An Update From Chris Woolley, Chief Executive Officer EREA Colleges Ltd - Issue 1
Key Messages
Dear Colleagues
Welcome to a new edition of a communication the EREA Colleges team has put together to improve our sharing of information and news with you all. I hope you find it useful and would be very open to your feedback as to whether this is a useful source of information and communication.
EREA Leaders Governance Retreat
At the end of a very busy Term 3, I was fortunate to be able to have time for reflection and to share valuable time with representatives across the EREA Council, the Oceania Province Leadership Team, the EREA Ltd Board, Chairs and CEOs of all Governing Bodies, the National Executive Director and National Mission Team as part of shared faith formation day to deepen understanding of leadership in the Mission.
The theme of the one day gathering in Melbourne was “Called to Lead with Courage”.
The objectives of the retreat were to bring together governance leaders in EREA to:
- Experience shared spiritual reflection.
- Have an emphasis on shared experience – past and present as integral to formation.
- Integrate First Nations wisdom, Scripture, Charism, EREA Charter and Touchstones in developing a shared appreciation of God’s presence in First Nations Wisdoms, the life of Jesus and Blessed Edmund’s response to the Gospel.
- Pray and celebrate liturgy together as an expression of shared faith.
As Council President Phil Billington reflected, faith is an individual journey best experienced in community, and the gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on not only the EREA journey and each of our roles in it, but also the enduring challenge to remain authentically connected to the Edmund Rice charism in all we do.
We were fortunate to be joined by Fr Frank Brennan SJ to celebrate mass - whose discernment and wisdom is an ever-present source of light and hope – and privileged to be invited to participate in The Blanket Exercise - Walking in the footsteps of First Nations Peoples through storytelling and immersion led by Thelma Parker, Cynthia Rowan and Ann Morgan.
The retreat reinforced my immense respect for the journey of our First Nations peoples and the hope presented by the significant opportunity to accept “the invitation contained in the Uluru Statement From The Heart to listen to the First Peoples of Australia and work together for reconciliation, justice, equity, and healing.”
The Voice
At the Governance retreat Fr Brennan SJ also discussed the upcoming referendum about whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing a body called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
A key theme was the need to find space for a respectful dialogue and one that involves deep listening and discernment.
As part of my own discernment I have noted a pastoral letter recently distributed by the Archbishop of Brisbane, Mark Coleridge, in which he recalls the words of Australia’s first Catholic bishop, John Bede Polding, writing in 1849 in a Lenten message that “the first occupants of the lands over which your flocks and herds now roam have a very strong claim upon you”. Archbishop Coleridge concludes that “all Australians need to educate themselves on the issues, asking not so much what we might lose but what the nation might gain. One part of this would be a careful and open-minded reading of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.”
Within the EREA Acknowledgment of Country, it states we accept: “the invitation contained in the Uluru Statement From The Heart to listen to the First Peoples of Australia and work together for reconciliation, justice, equity, and healing.” The Voice to Parliament is an authentic outcome of this invitation which will have deep and lasting impact on the future of First Nations peoples within Australia and the reconciliation of this nation.
In living out the commitment to justice and solidarity (The Charter for Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition), to Truth Telling (Stretch RAP Respect Action 10) and to deep listening (EREA Learning Statement), we support and encourage College communities to be open to continuing our reconciliation learning journey.
Mr Chris Woolley
Chief Executive Officer
Updates
School Budget Process
School and Early Learning Centre Budget Information Packs have been sent out to Business Managers and budgets are due for submission to the Interim Chief Financial Officer by midday Friday 13 October, 2023. A budget meeting request will be sent through to each of the Schools to schedule a meeting between 16 – 20 October. The EREA Colleges Service Fee cost per student will be communicated prior to the budget submission.
Enterprise Bargaining
On 21 September, a ballot was conducted for the Catholic Employers Single Enterprise Collective Agreement – Religious Institute Schools of Queensland 2023-2026, and I am very pleased to advise that the ballot was successful. Queensland Colleges will now commence the process of back pay and wage increase payments in anticipation of formal approval by the Fair Work Commission in the coming weeks. I acknowledge the considerable work undertaken by Colleges in support of this process, which undoubtedly contributed to the result.
Facilitated bargaining discussions between Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) and the Independent Education Union (IEU) are currently being undertaken with the Fair Work Commission, in relation to an Enterprise Agreement for Teachers in Western Australia. Further discussions will continue in October and updates will be provided as the bargaining process progresses.
Separately, EREA Colleges Ltd and CEWA are in the final stages of developing an interim System Agreement that clarifies requirements for WA Colleges and how services will be provided by CEWA, ratifying the important relationship between these organisations.
National: New Youth Engagement Strategy
The Australian Government Department of Education is developing a new Youth Engagement Strategy, with the aim of engaging with young people in the development of policies and programs that affect them. This strategy will ensure that young Australians from all backgrounds, experiences and walks of life, can have a say on Government decisions that shape their lives.
