About 350 CEWA staff attended the Catholic Schools Staff Breakfast on 8th August to celebrate the contribution of some of the system’s longest serving employees, as well as the LEAD Awards for Excellence.

Bishop Gerard Holohan, Chair of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia, began the event by saying Grace, before the Honourable Sue Ellery MLC, WA Minister for Education and Training, addressed the audience and presented the LEAD Awards.

The LEAD Awards for Excellence acknowledge and celebrate Catholic schools and colleges for outstanding work in system-leading initiatives in Learning, Engagement, Accountability and Discipleship. There were a record 30 applications for the 2017 Awards, with the Leaders’ Choice Award added to the program for the first time, and decided by online voting open to CEWA Principals.

A panel of judges including Principals, CEWA office staff and representatives from the University of Notre Dame Australia selected eight Award winners:

Learning

• Assumption Catholic Primary School – Making Space for Learning Program
• Mercy College – Reading Heads

Engagement

• St Anthony’s School – STEM Story
• Iona Presentation College – Hyperscience

Accountability

• Mercy College – CAVE: Your Journey, Our Support

Discipleship

• Clontarf Aboriginal College – Religious Education Week 2017
• Iona Presentation College – Presentation Faith in Action Project
• St Patrick’s Primary School – Christian Meditation Project

The panel also selected seven recipients for LEAD Awards of Merit:

• Hammond Park Catholic Primary School
• Liwara Catholic Primary School
• Mercedes College Perth
• Mercy College
• Our Lady of Mercy Primary School
• St Andrew’s Catholic Primary School
• St Francis’ School

Assumption Catholic Primary School’s Making Space for Learning Program was also recognised as the winner of the Leaders’ Choice Award.

Following the presentation of the LEAD Awards, all staff who had served 30 continuous years or more working in the CEWA system were presented with a framed certificate by CEWA Executive Director, Dr Tim McDonald. Sister Frances Wilson was also recognised for her many years of service in Catholic education, particularly for her work with Aboriginal youth.

Richard High, who has worked at Mercy College for the past three decades, spoke on behalf of the long-serving staff recognised, before those who had served 40 years or more in CEWA were presented with a medal and certificate by Dr McDonald.

For a detailed look at the project winners please click here.

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