Women in Leadership
September 5, 2008

The Women in Leadership Committee held their Annual Dinner at the Villa D’oro recently. More than 70 people from Primary, Secondary and Congregational schools and the Catholic Education office enjoyed the hospitality of Claude and his staff. It was a great opportunity to catch up with friends and network with women in education. Guest speaker Zita Antonios shared her own career story and encouraged those present in their personal careers. A highlight of the evening was the ‘lucky door’ prizes and raffle – many went home with a memento of the evening.

The dinner is an annual highlight for women in leadership and aspiring to leadership. Next year’s dinner will be held on 14 August 2009.

View the photo gallery of this event.

Spirit Alive at Bethsaida
September 3, 2008

Bethsaida, one of the faith formation courses offered by the Catholic Education Office, was held during August. This is a week long residential program designed to develop skills for theological reflection, and a clearer expression and commitment to the Christian lifestyle. The Gospel focus for Bethsaida is taken from John 5:1-12: “Bethsaida, a place of breakthrough, one of those moments on the edge of life.” The week of Bethsaida was certainly a place where participants were invited to reflect on their own spiritual life, ‘take up their mat and walk’ in their journey of faith and life.

The Bethsaida course has input about Christology, Ministry and Spirituality to encourage in participants an integration of personal spiritualities and pastoral action. Run by Anna Warlow sgs and her Team, Bethsaida is a time of Renewal for people who have already participated in the Berakah course.

The week invited participants to experience a time of rest, quiet, solitude, personal reading and journalling. There was opportunity to experience a deepening of the contemplative dimension of life. Enquiries about the residential faith formation opportunities offered by the CEO can be made to Pat O’Gorman (42530946) or Beth Riolo (42530988).

Please view our photo gallery for some images of the Bethsaida experience.

50 Years at Stella Maris Celebrated
September 1, 2008

Fifty years of Catholic Education at Stella Maris School, Shellharbour, was celebrated at a special anniversary mass at Sacred Heart Church, Warilla and a plaque unveiling ceremony at the school, on Sunday August 17.

In a beautifully inclusive mass, principal, parishoners, staff, students, past principals, students, parents, Bishop Peter Ingham and members of the Congregation of Sisters of Charity gave thanks for the work in Catholic Education provided by the Sisters of Charity as school principals and the staff of the school over 50years.

With Parish Priest Fr Bryan Jones and Bishop of Wollongong Peter Ingham mass was celebrated with parishoners and invited guests on a sun-filled morning. The unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the school’s entrance was prefaced with an address by Congregational councillor Sr Laureen Dixon, Director of Schools Peter Turner and current school principal Sr Colleen Mills. Past principals including foundation principal Sr Kathleen Munce were also warmly welcomed and given special recognition. View the photo gallery of this event.

Secondary Mathematics Workshop
August 29, 2008

Twenty secondary mathematics teachers from across the Diocese recently attended a one day workshop on the effective use of Sketchpad and Geogbra applications. The day was facilitated by Tobias Cooper from Presbyterian Ladies College Croydon. Participants were shown how this software related to syllabus content and were taken through a variety of relevant classroom activities. The day was such a success that a decision was made to shorten lunch and finish after 3pm (always a sign of an effective and engaging presentation). The day had been organised as a response to a request from Mathematics Coordinators at previous Network meetings.

WYD 08 School Service Recognised
August 29, 2008

Principals attending the recent Principals-Catholic Education Office Meeting for Term 3 on August 14 were congratulated for their contribution to World Youth Day by Director of Schools Peter Turner.

Principals of the eleven Macarthur Region schools who accommodated pilgrims during World Youth Day week were especially recognised with the presentation of a framed Certificate of Appreciation. Volunteer staff from Catholic Schools who gave of their time and effort to support World Youth Day will be thanked at a special Director’s Reception in Campbelltown on Monday September 15 and Wollongong on Thursday September 18. View the photo gallery of this event.

Literacy and Numeracy Highlighted
August 28, 2008

The vital importance of Literacy and Numeracy to Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Wollongong was recently highlighted at a Literacy and Numeracy Forum held on August 18 at the Campbelltown Catholic Club.

Following an introduction from Director of Schools, Peter Turner and a Keynote address from Rosalie Nott from the Catholic Education Commission, 80 staff participated in workshop activities.

