This is an exciting week as I formally step into the role of Executive Director of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC). I want to begin by sincerely thanking Jacinta Collins for her outstanding leadership over the past seven years – her dedication has strengthened Catholic education across Australia, and I am grateful for the legacy she leaves.
I’ve seen first-hand the impact good education policy can have, both as a parent and as a policy maker. I’m looking forward to working with schools, families, communities, teachers and school leaders to continue building on the proud legacy of Catholic education – a critical, enduring, and essential part of the Australian educational landscape.
The natural rhythm of education is well and truly underway this week as NAPLAN begins. NAPLAN is an important tool – it assists to identify needed intervention, helps us understand collective performance through a nationally consistent data set and provides a starting point for conversations with parents about their child’s learning. Each year students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 undertake the national assessment in literacy and numeracy, with around 1.3 million students participating across Australia. I thank the students, teachers and schools for their work when undertaking NAPLAN and look forward to the insights it provides alongside other valuable indicators of achievement and growth.
I’m eager to hit the ground running and look forward to meeting many of you over the coming months as we continue the important work of Catholic education together.
Scott Ryan
Executive Director
National Catholic Education Commission