Catholic Education South Australia

2024 'My First Speech' competition open now

The national My First Speech competition for Year 10-12 students is now accepting submissions. The competition asks students to write and record a 90-second speech on a topic they are passionate about as if they are making their first speech in the House of Representatives.

A winner from each year group is selected and flown to Canberra with a parent or guardian where they deliver their speech at Parliament House. Winners will also meet MPs, tour Parliament House, and learn more about the democratic process. A panel of judges including the Speaker of the House of Representatives Milton Dick MP will choose the winner from each year group.

Entries close 11.59pm AEST on Friday 27 July.

For more information visit: https://www.aph.gov.au/myfirstspeech/enter

Earlier this month, CESA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Indonesia Embassy, Canberra to support the teaching of the Bahasa Indonesian language in Catholic schools. Currently, approximately 3,300 Catholic school students in SA study Indonesian.

The event took place at Cardijn College where students were able to immerse in Indonesian cultural activities provided through the 'Indonesia Goes To School' program.

To read more about the MoU visit: https://www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/news/100509/cesa-signs-memorandum-of-understanding-to-support-teaching-of-indonesian-in-schools

Image credit: Lucy Romano, Cardijn College

Did you know that children who have someone read to them every day when they are very young learn to speak, read and write more easily?

If you care for a little one try this easy activity during your next reading session:

Let them choose the book 📖

Whenever there’s a chance to read, give your baby or toddler a choice of a few books. You’ll quickly find out which ones excite them and which ones don’t!

CESA is a proud and active taskforce member of the Words Grow Mind’s campaign.

All are welcome to come along and read a book or two with your baby, toddler or preschooler at our supported playgroup programs. To find a local supported playgroup visit: https://www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/our-schools/school-directory

The Department for Education has two competitions currently open for students, across all education sectors, to enter:

The 2024 Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize is open to students in Year 9 & 10. The prize has been running since 2007 with the winners participating in a state government fully funded study tour. To enter students need to research the experience of a South Australian service man or woman who served in WW1 and/or WW2. Deadline: Friday, 6 September 2024 at 5pm.

The Governor's Civics Awards for Schools develops student awareness and skills as active and informed citizens in a multicultural and democratic society. These awards can be entered by students from Year 5 - Year 12 in individual, group and school categories. Deadline: Friday, 13 September 2024 at 5pm.

For more information on these two opportunities visit: https://www.education.sa.gov.au/schools-and-educators/programs-students/challenges-competitions-and-awards

Pictured: Catholic school students Gaby and Mehar on the 2023 Premier's Anzac Spirit study trip to Vietnam earlier this year.

Congratulations to Jayne Shortt from St Patrick's Technical College for receiving the VET Coordinator of the Year Award at the Motor Trade Association of SA/NT Awards Ceremony last week.

Each year thousands of Catholic school students gain employability skills and get a head start in their careers by undertaking Nationally Accredited Vocational and Educational Training (VET) during Year 10, 11 or 12 as part of their SACE studies.

VET Coordinators have an important role in connecting and supporting students to study VET courses whilst at school. The skills and knowledge of work that students develop through VET stand them in good stead for the future, no matter what pathway beyond school they choose to pursue.

It's great to see how the teachings of social justice in our Catholic schools benefits the wider community. This food, made by students St Mary's College, looks delicious!

St Joseph's School Port Lincoln has entered the Australian Boarding Schools Association (ABSA) competition to be the cover photo for their page for the next six months.

This year the theme is 'Expressions of Joy' and the photo with the most likes will be selected. If you've got the time give the St Joseph's entry, featuring super smiley Year 12 Boarders Jessie and Zara, a like 😊.

To be valid the likes must be given to the photo on ABSA's page.

Competition submission 📸 - St Joseph's School Port Lincoln

Welcome to the inaugural International Day of Play!

Starting today the United Nations General Assembly has declared that June 11 will, annually, be International Day of Play.

🌏 A global survey of more than 10,000 children found that 97% believe that play is important, but 65% would like to play more.

