CEDoW News

Photo taken at St Therese Catholic Parish Primary School, West Wollongong.

Our Catholic school communities are increasingly diverse, and for many, belonging—feeling connected, known, and valued—can be challenged by language, culture, or experience. As a Catholic system of schools, we are committed to ensuring every student, especially those who have experienced disadvantage or marginalisation, feels a sense of belonging.

Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity, promoting inclusiveness, respect, and belonging. The 2025 theme, "We All Have a Role to Play," highlights the collective effort in fostering welcoming school communities.

“In education, we often talk about knowing our students and making a difference in their lives,” said Megan Johansson, EAL/D specialist teacher at St Therese Catholic Parish Primary School, West Wollongong. “Harmony Week is a wonderful annual event that keeps growing bigger and better. We might all have different traditions and languages, but events like this teach students that we are united by love, respect, and the opportunity to learn from one another.”

With students hailing from over 20 different countries in their school, St Therese, West Wollongong, represents one of many schools within CEDoW that embody these values—fostering kindness, respect, and a true sense of belonging for all. Celebrating diversity and creating inclusive spaces makes every student feel valued, heard, and empowered.

Their Harmony Week celebration was a vibrant showcase of diversity, featuring dance, song, bilingual poetry recitals, and visual presentations. More than 150 students, staff, and guests came together in a powerful expression of connection and shared identity.

Across CEDoW, over 900 students access English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) System Support, supported by 15 specialist teachers and 18 school support officers. With 128 languages spoken across our K–12 communities, the number of students with a background in languages other than English has grown to 37.5% across the whole diocese. Macarthur is the region with the highest percentage of Language Background Other Than English (LBOTE) students, at 47.1%.

Photo taken at Mount Carmel Catholic College, Varroville.

Mount Carmel Catholic College, Varroville, celebrated Harmony Week with a lunchtime concert, where Indigenous musicians and dancers performed a Sweeping Ceremony and opened the concert with an Acknowledgement to Country.

There are currently 930 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in CEDoW schools, supported by 22 Aboriginal Education Assistants (AEAs) from Kindergarten to Year 12, who play a crucial role in providing classroom support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and lead cultural initiatives for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.

Each school is also supported by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Contact who works with AEAs the community, parents, and the school leadership team to embed cultural initiatives within the school.

Crystal Ash, Professional Officer, EAL/D System Strategy, believes Harmony Week strengthens school connections through open dialogue, cultural understanding, and school-family partnerships.

“Rooted in Gospel values, Harmony Week reflects Jesus’ teaching that every person, regardless of race, is created in the image of God. Every child, teacher, and leader is a thread in our diverse community. Woven with respect and compassion, we create a school where everyone belongs.”

By embracing diversity and breaking down barriers, our schools continue to create spaces where every student feels seen, heard, and valued—where belonging is not just an idea but a lived experience.

Students Gather for Liturgical Ministries Training

Recently, Year 10 and 11 students from across our diocesan secondary schools gathered for a Liturgical Ministries Training Day. This training program, a collaboration between the Diocesan Liturgical Commission and the CLEM Team offered students an opportunity to learn more about what it means to gather as a Eucharistic community at Mass and to develop an understanding of some of the ministries of service that they can be engaged in.

The day included prayer, keynote presentations and workshops focussed on being a Reader of the Word, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and Music Ministry. Presenters included Fr James Arblaster, Deacon Lawrie Burns, Angela Quinn and Beth Riolo, with Bishop Brian Mascord presiding at an “Instructional Mass” where the students were able to share their ministry of service.

After experiencing this day, Bishop Brian encouraged the students to become more involved in sharing their ministries both at their school liturgical celebrations and with their local parish communities.