Dear Colleagues

With the new school year now underway, I write to wish each of you the very best for a rewarding 2017.

The media in recent weeks has focused on various aspects of the “back to school” agenda. In all of this we must continually focus on the world of our young people in all its complexity. In visiting our newest school St Francis Catholic College, this week, the common response from students to the question as to how they were feeling on their first day was, “very nervous”. I’m sure many of you have been dealing with that “nervousness” in all its forms across our school system this week.

Pope Francis encourages us to build a “culture of encounter” into our lives – an encounter with a loving compassionate God, with people of integrity, hope and passion, and with the safety of belonging.

Throughout 2017 I wish, for each of you, an experience of that “culture of encounter” within our school and CEO Communities.  May this new school year be all that you hope for as we serve the needs of young people increasingly dependent on all that you do. 

Yours sincerely

Peter Turner
Director of Schools