An Update from Chris Woolley, Chief Executive Officer | EREA Colleges Ltd | Term 2, 2025

Key Messages

The past few weeks have seen the passing of several significant figures within our Catholic community. 

Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the remarkable life of Pope Francis.   

Pope Francis’ recent passing has prompted deep reflection on his profound impact and commitment to faith, justice and compassion.  His humility, advocacy for the marginalised, and call to live the Gospel with courage and mercy has and continues to resonate deeply with our own mission.  

We stand with the Catholic community in honouring a life marked by humble service, steadfast faith and deep love for humanity.   

It is in this faith that we also welcome Pope Leo XIV.  As the Australian Bishops’ Conference stated last week “may his pontificate be marked by peace, unity, and a deepening of the Gospel message throughout the world”. 

The passing of three significant Christian Brothers in recent weeks has also been deeply felt, particularly in the Queensland community. 

All were men of action and respected leaders who devoted their lives to the education ministry.  

Br Paul Conn, Deputy Province Leader of the Christian Brothers Oceania Province, sadly passed away on 27 April 2025 at Christchurch Hospital, Te Whatu Ora, in New Zealand. A proud former student, and Principal of Ignatius Park College, Br Paul leaves behind a legacy of deep commitment to the mission of Edmund Rice.  Passionate about education, grounded in his Townsville roots, and deeply connected to family, he approached everything with intention and heart.  Br Paul had a particular care for those on the margins, always seeking ways to be inclusive and supportive of students who found the school journey challenging.  His leadership, compassion, and influence will continue to inspire us all. 

Br Ted Magee sadly passed away at Bundaberg on 27 April 2025.  As the Principal of St Edmund’s College Ipswich for a significant period and later the last Christian Brother to serve as Principal of St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace, Br Ted dedicated his life to the service of students, colleagues, friends, community and his fellow Christian Brothers.  A devoted follower of Edmund Rice, he led with both passion and practicality, inspiring confidence through a clear and purposeful vision.  His leadership was marked by humility and a deep sense of mission, consistently reflecting the values of graciousness, gratitude, and generosity. 

Br Jon Hansen sadly passed away on 01 May 2025 at Townsville.  Br Jon was a prominent part of the Christian Brothers Townsville Community and worked and supported Ignatius Park College for many years.  He also worked for a significant period at St Laurence’s College (1977-1991).  He is particularly remembered for his work in mission and identity leadership. Br Jon will be remembered as an authentic leader, who was hardworking and deeply committed to mission.  

We give thanks for the lives of these four significant people in our community.  We continue to hold their loved ones, and the Catholic and Christian Brother communities, in our prayers.  

Critical incidents  

We are in regular support of our schools as they manage a range of challenges and critical incidents. Many of you will be aware of the high-profile incident involving two students at St Edmund’s College Canberra recently where two boys were struck by a stolen car and suffered serious injuries. We are pleased to update you that one of the boys is now back at school much to the anticipation and joy of the community. The second student is continuing to receive treatment but recently visited school to the rejoice of all. We continue to hold these young men and their families in our prayers.    In further good news, authorities have agreed to install a new Pedestrian Crossing at Canberra Avenue. 

We thank all schools and school leaders who are regularly managing a complex range of critical incidents in support of their school communities. We never take this work for granted. 

Mr Chris Woolley
Chief Executive Officer

Updates

Financial Matters 

National Business Manager’s Forum 19 May and ASBA Conference 20-23 May - Darwin 

In anticipation of the 23rd Biennial ASBA (Association of School Business Administrators) National Conference in Darwin from 20–23 May 2025, Business Managers from EREA Colleges and other governing bodies will gather for a one-day meeting. This pre-conference event will feature key presentations: 

• e-Cards Update: An overview of the latest developments from the Catholic Development Fund (CDF) in Melbourne.
• AI in Education: Insights from Julian Critchlow of ComNow on the integration and impact of Artificial Intelligence in the educational landscape.
• External Audit and FBT: An update from Grant Thornton focusing on external audits and Fringe Benefits Tax considerations.
• School Administration Automation: A demonstration by Paperly showcasing advancements in automating school administrative processes.
• Asset Management Strategies: Jeff Hunt from EREA Colleges will discuss effective strategies for schools to leverage asset management. 