🏃 Children listed running around or playing sport as their top playtime activity, followed by building or creating something and then making up their own game. 🎭

🙋Today is a reminder of the power of play and the experiences of joy and wonder it provides in children’s lives. It is through play that children can truly be themselves as there is no judgement and it allows children to imagine a world filled with endless possibilities.

👁️ When children play they experience the world through different lenses as it ignites curiosity and wonder about the world they live in.

👐Play provides opportunities for connections with others, gives children agency and has many benefits including brain development and social and emotional wellbeing.

To find out more visit: www.internationaldayofplay.org

💵 Students from Gleeson College have taken part in a Financial Literacy Microcredential, to help them make better informed decisions about spending, saving and using credit.

🏧 Developed by teacher Marisa Favilla, with input from industry experts, this microcredential empowers students to be knowledgeable about credit traps and know what assistance is available to people who find themselves in debt.

Microcredentials offer a contemporary way of recognising student learning, with a focus on the skills and competencies that a student demonstrates.

🎬 Watch this short two minute video to find out more.

Gleeson College Financial Literacy Microcredential Students at Gleeson College can gain a Financial Literacy Microcredential, to help them make better informed decisions about spending, saving and using credi...

Many Catholic schools have engaged in World Environment Day, which took place yesterday. It's a day to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment and an opportunity to teach students that together all the small changes can make a difference.

We love the different ways that schools have chosen to mark the day:

Students at Nazareth Catholic Community have produced some stunning artwork by recycling old books
St Anthonys School Edwardstown visited Cleland Wildlife Park and immersed in the wonders of the natural world
Caritas College, St Francis of Assisi College, Renmark and Loreto College, Marryatville, SA combined World Environment Day with the annual Vinnies Winter Appeal fundraiser
and St Joseph's School Barmera did a litter pick up around their school

CESA welcomes the Australian Government’s new Early Years Strategy 2024-2034, which has recently been released outlining its vision that all children in Australia thrive in their early years.

It is built on four Priority Focus Areas where the Government will direct efforts to achieve its goals:

• Valuing the early years.
• Empowering parents, caregivers and families.
• Supporting and working with communities; and
• Strengthening accountability and coordination.

To find out more and to download a copy of the strategy visit: https://www.dss.gov.au/families-and-children-programs-services-early-years-strategy/early-years-strategy-2024-2034

For more information on the Early Years Services that Catholic schools in SA provide visit: https://www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/our-schools/early-years-services

Today, on Mabo Day and the final day of National Reconciliation Week we remember and reflect on Eddie Mabo's successful efforts to overturn the legal fiction of terra nullius, or 'land belonging to no-one'.

In Mabo's path so many have since followed working to right the wrongs of the past.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council (NATSICC) Service to Community Awards are currently open to nominations, recognising the significant differences so many make to the lives of Australia's First Peoples. There are five categories in the awards:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander - Elder
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander - Young Adult (18y to 25yrs)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander - Adult (25yrs+)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander - Youth (up to 17yrs)
Non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander - Open

For further information and to nominate someone complete this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfPi2k7gK6xViUXklwFG-CAzrko4PxzKUkv4z0BwFbFwtOm-w/viewform

Nominations close on June 15, 2024.

Artwork by students from St Augustine's Parish School Salisbury.

To coincide with National Reconciliation Week, Blake Rankine, a student at St Michael's College designed an Indigenous Guernsey for the boys 1st XVIII to wear in a match against Sacred Heart College last weekend.

Each element of the design holds a special meaning. Follow the link below, in the St Michael's College post to hear more about Blake's design.

📢 This week Catholic Education SA announced that it will be building a new Catholic school in Strathalbyn to open in 2029.

The school will be a campus of St Francis de Sales College Mount Barker and will initially cater for students from Reception – Year 6, with an anticipated expansion to Year 9 dependent on enrolment demand.

The school is being built in partnership with the Hickinbotham Group to support existing families and new home buyers in the fast-growing Alexandrina region.

