A WORLD OF OPPORTUNITIES
Catholic Education Office executive director Stephen Elder says the goal of Catholic education is equipping children with the knowledge, sense of belonging and sense of hope ... to equip them to succeed and make a difference.
OPEN new horizons for spreading joy is this year’s theme for Catholic Education Week.
It could not be more fitting for the Geelong region, which recently welcomed two new Catholic primary schools, creating new education opportunities for hundreds of children.
The prevalence of Catholic students in Victoria is the highest proportion of any Catholic system in the country and much of this can be attributed to the growing demand for schools across the Greater Geelong region.
Catholic Education Week will be celebrated from March 12 to 18.
Catholic Education Office executive director Stephen Elder said Catholic Education Week was an important annual event highlighting the pivotal role the schools play within their local community and the strength of the sector.
“Catholic education in Victoria draws on more than 150 years of service to the community,” Mr Elder said.
“We aim to provide a quality, accessible, affordable values-based education to all those who want it; an education that creates independent learners and encourages personal development.
“Our schools offer unique benefits, as parents realise.”
Catholic Education Melbourne figures show Geelong Catholic school enrolments rose by 765 students from 2016 to 2018.
In total, the Catholic education system is entrusted with the education of more than 210,000 students in nearly 500 schools across Victoria, close to one in four Victorian schoolchildren.
Lisieux Catholic Primary School opened this year, starting with 43 students from prep to Grade 3 and has plans to grow to cater for students in Grades 4-6 in 2019.
St Mary MacKillop Catholic Primary School in Bannockburn also opened its doors in January.
There are also plans to open more schools in Armstrong Creek over the next two years.
Mr Elder said the week enables school communities from across the greater Melbourne-Geelong region to come together for events that celebrate the spirit of the young people who attend its primary and secondary schools.
“When he announced the Church’s 2018 Year of Youth, Pope Francis told young people, ‘A better world can be built … as a result of your efforts, your desire to change and your generosity’,” Mr Elder said.
“That’s our goal at Catholic Education; equipping children with the knowledge and sense of belonging, the sense of hope that will equip them with the confidence and capacity not only to succeed, but to make a difference.”