The ASBA 2025 conference, themed "Resilience at the Top End," aims to address evolving challenges in education through adaptability and strength. Set against Darwin's culturally rich backdrop, the event will foster community connections and collective growth among school business administrators. 

ASBA Conference Key Highlights: 

• Distinguished Speakers: The conference will feature prominent figures such as The Hon Julie Bishop, former Foreign Minister and Chancellor of the Australian National University; Kieren Perkins OAM, CEO of the Australian Sports Commission and Olympic Gold Medalist; and Major General Gus McLachlan AO (Ret.), who will discuss resilience in the geopolitical landscape.
• Masterclasses: On 20 May, a series of masterclasses will be conducted, covering topics like financial health assessments, creating positive workplace cultures, and facilities management. These sessions are designed to equip delegates with practical tools and strategies for their roles.  
• Exhibition: The conference will showcase current trends and services in the education sector, providing delegates with insights into the latest products and innovations supporting schools. 

Enterprise Bargaining 

Enterprise Bargaining processes are in various stages across each of our jurisdictions, including establishing processes for the upcoming EB11 negotiations in Queensland. EREA Colleges is working with each of the Catholic Education authorities in our states and territories to ensure that we have a voice in these processes. 

Safeguarding

From time to time, Colleges receive disclosures of abuse by members of the public. The abuse might be labelled as ‘historical’ in that it occurred some time in the past, however the impact on the individual is very much contemporary. In order to assist those staff who are most likely to field calls, EREA Colleges have created some resources to assist with managing these complex matters with compassion and humility. Principals are welcome to contact Shannon O’Gorman to access these resources. 

National Safeguarding Conference

On 8 May 2025, St Joseph’s Nudgee College graciously hosted the annual Safeguarding Conference, which included presentations from our Legal Counsel, Ben Foley; practical examples of safeguarding in practice in our Colleges and Early Learning Centres, and an opportunity to provide feedback on the development of a child-friendly version of the Code of Conduct. Griffith Youth Forensic Service provided a valuable session on how schools can manage and support challenging situations involving harmful sexual behaviour by students. We thank all participants for their attendance and look forward to planning the 2026 conference. 

Risk and Compliance

National Risk Conference 

Following the Safeguarding Conference, our annual Risk Conference was held at Nudgee College on 9 May 2025 with the theme Back to Basics. The program explored practical approaches to risk assessments, critical incident management, and disaster recovery planning. Special thanks to David Johnston and Graham Brink from CBC Adelaide for sharing their experience and insights, and to Patrick Kelly from McInnes Wilson Lawyers for the keynote session on the opportunities, risks, and ethical considerations of AI in education. We thank all who attended and look forward to ongoing discussions around AI with our schools. 

Privacy Legislation updates 

The National Catholic Education Commission has released their updated version of the Schools Privacy Compliance Manual in April 2025.  The updated version of the Manual addresses amendments made to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) by the Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 (Cth), which came into force in December 2024. Substantive changes deal with: 

1. Serious invasions of privacy 
2. Doxing 
3. Artificial Intelligence, and
4. Privacy Policies and Collection Notices due to AI changes.

The updated Manual and additional resources will be accessible by schools on their PolicyConnect sites by 16 May 2025. 

