Schools will host a variety of activities throughout the week including open days and nights, open classrooms, in-school Liturgies, grandparent days, fairs and more to celebrate their school community and raise public awareness of the many opportunities that Catholic schools provide.
Catholic Schools Week also marks the start of the 2018 enrolment period for all 56 of the schools across the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, plus the region’s newest Catholic High School, St Bede’s Catholic College, Chisholm. Two of the region’s high schools, St Mary’s Catholic College, Gateshead and St Joseph’s College, Lochinvar will be opening enrolments for their new Year 11 cohorts which will see them become providers of education spanning from Years 7 – 12.
This year, many of the Catholic high schools will also be celebrating the exciting new developments that will take place over the next 12 months including the construction and opening of improved learning spaces and new facilities including new hospitality and TAS centres.
Dr Michael Slattery, who will be celebrating his first Catholic Schools Week as Director of Catholic Schools, is affirming of this year’s theme and how it speaks volumes of the Catholic schools in our region.
“During my school visits over the last month, I have witnessed first-hand how Catholic schools across the diocese exhibit the qualities of this year’s Catholic Schools Week theme,” Dr Slattery said.
“The strength that exists within our school communities is a result of great and encompassing support of the schools’ students, staff, families, church community and members of the wider community. Without this support, the authentic, dynamic and vivid nature of our schools wouldn’t exist.”
Each year, a Catholic Schools Week highlight for schools is the special Mass held at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Hamilton where principals and school leaders from all 56 schools join together with members of the wider community, local politicians and parishioners. This year’s Mass will be held on Tuesday, 7 March at 11am. All are welcome to attend.
To join in the wide range of celebrations during Catholic Schools Week or to find out more about enrolling your child in a local Catholic school, click here.