吃瓜不打烊

A growing sector

Every year we mark Catholic Education Week in March, bringing students, teachers and families together to celebrate our faith and highlight the best of our sector.

This year we have much to celebrate, as Catholic education continues to grow and strengthen.

Welcome to the first edition of Catholic Education Today in 2022.

Two new schools joined us this year: St Lawrence of Brindisi Catholic Primary School, Weir Views, and Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, Mickleham.

The Holy Cross school community celebrated their opening last week, with the school’s foundation principal, Mark Miatello, joined by guests including Member for Yuroke the Hon. Ros Spence MP, parish priest Fr Varghese Kurisingal and City of Hume Cr Joseph Haweil. A smoking ceremony led by local Wurundjeri representative Stacey cleansed the land on which the school stands, ready for the 150 students who have begun their journey with the school this year.

‘As stated in the African proverb, it takes a village to raise a child’, said Mr Miatello. ‘Our students are blessed to be surrounded by a strong village here in Mickleham. When we all work together, great things can be achieved.’

It was also joyous in Wallan East, as the community of Our Lady of the Way Catholic Primary School gathered for the official opening and blessing of the school by Bishop Terence Curtin.

Though delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, principal Terry Cooney led the celebrations, unveiling the plaque with Senator Greg Mirabella. In his opening address, Mr Cooney said: ‘We are honoured and we will do our best in partnership with parents to help each and every child flourish and develop into the best versions of themselves.’

‘What we have built and are continuing to develop is a very special community, where the children are at the centre and are our major focus’, he said.

Earlier in the month, the new Stage 2 facilities at Iona College Geelong, Charlemont, were opened by the Deputy Premier, the Hon. James Merlino.

The impressive new facilities include an AFL-approved oval, a gymnasium and amenities, alongside learning spaces for food technology and music. The Deputy Premier was joined by state representative Darren Cheeseman, MLA for South Barwon, and the college’s principal Damian McKew to celebrate the next stage in the growth of Iona College.

‘The most important thing in education is the quality of teaching’, said Mr Merlino, ‘but design makes a difference. When you have buildings that are beautiful and well-designed, it makes it easier to teach and it makes it easier to learn’.

Our new and growing schools reflect the growing number of parents who are, like you, choosing a Catholic education for their children.

They are also a reflection of the extraordinary teaching and learning delivered in our schools by our dedicated principals, teachers and staff.

We look forward to sharing more stories about the work of these outstanding individuals and from our schools with you this year through future editions of Catholic Education Today.

In this edition:

	Stand with Ukraine
	Students from Mother of God School, Ardeer, stood with their community to support the people of Ukraine.
	Working together in mission
	To celebrate Catholic Education Week, principals, parish priests and parents reflect on the importance of working together for the benefit of their school communities.
	Meet the teacher: use your voice to make change
	Tania Ragusa, social justice coordinator, teacher and 2015 dux at Mercy College, Coburg, talks about coming back to the college and her teaching journey.
	The Way of the Gospel
	Students and teachers from schools across the Archdiocese celebrated Catholic Education Week with Mass at St Patrick’s Cathedral for the first time since 2019.