2010 QCEC Annual Report
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Queensland Catholic Education Commission Annual Report 2010 Contents Queensland Catholic Education Commission Message from the Chair 1 Report from the Executive Director 2 About the Commission 4 Key Functions 4 Vision, Mission and Values 5 Members of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission 6 Strategic Priorities 2009-2010 8 Report on Strategic Priorities 2009-2010 10 QCEC Committee Structure 18 Executive Committee 19 Executive Subcommittees Political Advisory Subcommittee 20 Catholic Education Week Subcommittee 21 Student Protection Subcommittee 22 Catholic Ethos, Formation and Religious Education Committee 23 Industrial Relations Committee 24 Education Committee 25 Education Subcommittees Equity Subcommittee 26 Indigenous Education Subcommittee 28 Information and Communication Technologies Subcommittee 30 Finance Committee 32 Finance Subcommittees Capital Programs Subcommittee 34 Other School Transport Reference Committee 35 Finance Report 36 APPENDICES 38 I Committee Members 38 II QCEC Secretariat Structure and Staff 44 III Queensland Catholic Schools Statistics 43 Message from the Chair is essential that such a relationship none of what it achieves is possible continues, especially at times when without the participation and those on all sides find it hard to commitment of those it serves. predict what lies ahead. In this respect, its diverse challenges can't be met without a close The Commission was both proactive relationship with the Bishops of and reactive to the Queensland Queensland, and in particular with Government's significant paper, its Chair, Archbishop John Bathersby, A Flying Start for Queensland Children, and without the ongoing and was enormously conscientious commitment of the Religious in having its views disseminated and Institutes and other delegating understood. As Mike Byrne, the authorities. At the coal face, the Commission's Executive Director, Commission also needs parents and indicates in his report, the issue of teachers to tell them what it needs funding at the national level is critical to hear and know. Finally, I would like for the future of quality education to sincerely thank individual of our children. That scenario members of the Commission, Mike In 2010, the Queensland Catholic continues and won't come to a Byrne and members of his Secretariat Education Commission (QCEC) conclusion for at least another year. who ensure that the business of the outreached extensively to its The Commission has been careful to Commission is always carried out stakeholders to argue, in whatever have significant input in the debates efficiently. I am particularly grateful way it could, for quality Catholic that have occurred to date, and it that so many people give so education in the state of Queensland. has contributed to discussions as unstintingly of their time to help the In many ways, this year has been one conscientiously and productively Commission carry out its work. in which it was imperative for QCEC as it could. to educate others as widely as May God continue to watch over us. possible on the benefits and needs of Without a doubt the most significant Catholic schooling. The Commission religious event in the year was the put special effort into preparing canonisation of Mary MacKillop. materials for distribution to educate The Commission took great pride, its stakeholders about the together with others, in the deficiencies of past funding and the recognition of this marvelous Peter W Sheehan AO case for better funding in the future. woman, and congratulates the Sisters Chair, QCEC of St Joseph on giving us such a The distinctive ethos of Catholic wonderful role model for the future. education must continue to have The Commission was well the same significant impact as it has represented for the occasion and done in the past. It is imperative that paid special tribute to the Sisters of everybody understands the immense Joseph on their return from Rome. advantages of the value-oriented I was proud that Queenslanders, education that Catholic schools including a member of the distinctively provide. My fear is that Commission, took a very active part the wonderful efforts of our teachers in the celebrations that were held in and parents, and the contributions of Australia and Rome. our students, will be misunderstood in the general debate, or taken for My report touches on only a few of granted. The Commission enjoys the issues that came before the a productive, warm and helpful Commission in 2010, and its work relationship with Government, and it seems to get busier year by year. But QCEC 2010 Annual Report 1 Report from the Executive Director the other schooling sectors and key Once again I especially acknowledge agencies, the Commission also the support of Archbishop John addressed the issues of bullying and Bathersby and the Bishops of violence in schools through its input Queensland; the Leaders of Religious into the Queensland Schools Alliance Institutes with schools in Queensland; Against Violence (QSAAV). The work the Diocesan Directors of Catholic and final report of the Alliance education; Therese Temby, Chair of culminated in the Queensland Schools the National Catholic Education Declaration Against Bullying and Commission; the Hon Anna Bligh, Violence, a commitment to promoting Premier of Queensland; the federal positive behavior and providing safe Ministers for Education, the Hon Julia environments for learning. Gillard and the Hon Simon Crean; the state Minister for Education the Hon On the national scene, the Geoff Wilson MP; the Director General Commission continued to engage for Education in Queensland, Julie with several key initiatives including Grantham and David Robertson, the development of the Australian Executive Director, Independent The canonisation of Mary MacKillop, curriculum, the ACARA My School Schools Queensland. St Mary of the Cross on 17 October Website and the Building the 2010 was a momentous occasion Education Revolution and Digital I also wish to thank my fellow for the Catholic community in Education Revolution programs. Commission members under the Queensland. The Commission chairmanship of Emeritus Professor joined with the Sisters of St Joseph High on the Commission's agenda Peter Sheehan, the committed and to celebrate this occasion and was the federal government's review conscientious QCEC Secretariat staff acknowledge the significant of funding for all Australian schools and all those who serve on our many contribution of the Sisters of during 2010/2011. In the context committees, working parties and task St Joseph to Catholic education of the review the Commission forces. in Queensland. developed resources to ensure that leaders within the Catholic education Catholic education communities community were well informed about across the state joined with the how Catholic schools are currently Queensland Government in funded. The Commission also promoting the Year of Environmental provided input into the development Mike Byrne Sustainability and commenced the of the National Catholic Education Executive Director year with a Sustainability Forum Commission's response to the review for Catholic school authorities to which is ongoing. learn more about school environmental management plans. These and many other issues on the Catholic Education Week in July also Commission's agenda often required focused its key activities around the widespread consultation and theme Called to be stewards of a collaboration with the Queensland sustainable future. Bishops, employing authorities, the National Catholic Education At a state level, the Commission Commission, government and engaged closely with the the state and independent school consultation process for the sectors. I am most grateful for the government's discussion paper, openness with which these A Flying Start for Queensland Children. negotiations were able to be Together with the government and conducted. 2 Queensland Catholic Education Commission QCEC 2010 Annual Report 3 About the Commission The Queensland Catholic Education Commission is a 16 member body with certain state-wide responsibilities in respect of the Catholic schools administered by five diocesan (regional) education authorities and 18 Religious Institutes. The role of the Commission is essentially strategic and has as its principal goal the greater co-ordination and advancement of Catholic education in Queensland. The Commission has an independent chairperson and includes the Executive Director, Bishops' representative, Directors of each diocesan employing authority and representatives of the Leaders of Religious Institutes of Queensland, Federation of Parents and Friends and Diocesan Catholic Education Councils and Boards. To support its work, the Commission has established a number of committees and subcommittees to draw upon the wisdom and expertise within Catholic education across Queensland. The operations of the Commission are carried out by a secretariat staff based at the Catholic Centre in Edward Street, Brisbane. Key Functions The Bishops of Queensland and Leaders of Religious Institutes Queensland have delegated a number of functions to QCEC including: negotiating and distributing government funding to Catholic schools advocating and promoting the position of Catholic education and liaising with State and Federal Governments and various peak bodies, including the Federation of Parents and Friends, across a range of educational issues communicating and responding both internally and through the media to issues relevant to Catholic