Closing message for the year from the Executive Director of Catholic Education Dr Debra Sayce.
Dear colleagues, parents, and friends of Catholic education,
Catholic schools have long been cornerstones of the communities we serve across Western Australia, providing opportunities for every student to discover their God-given potential. Looking back on the 2022 school year, we can again be proud of the great impact our efforts are having on the lives of students as well as the broader communities we serve. Despite the challenges our school communities faced after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted early in the year, it was the welcoming spirit at the heart of our communities, the expertise, and dedication of staff, and our shared Gospel values that will be recalled as a hallmark of the year now past.
I am grateful for the perseverance of our teachers, students and parents who have continued to adapt to new ways of teaching and learning. I also thank our school leadership teams and all staff in our offices and schools for ensuring our schools remained constant in their mission to be inclusive and outstanding learning environments.
Considering the financial pressures many WA families find themselves in, providing an affordable Catholic education to all who seek one has continued to be of paramount importance. As we reflect on this, we are reminded that our calling is to support every student to prepare for an ever-changing world. This remains central to the remarkable achievements and progress in our schools this year and I acknowledge all in our community for your commitment to this mission.
In this season of Advent, and as we prepare for the joyous celebration of Christmas, may you and your loved ones receive the blessings of peace, joy, hope and love. For those spending time with loved ones from out of state or overseas this will be a particularly special Christmas after a period of being apart. With the familiar sounds of friends and family gathered together, we are reminded of the timeless blessing of the good news of the coming of Jesus Christ.
I wish you all a blessed Christmas and I look forward to welcoming you back in the new year as we continue our mission to deliver Christ-centred and child-focused education in WA.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Debra Sayce
Executive Director