DEVELOPING and implementing “best practice” in Catholic school curriculum will be the focus for more than 300 educational leaders, teachers, parents and friends of Catholic education who will gather at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre this month.
Themed “Prophets of a future not our own”, the three-day conference will be hosted by the Queensland Catholic Education Commission and will be the first time a statewide event focusing exclusively on Catholic school curriculum has been held since 1994.
QCEC executive director Mike Byrne said the conference would cover the full spectrum of contemporary education issues including religious education, inclusive education, ICT, early years, indigenous education, the Catholic school, literacy and numeracy, and leadership.
“In an era of rapid educational and social change, as Catholic educators we are challenged to ensure that the curriculum in our schools is genuinely aligned with a Catholic philosophy of education and that our teaching methods maximise opportunities for 21st century students to reach their full potential,” he said.
“It is my hope that the conference will challenge us to revisit our thinking and methodologies and be a catalyst for growth and advancement in teaching and learning in Catholic school communities across the state and beyond.”
Keynote speakers for the April 16-18 event are Bishop Michael Putney of Townsville, Hobart Catholic Education director Dr Dan White, Dr Therese D’Orsa, who is a professorial fellow with Australian Catholic University and, spiritual guide of the World Community for Christian Meditation Benedictine Father Laurence Freeman.
Thirty-three presenters will deliver workshops on topics as wide-ranging as “How Catholic is your school?” to “Using digital resources to motivate and engage 21st century learners”.
Full or daily registration for the conference is still available through the QCEC website at www.qcec.qld.catholic.edu.au or by contacting the conference secretariat on telephone (07) 3358 3561 or email curriculumconference@qcec.qld.catholic.edu.au
