Hello everyone,
DLG last week was a great success, and I want to thank everyone who contributed to a productive few days together.
Our workshops on workload relief measures and budgeting for 2027 were certainly challenging at times, but they were also fruitful. They gave us the opportunity to have some important conversations about the realities facing our schools and how, as a system, we can continue to support our leaders and communities effectively.
Our Mass and dinner were also wonderful occasions, and it was a privilege to hear Bishop Mark’s first address to DOBCEL principals. At the heart of his message was the importance of Generosity, Courage and Compassion in all our leadership interactions. These are powerful measures for the way we lead, the decisions we make and the relationships we build.
Bishop Mark also emphasised the importance of the parish–school relationship and encouraged our principals to reach out to their local priests at every opportunity. Strong relationships between our schools and parishes remain fundamental to our Catholic identity and mission.
Today, I have been at Parliament House meeting with various Members of Parliament and advocating for rural education issues that are particularly important to our Diocese and our school communities. Our meeting with Shadow Minister for Education, Brad Rowswell was very productive.
We are grateful to Joe McCracken, Member for Western Victoria and a great supporter of Catholic education, for hosting us and arranging a number of valuable meetings.
Tomorrow morning, I’m heading to Finland to attend and participate in the upcoming education summit. Accompanying me will be DOBCEL principals Emily Clarke and Ben Shields, along with Julia Petrov from CEB and Dave Runge.
It is a great honour for DOBCEL to be invited to participate in the Summit and an outstanding achievement to have two sessions selected for presentation at the Conference. Of approximately 4,800 proposals submitted, only 200 were selected – and two of those came from DOBCEL. That is something our whole organisation can be very proud of.
We are looking forward to learning a great deal, sharing some of our own experiences and making new connections with like-minded educators from around the world. Most importantly, we will bring that learning home and use it to help us continue becoming an even better system of schools.
I also want to acknowledge the increased engagement we are seeing across our social media channels. It has been terrific to see more people engaging with, sharing and celebrating the stories of our schools, staff, students and communities. Every interaction helps extend the reach of those stories and strengthens awareness of the wonderful work happening across DOBCEL.
Thank you to everyone who is contributing, engaging and helping us tell the DOBCEL story. Please keep it going.
With best wishes,
Tom Sexton
Executive Director