President's Message

Dear Colleagues,

As term 4 commences  we see another cohort complete their senior schooling and take the opportunity to celebrate this. On the national scene education is in the spotlight with quite divergent cases being put forward especially regarding funding. At these times it is critical for Principals to engage with politicians at all levels to present the accurate and compelling reasons to support Catholic Education. We have distributed to the State and Territorial Directors a presentation that explains the current funding arrangements and how this disadvantages our Catholic schools and all non government schools as our communities are subject to a 'capacity to contribute' deduction that government schools are not. This can decrease a community's funding up to eighty percent. These funds then need to be made up with fees from parents and other sources. At present the national Catholic Education Commission is developing some resources for distribution surrounding funding as well as each political parties stance on education for our communities to disseminate. It is most important that we understand and advocate for our fair share of the funding pool.

Catholic Education Leaders gathering

The NCEC  hosted its annual Catholic Education Leaders gathering from 10-12 September in Canberra with a Parliamentary Reception and Forum.

The event included around 80 leaders including NCEC Commissioners, chairs and directors of State and Territory Catholic education authorities and Catholic diocesan systems, representatives of Religious Institute & Ministerial Public Juridic Person school authorities; Catholic School Parents Australia and Catholic School Primary Principals and Secondary Principals Associations.

The forum was an opportunity for Catholic education leaders to focus on the progress of NCEC national priorities - Faith, Excellence and Access. We welcomed the Minister for Education Jason Clare MP, the Shadow Minister for Education Senator Sarah Henderson, Dr Jordana Hunter Education Program Director from the Grattan Institute, Adj Professor Susan Pascoe, Fabian Harding from the Federal Department of Education, Dr Nicholas Marosszeky Senior Data Analyst NCEC, as well as a range of speakers and presenters. 

This was an important opportunity to engage with our Catholic colleagues across the country and to showcase the value and contribution of Catholic education with politicians and policy makers and the first time we have been invited to the forum. 

I hope that this one is another  fruitful term of learning.

Best wishes

Dr Stephen Kennaugh GAICD

CaSPA President