This week, we celebrate Catholic Education Week across the Diocese of Ballarat – an important opportunity to pause, reflect and celebrate the incredible contribution Catholic education continues to make in the lives of students, families and communities across our Diocese.
Catholic schools are places of learning, belonging, faith, service and opportunity, where young people are known, supported and encouraged to flourish. Catholic Education Week reminds us of the extraordinary work happening every day in our schools and the dedication of staff who continue to shape and support the lives of young people with care, professionalism and hope.
I am particularly looking forward to gathering with colleagues from across the Diocese on Friday evening at Damascus College for the Catholic Education Week Mass and Awards Dinner. This special occasion provides an opportunity to recognise and celebrate those who have dedicated 30 years of service to Catholic education, along with the recipients of the Bishop Paul Bird CSsR Spirit of Catholic Education Awards.
It is especially fitting this year that the awards are named in honour of Bishop Paul Bird CSsR, recognising his longstanding commitment to Catholic education across the Diocese of Ballarat. Bishop Paul has been a strong and consistent supporter of Catholic schools throughout his episcopal ministry and was instrumental in establishing DOBCEL. It is a privilege to acknowledge his contribution in this way.
These milestones and awards speak to the commitment, generosity and passion that exist throughout our school communities, and I thank all those being recognised for the profound contribution they have made to Catholic education.
To mark Catholic Education Week, we are also launching a special episode of the DOBCEL Strategy 2035 Podcast – Towards 2035. In this episode, Catholic Education Week: What Catholic Education Means to Us, Matt Byrne, Deputy Director: Catholic Education and Megan Ioannou, Deputy Director: Stewardship, reflect on the significance of Catholic Education Week, the impact Catholic schools have within our communities and why it is so important to celebrate Catholic education across our Diocese – from the Murray to the Sea. I encourage staff to take the opportunity to listen to the conversation and reflect on the important role our schools continue to play in the lives of so many families and young people.
This week also marks the beginning of National Reconciliation Week. The 2026 theme, All In, calls on all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation each and every day. It reminds us that reconciliation requires all of us to listen, learn, act and walk together.
At DOBCEL, we reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation by honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the world’s oldest living continuous cultures. We recognise the strength, wisdom and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and languages, and acknowledge families and communities as the first and most important educators of their children.
Throughout this week, schools across the Diocese will mark National Reconciliation Week in a variety of meaningful ways. I encourage all school communities to take time to reflect on our shared responsibility to build understanding, respect and meaningful connection, and to continue the important work of reconciliation within our own contexts and communities.
With best wishes,
Tom Sexton
Executive Director