Catholic Education Week officially launches in Cairns
The launch event of 2024 Catholic Education Week in Queensland set the tone for a vibrant and exciting week of celebrations in Far North Queensland and across the sunshine state.
This year Cairns was chosen to host the statewide celebrations with an official launch event on Sunday night kicking off the week’s celebrations.
The evening began on the Bishop’s House lawn with a Welcome to Country and the unveiling of a sand art installation created by local First Nations artist and traditional elder Henry Fourmile, followed by a celebratory dinner at the Crystalbrook Riley. The event featured the prestigious Spirit of Catholic Education (SOCE) Awards, which highlighted the outstanding contributions of staff, parents, carers and volunteers in Catholic schools throughout the state.
The 2024 SOCE Award recipients, including Kelly Sheppard from St Gerard Majella School, Woree, were celebrated for their significant impact in their communities, and recognised for their dedication, leadership, and innovation.
Kelly’s award citation reads:
“Kelly’s strong work ethic and warm, welcoming demeanor make her the heart and soul of the St Gerard Majella school community. As a forward-thinking leader, Kelly doesn’t just embrace change—she thrives on it, eagerly adopting new concepts and policies that keep the school at the forefront of educational excellence.”
The event drew dignitaries from across Queensland including the Most Reverend Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of Brisbane; Diocesan Administrator for Cairns Fr Kerry Crowley; The Honourable Michael Healy MP, Minister for Tourism and Sport; and Cairns Mayor Amy Eden.
The launch event was followed by Mass at St Monica’s Cathedral on Monday morning with representatives from schools and colleges across the region.