National Catholic Education

Nominations are now open for the 2026 HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care Awards. The awards recognise excellence across pedagogy & practice, leadership and service. Know someone making a difference? Nominate them today. bit.ly/4seZP4T🌟

Former Senate president Scott Ryan has formally begun his role as Executive Director of the NCEC, following a commissioning Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney. Read the Catholic Weekly article bit.ly/4sTNPG2

Catholic school teachers are using Ochre resources with Mastery in Mathematics to save time & boost learning! 📝 Share your experience in a 2-min survey & help shape future resources: bit.ly/4uLcgqS

Executive Directors Update. This is an exciting week as I formally step into the role of Executive Director of the National Catholic Education Commission. Read here bit.ly/4uo98Rr

Tom Sexton has been appointed Chair of the Rural, Regional and Remote Directors Group, succeeding Nichii Mardon, who has served in the role since 2019. Read more bit.ly/4lhC3T2

CALL FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST A statement from Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Archbishop of Perth Read here bit.ly/3OQdDUD

AEU REPORT DISTORTS THE FACTS The AEU report on school infrastructure funding and the media coverage is, yet again, a poor characterisation of figures which advances sector division and undermines the whole of the Australian education system. Read more bit.ly/4kV8BSS

MESSAGE OF POPE LEO XIV FOR LENT Pope Leo XIV calls on the faithful this Lent to reflect, convert, and renew. He urges turning away from harsh speech and judgment to cultivate kindness, hope, and peace. Read the full message: bit.ly/4c1VXz2

🌟 Nominations are now open for The Educator’s Australian Education Awards 2026 🏆 Celebrating outstanding teachers, principals & education leaders making a difference across Australia 🇦🇺 ⏰ Nominations close 13 March 👉 educatorawards.com/nominate

Only TWO WEEKS left to complete the WISE Project survey. Women connected to the Catholic Church are invited to share their insights on safeguarding practices. 🟣 20–30 min anonymous survey 🟣 Help strengthen Church safety Take part 👉 bit.ly/4kGSKWZ

THE NEW BULLYING. NO WAY! WEBSITE IS NOW LIVE A refreshed, user-friendly hub with practical resources, lesson plans, professional learning and guidance to support bullying prevention and response across schools. Explore the new site 👉bit.ly/4krttRa

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S UPDATE 2026 UNDERWAY: NEW LEADERSHIP, NATIONAL ADVOCACY AND A BUSY START Read here bit.ly/403QPD4

We welcome the ACBC’s new Social Justice Statement, The Cost of Our Living, calling Australians to look beyond the numbers to the real human impact of the cost-of-living crisis Read more: bit.ly/46oNSk5

Women connected to the Catholic Church are invited to take part in the WISE Project — an international study exploring women’s perspectives on safeguarding in the Church. 📝 20–30 min anonymous survey 👩 Women 18+, lay or religious bit.ly/4kGSKWZ

From 1 July 2026, super must be paid each payday, not quarterly. The ATO has released factsheets, checklists & videos covering: ✔️ What’s changing ✔️ Super guarantee updates ✔️ Qualifying earnings (QE) ✔️ SuperStream upgrades Get up to speed 👉 bit.ly/4abiXJ3

The 2026 Young Voices Awards invite Years 5–12 to explore: “To go boldly: The path of faith & justice” Class projects or individual entries welcome. 🏆Prizes + magazine feature 🕔 Entries close 8 May 2026 Find out more bit.ly/45MII1a

Being a great school is one thing — being a great place to work is another. The Educator’s 5-Star Employers of Choice recognises K–12 schools that invest in culture, leadership and staff wellbeing. Nominations close Friday, 20 February bit.ly/3NOORnq

A national symposium led by @NotreDameAus and @ACUmedia will explore the theological and pastoral foundations shaping Catholic education today bringing together leaders, scholars & practitioners to strengthen Catholic identity and mission. Find out more bit.ly/3LRRwvZ

NEW FUNDING OPEN FOR EARLY LEARNING SERVICES (ELS) IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES ELS' can now apply for funding through the Community Child Care Fund to help keep services operating in communities facing disadvantage and vulnerability. Find out more: bit.ly/49RtrgL

The 2026 ECA National Conference is heading to Melbourne, 30 Sept–3 Oct. Australia’s largest early childhood conference, with sessions on wellbeing, leadership, sustainability, reconciliation & more. 🎤 Presenter applications close 27 Jan Learn more:🔗 bit.ly/49L558l