Welcome to Parent Talk
I hope the final term of the school year has started well for you and your family.
As I write this I am on my planned “road trip” – travelling across accessible parts of NSW and the ACT to visit dioceses and schools.
The unfolding flooding disaster has impacted families in various parts of the state. Please know our thoughts are prayers are with all those who have been affected by this disaster. I had planned to visit St Michael’s Primary school in Dunedoo to visit our Highly Commended Roger O’Sullivan Memorial Award recipient. Sadly, the rain and potential flooding resulted in a change of plans. I am so disappointed but have begun plans to travel to Bathurst in the coming weeks, I can’t wait to see you all!
I am looking forward to meeting parents, principals and staff and hearing about the ways you engage in your child’s learning as well as the barriers to engagement. At CCSP we are keen to work with diocese and school communities to support building opportunities to ensure all parents and carers can support their child’s learning.
Craig Duncan, Education Officer, Aboriginal Education in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, and I recently presented at the Catholic Schools NSW and Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander State Education Conference “Transforming with The Spirit” in beautiful Leura. What joy to gather in such a magnificent setting and hear from our parents, carers and staff on the issues impacting engagement.
I was privileged to be able to meet and yarn with Aunty Miriam Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann – renowned Aboriginal Artist and educator, the first fully qualified Aboriginal teacher in the NT, 2021 Senior Australian of the Year and founder of the Miriam Rose Foundation.
Following the conference, I travelled south to meet with leadership from the Diocese of Wagga Wagga and visit St Patricks Parish School in Albury. Thank you for the beautifully warm greeting as soon as I stepped into the school, and the students… what wonderful ambassadors for their community! I am grateful to the principal – Liz Johnston, parent Fiona and teacher Marlo who met with me to share their thoughts and talk about engagement in Albury.
I am looking forward to the remainder of this trip and meeting many more of the wonderful people who make up our communities across NSW and the ACT and am reminded of the wise words of St Mary of the Cross McKillop “Great is the strength we possess in unity”.
Stay safe, take care of yourselves and each other my friends,
Catherine Garrett-Jones
CCSP, Executive Director