Year in Review 2022 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 17 Sandhurst Diocese Reports anniversaries, acknowledging the rich and unique history of each school. The communities of St Joseph’s Cobram and St Peter’s North Bendigo commemorated 100- and 50-year anniversaries respectively. The Sisters of Mercy established both schools and the influence of the Mercy Sisters is interwoven into the identity and charism of each school. St Joseph’s Nagambie also celebrated their 100-year anniversary, giving thanks to the Sisters of St Joseph and the pioneers of Catholic Education in the Nagambie region. St John’s Euroa also brought their community together to commemorate their centenary which was unable to be celebrated last year due to COVID-19. Each school community enjoyed the opportunity to recall times past, to reconnect and to acknowledge the history of their school and their place within this history. The Victorian floods that occurred in Term 4 had a devastating effect on some of our Sandhurst schools and communities, in particular the townships of Rochester, Echuca, Shepparton, Mooroopna, Kerang and Pyramid Hill were greatly affected. Schools were closed and properties were flooded as the rain continued to fall and the rivers continued to rise. Year 12 students from St Joseph’s Echuca spent the final day of their schooling filling sandbags to help save their college and their town. These stories of self-sacrifice and community spirit were not isolated; as always, the human spirit prevails and leaders within our communities come to the fore. The countless number of people who supported our schools in the most heavily affected regions, checking neighbours’ properties, helping move furniture and treasured possessions to higher ground, coordinating emergency response, catering, donating goods and service, were working tirelessly to help a community in need. St Joseph’s Primary School in Rochester will remain closed well into 2023 as the school is rebuilt, infrastructure repaired and equipment replaced. Sadly, a major new school building which students had only moved into three weeks prior to the floods, also sustained significant damage. St Joseph’s students have been relocated to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Elmore and Catherine McAuley College in Bendigo until they are able to return to their school. I thank the Principals of these schools, first for answering the call, and second, for their swift action to make sure that students were able to continue their learning. I also acknowledge, with deep gratitude, the work of my colleagues at the Catholic Education Sandhurst Office for the support they gave, and continue to give to the principals, staff, students and families of the floodaffected schools. During Term 4, I embarked on a trip to Ireland with the Executive Director of Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Limited, Tom Sexton, to explore the possibility of recruiting Irish teachers in response to a critical shortage of teachers in Australia. The challenge of recruitment is already being felt by a number of schools in the Diocese of Sandhurst, particularly those in regional or remote areas, and is expected to become more severe in the years ahead. Competition to gain the services of qualified educators across the sectors is already having a significant impact. Our research found that there is currently an ‘over supply’ of teachers in the Republic of Ireland. At the same time, there is a decrease in the student population in Irish schools and this is expected to become more pronounced in the coming decade. It is our aim to attract Irish teachers to join our excellent Australian teachers in the classroom over the next 4-5 years to relieve the pressure in our schools. We remain grateful to both the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments for their generous financial support of the Catholic Sector. By their provision of funds, we are able to set and work towards our target of delivering the best in learning opportunities for our students. The 2022 theme for Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd is Tell the Good News, and although there have been considerable challenges throughout the year there have also been many wonderful Good News stories. It is the presence of these stories in our lives that nourishes us and brings us closer to God. Paul Desmond Chief Executive Officer Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd
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