Next week, 1400 delegates, including educators and leaders, clergy and religious, parents, academics, chairs and board members, will gather in Cairns for the 2025 Australian Catholic Education Conference. Source: NCEC.
National Catholic Education Commission executive director Jacinta Collins said the August 20-22 conference is the largest gathering of Catholic educators in Australia.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Catholic Education Cairns for our triennial conference this year, especially after such a strong turnout and engagement in Melbourne in 2022,” Ms Collins said.
“This year’s theme, ‘hope, anchored in faith’, reflects our deep commitment to the mission and strategic vision of Catholic education, grounded in our three strategic priorities: Faith, Excellence and Access”.
The three-day program will feature more than 70 keynote addresses, panel discussions, workshops and masterclasses. Key themes will include Catholic identity, mission and formation; learning and teaching; leadership and governance; parent, parish and community engagement; resourcing and infrastructure; advocacy and marketing; and more.
The conference will open with an address from NCEC chair Nicholas Moore, focusing on the theme “hope, anchored in faith”.
On Thursday, federal Education Minister Jason Clare will join Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP for an “in conversation” discussion.
“We are pleased to welcome Minister Clare and Archbishop Fisher for an engaging discussion on the contribution of Catholic education in Australia, including our involvement in contributing to the national reform agenda,” Ms Collins said.
Former ABC journalist Philippa McDonald will be the Master of Ceremonies over the three days.
Catholic Diocese of Cairns Bishop Joe Caddy AM said he was confident delegates would be uplifted by the impressive line-up of speakers, which includes Sr Nathalie Becquart, Dylan Wiliam, Steve Constantino, Simon Breakspear and Jordana Hunter.
“I really commend it to all attending and hope that they feel renewed and encouraged in their mission within our Catholic schools,” he said.
Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns Executive Director Durm O’Riordan said this was the first time the conference will be held in a regional area and the diocese is proud to co-host the event and welcome participants from across the country, New Zealand, Oceania, Canada and the United States.
For those unable to attend, an on-demand ticket is available giving access to keynote sessions and professional learning content for three months after the conference.
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