The National Catholic Education Commission and the Cairns Diocese have announced some of the headline speakers for the 2025 Australian Catholic Education Conference.
Sr Nathalie Becquart XMCJ, Undersecretary for the General Secretariat of the Synod, Dylan Wiliam, Emeritus Professor of Educational Assessment at the University College of London Institute of Education, and Simon Breakspear, educational expert and founder of Strategic Schools, will deliver keynotes at the August 20-22 conference, to be held in Cairns.
Former ABC reporter Philippa McDonald will be the conference’s Master of Ceremonies.
Cairns Bishop Joe Caddy said he was delighted to welcome Sr Nathalie as a keynote speaker for the conference.
“Her groundbreaking leadership in the Synod of Bishops, and her work in education, youth ministry and formation, as well as her commitment to fostering dialogue and inclusion in the Church will bring invaluable insight to those working in Catholic Education,” Bishop Caddy said.
Sr Nathalie, who will present the opening keynote address, said, “Together we’ll explore how Catholic education, which plays such an important role in the Church and society, can form students and leaders who embrace a synodal style of listening, dialogue and shared responsibility to become servant leaders”.
NCEC executive director Jacinta Collins said the keynote speakers have been chosen with a focus on Catholic Education’s national strategic priorities of “faith, excellence and access” and the conference theme, “Hope, anchored in faith”, which intentionally aligns with the Jubilee Year theme, “Pilgrims of hope”.
“School education is a highly complex landscape today and we can often focus on what’s challenging rather than on what we are achieving,” Ms Collins said.
“But as Catholic school communities we have a foundation of faith that in its essence is about bringing hope and light to the world.
“For this conference we want to focus on that hope, on what is working, on building on our best practice, on identifying fresh approaches to learning and teaching, to faith formation and to the many other aspects of our work.”
Details and registrations: www.2025ACEC.edu.au
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Headline speakers announced for the 2025 Australian Catholic Education Conference
(NCEC)
