Students from Catholic schools across the Diocese of Sale proudly carried their school banners as they led a procession with clergy and the Bishop of Sale, Most Reverend Greg Bennet, for the launch of Catholic Education Week 2025. 

The celebration began with a Thanksgiving Mass at St Francis Xavier College, Beaconsfield bringing together representatives from 46 Catholic schools throughout the Diocese, members of clergy, parish communities and special guests.

The event was enriched by the voices of student choirs from St Francis Xavier College, Catholic College Sale, and St Clare’s Primary School in Officer.

This year's Catholic Education Week theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ resonates with this year’s Jubilee Year in the Catholic Church emphasising the importance of hope as a guiding virtue. The event showcased the hope and sense of community that underpin Catholic education.

AWARD HIGHLIGHTS:

The new Sr Mildred rsj and Sr Marcella rsj Catholic Education Award

A highlight of the celebration was the announcement of a new annual award honouring primary school students who exemplify the Christian virtue of hope in their school community.

The new Sr Mildred rsj and Sr Marcella rsj Catholic Education Award is named after the first two Josephite sisters to take up leading and teaching positions in the Diocese of Sale. The Sisters commenced educating students at St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, Traralgon in April 1902. 

Seven Year 6 students selected from Catholic schools across the Diocese were recognised, each receiving a trophy and $200 to support their Catholic secondary education. They are: 

• Phoenix Oakes - St Agatha’s Primary School, Cranbourne

• Rohit Sathies - St Catherine’s Primary School, Berwick

• Suzen Kuol - St Joseph’s Primary School, Warragul

• Casey Bland - St Laurence O’Toole Primary School, Leongatha

• Chloe Draper - St Mary’s Primary School, Bairnsdale

• Harper Bicknell - St Mary’s Primary School, Sale

• Olivia Wisewould - St Michael’s Primary School, Traralgon

Elizabeth Hunt Scholarships for aspiring teachers

Three Year 12 graduates were awarded prestigious Elizabeth Hunt scholarships. These scholarships provide financial support toward the cost of their university teaching studies, fostering their journey into a teaching career in a Catholic school.

The successful recipients who completed their Year 12 studies in 2024 are:

• Tuscany Espidido - St Francis Xavier College, Beaconsfield

• Gabrielle Singh - St Francis Xavier College, Beaconsfield

• Sofia Sabelino - St Peter’s College, Clyde North

Catholic Education Service Awards – 25 years or more of service

Thirty-six staff members from Catholic primary and secondary schools across our diocese each received a Service Award in recognition of 25 years or more of service to Australian Catholic education. The staff were issued the awards in their schools to celebrate their achievement with their school community.

Service award recipients for 2025 are: 

• Janine Kilmartin - Columba Catholic Primary School, Bunyip

• Patricia Martin - St Joseph's Primary School, Wonthaggi 

• Simon Cuckson - St Francis Xavier College, Beaconsfield 

• Mala Peterson - St Francis Xavier College, Beaconsfield 

• Kate Rolff - St Francis Xavier College, Beaconsfield 

• Jennifer Lawlor - St Joseph's Primary School, Wonthaggi 

• Teresa De Reus - Mary MacKillop Primary School, Narre Warren North 

• Rebecca Cetrola - St Francis Xavier College, Beaconsfield 

• Anthony Robbins - Catholic College Sale 

• Ann Roffe - Catholic College Sale 

• Rebecca Sellings - Catholic College Sale 

• Rocky Toma - Catholic College Sale 

• Jacinta Slattery - Catholic College Sale 

• Rosie Davidson - Catholic College Sale 

• Cesar Forcadela - Catholic College Sale 

• Susan Haden - Catholic College Sale 

• Damien Hogan - Catholic College Sale 

• Jenny Hurst - Catholic College Sale 

• Marian Lappin - Catholic College Sale 

• Danuta Pomorski - Catholic College Sale 

• Louise Kelly - Nagle College, Bairnsdale 

• Josephine Boland - Nagle College, Bairnsdale 

• Rosemary Lee - Nagle College, Bairnsdale 

• Karen Dukakis - Nagle College, Bairnsdale 

• Mureen Plunkett - Nagle College, Bairnsdale 

• Danny Nall- Nagle College, Bairnsdale 

• Gabrielle Costin - Nagle College, Bairnsdale 

• Wilma Collier - Nagle College, Bairnsdale 

• Nigel Carr - Nagle College, Bairnsdale 

• John Corby - Nagle College, Bairnsdale 

• Anne Daffy - Nagle College, Bairnsdale 

• Maria Caroli - Nagle College, Bairnsdale 

• Teresa Calafiore - St Vincent de Pail Primary School, Morwell 

• Kathy Monacella - St Vincent de Pail Primary School, Morwell 

• Karen Joyce - Lavalla Catholic College, Traralgon 

• Margaret Rowland - St Peter's College, Cranbourne 

• Rosemary Drenen - Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College, Leongatha 

Catholic Education Week is a special time to reflect on the values, community spirit, and commitment to quality education at the heart of Catholic schools, inspiring hope and a bright future for students and educators alike.

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