Next week we celebrate Catholic Education Week (CEW). CEW is an annual state-wide event that promotes the distinctive mission of Catholic schools throughout Queensland. The week is celebrated by all 309 Catholic schools in Queensland through a range of activities, liturgies and events.

The Catholic Education Week 2025 theme is " Communities of Faith, Hope and Love". 

The theme, which has been used since 2022, continues to resonate with school communities. It aligns with the Jubilee 2025 theme of Pilgrims of Hope.

Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society.

Our celebrations here at St Joseph’s School include:

• St Joseph’s School, Stanthorpe and Parish CEW Mass on Sunday 27 July at 8.30am at St Joseph’s Church, Stanthorpe (all families and students are welcome to attend)
• School Assembly on Thursday 31 July commencing at 11.10am
• Toowoomba Catholic Schools Excellence Awards in Toowoomba on Thursday 31 July
• Bishop’s Inservice Day for all staff in Toowoomba on Friday 1 August, which includes Mass

Toowoomba Catholic Schools (TCS) Excellence Awards

Congratulations to Anna Jones, Secondary teacher, who has been nominated as a finalist for the TCS Excellence Awards in the category of Excellence in Teaching and Learning: Expert Secondary Teacher. The awards recognise those staff and volunteers who are inspiring and experts in their field across the 32 schools in the diocese. Anna will attend the finals presentation on Thursday night next week in Toowoomba where the winners will be announced in each category. Anna is very deserving of her nomination, and I am very thankful for the wonderful work she does for the school.

Long Service Awards

During CEW we also acknowledge staff who have given significant contributions to the Catholic education over many years through long service awards. Thank you and congratulations to the following staff.

• Anna Jones - 20 years
• Linda Charlton - 25 years
• Tracey Cullinan - 30 years
• Johanna Campbell - 40 years

Have a great Catholic Education Week.