More than 200 CEWA Principals, system leaders and staff gathered at the Newman Siena Centre in Doubleview this week for the first Catholic Education Leaders Forum of 2019. 

The Forum was a unique opportunity for Principals from across the State to explore and unpack the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia’s Strategic Directions 2019-2021. 

After a Welcome to Country with Shaun Nannup, a Whadjuk Wardandi Noongar man, Abbot John Herbert OSB from the New Norcia Benedictine Community led attendees in a reflection centred on Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhultation, Gaudete et Exsultate, before Dr Debra Sayce delivered her first Leaders Forum address as Executive Director. 

Sharing her thoughts on the mandate and calling of educators in CEWA, the importance and priorities of the Catholic education system, and the responsibility of CEWA staff to the learning and faith formation of students, Dr Sayce set the scene for the Strategic Directions sessions ahead. 

“Our bishops are very clear on what they want for our schools,” she said. “The four directions of the Strategic Directions make it very clear… that each is linked to the four domains of leadership in Catholic education: Catholic leadership, education, community and stewardship,” she said. 

In addition to Strategic Direction workshops, participants were provided information on the CEWA Vision for Learning, a foundational document for classroom practice across the system and an update on governance policies. 

The Catholic Education Leaders Forum is held twice each year and is a key strategic event enabling Principals, school and system leaders to discuss system-wide policies, initiatives and challenges as well the latest developments in education more broadly. 

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