NCEC Director witnesses’ examples of thriving Catholic Education in WA

23 Mar 2023

By The Record

NCEC Director tours CEWA Schools
NCEC Executive Director the Hon Jacinta Collins listens to students from St Francis’ School Maddington, Tuesday 14 March, during a visit to a number of schools in the Perth metro area. With her are CEWA Executive Director Dr Debra Sayce, CECWA Chair Ms Eva Skira AM, Hammond Park CPS Principal Andrew Colley and Catholic School Parents WA Executive Director, Siobhan Allen. Photo: Matt Biocich/CEWA.

National Catholic Education Director, Hon Jacinta Collins has last week Tuesday 14 March seen that Catholic education is thriving and continuing to serve families across Western Australia following a visit to a number of schools in the Perth metro area.

Hon Collins visited St Francis’ School in Maddington, St Jude’s Catholic School in Langford, and Lumen Christi College in Martin alongside Catholic Education Commission WA Chair, Ms Eva Skira AM, Catholic Education WA Executive Director, Dr Debra Sayce, Catholic School Parents WA Executive Director, Siobhan Allen and representatives of the Catholic Primary and Secondary Principals Associations.

NCEC Executive Director the Hon Jacinta Collins, third from right, receives a tour of Lumen Christi College, Tuesday 14 March. With her are CEWA Executive Director Dr Debra Sayce, and CECWA Chair Ms Eva Skira AM. Photo: Matt Biocich/CEWA.

The group met with Principals, teachers, and students from each of the schools and had the opportunity to hear about the great work occurring inside and outside the classroom.

Hon Jacinta Collins said the interactions the visiting entourage had with staff and students at St Francis School, St Jude’s Catholic School and Lumen Christi College leave her with no doubt that Catholic education in WA is meeting its mission to deliver accessible, affordable, Christ-centred education to Australian families.

“I’d like to thank my colleagues at Catholic Education WA and at each school for taking the time to show me the great work that is going on in these schools,” the Hon Collins said.

Catholic School Parents WA Executive Director, Siobhan Allen, together with NCEC Executive Director the Hon Jacinta Collins, CEWA Executive Director Dr Debra Sayce, CECWA Chair Ms Eva Skira AM, Hammond Park CPS Principal Andrew Colley, St Francis School Maddington teacher Krystal Dean watch and listen to a student during a food and nutrition class. Photo: Matt Biocich/CEWA.

CEWA Executive Director also noted that it has been a pleasure to be able to give the Hon Collins a flavour of what is happening in WA’s Catholic schools on a daily basis.

“In meeting teachers and students, I have once again been struck by thoughtful, committed Catholic educators and leadership within our schools,” Dr Sayce said.

Catholic Education Commission WA Chair Eva Skira AM said Catholic schools offer parents in WA the choice of an accessible, affordable, quality, Christ-centred and child-focused education.

NCEC Executive Director the Hon Jacinta Collins speaks with students from Lumen Christi College, Tuesday 14 March, during a visit to a number of schools in the Perth metro area. Photo: Matt Biocich/CEWA.

“Each of the schools we visited today are great examples of Catholic schools meeting the needs of our communities,” Ms Skira said.

“In speaking to staff and students at the schools I know that our schools are places where students are supported to reach their God-given potential and instilled with the skills and values to become outstanding citizens.

“This is why more families than ever before are choosing a Catholic education for their child,” she said.

NCEC Executive Director the Hon Jacinta Collins with CEWA Executive Director, Dr Debra Sayce and CECWA Chair Eva Skira AM, Tuesday 14 March, during a visit to a number of schools in the Perth metro area. Photo: Matt Biocich/CEWA.

Catholic School Parents WA Executive Director Siobhan Allen also noted that parents who choose a Catholic school find that their child receives not just an excellent academic experience but are supported to grow spiritually and emotionally.

“Today, we have seen first-hand why – with passionate teachers and well-run schools, young people are benefitting from their parents’ choice of school,” Ms Allen said.

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