Last week, the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) held a reception at Parliament House in Canberra for over 80 Catholic education leaders as an opportunity to meet with Members of Parliament and Senators.
The event was officially hosted by Senator the Hon Deborah O’Neill who welcomed guests to Parliament House. National Catholic education executive director Jacinta Collins opened the reception acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the NCEC which was established in July 1974.
“The establishment of a national body was critical for engagement with government and to secure Commonwealth funding for Catholic schools. Over the years, the role of the NCEC has continued to evolve through our coordination with states, territories, dioceses and RI & MPJP school authorities, and advocacy remains a core part of the work we do,” Jacinta said.
“This is why occasions like this are so important for our Catholic education leaders to meet and engage with members of Parliament and relevant senators and ministers.”
The Minister for Education the Hon Jason Clare MP, the Shadow Minister for Education the Hon Sarah Henderson, and NCEC chair Nicholas Moore AO also addressed the gathering.
Minister Clare thanked education leaders for their contribution to the education of Australian students.
“For helping lead the way in so many areas, for so long, for more than 200 years. I’m so grateful for everything that you do,” he said. “You have the most important job in our country, the education of our children.”
Senator Henderson spoke about the wonderful traditions of Catholic schools in being inclusive and accessible “to all families who care about the values of faith, of community of service, and of course of educational excellence”.
She applauded the work of Catholic education and her own education at Sacred Heart College, Geelong instilling in her a love of literacy and numeracy and the vital importance of a good education.
NCEC chair Nicholas Moore AO recognised that Catholic education could not continue without the support for school choice and ongoing funding from successive governments to enable Catholic schools to be affordable and accessible for those who choose them. He also highlighted the contribution of parents and families saving taxpayers billions of dollars each year.
Students from Merici College, Braddon led the Acknowledgment of Country and Prayer, and students and staff from St Mary MacKillop College, Canberra performed a choral and string ensembles pieces.
Main Image: Jacinta Collins, Victoria Catholic Education Authority chair James Merlino, Shadow Minister for Education Senator Sarah Henderson. Photos: Ryan Macalandag.
