24 July 2026

What happens when almost 1,000 passionate Catholic educators gather in one place, united by a common purpose and opportunities to connect?

A powerful sense of faith, inspiration and collaboration emerges: a celebration of the energy, commitment and hope that thrives across Melbourne’s Catholic education community.

A milestone moment for our Archdiocese, the inaugural Religious Education Symposium – Inspired by Faith: Journeying to Excellence – brought together teachers, school leaders, clergy and Religious Education professionals from primary and secondary schools for two days of inspiration, reflection and collaboration.

Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Symposium explored the future of Religious Education and celebrated those who nurture faith and inspire young people.

Executive Director of MACS, Dr Edward Simons opened the event by highlighting the aspiration to develop an RE Curriculum that supports students and teachers and is embraced across all Catholic schools.

'Our shared aspiration is to develop an outstanding Religious Education Curriculum that meets the needs of students and teachers and is embraced across all Catholic schools in our Archdiocese,' Dr Simons said.

   

Archbishop Peter A Comensoli reflected on the true meaning of education, sharing that 'to educate is to bring up, to rear, to nourish …' setting the tone for a gathering centred on formation and flourishing.

The symposium featured five world-leading keynote speakers and more than 50 collaborative workshops exploring new perspectives on Religious Education, faith formation, human flourishing and the future of Catholic education.

Professor Brother David Hall fms invited educators to reflect not only on what they teach, but on the lives they help shape, reminding us 'Education is not just about the teaching of a what, it’s about the growing of a who.'

American speaker Anne Kertz Kernion highlighted the importance of connection and the relationships that help people flourish in body, mind and spirit, while Renee Kohler-Ryan encouraged educators to recognise the educational power of beauty.

   

The Symposium also highlighted the excitement surrounding the new RE Curriculum, building confidence and strengthening a vision for excellence in all Catholic schools.

Dr Nigel Zimmermann, Director of Catholic Mission and Identity at MACS, reflected on the strong engagement from educators, noting the thoughtful questions, conversations and enthusiasm about bringing new ideas back to schools.

'All of the workshop presenters and coordinators that I’ve been speaking to have given me a common theme, that the staff present have lots of questions,” Dr Zimmermann said. “They’re talking about what they’re going to bring back to their schools, and they’re excited about what’s in development.'

Educators left inspired, connected and renewed in their commitment to forming young people inspired by faith and prepared to enrich the world.