Mourning the late Archbishop
The Funeral Mass for our late Archbishop, George Cardinal Pell was held today at 11am at St Mary’s Cathedral. Cardinal Pell passed away at age 81 on 10 January in Rome of a cardiac arrest following hip surgery. Cardinal Pell’s successor is Archbishop of Sydney, Most Rev. Anthony Fisher OP. Read more.
Updates to the My School website and the National Report on Schooling data portal
ACARA recently released the 2022 student attendance data on the interactive National Report on Schooling data portal. The organisation also released updated data on participation in full-time education, training and employment of young people aged 15 to 24 as well as key performance measures.
Last month, the My School website was updated with school student attendance rates for Semester 1 (Term 1 and 2) of 2022 and the 2022 data for Senior Secondary Outcomes and VET in schools.
Follow the links to read more about the National Report on Schooling in Australia data portal update and the My School update.
Paramedics need change to help them safeguard maltreated children
Prominent researchers say paramedics need education and legislative change to help safeguard children at risk of abuse.
Director of ACU’s Institute of Child Protection Studies Professor Daryl Higgins and Dr Simon Sawyer from Australian Paramedical College are calling for paramedics to receive improved education to recognise signs of less visible forms of abuse and for them to be made mandatory reporters alongside doctors and nurses.
New research co-authored by ICPS research officer Alex Cahill, Dr Stephen Bartlett from Queensland University of Technology and Professor Karen Smith from Monash University reveals paramedics have difficulty identifying and responding to cases of child emotional abuse and exposure to domestic violence, making it less likely for them to report it to authorities.
From Rome
In his January General audience, Pope Francis has said that one of the best images to represent Jesus’ style of life is that of ‘the Good Shepherd’ who ‘lays down his life for his sheep’.
‘By being with Jesus, we discover that his pastoral heart always beats for the person who is confused, lost, far away,’ he said.
Alma Nuns visit kicks goals
During a visit to Victoria to raise funds for their work with disabled and abandoned children in Timor-Leste, Alma Nuns – Sisters Anastasia and Isabel – managed to find time to attend an AFLW match, where they were guests of the Western Bulldogs.
‘I loved seeing girls playing sport because they don’t get much opportunity to do this in Timor-Leste,’ Sister Anastasia said.
The nuns visited several Catholic secondary schools where they shared their story about operating on a limited budget tending to thousands of disadvantaged children. Find out more.
What’s on
Australian Catholics will again offer its media internship program for 2023, giving Years 10 and 11 students across the country an introduction to a career in the media. The week-long program runs from 8-12 May. Applications for this year’s program close 5pm on Friday, 17 March, with more details to appear on the Education Hub next week.
Magis Program and World Youth Day 2023: Registration is open for the Magis Program, which brings together young people from around the world for an Ignatian program prior to World Youth Day 2023. The events are in Lisbon, Portugal from 22 July-6 August 2023. Join other Australians from The Cardoner Network, the Australian Jesuits’ ministry for young adults, for days full of experiences and activities. Registration closes on 31 March 2023.
Safer Internet Day will be held on 7 February. This a global event brings together communities, families, schools and organisations from more than 200 countries to help create safer online spaces. Find classroom resources from the Australian Centre for Child Exploitation here.
Heart of Creation Retreat Day: The retreat day on 19 February in Pymble NSW will explore the Ignatian understanding of Creation and the sacredness of all life as gift. It draws on the work of Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann, renowned Australian Artist, tribal elder, educator and Aboriginal mystic.
On the Way to Freedom – Spiritual Exercises for Pilgrims during Lent: This international Online Ignatian Lenten Series is for anyone who is seeking an accessible way to be nourished personally and accompanied during the Lenten Season.