DEVELOPING the future leadership of Catholic schools and celebrating 200 years of the Catholic school sector in Australia was the dual focus of a major event held in Sydney recently.
ACU vice-chancellor and president Professor Zlatko Skrbis said ACU and Catholic education authorities “have a long history of working together to support and enhance Catholic schools”.
“Our desire is to continue to strengthen our co-operative efforts to ensure strong and effective leadership into the future,” he said.
The Morley Review Leadership Symposium was named in memory of the school principal of Australia’s first formal Catholic school.
Led by Australian Catholic University’s La Salle Academy, the event celebrated the achievements of Catholic education and explored the future of school leadership throughout the nation.
Attendees developed workable strategies to ensure a supply of faith and mission-based Catholic education leaders for the future.
“The large number of participants was testament to the interest in the future of leadership in Catholic education and the day proved to be highly beneficial for everyone in attendance,” La Salle Academy dean Professor Br David Hall said.
“A clear agenda for the future was set, including more strategic, collaborative efforts in forming and supporting Catholic school leaders into the future,” he said.
“Participants acclaimed the day as a significant moment which harnessed interest and energy and they are keen for ACU to continue with similar collaborative efforts.
“A new book, Leadership in a Synodal Church, was launched and its authors, ACU Honorary Professors, Anne Benjamin and Charles Burford, addressed the gathering, setting the tone for the day.
“This is both a visionary and highly practical book that will shape the future of Catholic Church leadership.”
The Morley Review Leadership Symposium was attended by diocesan directors of education, as well as directors of education from religious institutes and public juridic persons.
“The event was an invaluable opportunity for a collective exploration of the future of leadership in Catholic education,” Paramatta Catholic Education executive director Greg Whitby said.
“I hope the feedback leads to a great outcome for our sector.”
Education consultant Hilary Johnstone-Croke agreed.
“The day certainly elicited the needs for leadership development of the Catholic sector, it was insightful to hear the views in the room. I would consider it a visionary event,” she said.
Association of Ministerial Public Juridic Persons Educationalist member and interim chair Philomena Billington said the day was “a terrific success, there was a great commitment by all present to continue to work together, a cohesion stronger than I have witnessed in the past”.
A discussion paper helped guide decision-making and a final recommendations report will be published.
