Successful gathering at Blackfriars

Approximately 75 Principals and DEPSLA members gathered recently (15th March, 2017) at Blackfriars Priory School.

APCSS Chair Paul Rijken and Blackfriars' Principal Simon Cobiac welcomed the guests. Paul acknowledged the long-standing Combined Meeting tradition that sees our leaders in Catholic Secondary Education in SA come together for mutual professional learning. The usual guest speaker focus for the sessions was this year replaced by an opportunity to share the learnings of last year's Collaborative Learning Projects on (1) Creative Learning Spaces and (2) Effective Use of Data for Whole School Improvement.

The very successful day concluded with a tour of the School, Mass in the College Chapel and Dinner in Frassati Hall.

Congratulations to Eileen (Principal, St Mary's College) on receiving this Award - an award that acknowledges and celebrates influence in school leadership and professional learning.

Eileen is shown with her Award, along with Paddy McEvoy (Principal, SAC) who introduced Eileen at the Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 26th October.

Eileen was nominated by APCSS Chair Paul Rijken (Principal, Cardijn College).

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APCSS VISIT TO ST MARK'S, PT PIRIE

Many of our Principals visited St Mark's on Tues and Wed 14/15th June for an APCSS meeting.

Highlights included a Bus Tour into the Flinders, Mass with Bishop Greg O'Kelly at the Cathedral, a tour of the College's McNally Farm, Dinner at the Farm with a campfire, visits to the Primary and Secondary campuses of the College, as well as the business meeting that was held at the Bosco Secondary Campus.

This visit followed a similar one to Samaritan College, Whyalla, two years ago, and is part of a plan to visit a different regional college on a biennial basis.

Joy presents on Leadership in Rome

Mrs Joy Bedford, Principal of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart College (OLSH), Enfield presented to the international gathering of educators at the Educating for Today and Tomorrow: A Renewing Passion International Conference in Rome this week.
Joy was one of 3 international speakers invited to share their school experiences where Catholic identity was richly embedded in complex circumstances. OLSH's multi faith community contributes to this contemporary understanding and appreciation of Catholic identity.
Joy said that when each girl and her family have a deep connection and relationship to the college and to the staff, matters that can be seen as problems become everyday moments to address, just ordinary matters and opportunities rather than cultural divisions.
After Joy's address she was besieged by other participants seeking contact details, photos and advice! Clearly Joy's leadership with her staff is something of a light house for others in similar complex schooling situations.

(CESA Newsletter, Nov 2015)

Fr Jamie Calder SJ led the Retreat on 'Fidelity at the Heart of Right Action'.

This was a three day residential retreat experience which offered Principals a series of meditations on the theology of interpersonal power. Sharing the Eucharist each day was a highlight, as was the opportunity to meet and host many of our Sponsors over Dinner on the last night.