An Update From Chris Woolley, Chief Executive Officer EREA Colleges Ltd - Issue 9, 25 July 2024

Key Messages

As I write this edition of the CEO comms, I am reminded of the Olympic motto - Citius - Altius - Fortius. These words mean Faster - Higher - Stronger. These are words that have the simultaneous ability to inspire future achievement and capture past commitment. They are words that focus our attention on celebrating outcomes but risk disguising the sacrifice and setbacks that inevitably accompany any significant achievement.  The resilience needed to achieve at this level is the same resilience that tests our communities during times of sadness. The same resilience we seek to build in our young people so that they can be their best selves once they have concluded their formal engagement in our communities. The same resilience we must at times ask of ourselves if we are to strive to raise the bar in all the academic, pastoral, extracurricular and spiritual offerings we provide our communities.  

As educators we seek to develop the hearts and minds of those entrusted to our care. On this occasion I would like to specifically acknowledge our Colleges who have hosted team announcements, trained students for trials, supported current staff and past students as they line up for the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic games. There is indeed much to celebrate.   

EREA Colleges Ltd Strategic Plan 2024-2029

Earlier this year the EREA Colleges Board began developing the EREA Colleges Ltd Strategic Plan 2024 – 2029.  

In late January, the process for the development of the plan commenced with the EREA Colleges Board and the EREA Colleges Leadership Team meeting face-to-face for a strategy session, facilitated by Community Business Australia.  

Over the last few months, both the Board and Executive Team have continued to refine this and recently shared the draft plan with Principals at the Principal Gathering in Adelaide in June.  

The plan received positive feedback at this meeting and was formally approved by the Board on 11 July 2024.  A copy of the plan is below, and more detailed versions have been circulated previously. 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the EREA Colleges Ltd Board for their time in developing this plan.  We will now work towards preparing an annual operational plan and key performance measures, so the Board receives regular reporting from the EREA Colleges Ltd Leadership team on priorities/objectives.

NAIDOC Week 7 to 14 July

NAIDOC week (7-14 July 2024) provided our schools with the opportunity to acknowledge, recognise and celebrate the resilience and diversity of Australian Indigenous cultures. This year’s theme was Keep The Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud. Formed in the Edmund Rice tradition, all of our Colleges and Early Learning Centres seek to live out our values of justice and solidarity not only during this week, but every week as we recognise the importance of keeping the fire burning. 

Paul Belton recognised with CASPA 2024 Leadership Excellence Award 

As an educator, Paul Belton’s leadership has never been based on the accolades that may come his way. Leadership in schools is demanding and leadership in a school in the Edmund Rice College requires a commitment to mission. Our focus has always been on developing young people of hope and service.  This has certainly been a hallmark of Paul’s leadership over many decades. 

Having said that, we must recognise that Paul has been honoured by the Catholic Association of Secondary Principals Australia (CASPA) in receiving the 2024 Leadership Excellence Award at the annual conference in Perth in July.  This follows being awarded a similar accolade at the Catholic Education South Australia Awards evening.  

Paul is a humble and thoughtful leader and I know that his colleagues will join me in congratulating Paul on this award which reflects an extraordinary commitment to Catholic Education in South Australia. 

Prayers for the Aquinas community 

Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Aquinas College community following the sudden and tragic death of one of their students, Nick Campo, in a motor vehicle accident in Perth earlier this month. 

As I write, the College community continues to take time to reflect on this very tragic situation.  I express my thanks to Rob, his CLT and all Aquinas staff for the outstanding support that they provided the students and the broader school community at a time when it was needed most. 

The true value of Catholic community is realised in these sad moments. We pray that Nick’s family and all involved find peace as they come to terms with their loss.  

Mr Chris Woolley
Chief Executive Officer

Updates

Financial Matters 

We look forward to gathering with our Business Managers on the following dates. An agenda will be provided closer to the time. Topics of discussion will include Delegations and Budgets for 2025. Please contact Sharyn Finn, CFO, if you have any topics you would like added to the agenda. 

• 13 August: EREA Colleges Business Managers Forum (QLD/ACT/TAS) at MacKillop Centre, Brisbane 

• 20 August: EREA Colleges Business Managers Forum (WA/SA) at Aquinas College, Perth 

Around Our Schools

QCEC Spirit of Catholic Award Recipient – St James College Cultural Team, Brisbane

This week is Catholic Education Week in Queensland. We offer our heartfelt congratulations to St James College, Spring Hill on being a recipient of a QCEC Spirit of Catholic Education Award in 2024. This recognition is a testament to St James College Cultural Team’s dedication, hard work, and profound commitment to fostering a vibrant and inclusive cultural environment within St James College community. 

We also acknowledge all those nominated for including the following EREA staff: 

Staffing Updates

Principal - St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe 

The recruitment process for St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe is now finalised and Mrs Amber Hauff has been appointed as the next Principal, commencing in January 2025. Amber is an experienced Principal, currently leading St Patrick’s College, Townsville, a Catholic all girls’ day and boarding school under the ministry of Mercy Partners.  Amber also brings significant previous leadership experience in roles in boys, girls and co-educational settings, including Deputy Principal at St Patrick’s College (Townsville), Director of Teacher Performance and Development at St Joseph’s Nudgee College and a range of leadership positions within Clayfield College, including Head of Senior Schooling and Head of House. 

Principal - St Laurence’s College 

EREA Colleges has commenced a recruitment process to appoint the next Principal of the College, commencing in the role in January 2025. Applications for the role closed on 21 July 2024 and it is anticipated the process will be finalised by the end of Term 3 in Queensland.  

Principal - St James College (Re-Advertised)  

Recruitment for a Principal at St James College began earlier in the year and last month, EREA Colleges notified the community of their decision to readvertise the role, to attract the strongest pool of candidates possible. In view of this change, and to ensure the continued integrity of the process, all applications will be considered by a fresh selection panel. Applications for the re-advertised role have now closed, and it is expected that an appointment will be announced by the end of Term 3 in Queensland.  

Deputy Principal – St Joseph’s Nudgee College 

Recruitment for a Deputy Principal at St Joseph’s Nudgee College for commencement in January 2025 is now underway, closing 2 August 2024. For further information about the role, please refer to our website. 

Employment within EREA Colleges Network

For a list of job vacancies, please refer to our website.   

Please contact the EREA Colleges HR Team ereacollegeshr@erea.edu.au if you have a vacant position that you wish to be circulated within our internal network, LinkedIn platform, or uploaded to our website.  

Legal Counsel – EREA Colleges  

EREA Colleges office recently advertised for Legal Counsel to provide expert legal advice and support to EREA Colleges, and the educational bodies, including general advice and all aspects of employment law and workplace relations. Applications have now closed, and it is anticipated this process will be finalised in the coming weeks.  

Payroll Officer – EREA Colleges  

EREA Colleges is advertising for a Payroll Officer to join our Central Payroll team of four. Reporting to the Payroll Manager, this role will deliver timely, accurate, and efficient payroll services to over 3,000 employees nationally within a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have relevant experience in a similar role, and a passion for payroll and working with numbers. For further information about the role, please visit our website. 

Upcoming Events

Please find a list of upcoming events. Further details and agendas will be communicated closer to the dates. For more information regarding these events, please email your queries to ereacolleges@erea.edu.au