Last week, the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) welcomed Catholic education leaders from across the country to a forum held over three days in Canberra.
The gathering brought together over 80 NCEC commissioners, chairs and directors from state, territory and diocesan Catholic education bodies, as representatives of Religious Institute and Ministerial Public Juridic Person (RI & MPJP) school authorities, Catholic Schools Parents Australia, and Catholic school primary and secondary principals associations.
Celebrating 50 years since the establishment of the NCEC in July 1974, the forum provided an occasion to acknowledge the work of Catholic education at the national level in political advocacy and coordination.
“It was wonderful to see the passionate engagement of all attendees who shared and learnt from each other and provided feedback to NCEC in areas aligned to our national strategic priorities of Faith, Excellence and Access,” said National Catholic education executive director Jacinta Collins.
In his address to Catholic education leaders, NCEC chair Nicholas Moore AO highlighted progress on the national priorities and challenges, with a focus on providing access to quality-assured, evidence-based resources to systems, leaders and educators to work to improve educational outcomes at scale.
“There is a pressing need to lift educational standards and support the work of our Catholic schools to address both academic excellence and equitable access,” Nicholas said.
“There has been significant progress in compiling and understanding our national data and identifying areas for improvement, particularly in literacy and numeracy.”
In her address, Jacinta said there was a need to highlight the value of Catholic education, and at the same time be vigilant to the challenges faith-based schools face in Australia today.
“Catholic schools are essential partners with the government in providing quality education to children and young people, that is aligned to families’ faith and values. Our parents cover over 26 per cent of annual educational costs and 90 per cent of school buildings and capital works each year, saving over $4.2 billion in savings to Australian taxpayers. Not to mention the $2.2 billion invested in school building projects each year, and the investment in educational infrastructure provided for Australian schooling over 200 years,” she said.
“However, we need to be vigilant with increasing limitations on, and threats to, religious freedom in federal, state and territory legislation; persistent public messaging against non-government and faith-based schools; and exclusion from some Commonwealth, state and territory programs are posing new challenges for our schools.”
Minister for Education the Hon Jason Clare MP outlined the government’s national reform agenda including pay rises for early childhood educators and lowering early learning fees for families. He acknowledged the Catholic education sector for its role in leading improvement through literacy and numeracy programs, citing the Mastery in Mathematics program as an example of supporting teachers with access to high-quality, adaptable teaching resources.
“This kind of thing helps reduce teacher workload. Instead of preparing lessons for students, it gives teachers access to high quality, evidence-based teaching resources, and that saves hours of time,” the Minister said. “It’s also particularly helpful for new teachers and out of field teachers.”
In addressing the forum, Shadow Minister for Education Senator the Hon Sarah Henderson remarked that her job was to “reach for the stars” and make sure all schools and every school system strives for teaching excellence with “back to basics teaching” being critical in raising school standards.
“I’m a proud product of Catholic education and my teachers focused on the fundamentals of a great education including good grammar and spelling. I’m quite passionate about literacy and numeracy and those lessons I learned in my primary years have held me in great stead literally every day of my life,” Senator Henderson said.
She also argued that deductible gift recipient (DGR) status needed to be equal for government and non-government schools, saying all schools should be on an “even playing field” and reiterated her government’s support of religious freedom, standing “shoulder to shoulder with Catholic schools” in respecting and celebrating parental choice of faith-based schooling.
“Catholic schools have a very fine tradition of being inclusive and accessible to all families who care about the values of faith of community of service and of course of educational excellence.”
Other presentations included University of Notre Dame Australia deputy executive dean Professor Renee Kohler-Ryan who led a formation session on on Synodality; Grattan Institute education program director Jordana Hunter on equity and excellence in all schools; and University of Western Australia adjunct professor Susan Pascoe AM led a breakout session on governance.
The Department of Education’s (DOE) secretary Tony Cook, deputy secretary schools Meg Brighton, and first assistant secretary, funding and data collection division Fabian Harding, covered the broad education policy landscape and addressed critical issues across the sector including funding.
NCEC standing committees, state and territory bodies, diocesan and other Catholic school authorities showcased progress in the key areas of Faith, Excellence and Access as well as work in Collaboration and Accountability. This included presentations and table discussions on faith formation and mission, teacher workforce and initial teacher education, Mastery in Mathematics, literacy, approaches to school and system reviews, governance, investment in new schools, early childhood education, and equity.
At a special dinner, NCEC also farewelled outgoing NCEC commissioner Carmel Nash OAM who will remain in her current role as executive director of Catholic School Parents Queensland; Catholic Education, Diocese of Cairns executive director Bill Dixon; and executive director and former deputy director, Catholic Education Western Australia executive director Wayne Bull. Nicholas Moore AO and Jacinta Collins congratulated and thanked them for their outstanding commitment and service to Catholic education.
Main Photo: NCEC Chair Nicholas Moore AM. Photos: Ryan Madalandag and Jude Coen.
