21 February 2024

On Tuesday, almost 200 first-year graduate teachers were officially welcomed to Catholic education at the commissioning Mass celebrated by Archbishop Peter at St Patrick’s Cathedral. Graduate teachers were joined by their principals for what Executive Director of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), Dr Edward Simons called a ‘rich, warm and engaging coming together’.

There was a tremendous sense of excitement from the graduate teachers: ‘It’s nice to see so many new faces and to get a picture of just how big the MACS family is.’

Another graduate teacher reflected on starting in Catholic education: ‘I feel very honoured. I don’t come from a Catholic background, but I feel very touched that the school and also MACS have made this great effort to make us feel welcome … I feel a great sense of being embraced by the school community and that they are following through with what they say, so I hope I can replicate that in the classroom.’

Following the Mass, the graduate teachers made a pilgrimage down Albert Street to the Catholic Leadership Centre to take part in an induction program.

In his welcome, Dr Simons reflected on his time as a teacher and that teaching ‘is far more than a profession – it’s a calling, and it’s the ability to shape young people’s lives … It will give you the opportunity to have the most extraordinary experiences, walking alongside the students that you’re going to care for, educate and take on their learning journeys’.

Reflecting on the day, a graduate teacher said: ‘It’s clear that I’m around professionals who really believe in equity and wellbeing. I think it’s just fantastic to meet other people who share that belief with me.’