With participants from Primary and Secondary schools and guests from the University of Wollongong and the Department of Education, discussions included the development of a common understanding and philosophical position on Literacy and Numeracy. A Reference group will further develop resources for schools.

A Plenary Panel Discussion saw questions on L&T put to Ann Baxter and Jan Turnbill from the University of Wollongong, together with Rosalie Nott and Peter Turner. View the photo gallery of this event.

New Classrooms Officially Opened
August 13, 2008

Students at St Francis of Assisi Primary School at Warrawong and St Columbkille’s Corrimal hosted special guests at the official opening and blessing of newly refurbished classrooms and offices at their schools on July 31 and August 1 respectively. Bishop Peter Ingham and Director of Schools, Peter Turner were present to speak to the students, their parents and special guests. View the photo gallery of this event.

Staff Professional Development Day
August 12, 2008

Suz Marden visited Stella Maris Primary School at Shellharbour to lead the opening prayer celebration for Staff Development Day on Tuesday July 22. As part of the prayer, staff members created five beautiful silk cloth paintings which will be carried by students in the opening procession of the school’s Jubilee Mass.

Magdalene 10 Years Young
August 1, 2008

The Magdalene Catholic High School at Narellan celebrated its tenth Feast Day on Friday July 25 with a special mass in the school grounds. Bishop Peter Ingham presided with speeches from Director of Schools Peter Turner, principal Alan McManus and local Federal MP, Pat Farmer. Students participated in the mass with brilliant music, song and liturgical dance. View the photo gallery of this event.

Diocese Hosts WYD Celebrations
July 31, 2008

The most ambitious event in the history of the Australian Catholic Church took place during July 2008 with World Youth Day (WYD) in Sydney. In the Diocese of Wollongong the Days in the Diocese activities, which included home stay hosting of 1500 international pilgrims across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands from 10-14 July, culminated with the Everything Aussie Festival at Lang Park and Vigil Mass at the WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday July 12.

WYD pilgrims came from over 20 countries including the USA, Italy, Germany, England, Scotland, France, Poland, Syria, Latvia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Columbia and Brazil.

High among the achievements of the Days in the Diocese was the hosting by Catholic Education of 45 pilgrims from the pacific island of Kiribati. These visitors enjoyed their stay at the Vincentian Centre at Gerroa while they attended activities including the Wildlife Park at Nowra and a Rugby League match at WIN Stadium. The pilgrims also participated in a Climate Change Social Justice Conference organised by the Catholic Education Office at the University of Wollongong on July 11.

With a focus on confirming the faith experience of young people, a range of actions at school and Diocesan level will be put in place after World Youth Day to further enhance the commitment of young people to the Church. One measure in this direction is the recent creation of the Wollongong Diocesan Youth Website at www.youth.dow.org.au. View the photo gallery of this event.

School Staff Rally to Accommodate WYD Pilgrims
July 31, 2008

Nearly 2000 national and international pilgrims to the World Youth Day week held in Sydney from July 14 -20 were accommodated in twelve schools in the Macarthur Region of the Diocese of Wollongong. With fewer than expected volunteers coming forward to act as site managers and helpers at these accommodation sites, school staff were asked to forgo their school vacation and did so with great generosity.

Schools earmarked to host and accommodate pilgrims were High Schools at St Patricks College, Campbelltown; Magdalene at Narellan, Mt Carmel at Varroville, John Therry at Rosemeadow and St Gregory’s College, Campbelltown. Primary School sites were at St John’s, Campbelltown, St Thomas More, Ruse; Mary Immaculate, Eaglevale; Holy Family, Ingleburn; St Clare’s Narellan Vale and Our Lady Help of Christians at Rosemeadow. St Gregory’s College at Campbelltown was also used as a Command Centre and day site for pilgrims unable to attend events in Sydney.

Volunteer teachers became Site Managers with responsibility for managing the school sites overnight and for the logistics of organising breakfast distribution to their pilgrims. Site Managers were on official shift duty from 7.00pm to 9.00am and undertook fire warden training before taking up their posts. Director of Schools Peter Turner praised the generosity of staff from schools and the Catholic Education Office. “I am deeply grateful for the professional and generous service of staff who volunteered their time and energy to make the WYD pilgrim accommodation such a success,” he said. View the photo gallery of this event.

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