Around the Grounds

We have valued the opportunity to engage with school communities and stakeholders throughout Term 1 and Term 2 2025 including the following: 

• February 2025 | Commissioning Mass for Amber Hauff (St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe, QLD) 
• February 2025 | 150 Year Community Mass (St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace, St Stephen’s Cathedral, Brisbane, QLD)
• February 2025 | 110 Year Opening Mass (St Laurence’s College, South Brisbane, QLD)
• February 2025 | Commissioning Mass for Tim Cleary (St Edmund’s College, Canberra, ACT) 
• February 2025 | Commissioning Mass for Andree Rice (St James College, Brisbane, QLD)
• February 2025 | EREA Colleges Ltd Board meeting (in-person), Canberra
• February 2025 | QCEC Opening Mass, Archbishop of Brisbane
• March 2025 | EREA Principals’ National Conference (South Brisbane, QLD)
• March 2025 | EREA Colleges Ltd Business Managers Meeting (Rostrevor College, Adelaide, SA)
• March 2025 | School visits (St Paul’s, CBC and Rostrevor Colleges, Adelaide, SA)
• March 2025 | ATC Waterford Building Opening and Blessing (Ambrose Treacy College, Indooroopilly, QLD)
• March 2025 | EREA Colleges Ltd Deputy Principal Gathering (St Paul’s College, Gilles Plains, QLD)
• March/April 2025 | EREA Colleges Deputy Principals’ Network Meeting (Adeliade, SA)
• April 2025 | Meeting with Bishop of Townsville and Executive Director Catholic Education Townsville
• April 2025 | EREA Colleges Ltd Board meeting
• April 2025 | ANZAC Day Ceremony and Wreath Laying (St Joseph's Nudgee College, Brisbane, QLD)
• May 2025 | EREA entity CEOs meeting (Melbourne) 
• May 2025 | Blessed Edmund Rice feast day mass (St Jospeh’s College Gregory Terrace, Brisbane, QLD)
• May 2025 | Emerging Leaders Reflections Workshop
• May 2025 | EREA Colleges Ltd Safeguarding & Professional Standards Conference
• May 2025 | EREA Colleges Ltd Risk & Compliance Gathering
• May 2025 | Visit to CBC Fremantle, Edmund Rice College Bindoon, meetings with Vicar General and CEWA ED (Perth, WA) 

Emerging Leaders Program 2024 – Celebrating Our First Cohort 
In 2024, EREA Colleges introduced the Emerging Leaders Program, offering staff the opportunity to engage in a leadership development initiative facilitated by Mr Chris Rider. Chris brings extensive leadership experience from Education Queensland and formerly served as CEO of the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA). He is also a skilled facilitator of the Leadership Challenge Workshop. 

We received outstanding feedback from the 2024 cohort, many of whom have since moved into more senior roles. The first group officially completed the program on Tuesday 6 May 2025. 

 Emerging Leaders Program 2025/2026 – Commencement 
On Wednesday 7 May, EREA Colleges welcomed participants for the 2025/2026 cohort. The Emerging Leaders Program complements the Formation offerings of EREA Ltd and is open to teaching and non-teaching leaders across our schools. It is tailored to those already in middle or senior leadership roles who are committed to further developing their leadership capability. 

The program draws on The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership (Kouzes and Posner): 

• Model the Way
• Inspire a Shared Vision
• Challenge the Process
• Enable Others to Act
• Encourage the Heart 

Program components include: 

• A Two-Day Leadership Challenge Workshop
• One-on-one debrief sessions
• Personal coaching
• A final Reflections Workshop 

Emerging Leaders 2024 and 2025 

EREA Football Tournament 
Held over the Easter term break, the EREA Football Tournament—hosted once again by St Joseph’s Nudgee College—was another fantastic event that brought together students and staff from across the EREA network in the spirit of sport and community. 

Staffing Updates

EREAC Office structure update 

As has been previously communicated to Principals and schools earlier this year, we have made some recent changes in our office structure which are responsive to our changing needs as we move through our establishment phase as a new entity.  This process also provided an important reflection opportunity as we gain a deeper understanding of the assurance and services needed to support our stakeholders and the Board. 

