19 October 2022

The Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV) has welcomed the Premier’s announcement of additional support for the communities and students impacted by flooding in recent days.

‘Our thoughts are with all those impacted by the devastating flooding events we are seeing unfold in many parts of the state’, Executive Director Jim Miles said.

As of today, some 20 Catholic schools remain closed in regional Victoria, including five secondary colleges – Notre Dame College, Shepparton, St Anne’s College, Kialla, St Augustine’s College, Kyabram, St Joseph’s College, Echuca, and St Mary of the Angels College, Nathalia – all of which have students preparing for VCE exams in coming days.

‘Many of our Catholic schools and families have been directly flood-affected, and it is welcome news that the VCAA will work with them to ensure that no student is disadvantaged and Derived Examination Scores will become automatically available.’

Mr Miles said the Catholic education sector, like other sectors, faced significant damage to school facilities, especially in north-eastern Victoria.

‘Equally, we have heard many uplifting reports of school and wider communities coming together to support each other during this incredibly difficult and distressing time.

The CECV will continue to work closely with government and the Victorian Department of Education and Training to ensure that disruption to children’s learning is minimised, and to provide support to help impacted families and communities get back on their feet as quickly as possible’, he said.

VCE students and their families are encouraged to speak to their schools, or contact the dedicated state government hotline on 1800 717 588 or 2022vce@education.vic.gov.au for more information.

More than 20% of all Victorian students attend nearly 500 Catholic schools across the dioceses of Melbourne, Ballarat, Sale and Sandhurst.

Media contact: Gerard Delaney on 0413 274 176 or gdelaney@macs.vic.edu.au

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