Message from the Director

Dear Colleagues

At our 2025 Education Mass on Tuesday evening, I had the privilege of launching Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong’s Faith, Learning and Wellbeing Framework. 

A companion to The Core Work of Teaching statement launched at last year’s Education Mass, this major system document has been the result of more than 12 months of planning and collaboration. This framework is the ‘missing piece’ that will ensure our work meaningfully impacts the lives of teachers and—most importantly—the students we are privileged to serve.

The Faith, Learning and Wellbeing Framework supports communities of educational excellence where every child develops resilience, confidence and self-efficacy. Importantly, it also provides a structure for how to deliver the improvements in students’ faith, learning and wellbeing articulated in our strategic plan, Lighting The Way.

At the heart of the framework are the five ‘Essential Elements’ - Agency, Environment, Equity, Relevance and Rigour - needed to deliver high quality outcomes for all students. A series of shared commitments underpins each Essential Element. The framework also identifies the High Impact Strategies, informed by research and evidence, required to deliver the Essential Elements. Together, they support us in building coherence and connectivity across our system in areas such as goal-setting, professional learning, teaching practice, assessment and reporting.

During 2025, professional learning modules will be developed to support leadership teams, as well as school and office staff, to effectively use the framework to support students. You can also access the Faith, Learning and Wellbeing Framework at any time via Staff Gateway.

Finally, it was wonderful to see so many of you at the Education Mass. It was a great honour to welcome our two new principals (Matthew Downes at Nazareth Catholic Parish Primary Schools, Shellharbour City; and Lisa Tyson at St Pius X Catholic Parish Primary School, Unanderra) and as always, the gathering was a reminder of what a privilege it is to be a part of such an amazing community of educators. 

In this year of Jubilee—as we are invited to come back into right relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation—I am reminded yet again of what a great gift Catholic education is to us. It is in that spirit that we continue to strengthen our model of Continuous Catholic School Improvement to support the faith, learning and wellbeing of all students. 

Thank you for the vital part you play in delivering our shared mission.

Yours sincerely

Peter Hill

Director of Schools