The Department of Education will promote associated consultation opportunities through their channels and would like to encourage uptake by students in the Catholic sector.
The survey is for youth aged 12-25. It is open until the end of September 2023 and can be accessed here. Face-to-face consultations are also occurring until the end of September 2023. A list of consultation dates and locations can be found here. More information on the Australian Government’s Youth Engagement Strategy is available on the Australian Government Department of Education Website.
Early Learning Centres & EREA Colleges Approved Provider status
EREA Colleges Ltd have begun the process of applying to become an Approved Provider under the National Quality Framework. This reflects the changes to EREA's governance structure and our ongoing relationship with Indooroopilly Montessori Children's House and Mary Rice Early Learning Centres in Brisbane.
Once granted, the status of EREA Colleges would also enable other schools with an interest in early learning (including long day care) to apply for registrations using the EREA Colleges AP.
Queensland: QCAA and AARA
The Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) recently provided advice following a meeting with the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA), relating to future requests for Access Adjustment and Reasonable Arrangements (AARA) for students with disability (specifically those with EAP verification). A reminder that QCAA are hosting online webinars about AARA in External Assessment (EA) on 10 October and 12 October, for information and registration details about this professional learning use this link.
Risk and Compliance
A number of schools have been preparing for school accreditation and various Regulator reviews over the course of 2023.
A significant amount of work goes into collating compliance documentation and preparing for validator visits in meeting with school registration and accreditation requirements. All of the schools above are acknowledged and commended for their efforts and commitment to going beyond minimum compliance requirements in preparation for this important process.
Should you need any assistance with registration or accreditation, particularly with regard to governing body compliance documentation, please contact Christina: christina.longmire@erea.edu.au.
Policy
At their meeting held on the 31 August 2023, the EREA Colleges Ltd Board passed a resolution to adopt the existing Trustees of Edmund Rice Education Australia [TEREA] policies and frameworks, effective 1 January 2023. The TEREA policies and frameworks will remain in place until they are retired and/or replaced by EREA Colleges Ltd policies and frameworks, approved by the EREA Colleges Ltd Board. Christina Longmire and Peter Simpson are currently working through a process to identify and map requirements for policies and procedures.
As mentioned at the recent Principals’ meetings, to date, the Board has approved the following policies:
- Responsible Persons Policy
- Conflicts of Interest Management Policy
- Complaints Handling Policy
These policies can be found on your school’s PolicyConnect site. Advice will continue to be issued as the policy transition process progresses. Please contact Christina: christina.longmire@erea.edu.au if you would like any further information.
Queensland: NSWP and SWOP funding
A reminder the Expressions of Interest for the National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) and Student Wellbeing Officer Program (SWOP) funding are due to QCEC by 31 October 2023. Please contact Amy Mortland: amy.mortland@erea.edu.au should you require a copy of the full communication.
Business Manager Forums
The regional Business Manager Forums took place over the past few weeks in Ipswich, Perth and Adelaide. Presentations covered topics in relation to EREA Colleges Update, Finance and Infrastructure, Willis Insurance update, EREA Finance, 2024 Budget, Internal Audit and Projects. Neville Atkinson will be completing his contract with EREA at the end of September and we thank Neville for his assistance with the incorporation project on his transition to retirement. Adam Read has also finished at St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace after 16 years and we wish him well. Thankyou to St Edmunds College, Aquinas College and St Pauls College for hosting these forums.
Training Awards – St James College
Congratulations to St James College being named as a State Finalist in the Qld Training Awards in the Small Training Provider Category. St James College were finalists in both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year and Equity in VET Student of the Year awards. These placings are a huge honour and special recognition of the work being done at St James College.
Safeguarding
Reportable Conduct Scheme, Submission – Queensland
The Queensland Government is currently seeking feedback on options for the implementation of child safe standards and a reportable conduct scheme in Queensland. These options were developed to respond to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The safeguarding team have prepared a submission on behalf of EREA Colleges Ltd and this will be provided to all Queensland Colleges and Early Learning Centres.
Training
Principals are reminded that they are welcome to approach Peter and Shannon with requests for bespoke, face-to-face training attendance for their Colleges. Currently there is capacity to provide scenario based whole of staff PD during the initial/staff planning days for 2024. Please email Shannon directly with all requests: shannon.ogorman@erea.edu.au
Audits
Audits of Working With Children and Working With Vulnerable People registers have begun. Peter and Shannon will be in contact with every College and Early Learning Centre to request this data in due course. Acknowledging that volunteer lists can be more timely to coordinate, Colleges and Early Learning Centres might like to begin to collate their registers and evidence ahead of the audit request.
Around The Grounds
As term 3 draws to a close, I reflect on what has been a busy time of meetings, visits, and achievements across the EREA Colleges network. I had the pleasure of attending Waverley College in Sydney at the beginning of August for the EREA CEOs meeting. Principal, Graham Leddie led CEOs on a tour of the College which highlighted the remarkable breadth of opportunities and innovative approach the College takes to educating boys. In September the CEOs meeting was hosted at St Jospeh’s Nudgee College. Principal Peter Fullagar led a tour of the College which highlighted the significant size, scope and complexity of the operations at the College which is home to more than 300 boarding students.
