The fourth annual Deadly Encouragement Awards were held on October 17 at Waniora Public School in Bulli, celebrating and recognising Northern Illawarra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students doing great things in their community. The aim of the awards is to make children feel valued by acknowledging and rewarding their efforts.

Creativity has filled the hallways and classrooms of St Joseph’s Albion Park with a special enthusiasm over the past month – music, singing, art, design, photography, drama, dance and more, all to celebrate ARTSTOBER and showcase some of the wonderful creative and artistic opportunities available at the school.

From investigating the effect of phone radiation to studying the local koala population in an effort to improve conservation practices, John Therry Rosemeadow student, Riley Tonna, has a heart and mind for science. His dedication and hard work in his Science studies have seen him awarded a prestigious Victor Chang School Science Award  for 2019.

The students at St Paul's Albion Park have been 'busy bees', coming up with a solution to reduce the amount of single use plastics at their school.

The Year 5 Environmental Warriors – after some research into sustainable alternatives to single use plastics such as cling wrap and zip lock bags – decided to make sustainable Beeswax Wraps. 

Over 50 students from five of our Catholic primary schools have put their innovative engineering, problem-solving and teamwork skills to the test, competing in the inaugural Diocesan VEX Robotics Final – with three impressive teams qualifying for the VEX Robotics Nationals Competition!

Which teams won the challenges and who has been invited to Nationals? Find out inside!

Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong was well and proudly represented at the 2019 Teachers' Guild of NSW Awards night, with two key awards conferred on CEDoW staff – John Therry Rosemeadow Science Coordinator, Dr Aidan Johnson, and St Joseph's Albion Park early career teacher, Zachary Ellul.

As Pope Francis said, “An education in the fullness of humanity should be the defining of Catholic schools”. This sentiment is reflected in a new series of policies and procedures from Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong (CEDoW), which were released to schools during several workshops held in September and October. Their aim is to embrace and support student pastoral care, wellbeing and diverse learning needs across all age groups.

World Teachers' Day will be celebrated in Australia this Friday 25 October. The day is an opportunity to acknowledge the significant contributions all staff in our schools and offices make, each and every day in support of the learning and wellbeing of our students but particularly the important role teachers play in shaping the next generation.

Over a thousand Years 5 and 6 children across the diocese began last term with blank canvases and sheets of paper. Now, 56 talented young students have had their artworks selected for the 2019 CEDoW Christmas Story Art Competition and Exhibition at the Wollongong Art Gallery – inspiring us with beautiful imagery and artistry, rich meaning and creative storytelling to celebrate the Christmas Story. 

Missed out on seeing the Christmas Story Art Exhibition? View our interactive virtual tour with audio to explore the exhibition yourself. View all our top 56 students' artworks in detail and hear from each student as they describe their artwork to you.

They may be young but they’re not lacking in talent. In August, students from St Thomas More Ruse shone in the Wakakirri Story-Dance Challenge extravaganza - Australia’s largest performing arts event for schools - held at Riverside Theatre in Parramatta. The theme of their dance had guests captivated and enthralled, winning the school the ‘Best Biographical History Story Award'.

Describing water as a precious element, Pope Francis emphasises that “access to safe drinkable water is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights”. Noting the fundamental role of water in creation and human development, Pope Francis stresses that it is precisely for this reason that “care for water sources and water basins is an urgent imperative”. 

How do you interpret the words ‘Do not fear for I am with you’? This was the question posed to attendees of the launch of World Mission Month – an annual occasion which celebrates stories of mission around the world, the power of collective charity and generous intentions.

This year, the words of Isaiah 41:10 inspired the theme of the event, which marked a special milestone. In 2019, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Pope Benedict XV's Apostolic Letter Maximum Illud, Pope Francis announced that October would, from that point, be known as The Extraordinary Missionary Month - a worldwide occasion of prayer, stories of mission, formation and charity.

Students at John Therry Rosemeadow have enjoyed a high-quality, interactive biotechnology experience this term, with staff bringing the excitement of scientific discovery to the classroom. Using the kind of equipment university and PhD students use in the laboratory, the students have recreated the process used to manufacture human insulin and other life-saving medications, while practicing core STEM, critical thinking and collaboration skills.

St John’s Campbelltown student, Eva Grados, has tumbled her way to the top, scoring her first lead role in a feature film – ‘A Second Chance: Rivals’ – as talented young Aboriginal gymnast, Alkira.

Mixing it on set with the likes of Olympic gold medallist, Sally Pearson, and AFI Award winner, Natasha Wanganeen, the 12-year-old thoroughly relished the experience, and is now enjoying the red carpets and fanfare buzz around the Australian film’s premiere. The movie hits NSW cinemas this weekend.

Throughout September our Catholic Schools have joined with the Global Catholic community and other Faith traditions to pray, reflect on our lifestyles, and undertake prophetic actions to mark the Season of Creation. 

The following stories are just a taste of some of the ways our schools have celebrated...

Leadership, inclusivity and the importance of owning your choices - these were some of the wisdom-filled topics shared by Bishop Brian Mascord when he came together with over 2,000 students from systemic and congregational secondary schools to mark the students’ final year at secondary school.

CEDoW Education Officer, Cathy Brown, said the purpose of these gatherings is for our Year 12 students to meet together as young women and men of the diocese to have the opportunity to converse with Bishop Brian.

“The dream has always been to give young people a dynamic, relevant and inspiring experience of the Catholic faith and this year, we saw that dream once again become an exciting reality.” These were the words of Seth Harsh, the Director of the Wollongong LIVE festival, who opened the annual event with a talk unpacking the theme ‘Called’. The subject? 'Who are we called to be, and by whom?’.

After a most distinguished 39-year career as a Catholic educator and leader, Mary Immaculate Catholic Parish Primary School, Eagle Vale’s Don Spencer has enjoyed his last day as principal, retiring from his position last Friday, 13 September 2019.

Read more from Don on his retirement, and the Mary Immaculate community's retirement celebrations for Don at Eagle Vale last Wednesday. 

It’s the final countdown to nominate someone for a prestigious Lighting the Way Faith & Learning Award for 2019.

Hurry! The deadline for nominations is THIS FRIDAY, 20 September.

Head to www.dow.catholic.edu.au/ltw-awards for more information and to nominate today.