Past News Items (Jan – June 2007)

Maths Enrichment Day
June 29, 2007

On Tuesday June 26, the Illawarra central Catholic primary schools held a Mathematics Enrichment Day at St. Brigid’s Primary School, Gwynneville. Students from St. Columbkille’s, Corrimal; St. John Vianney’s, Fairy Meadow; St. Francis Xavier’s, Wollongong; St. Therese, West Wollongong and St. Brigid’s came together to participate in a variety of challenging problem solving activities.

A highlight of the day was a Maths Relay, where school teams competed against each other in a race to solve questions from a number of mathematical strands.

The Diocesan Director of Schools, Peter Turner dropped by to experience the great work being undertaken by the students and the day concluded with Noel Henry, Head of Schools, South-East Region, presenting certificates to all participants. Two St. Brigid’s students, Jason Reid and Anya Palaversich, compiled a movie of the day’s activities and this was shown to parents and students. An appreciation of the work of Shirley Brady, Learning Officer, Catholic Education Office was acknowledged together with Danny Sykes who organised the Enrichment Day. More...

New School Blessing & Opening
June 14, 2007

Driving rain and gale force winds failed to dampen enthusiasm at the recent opening of Corpus Christi Catholic High School. Over 300 students, staff, parents, clergy and invited guests gathered together under an outdoor marquee at Wollongong’s newest Catholic coeducational high school, for the school’s official opening and blessing at  Oak Flats on Friday June 8.

Now in it’s second year of operation, the school community has a student Year 7 and 8 population of 263 and will grow over the next four years to a Year 7-12 school of approximately 1,000. As a regional high school within the Wollongong Diocese, students are drawn from parishes extending from Port Kembla in the north to Kiama in the south and is situated in the rapid growth area of Shellharbour city. The two stages of building so far completed have been at a cost of $10.6m with Federal Capital Grants of over $4.8m and local contribution of $5.8m.

Among the school’s innovative guiding principles are curriculum integration, innovative pedagogical practices, emerging from school based action research which effectively integrate technology and an architecture of open, flexible and adaptable work spaces and resources that support an integrated approach to learning and teaching. Guests participated in a significant liturgy which included welcome to country and dedication of a place where “the young share in a genuine love of learning and a searching for the wisdom that guides the Christian life modelled on Jesus the teacher.” The principal gave her address together with two students.

Guests and speakers at the ceremony to open the school were Bishop of Wollongong Most Rev Peter Ingham DD, Federal NSW Senator Fierravanti-Wells, Diocesan Director of Schools, Peter Turner, Leader of Mission, Elizabeth Carnegie, principal Jenny Allen and students Aaron Grech, Paige Mackander, Alexandria Sgardelis and Jesse Negro. Very Reverend Bryan Jones VG, parish priest of Shellharbour who was unable to attend on the day, was given special thanks by the principal and Director of Schools. Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Bishop Answers Big Questions
June 13, 2007

300 Year 6 students and their teachers gathered together at John Therry Catholic High School, Rosemeadow on Tuesday June 12 for the first in a series of Year 6 Prayer and Conversations with Bishop Peter Ingham. Also in attendance were principals and parish priests of the participating schools as well as Director of Schools, Peter Turner, Head of School Services, Paul McCann and Head of Religious Services Mark Raue. Preparations for the day were made by Rosemeadow Religious Education Coordinator Michelle Rolfe and Suz Marden from the Catholic Education Office RE Team.

As part of their formation for Confirmation during the year, the students participated in prayer and song while representatives from the participating Macarthur area schools asked the Bishop a series of questions and heard his responses. Among the questions explored were why Bishop Peter had become a priest, whether he would like to be the Pope, what his garments represented and whether he was a priest to the Wollongong parish as well as being the Bishop?

Schools represented included Our Lady Help of Christians, Rosemeadow; Holy Family, Ingleburn; Mary Immaculate, Eagle Vale; St John the Evangelist, Campbelltown; St Thomas More, Ruse and Mater Dei Special School at Camden. Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

An Evening with the Director
June 8, 2007

Parents from 15 schools took the opportunity to meet with the Director of Schools, Peter Turner, for the first time when he addressed a parent forum on the evening of Tuesday June 5.

Organised by the Diocesan Parents and Friends Forum, Mr Turner spoke to parents about Catholic schooling in the Wollongong Diocese as well as the challenges faced by Catholic educators across the country. He shared with parents a recent Australian study on “Why Parents choose a Catholic School?” which lead into discussions with parents about their own hopes and understandings of what it is to be a parent with children in a Catholic school.

Some interesting statistics regarding society values captured the attention of all present. Peter concluded his presentation with an overview of the goals for Catholic education in the Diocese of Wollongong. The Director’s presentation is available in Powerpoint format or in .pdf format.

Blessings and Appreciation
June 7, 2007

A sea of 550 bright young faces greeted guests and visitors to the official blessing and opening of recent refurbishments at St John the Evangelist Parish Primary School at Campbelltown on Friday May 25. Completed last year, new classrooms and refurbished Library and school offices were blessed by Bishop Peter Ingham while the school orchestra played. The buildings were then open for inspection by parents, guests and students.

Director of Schools, Peter Turner read a letter of congratulations from Federal Senator Julie Bishop, Minister for Education, Science and Training, as well as speaking to the assembly about the great school in which they learn. Bishop Peter and principal Peter McKenzie expressed their thanks to the Federal and State governments for their contribution to the buildings while parish priest Fr Michael Healey praised the pioneers of the school who had devoted so much to hand building the school in its early years. The generous contribution of the Campbelltown Catholic Club and the Parish were also given recognition and appreciation.

At a total cost of nearly $2.7M the building project includes a Federal government grant of $780,000, a donation from the Campbelltown Catholic Club of $400,000, Parish funds of $400,000 and a loan of $1.1M. Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Students Appreciate Bishop’s Conversation
June 1, 2007

In a first for the Diocese of Wollongong, young people in Year 12 High Schools were recently given the opportunity to enter into dialogue with Bishop Peter Ingham. St Joseph’s Catholic High School at Albion Park was the venue for Prayer and Conversation with Bishop Peter when fifty Year 12 students met with their Bishop in the school library on May 17. With the assistance of Christy Honeysett (Diocesan Youth and Young Adult Coordinator) and Patrick Fitzgerald from the Catholic Education Office, students raised issues of their concern and afforded the Bishop an opportunity to answer their questions and share his views as the pastor of the Diocese. Bishop Peter honestly met questions that included: loss of faith by young people in the Church, the existence of evil in the world, stem cell research and IVF, inequality of wealth in society, the morality of wealth in the Church and issues surrounding annulment and divorce.

A further four such Bishop Conversations are planned with other systemic high schools in coming months. Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Making a Difference in Special Education
June 1, 2007

Nineteen teachers graduated from the Certificate of Special Education (Learning Difficulties) and twenty seven teachers graduated from the Certificate of Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorder) at a ceremony held at the Catholic Education Office on Friday May 25. Professor Paul Chandler, Dean of Education from the University of Wollongong and Peter Turner, Director of School for Catholic Education Office spoke of the commitment of teachers and their organisations to partnership and special education.

The graduates have become ambassadors for students with special needs in their schools and a valuable resource to support others.

The Diocese of Wollongong recognises that people with a disability are valuable members of our community and they too have an important contribution to make to others. As part of this commitment to Special Education and teacher professional learning, two significant Professional Learning initiatives are offered by the Catholic Education Office.

The Certificate of Special Education (Learning Difficulties) and the Certificate of Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorder) are 4-day comprehensive courses, planned and delivered in a partnership with the Catholic Education Office and the University of Wollongong.  The courses are facilitated by Dr Deslea Konza from the University and CEO personnel, Leanne Woodley, Sonya Rogan and Celia Elphick.

The Certificate of Special Education (Learning Difficulties) aims to build awareness of individual student needs and a greater understanding of inclusion and Special Education.  Participants are able to develop an understanding the current pedagogy of inclusive education and skills in developing, adjusting and implementing successful strategies that cater for students with special education needs and learning difficulties.

The Certificate of Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorder) aims to develop an understanding of ASD and explore strategies and skills that enable teachers and support staff to be confident and competent in working with students with autism. Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Making Maths Visible
May 31, 2007

A highly successful inaugural 'Making Maths Visible in the Illawarra' Conference was held at the University of Wollongong on Saturday 26 May.

The conference was a collaborative professional development initiative of the University of Wollongong, Department of Education and Training (Illawarra and South East Region) and the Catholic Education Office (Diocese of Wollongong) for primary school teachers of mathematics.

The keynote address was presented by James Burnett on a topic that addressed how simple visual aids and models should be used to help students form a mind picture that links to the thinking strategy. Twenty four workshops and presentations were offered covering a variety of learning and teaching experiences across the primary years of schooling.

Teachers from our Diocese who presented workshops were: Anne Duggan St. Michael’s, Thirroul; Kaylene Petzer St. Michael’s Mittagong; Maria Turner, St. Joseph’s Bulli; Anita Burgess Gorrie, St. Clare’s Narellan Vale; Trish Ridgers, St. Clare’s Narellan Vale.

Over forty teachers from the Wollongong Diocese attended the conference some travelling from as far Milton and Nowra. Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Students Consider their Futures
May 25, 2007

Students from Year 12 classes across Catholic systemic and congregational schools in the Illawarra were well represented at the Careers Expo held at that Unanderra Sports Stadium on Tuesday May 8 and Wednesday May 9. An annual event for government and non-government schools and now in its twenty fourth year, the Expo is organised by the Illawarra Career Teachers Network. The day saw visitors from hundreds of potential employers and higher education exhibitors. Students from year 12 and some year 10’s considering apprenticeships made up the bulk of attendees together with parents during the evening session. More...

Walk Safely to School Day
May 25, 2007

Friday May 4 saw several schools from across the Diocese participate in Walk Safely to School Day. WSTSD is an opportunity for parents and carers of primary school aged children to promote safe pedestrian behaviour and the health benefits of walking. Participating schools included St. John Vianney’s, Fairy Meadow; Stella Maris, Shellharbour; St. John’s, Dapto; St. Michael’s, Nowra, St Brigid’s Gwynneville and St. Paul’s, Albion Park.

Big Meets Small
May 25, 2007

Students from Year 10 at Holy Spirit College, Bellambi, recently shared their sporting skills with students from Year 1 and Year 2 at St Joseph's Primary School at Bulli. The "young ones" were split into several groups and rotated around skills-based activities designed and implemented by the Year 10 students. Judging by the smiles and the laughter in the school yard, much fun was had by all. Congratulations to the Year 10 students who demonstrated leadership, maturity and patience with their little buddies.

Tasmanian Visitors Impressed
May 24, 2007

A group of five educators from Hobart recently visited Corpus Christi Catholic High School at Oak Flats to gather ideas for the building of a new Catholic school. St Aloysius is to be built in the southern Hobart suburb of Kingston and will cater for a student population from K-10. Included in the group, which also visited schools in Broken Bay and Parramatta was the parish priest of Kingston, Father Chris Hope. Joining the group to assist and facilitate was Leader of Learning and Teaching at Corpus Christi, Neal McCann, Rev Bryan Jones from All Saints Parish, Shellharbour, Catholic Education Commission representative Greg Kervin and CEO Representative Peter McPherson. Principal elect Elaine Doran, Anthony Morgan, Deputy Director of Catholic Education and Neville Behrens from the Tasmanian Capital Grants Committee made up the group.

The party took great interest in the architecture of the school and were well impressed by the innovative integrated curriculum and student organisational structures. The group also joined the schools audience for their Friday Student Showcase and prayers for Mothers Day. More...

Spirituality at Berakah
May 17, 2007

A group comprising teachers, CEO staff, catechists and school support staff recently attended the Berakah spirituality course  which was held during May. The Berakah course is one of a number of faith formation experiences offered to staff in Wollongong Diocese Catholic Schools and other Church agencies.

This year’s Berakah was an opportunity for all to experience some Sabbath reflection time and more deeply explore their faith and spirituality in a week long experience that is within the context of an affirming, caring community. The venue was Mt St Benedict Centre, Pennant Hills, conducted by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan.

Under the guidance of Anna Warlow sgs and her team, participants were invited to step off the busy treadmill of their lives and spend some time enriching their minds, bodies and spirits. Thirty four people attended Berakah this year and were greatly enriched by the experience.

Other faith formation opportunities offered this year are the Journey course in June, Call to Life in August, and Bethsaida also in August. For more information regarding these opportunities please contact Pat O’Gorman or Beth Riolo at the Catholic Education Office Wollongong.

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

Civics Education at its Best
May 14, 2007

As part of the Illawarra Innovation Festival, St Joseph’s Catholic High School at Albion Park showcased its Parliamentary Club for students and public visitors on Thursday May 10. An innovation of the school since 2004 and under the leadership of teacher Don Perna and principal, Peter McGovern, the club mirrors Federal Parliamentary style debate and structures to engage students in a greater understanding of the political system.

Student members of the Parliament conducted a sitting of the House of Representatives with the Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Madam Speaker and various Ministers and Shadow Ministers vigorously debating and challenging each other with insightful and provocative questions.

The St Joseph’s innovation is expected to spread much more widely with support from the Electoral Commission and the Constitution Education Fund of Australia. Students from Corpus Christi Catholic High School, who are about to get their student representative body underway and staff representatives from Ss Peter and Paul Primary School, Kiama were among the audience.

Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Wollongong Schools ANZAC Service
May 3, 2007

The City of Wollongong RSL Sub-Branch Returned and Services League of Australia organised the annual combined Schools ANZAC Service at MacCabe Park Wollongong on Thursday April 26. Among the 25 schools represented were: St John Vianney's Parish Primary School, Fairy Meadow, St Pius X Parish Primary School, Unanderra, St Brigid's Parish Primary School, Gwynneville and St Francis Xavier’s Parish Primary School, Wollongong.

Among the student representatives addressing the crowd with their contribution to 'What ANZAC Day Means to Me' were St Francis Xavier students Tatyana Plumb and Shakira Cappetta.

Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Earthcare Policy Launch
May 2, 2007

Bishop Peter Ingham presided at the Diocesan Launch of Catholic Earthcare Australia’s document On Holy Ground on Tuesday 24 April at St Joseph’s Catholic High Albion Park. He was joined by Catholic Education Office Director of Schools, Peter Turner, principals and teachers from schools across the Diocese, CEO staff and students from St Joseph’s and Holy Spirit College in an inspiring Liturgy to celebrate and promote an ‘Ecological Vision for Catholic Education in NSW’.

Bishop Peter wholeheartedly urged all schools to respond to the late Pope John Paul II’s call for an ‘ecological conversion’ – to recognise that stewardship of our Earth has a moral and spiritual dimension; and to encourage ecologically sustainable practices in our schools.

An all-day Workshop at St Joseph’s for 35 teachers was held in conjunction with the launch, conducted by St Joseph’s teachers Michael Douglas and Michael Leggett, who have been key leaders in moving St Joseph’s towards an ‘earthcare active’ school for many years. Attendees participated in a number of practical applications such as garden bed construction, mulching, composting, grafting and cuttings, worm farming, seed raising, and water conservation; as well as examining the Policy and the processes on how St Joseph’s had developed their Environmental Plan. With its ten large rainwater tanks and permaculture principles at work, St Joseph’s is a lighthouse to other schools wanting to start the ‘ecological conversion’ journey. Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Breakfast Seminar
May 2, 2007

The Director of Schools, Peter Turner, was the guest speaker at a University of Wollongong and Australian College of Educators Seminar on Friday March 30, held at the University Function Centre.

Peter spoke about the School Review and Improvement processes being inaugurated in the Archdiocese of Sydney and of the background to the new scheme. With a much greater emphasis on school self evaluation a greater degree of ownership is believed to accompany the School Improvement process.

Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Kokoda Track a Spiritual Experience
May 1, 2007

In a community based excursion to Papua New Guinea during the Easter holidays, 11 students from Holy Spirit College joined a group of 32 who walked the Kokoda Track. Included in this group were 3 school teachers, fathers' of the students and one mother. This Kokoda walk was over a year in the planning and was a community based event. The trekkers walked from Kokoda to Owens Corner, a distance of some 92 km. Challenged by the distance, the terrain, the climate and the psychological demands the group overcame all to complete the walk. In doing so they came to appreciate the themes found on the Isurava Monument found on the track ­ Courage, Sacrifice, Endurance and Mateship. All those who walked the track lived these values and came away with an even greater appreciation for the sacrifice of Australian soldiers and for the great work of the local people who earned the title 'Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels' because of their unending support of our soldiers in so many different ways.

In a coincidental meeting on the plane trip back home to Australia the Holy Spirit group met the Chief of Kokoda and three of his colleagues. They had been invited to Helensburgh by the local RSL Club and were coming to Sydney to join in Anzac Day ceremonies.They were asked if they would be happy to visit Holy Spirit College for their Anzac Day commemoration. They readily agreed and came to our school on Tuesday 24 April.  During their visit they met with all the boys who walked the track, and spoke to our Year 12 students about the Kokoda experience. Their wisdom, sense of duty, spiritual commitment and sense of humour impressed all.

National Mathematics Day – 18th May 2007
April 20, 2007

The Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers Council has decided on a new approach to celebrate mathematics in schools. The inaugural National Mathematics Day will be held on Friday 18th May. This would be a good opportunity to celebrate Mathematics in schools. Suggestions on how you could celebrate the day can be found on the Australian Association of Mathematics Teachers website – Click on Notices and follow the links.

Getting to Know Schools & Principals
April 5, 2007

In a series of School and Cluster meetings held in Term 1 the Director of Schools, Peter Turner, is getting to know schools and their principal leaders. Recent opportunities to speak informally have taken place at the South East Primary Cluster meeting held at Berry on Thursday February 22 and the North West Primary gathering on Thursday March 1 at St John’s Primary School at Campbelltown, the Secondary Principals meeting on Thursday March 8 at Bellambi and the Religious Education Coordinators Conference at Bowral on March 23.

The Director has also embarked on a school visits schedule having so far been to Parish Primary Schools at Ingleburn, Narellan Vale, Eaglevale, Bulli, Fairy Meadow, Corrimal, Gwynneville, West Wollongong and Campbelltown, as well as Secondary Schools at Holy Spirit College, Bellambi, Magdalene Catholic High School, Narellan and Mt Carmel Catholic High School at Varroville. The School Visits program will continue in Term 2. Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Building a Better Environment
April 5, 2007

Federal Member of Parliament for Gilmore, Joanna Gash, joined St John the Evangelist Catholic High School students and staff on Friday March 2 to launch the school’s Water Conservation Project, which was partly funded by a $28,563 Australian Government Community Water Grant. The project involved the installation of rainwater tanks to store water collected from the roof of the school. The collected water is being used to irrigate the school’s gardens and will also be used to supply the student toilets. It is expected the project will save 600,000 litres of water per year.

Masters in RE Course Gets Underway
April 4, 2007

Twenty four staff from schools and the Catholic Education Office have commenced formal studies for the Masters in Religious Education course through the Australian Catholic University. The first of many lectures and assignments got underway at the Catholic Education Office in Wollongong on Friday March 2.

REC & Liturgy Coordinators Conference
March 27, 2007

REC & Liturgy Coordinators from across the Diocese gathered for their annual Conference at Hartzer Park, Bowral on March 22-23. This year’s theme ‘Acting Justly for a Global Community’ was based on the quote from the prophet Micah: ‘This is what God asks of you: to act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God’ (Micah 6:8).  Education for justice is a constitutive element of being church today. To work for social justice and human dignity is not only a religious act, but is a compelling challenge for Catholic schools that claim a true and proper ecclesial identity.

The Conference, put together by a team of RECs, Liturgy Coordinators and CEO personnel, brought to life the theme through a variety of input sessions and workshops that brought the prophetic voice into dialogue with the ‘unfinished business’ of the  UN Millennium Development Goals.  With an emphasis on the contemporary issues of Poverty, Indigenous Rights and Climate Change paticipants were challenged to reflect on action for justice in the world from an educational and religious leadership perspective.

A moving highlight of the Conference was ‘The Micah Challenge’, an interactive prayer experience designed to facilitate engagement and reflection on the issues of global poverty.   The challenge to take a contemplative stance for a just and compassionate society was explored further with the challenging and insightful input from Sr Pauline Compton on day two of the Conference. Threading throughout the days, like weavings of golden hope, were the prayers and rituals which named participants dreams of justice and compassion. Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Special Guests Lead the Way
March 22, 2007

200 Year 6 students from four Southern Illawarra Catholic Schools joined together for a day of learning and fun around the theme of leadership on Wednesday March 21. The SICS group of Ss Peter & Paul, Kiama; St Paul’s, Albion Park; Stella Maris, Shellharbour and Nazareth, Shellharbour City met at Albion Park school and participated in inspirational talks and student workshops. The day opened with a liturgy of welcome led by Albion Park parish priest, Fr David Catterall.

Great excitement surrounded special guests including TV and rock music personality Natalie Bassingthwaite and TV presenter and children’s author Andrew Daddo. Student workshops included World Youth Day, Ecological Conversion, Prayer Cloth Creation, Cartoon Creation, Rock & Water and the Peer Support Scheme. Workshop presenters included Mark Raue and Suz Marden from the Catholic Education Office, Daniel Hopper and Christy Honeysett from the World Youth Day Team, Dean Young; Paul Everill and Scott Stewart from the St George/Illawarra Dragons, cartoonist Tony Murphy, NSW Cricket selector, Tony Creighton and Centacare counsellor, Neece Adams.

The Southern Illawarra Schools network is in its second year and attempts to link staff and students in learning and leading activities. Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Spiritual Leadership
March 21, 2007

Spiritual Animators training on Monday February 26.
This year’s Spirituality Animator Group began their journey together with an Introductory Meeting on February 26 at CEO, which included a light dinner. Twenty six people from five Primary and two Secondary schools are involved in this third year of the Program’s life. Facilitated by the RE Team it has proven successful in empowering the participants to develop their own spiritual life and to be a ministering presence to others on staff in taking forward staff spirituality. Welcoming the 2007 group, our Director Peter Turner gave the Program strong endorsement as a commitment to the Catholic values of our schools and to the pastoral and spiritual care of staff.

Peter especially expressed the way in which this and other programs give hope and meaning to people in a world which needs so much of this today. Mark Raue, Head of RE Services, also congratulated the participants - who include Principals, APs, RECs Coordinators, Classroom Teachers and School Support Officerss – for being asked by their Principal to be involved a project which will develop a plan to further the personal and communal spiritual life of the staff in their schools. In the next four Terms, the group will meet for one day a Term to engage in Adult learning processes in a variety of areas on spirituality, prayer, faith and current issues, through a mindset of animation. More...

Workplace Giving Program
March 19, 2007

The Diocese of Wollongong is now offering direct payroll giving to six charitable organisations. The scheme is highly encouraged by Bishop Peter Ingham and the Director of Schools, Peter Turner. Further information is available here...

Bishop Peter Visits Special Joint-School Class
March 13, 2007

In 2002 the Mater Dei School at Camden together with John Therry Catholic High School, Rosemeadow and the Catholic Education Office Wollongong began a special Year 11/12 class initiative which allowed Mater Dei students to be part of a comprehensive High School.

A “satellite class” was established whereby students spend three days per week at John Therry Catholic High School participating in Higher School Certificate Life Skills classes including Religion, English, Mathematics, Creative Arts, Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, Technological and Applied Studies, Work and the Community, Citizenship and Society and Science.  Students then spend the remaining two days participating in the Business Services VET course and Structured Work Placement and Community Access Programs as part of the Mater Dei School Community.  This is an innovative and exciting program that provides wonderful opportunities for young people with disabilities and their families. More ...

Primary Teachers' Mathematics Conference
March 13, 2007

The University of Wollongong is pleased to announce the inaugural Making Maths Visible in the Illawarra Conference on Saturday 26 May 2007. This is an initiative of the University of Wollongong, Department of Education and Training (Illawarra South East region) and the Catholic Education Office, Wollongong. It presents a wonderful opportunity for collaboration and professional learning across sectors in the area of Mathematics education.

Twenty–four workshops and presentations will be offered covering a variety of learning and teaching experiences across the primary years of schooling. Origo Mathematical Education Resources Company, renowned for creating dynamic classroom materials and providing inspiring professional development for teachers, is the major sponsor of this conference. Origo’s team comprising James Burnett, Rosemary  & Calvin Irons, Allan Turton, Gerard Tuffield and Anita Chin will be presenting alongside teachers and university students from the Illawarra region. Visit the website at:
http://www.uow.edu.au/conferences/MMVII%202007/index.htm

Annual Education Mass
March 12, 2007

The Diocese of Wollongong celebrated the beginning of the 2007 school year with mass and commissioning ceremonies at St Francis Xavier Cathedral on the evening of Tuesday March 6. The Annual Education Mass welcomed all new students and staff and included a commissioning of the new Director of Schools, Peter Turner, new teachers to Diocesan schools, new members of the Diocesan School’s Council and members of the Diocesan Parents and Friends Forum.

Bishop Peter Ingham welcomed all and spoke of the important place of teachers in our Catholic Schools. He emphasised the place of the school as “often the first place where the name of Jesus is used with reverence and love.”

Director of Schools Peter Turner thanked all principals and staff of schools and the Catholic Education Office for the warm welcome he has received since the beginning of the year and encouraged all involved in Catholic Education: “It must be the work of our Catholic Schools and our Catholic Education Office that such words as evangelisation, ministry, Eucharist, vision, mission, values, virtue and truth, are woven into the everyday fabric of our work and our lives and those of the young people we serve.”

The Education Mass especially welcomed Hetty Petre as a new principal. Hetty took up the principal position at St Mary’s Parish Primary School, Milton at the start of 2007. Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Project Compassion Launch
February 21, 2007

St Michael’s Primary School at Mittagong was the host for the launch of Caritas’s Project Compassion on Tuesday February 20, 2007. St Michael’s hall was filled with parents, students and staff from the school, teacher and student school representatives from other Primary and High schools across the Wollongong Diocese, representatives from the Catholic Education Office, together with Bishop Peter Ingham, Bowral parish priest Fr Sean Cullen, Director of Caritas Tom Van Kints and guest speaker Lynda Edwards.
Lynda explained her aboriginal heritage to the students and guests, explained the work with which she is involved in the Wilcannia-Forbes Diocese and the way in which donations to Caritas help aboriginal people in day to day activities. She also invited and received from students a variety of interesting questions.

The gathering opened with a welcome to country by local aboriginal elder, Val Mulcahy and concluded with the presentation of Project Compassion boxes to school representatives from Bishop Peter. Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Leaders Learning Experience
February 20, 2007

Over 300 delegates attended the sixth International Educational Leadership Conference held at the University of Wollongong on February 15-16. Based around the theme "Leading Learning Communities: Strategy, Action and Reflection", local and international participants heard from keynote speakers and attended interest workshops over a day and a half. The theme centred on the leadership challenges of creating and sustaining vibrant, versatile and smarter educational organizations in the context of rapid change, demanding professional accountabilities and expectations, and diverse and shifting needs of students. The Director General of NSW Education, Andrew Cappie-Wood gave the opening address.

Drawing on exemplary and innovative practice, research and experience, presenters and participants considered how educational leaders can guide schools to become learning communities and why they must continuously learn, develop, renew, innovate and improvise. Director of Schools, Peter Turner gave a summary presentation at the conclusion of the Conference.

Members of Catholic school leadership teams and CEO senior staff were deeply involved in the Conference planning and participation. The Conference organisers, The Australian Centre for Educational Leadership, thanked the co-sponsors who include the Australian College of Educators, NSW Department of Education and Training and the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong. Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

Rise & Shine Awards
February 8, 2007

St. Brigid’s Primary School Gwynneville was awarded first place in the School Environment Management Plan Category at Wollongong Council’s Rise and Shine Environment Awards held on Thursday 14 December at Wollongong Town Hall. Members of the school Environment Club, along with Assistant Principal, Mr. Danny Sykes received the award from Lord Mayor Alex Darling and Alan O’Brien, Environment Manager of Bluescope Steel, who sponsored the schools section of the awards. It was the second consecutive year that St. Brigid’s had received recognition for environmental initiatives after being awarded the Most Improved School in 2005.

Schools Leaders Gather
January 29, 2007

The Function Centre at the University of Wollongong was the venue for the 2007 Diocesan School Leadership Teams Meeting Day held on Thursday January 25. Over 180 participants including principals, assistant principals, religious education coordinators and senior coordinators from Primary and Secondary schools met for the official launch of the System of Schools Strategic Plan “Agenda 2007.” Also in attendance were senior members of the Catholic Education Office leadership team and senior members of the Catholic Education Office.  

The meeting was the first opportunity for the newly appointed Director of Schools, Peter Turner, to address school leadership staff. His presentation included consideration of the challenges facing school leaders and the importance of building relationships to improve outcomes for students. Bishop Peter Ingham also joined the meeting to emphasise his expectations of schools over the coming year. He asked school leaders not just to welcome in the school year but to “embrace the Lord Jesus.”

Included on the program was a ceremony commissioning leaders to their positions of responsibility over the 2007 school year. Please view the photo gallery for pictures of this event...

New Teachers Welcomed
January 23, 2007

An Induction Day for 47 teachers new to the Diocese of Wollongong was held on Tuesday January 23 at the Catholic Education Office in Wollongong. Beginning teachers as well as experienced teachers commencing work in the Diocese heard welcoming words from both Bishop Peter Ingham and the Director of Schools, Peter Turner.

Bishop Peter emphasised that the teachers were carrying out some of the mission entrusted to him as Bishop and held high hopes that our teachers would be Christ centred people who brought a sense of welcome, inclusion and happiness to those they taught.

Peter Turner challenged the teachers to think what their students would ask of them and how they would fulfil their hopes and expectations. “The profession is about commitment and relationships and being learning centred” he said. “Our schools must be places where good things happen.”

Presentations were also made by the Independent Education Union, Religious Education Services, Payroll and Workplace Relations, Heads of Schools Services, Institute of Teachers and Superannuation speakers.

At the Induction Day with the Director of Schools Peter Turner and the Bishop of Wollongong Peter Ingham were Vicky Davidson an experienced teacher moving from St Therese Sadlier-Miller to St John’s Parish Primary, Campbelltown; Rachael Rhodes, a University of Wollongong graduate and beginning teacher starting her career at St John’s Primary, Dapto and David Hopkins an experienced teacher from Hong Kong International School, commencing as a teacher of Mathematics at St John the Evangelist Catholic High School, Nowra. More...

Accolade for Teacher Mentor
January 18, 2007

A teacher from Holy Spirit College, Bellambi, has received an award for Excellence in Secondary School Teaching after having been nominated by a graduating student from the Australian National University in Canberra.

Sarah Piesley, a former student in Ancient History at Holy Spirit College who graduated from school in 2003 nominated Mary Condon as "an inspirational teacher who had helped shape her life". Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in the fields of Archaeology and Forensic Anthropology. The prize awarded to Mrs Condon was $3000 and another $1500 was granted to Holy Spirit College.

Mary accepted her award at the Conferring of Degree ceremony at the Australian National University in Canberra on December 15, 2006. Her citation included the following words from Sarah:

"As soon as I started Mrs Condon’s classes, I fell in love with ancient history and everything else to do with it. Mrs Condon had a way of making historical characters and events come alive. I felt like I knew exactly what it was like to grow up in a Spartan village and I felt like Augustus and Agrippina were close friends of mine. I feel that a major turning event in my choice of a career was a class excursion when Mrs Condon took us to the Nicholson Museum in Sydney Uni. When we walked in the door and I saw a copy of the Prima Porta statue of Augustus and all the artefacts Mrs Condon had described to us, I felt at home and I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up."

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