9 March 2023

The commitment to ‘forming lives of faith, hope and love in the light of Christ’ is the theme of celebrations for Catholic Education Week across the Archdiocese of Melbourne this year from 12 to 19 March.

Dr Edward Simons, Acting Executive Director of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), said the week is an annual opportunity to celebrate the distinctive Catholic identity and achievements of 334 primary and secondary schools, along with the important role they play in their parish and local communities.

‘Around 155,000 – or one in five – students attend a Catholic school across greater Melbourne and surrounds, demonstrating the value families place on a Catholic education and the quality of education Catholic schools are delivering’, he said.

‘We find parents are increasingly looking for a more holistic approach to education, one that is focused on development of the whole person – spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, physically and culturally.

‘They want an education that will help their child succeed and be happy and confident in the world, no matter what path their future may follow.

‘The distinctive promise of our schools is to provide an education that is focused on the whole person and tailored to each student’s individual needs.

‘Our schools aim to inspire and enable every child to flourish and, in turn, enrich the world around them – and this is something worth celebrating’, Dr Simons said.

Key activities for Catholic Education Week 2023 include the Mass of St Patrick for Schools to be celebrated by Archbishop of Melbourne, the Most Reverend Peter A Comensoli, and attended by some 2,000 students and staff on Friday 17 March, followed by a concert in the park for primary school students and young speakers colloquium for secondary school students.

A creative arts exhibition, showcasing the wonderful artwork of both primary and secondary students, will run from Tuesday 14 March to Saturday 18 March and is open to the public.

Catholic schools will also host a range of local activities, with many incorporating open days into their celebrations for the week.

For more information about Catholic Education Week 2023, please visit https://catholiceducationweek.com.

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

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