There were several inputs into this process: 

1. Discussions with the Board Chair  
2. Our discussion about emerging strategic priorities and opportunities at the Board meeting in Canberra in February (and subsequent reflection on how this work is best supported) 
3. Feedback gained from our Executive Leadership Team (ELT) planning days in early 2025 and my individual reflective discussions with ELT members at the end of 2024 
4. External consultant support to test thinking about possible revisions 
5. Consultation with Liam as the National Executive Director  
6. A further period of consultation and feedback on proposed changes with members of the ELT and other EREAC staff 
7. Reflections based on feedback provided by stakeholders since 2023 

Under a revised model, we have created four primary directorates to support our office work: Education Strategy and Performance, Financial Services, Corporate & Assurance, People Culture and Safeguarding.  Additionally, we will also delineate CEO responsibilities, as follows: 

For the vast majority of EREAC office staff the revisions mean no change to their current roles, although in some cases the revisions provide an opportunity to revise several role titles to better reflect their current focus. 

The revised structure creates one significant new role: Director - Corporate & Assurance. You may be aware that Jeff Hunt was recently appointed to this role. 

This new directorate will absorb responsibility for the current roles related to Compliance, Risk, Capital Assurance and Strategy, and also provides clarity of responsibility for leadership over a range of corporate functions, services and responsibilities.  

The current roles of Director - Risk and Compliance and GM - Capital Assurance and Strategy will each be renamed and reallocated to this new directorate. They will each report through Jeff as the new Director on the Executive Leadership Team, rather than reporting to the CEO directly as was previously the case. 

We are confident these changes will enable us to continue to meet the needs of our schools and Board. 

 Staffing updates 

Amy Mortland commenced Maternity Leave on 7 April 2025.  In her absence, Sonia Lim has joined the EREA Colleges team as the Executive Officer. Sonia is currently studying her Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) part-time, and due to conclude her studies at the end of 2025. Prior to joining the EREA Colleges team, she has experience as an Executive Assistant supporting the CEO of Crime Stoppers International.   

Current Recruitment

Recruitment for a People & Culture Adviser is underway, with applications regularly reviewed and interviews being conducted. For further information about the role, please refer to our website: EREA Colleges Ltd - Edmund Rice Education Australia 

EREA Colleges are seeking a Payroll Officer to join their Central Payroll team. 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, or to apply, please refer to our website: EREA Colleges Ltd - Edmund Rice Education Australia 

EREA Colleges has commenced a recruitment process to appoint the next Principal of St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace, expected to commence in the role in January 2026. Applications for the role closed on 27 April 2025 and it is anticipated the process will be finalised toward the end of term 2.  

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.  

College and Early Learning Centre Updates

Following an open recruitment process, Chloe Louange has successfully been appointed as the new Centre Director of Mary Rice Early Learning Centre. Chloe has been an Early Childhood Teacher at Mary Rice ELC since January 2024 and is a qualified Teacher with over 19 years of experience in caring for and educating children.   

Upcoming Events

• 13 May 2025 | Celebrating 150 Years Edmund Rice Ministry (St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe, QLD) 
• 19 May 2025 | EREA National Business Manager's Forum (Darwin, NT)
• 22 May 2025 | Charter Leadership Induction Program (Sydney, NSW)
  
• 26 May 2025 | EREA Colleges Ltd Audit & Risk Management Committee Meeting
• 5 June 2025 | EREA Colleges Ltd Board Meeting (Adelaide, SA)
• 6 June 2025 | EREA Colleges Ltd Principal Gathering (Adelaide, SA)
• 10-11 June 2025 | EREA Colleges Ltd Deputy Principal/Heads of Campus National Conference (Melbourne, VIC)
• 16 June 2025 | Celebrating 150 Years Edmund Rice Ministry in QLD (St Laurence's College, South Brisbane, QLD)
• 19 June 2025 | EREA Colleges Ltd Education Committee Meeting
• 26 June 2025 | EREA Colleges Ltd Safeguarding Committee Meeting

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