Read more here: https://cesa.catholic.edu.au/announcement-strathalbyn

For 48 hours (from 4pm Monday 27 May - 4pm Wednesday 29 May) Paul Dillon's recent talk on Teens, parties, alcohol and vapes: What do parents need to know? will be available to watch on the Catholic School Parents SA - CSPSA website: https://cspsa.catholic.edu.au/resources/let-s-talk-about

If you weren't able to attend the event two weeks ago this is a great opportunity to find out more about the teenage years.

We are so pleased we can offer this resource and welcome you to share this with your community.

The recording has now been received from AV Plus and will be live for 48 hours on our website from today, Monday 27 May to Wednesday 29 May .

The recording can be viewed on our website https://cspsa.catholic.edu.au/resources/let-s-talk-about

CESA is a proud supporter of Nunga Screen, an initiative from Country Arts SA.

Nunga Screen is held annually between Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week and is a free short film showcase for all ages that shares and celebrates First Nations culture, stories and language through film.

All Catholic schools in South Australia will have access to the short films for students to watch, but they are also being screened in more than 20 regional venues and communities across South Australia.

For more information and to watch the trailer visit: https://www.countryarts.org.au/discover/first-nations-program/nunga-screen/

National Reconciliation Week (May 27 - June 3) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

This year’s theme for National Reconciliation week is Now More Than Ever and is a reminder to us all that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will —and must —continue.

There have been many moments in Australia’s reconciliation journey that make us want to turn away. But when things are divisive, the worst thing we can do is disengage or disconnect.

Learn more about NRW here: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/

On National Sorry Day, we pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia. We remember and acknowledge the grief, suffering and injustice experienced by the Stolen Generations, their families and communities and the intergenerational impacts of the mistreatment still felt today.

Not just today – but every day – is a chance for all Australians to work together to fight racism wherever it lurks and share the steps towards healing.

🙏 This week is National Volunteer Week and a time to recognise and thank all of the hundreds of special volunteers within our school communities, who give so generously.

🙌 At last week's Catholic Education Awards Kayla Holding, a parent volunteer at St Joseph's School Payneham, received the award in the 'Volunteer' Category for her dedication to the school.

💙 Kayla has been instrumental in creating an extracurricular program to educate and entertain students out-of-hours, as well as managing the second hand uniform shop and co-chairing the P&F committee!

To read more about the Catholic Education Awards recipients visit: https://awards.cesa.catholic.edu.au/recipients/award-recipients-2024

We love that the chickens at Antonio Catholic School got a new chook house for Laudato Si week, thanks to an amazing team of volunteers!

This week Catholic Education SA launched a STEM Digital Technology Pilot in partnership with the South Australian Chamber of Mines and Energy. The STEM pilot will engage students in fun hands-on challenges demonstrating real world applications of fundamental digital technology skills.

The Pilot aims to empower educators to teach STEM skills, increase student interest in technology-based career pathways and support the future skilled talent pipeline.

The six Catholic schools participating in the pilot are:

St Barbara's Parish School, Roxby Downs
St Mark's College, Port Pirie
St Francis de Sales College Mount Barker
Caritas College, Port Augusta
Samaritan College, Whyalla
St Aloysius College Adelaide

Read more here: https://www.cesa.catholic.edu.au/news/98726/stem-pilot-launched-in-six-catholic-schools-across-the-state

Last month, winners of the Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize had the trip of a lifetime travelling to Vietnam to fully immerse themselves in the history of the Vietnam War and to learn more about the sacrifices that South Australian service men and women have made in the 20th Century.

A number of students from Catholic schools were amongst the group of prize winners including Maria from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College, Enfield, Gabrielle and Mehar from Saint Ignatius' College Adelaide, Emma, a former student at St Joseph's School, Clare and Grace from Loreto College, Marryatville, SA.

In the images students are pictured at a ceremony held at Long Tan.

Entries are now open for the 2024 Premier's Anzac Spirit School Prize. More information can be found here: https://www.education.sa.gov.au/students/competitions-and-challenges/premiers-anzac-spirit-school-prize

🌱​​​​This Laudato Si Week, many of our schools will be sharing the ways they care for our shared home, the Earth, and each other. 🌱

💚 At Immaculate Heart of Mary School students can take part in the weekly Green Hearts program, run by two parent volunteers, where they learn the skills of gardening and cooking. 💚