Weekes' Weekly News

Dear Sacred Heart Kew Families,

Last week, I was fortunate to attend the National Catholic Education Conference (NCEC) with my Principal Network (East Central Zone) colleagues in Cairns. We joined 1400+ fellow educators, as we listened to a variety of speakers and presentations, focussing on the strategic vision and mission of Catholic education across three key areas - Faith, Excellence and Access. We also attended workshops centered around learning and teaching best practice, and how curriculum and assessment are managed and delivered across different parts of Australia, and the world. Highlights of the Conference included: 

Keynote address from Sr Nathalie Becquart XMCJ, general undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops in Rome and a global leader in synodality and youth ministry. Sr Nathalie described Catholic schools as ‘networks of relationships’ and the ‘places where hope is nurtured, where young people learn to walk in faith and diversity with the spirit’.

The conference Mass, concelebrated by Bishop Joe Caddy of Cairns, Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane and Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP of Sydney. More than 1100 students from across the Diocese of Cairns participated, including a 400 voice choir. In his homily, Bishop Caddy spoke of the dignity at the heart of Catholic education. He prayed that young people formed in Catholic schools would ‘respect human dignity, build bridges and come to know Jesus Christ ‘creating a more just and peaceful home for all God’s children’.

Keynote address from Prof Dylan Wiliam, emeritus professor of educational assessment at the University College London Institute of Education. In his keynote, Prof Dylan Wiliam, argued that equity means not only lifting achievement, but also narrowing gaps between students. He called for shifts in the culture of education from performance to learning, from fixed ability to mastery over time, and from linear to adaptive curriculums. 

Keynote address from Dr Steve Constantino (photo below), executive professor at William and Mary’s School of Education in Williamsburg, Virginia. Dr Steve spoke about engaging the greater community, reminding delegates that 'family engagement is ‘not an event; it’s a process'. He reassured delegates that this ‘doesn’t mean more work. It’s the same energy, same resources, different process, different results'.

I very much valued and am most grateful for the opportunity to attend the NCEC (which is held every three years). As well as all the learning, I also enjoyed the chance to connect with my Principal Network and other education professionals from around the country. I left Cairns knowing that here in Melbourne, in particular, the suburb of Kew, that our school Sacred Heart is well and truly ‘on track’ even 'excelling' in many areas of Catholic education. We are all blessed to be a part of a community and school that provides high quality learning and teaching for all our children, values engagement and relationships, and is a place where every member of our community is known and respected for their individual characteristics, talents and contributions. 

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend.

Kind Regards,

Ed Weekes 

School Principal