History-making Catholic Education Conference - Catholic Education

History-making Catholic Education Conference

Cairns has made history as the first Diocese to host the Australian Catholic Education Conference outside of a capital city.

The opening session featured a moving Welcome to Country from Professor Henrietta Marrie AM, and a cultural dance performance from students from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Waiben.

With more than 1450 delegates from around Australia and abroad, we gathered under the inspiring theme of Hope Anchored in Faith. The event featured world-renowned keynote speakers and brought together expert panellists, providing avenues for colleagues from near and far to present stimulating and thought-provoking workshops. 

2025 Australian Catholic Education Conference Opening Keynote Sr Nathalie Becquart xmcj said our schools are “places where hope is nurtured, where young people learn to walk in faith and diversity with the spirit”.

The conference featured more than 100 sessions and presenters, covering everything from sustainable teaching practice to school improvement; from family engagement to capital funding and planning; and from how to ensure authentic inclusivity in Catholic Education to strategies to maximise enrolments. The quality of presenters and topics covered has been outstanding, as you can see from the attached program. 

Professor Dylan Wiliam delivered his keynote ‘Everyone Counts: Responsive, Engaging Education for All’, highlighting that true equity means not only lifting achievement but also narrowing the gap between students.

The highlight of the event, without a doubt, was the Eucharistic celebration on the first day. The presence of Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons concelebrating with Bishop Joe underscored the historic significance of the occasion for all participants. The attention to ritual and symbol, such as the blessing of the crosses presented to each delegate, the water blessing by our local diocesan clergy, the magnificent replicas of St Monica’s Cathedral’s stained-glass windows as the backdrop for the altar, and the presentation and placing of the gifts by students, all added to the occasion’s grandeur.

The highlight of the event was the Eucharistic celebration with more than 1000 students representing all 30 schools.

The exceptional music ministry, including staff from across our schools, had our hearts and spirits soaring in prayerful song. Above all, the inclusion of over 1000 students representing all 30 schools across our diocese, with 400 choristers leading us, was a poignant reminder of the centrality of their voice in Catholic education and the sacredness of our missionary purpose. 

The panel “Voices that Matter, Actions that Count” saw six remarkable student leaders from Years 7–12 across the Diocese of Cairns take the stage in conversation with Bishop Joe Caddy AM.

On the closing day, delegates were hugely impressed by a panel discussion involving six of our student leaders, who shared with us their thoughts on the importance of teachers in their educational journey, along with their gratitude for the gift of Catholic education and their excitement for the future. The discussion was moderated by Bishop Joe Caddy, and the students were: 

Edward Hamilton – St Andrew’s Catholic College, Redlynch 

Brooklyn Wallwork – St Mary’s Catholic College, Woree 

Summer Richardson – St Stephen’s Catholic College, Mareeba 

Kaleb Howard – St Augustine’s College, Parramatta Park 

Nathan Wagner – Mount St Bernard College, Herberton 

Mia Smith – St Monica’s College, Cairns

As they spoke of their appreciation of their teachers and the impact you have had on them, it was clear that many of you have contributed significantly to their journeys through our schools. You should feel rightly proud of the fine young men and women who spoke with such passion and honesty.

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