An Update From Chris Woolley, Chief Executive Officer EREA Colleges Ltd - Issue 7, 3 May 2024

Key Messages

This week the CEOs of EREA entities gathered at Parade College, Melbourne, to share practice and reflect on our responsibility to grow the mission of Edmund Rice through our education ministry.  Reflecting upon the upcoming Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice, we discussed the qualities of Edmund that continue to define the identity of our schools: a person of openness and inclusion, of perseverance and courage, a friend of the oppressed and teacher of the excluded. He was a person of deep contemplation, vision, wisdom and understanding.  

Each of us has a special responsibility in our roles as leaders to be the custodians of this story.  As the Christian Brothers would say: our job is to know the story, to tell the story, and to be true to the story in our work and lives every day.  Most importantly, we need to understand the gospel story that sits behind the life and work of Edmund Rice, and which inspired his extraordinary service.  

Last week, ANZAC Day saw many of our schools contribute to services and marches that commemorate all those who have served and sacrificed for our nation. Many of our schools have strong historical connections with the defence forces and I noted that Colleges paid special tribute to past students who served. As a collective community we recognise that the path to the freedoms that we enjoy was pathed by those who lost their lives or were injured in service.  We also recognise that the impact upon young people and families of defence personal is significant and I thank those in our Colleges and Early Learning Centres who provide pastoral and academic support to students experiencing frequent changes of schools or increased stress arising from a carer being deployed. We continue hold each and every one of our past and present service personnel and their families in our prayers. We thank them for their service to our community.  

Mr Chris Woolley
Chief Executive Officer

ANZAC Day Commemorations

Finance Updates

Audit process 2024 

The inaugural audit of EREA Colleges schools under our new structure has been taking place over several months. I thank Sharyn Finn for her dedication in leading this complex work. I also thank Business Managers, finance teams and other school staff who have assisted with this onerous process. 

Safeguarding Updates

Conference registration is closing 

Thank you to all who have registered for the EREA Colleges Safeguarding conference to be held at St Laurence’s College on Friday 17 May 2024. We are very much looking forward to this event.  

Registration: 

Please note that registration for this event will close Tuesday 7 May 2024.  

Dietary: 

All attendees were asked to note dietary preferences at the point of registration however if you would like to make any changes, please contact Nicole (nicole.martin-harman@erea.edu.au) ahead of Tuesday 7 May.  

Transport: 

Visitor Information | Edmund Rice Performing Arts Centre (slc.qld.edu.au). The best parking is in the Hancock Street Public Car Park (accessible via Stanley Street). Level 4 is best as it has direct access to the ERPAC lifts. Attendees will receive a voucher on the day to access the flat rate of $15.  Any further queries can be directed to Shannon (shannon.ogorman@erea.edu.au). 

Mandatory training audits - 2024 

Audits of College and Early Learning Centre mandatory training requirements have been completed.  Individualised reports have been provided to each College/ ELC and an overview of each site will be provided to the EREA Colleges Ltd Board. These audits examined the completion rates of enrolled/assigned users.  Colleges and ELCs are reminded of the responsibility to ensure that all staff are assigned all mandatory modules (including new staff). Queries can be directed to Shannon (shannon.ogorman@erea.edu.au). EREA Colleges Ltd intend to publish 2025 mandatory training requirements ahead of a November release date for materials. 

Mandatory safeguarding training – bookings for 2025 

Recognising that some Colleges are developing their calendars for 2025, please consider if you would prefer to offer your staff the alternative of a face-to-face learning for the Safeguarding and Code of Conduct modules. Please email your request, inclusive of preferred dates and any specific content to be addressed, to safeguardingcolleges@erea.edu.au.   

Risk and Compliance Updates

Thank you to all who have registered for the EREA Colleges Risk and Compliance conference to be held at St Laurence’s College on Thursday 16 May 2024.    

We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone and engaging in topical issues schools are currently facing including privacy compliance and cybersecurity. We’ll also introduce a mental health toolkit developed for EREA in conjunction with Willis Towers Watson.  The toolkit addresses some of the key factors in identifying and managing psychosocial hazards. 

Registration for this event will close on Tuesday 7 May 2024.   Please go to this link to register.  Please contact nicole.martin-harman@erea.edu.au should you have any queries. 

Around the Grounds

As many of you are aware, the highlight of my calendar and that of my team, is attendance at College and Early Learning Centre celebrations. On April 12 Peter Fullagar was fortunate to attend the Official Blessing and Opening of the Callan Centre, Doyle Wing and Joyce Performance Centre Developments at St Virgil’s College in Hobart. More recently, I attended the ANZAC Commemoration Ceremony at St Joseph’s Nudgee College. As I write this edition of the CEO Comms, I do so in anticipation of today attending the St Edmund’s College, Canberra Founders Day Mass. 

One of the numerous stand-out qualities of our Colleges has been the commitment and service afforded by Principals who have not only given of their careers to Catholic education but have made significant contributions to their communities in their role as Principal. On 8 April Chris Leadbetter attended the announcement of retirement for Paul Belton, Principal of St Paul’s College. Last week, I attended the announcement of retirement for Ann Rebgetz, Principal of St James College. There will be opportunity to duly acknowledge the contributions made by Paul and Ann, however I would like to take a moment to thank them for the close working relationships with the EREA Colleges team over the past (almost) 12 months. Community consultations are an important part of the appointment process of an incoming Principal and as such the team have recently attended consultations at St Edmund’s College Canberra (10, 11 April) and St James College (29 April, 1 May). Finally I would like to congratulate Rostrevor College on their participation in the school renewal process on 3-5 April. 

Staffing Updates

Recruitment 

EREA Colleges Ltd are currently recruiting for the following vacancies. You are most welcome to share these within your networks. 

• Ignatius Park College - Deputy Principal | applications close 5pm, Sunday, 5 May 
• St Paul’s College – Principal | applications close 5pm, Monday, 13 May 
• St James College – Principal | applications close 5pm, Friday, 17 May 
• EREA Colleges Ltd - Receptionist | applications will remain open until a suitable candidate is appointed 

For further details and information packages, please visit EREA Colleges Ltd or alternatively contact our team via EREA Colleges Ltd HR.  

Upcoming Events

 Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice| 5May 

St Laurence’s College School Renewal Panel visit | 15 – 17 May 

EREA Colleges Risk Conference | 16 May | Brisbane 

EREA Colleges Ltd Audit & Risk Management Committee Meeting | 16 May | Online 

EREA Colleges Safeguarding & Professional Standards Conference | 17 May | Brisbane 

EREA Charter Leadership Induction Program | 23 & 24 May | Melbourne 

All Principals’ Gathering | 6 & 7 June 

EREA Colleges Ltd Board Meeting | 10 June | Online