This week we celebrated Catholic Education Week. It was an opportunity for all 313 Catholic Schools in Queensland to celebrate and promote their distinctive mission and ethos. Catholic education makes a difference in the lives of our students, staff, and community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society. The theme this year was Communities of Faith Hope and Love.

On Tuesday the college and school combined to celebrate CEW with a liturgy led by Fr Isaac. The primary choir sang beautifully. The Preps led the actions to our school mantra impeccably and Mr Bucklar spoke how we should live the message of Faith, Hope and Love through both our actions and words following the example of Jesus.

During the week classes joined in on CEW activities discussing why Catholic Education is important. There was also buddy colouring in activities, and we finished the week celebrating Grandparent’s Day with a liturgy to bless and thank our Grandparents. A lovely morning tea was served and the day with classroom visits.

Stella Maris Primary School 

This year, Stella Maris School participated in an external review process for our Religious Education (RE)
Program, including both the classroom learning and teaching of the RE curriculum and the Religious Life of the
School. Last week, we received our Certificate of Validation and our official Report, which outlines
commendations for great work that is happening in this area at the school, as well as recommendations which
inform future improvements.
In the category of ‘Students and Community,’ the commendations included:

• The Catholic story of the school is visible and apparent to both visitors and community members through
  weaving of school values (based on Presentation Charism) through behaviour matrix, formation plans,
  iconography and RE curriculum.
• Strong connections between parish and school.
• Use of parent newsletter to provide formation and education on faith issues and RE curriculum.
• Use of tours to foster connection between school and prospective parents.
• Provision of a text to all staff each year, which can be linked to the school charism.
• Authentic links between curriculum and social justice activities provide students with the means to connect
  learning, life and the wider community.
• The establishment and engagement of the Deadly Maroochy Mob for authentic purposes.
• The inclusivity of staff prayer
• Laudato Sì initiatives evident through curriculum links and school garden.
• Harnessing of school performing and visual arts to enhance the Religious Life of the School.

Siena Catholic College