in Sydney on 29 September with a number of Catholic educators and leaders recognised for their contribution within education.

Catholic Schools NSW director of education policy Danielle Cronin (pictured above left) received the individual ACEL Leadership Award for excellent leadership. The award recognises her significant contribution to important areas of public policy and her thought leadership in areas such as parent, community, and family engagement in learning - for which she also received an Australian Churchill Fellowship.

The award also recognises Danielle’s significant contribution to Catholic education. As well as holding a number of senior executive positions at diocesan, state and national level, Danielle was a Commissioner on the NSW Catholic Education Commission for 10 years and the National Catholic Education Commission for seven. 

Indigenous education advisers from Townsville Catholic Education Janelle Knack, Tammi Webber and Krista O'Connor (pictured above right) were also recipients of an ACEL Leadership award recognising excellent educational leadership in development and implementing a significant educational initiative, conducting research or influencing educational policy. 

NCEC executive director, Jacinta Collins, who attended the awards (pictured above), congratulated all recipients recognising their outstanding contribution and service to educational leadership and the continuous improvement of student learning outcomes.

Congratulations to Sr Catherine Slattery sgs

Congratulations also to Sr Catherine Slattery sgs (pictured right) who was awarded the 2022 Brother Kelvin Canavan Catholic School Leadership Award at the Catholic Schools NSW Education Law Symposium last week.

Chosen for her prophetic leadership, Sr Catherine was recognised for her extensive contribution to Catholic education, and, in particular, her work to sustain and promote the charism of Good Samaritan Education.

Sr Catherine worked for over 25 years in schools across NSW and Queensland as a teacher and administrator, and is well-remembered as the principal of Ryan Catholic College in Townsville, St John the Evangelist Catholic High School in Nowra and St Patrick's College in Campbelltown.

In accepting the award, Sr Catherine recognised “the many mentors, guides and fellow pilgrims along the way of Catholic education who invited me to share this privileged journey”.

“Catholic Education is enriched by the charisms of many religious orders, much like the facets of a diamond, each reflecting a different aspect of the divine,” she said.

“Each of these religious congregations has a valuable legacy and much to offer the nation through Catholic education.”

Top left: Catholic Schools NSW director of education policy Danielle Cronin. Top right: Indigenous education advisers from Townsville Catholic Education: Janelle Knack, Tammi Webber and Krista O’Connor. Below: NCEC Executive Director Jacinta Collins with the ACEL National Award recipients. Photos: ACEL
Sr Catherine Slattery sgs photo courtesy of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan.