This week I am attending the Australian Catholic Education Commission in Cairns. The conference has brought together 1,500 Catholic educators, leaders, clergy, parents and others from the broader Church involved in Catholic education. With the theme ‘hope, anchored in faith’, the focus of the conference is on the strategic vision and mission of Catholic education. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet school leaders from around Australia and share learnings and experiences that I hope to bring back to St Joseph’s School.

The conference began with a special mass celebrated by the Bishop of Cairns and other clergy, including our Bishop Ken Howell and our priest Father Nathan Webb. Father Nathan has just finished his teaching degree and is very keen to grow his knowledge in Catholic education. It was nice to have him join us.

Catholic education plays a huge role in education across Australia. There are 1,751 Catholic schools educating nearly 820,000 students and employing over 110,000 staff. St Joseph's School contributes a vibrant community of one school, over 500 students, and 75 dedicated staff members. The benefits of a Catholic education are significant. Post-school studies indicate that Catholic school students experience:

• Higher employment rates and wages
• Better health and life satisfaction
• Greater representation in community-serving professions.

These outcomes demonstrate the enduring value of Catholic education in shaping productive, engaged citizens.

At St Joseph’s School we focus on learning and living out our Mercy values (Respect, Compassion, Service and Courage). If our students can succeed in these areas, we succeed as a school and a community in developing productive, engaged and faith filled citizens. Your support to ensure the success of our students and the school is essential and much appreciated.

God Bless