I attended the Term 3 Principal and Deputy Principal Meetings across the EREA College network, in Brisbane and Adelaide. An opportunity for our Leaders to gather, reflect and focus on capacity building and sustainability in our EREA schools. I thank Regional Directors of Education, Doug Ashleigh, and Daniel Lawler for their work in bringing everyone together for these events.
At the start of this month, we welcomed the EREA Colleges Ltd Board to Brisbane for our first in person meeting. This was very productive and my sincere gratitude to Peter Fullagar, Ann Rebgetz and Michael Carroll and your staff for your hospitality and willingness to assist with the tours of your schools. The Board was most impressed with the facilities and your dedicated approach to education and enriching the lives of our students.
Staffing Updates
Ambrose Treacy College: Mr Jason Sepetauc will assume the position of Deputy Principal for Ambrose Treacy College in 2024; Jason joins the Ambrose Treacy Team from St Joseph’s Nudgee College, where he was Dean of Learning and Teaching. Jason will be taking over the Deputy Principal role from Mr David Gardiner, who will retire at the end of the 2023 school year after providing 44 years of faithful service and leadership to Edmund Rice Education.
Aquinas College: The appointment process for Deputy Principal, commencing January 2024 is finalised. Jenny Knox is the successful candidate from a strong field of applicants. Jenny is currently Acting Principal at CBC Fremantle and holds the substantive position of Vice Principal of this college. New Principal, Rob Henderson (2023) and Jenny Knox (2024) provide a wonderful opportunity for the college to assess and refine their strategic directions.
Previous Deputy Principal, Duncan Warlters, after ten years of excellent service at the College, will be pursuing a new role as Chaplain with Fortescue Metal Group. To allow Duncan an immediate commencement in this position, Brendan Chapman will take over as Acting Deputy Principal from 4 September to 31 December 2023.
CBC Fremantle: Jenny Knox is Acting Principal from April to December2023 while Domenic Burgio is on leave and Brent Butcher has been appointed Acting Vice Principal. With Jenny commencing at Aquinas in 2024, Brent will continue in this role for 2024, as it provides stability and an opportunity to review the existing structure, when Domenic Burgio returns. The upgrading of classrooms continues, and the 5 new science laboratories and associated staff preparation areas look stunning.
Edmund Rice College: The appointment process for Principal, commencing January 2024 is finalised. The successful candidate is Amy Mosquito who is currently Principal at Ngalangangpum School in Warmun – a remote indigenous community school. Amy has vast experience working with indigenous students and their families, significant experience working with students with major learning and/or behavioural needs and knowledge of the complexities involved with running a boarding school.
The position of Deputy Principal is now advertised as Tracey Crisp has completed her time in this role.
Ignatius Park College: On Wednesday, the 6th of September, interviews were conducted for the 2024 Principal of Ignatius Park College, Townsville. After careful consideration and thoughtful discernment, a preferred applicant was recommended to the CEO. A second interview was held with the recommended applicant, and a letter of offer was made; the preferred applicant has signed that. Co-ordinated announcement of the 2024 Principal of Ignatius Park College, Townsville will be made on Tuesday, the 3rd of October. The current Principal of Ignatius Park College, Mr Shaun Clarke retires at the end of the 2023 school year.
St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace: Congratulations to Neil O'Hare who has been appointed as the new Dean of Business Operations and commences in early October. Neil is currently EREA National Director of Finance & Infrastructure, and he brings to the role extensive experience in the financial management of companies in the commercial sector and more recently as Dean of Operations at St Joseph’s College, Nudgee. I acknowledge Adam Read's 16 years of service in this role and thank him for his service.
St Joseph's Nudgee College: Mr Peter Fullagar will assume the position of the inaugural Regional Director of EREA Colleges Ltd for Queensland, ACT, and Tasmania from January 2024. There will be opportunity to farewell Peter from this role over coming months, however I would like to particularly acknowledge his tenure as Principal of St Joseph’s Nudgee College and St Edmund’s College in Canberra, as well as his leadership role as Deputy Principal at St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace.
Regional Managers: Dr Doug Ashleigh concludes in the role of Regional Manager QLD and the ACT on Friday 20 October so that he can have some well-earned leave. Ian Elder and Daniel Lawler are continuing in their roles until the end of November. A special thanks to Doug for his outstanding leadership, support and guidance in 2023. Like all the Regional Managers, Doug has supported EREA Colleges during its infancy and I thank them all for being open to the challenges and opportunities this work has presented.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, 2 and Friday, 3 November - WA/SA/TAS Principals’ Meeting, St Virgil’s College, Hobart
Monday, 13 and Tuesday, 14 November – WA/SA/TAS Deputies’ Meeting, St Virgil’s College, Hobart
Monday, 20 November – EREA Colleges Ltd Board