Teachers, staff, families and students from across Queensland’s Catholic schools gathered in Brisbane today to launch Catholic Education Week 2026, shining a light on the communities at the heart of Catholic education across the state.
The launch was this year hosted by Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) with the theme of Share Your Light, Inspire Others. The Week’s launch Mass was held at the Cathedral of St Stephen and celebrated by the Archbishop of Brisbane, the Most Reverend Shane Mackinlay.
Welcoming the congregation, BCE Acting Executive Director Ross Tarlinton OAM said Catholic Education Week was a special opportunity to come together in gratitude, to celebrate the strength, diversity and impact of Catholic education, and to give thanks for the many people who bring the mission to life each day.
In his Homily, Archbishop Shane reflected on the theme of light, describing Catholic education as part of a long tradition of bringing light into darkness through knowledge. He said that while all schools build knowledge and character, religious education adds a further dimension in recognising each person as created in the image of God, and that students would spend the week reflecting on how to share the light entrusted to them.
Pictured: Students processing into the Cathedral of St Stephen, carrying lamps to represent this year’s Catholic Education Week theme of ‘Share Your Light, Inspire Others’.
Following the Mass, school and office staff, families and guests came together to celebrate the recipients of the 2026 Spirit of Catholic Education Awards, which recognise staff, parents, carers and volunteers who have gone above and beyond. This year the awards drew 180 individual and team nominations from across Queensland.
Queensland Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek officially launched the week at the awards presentation. He said Queensland’s Catholic schools and early childhood education and care providers helped hundreds of thousands of young Queenslanders to learn, grow and reach their full potential.
“They provide a critical option for high-quality, values-based education and are part of the fabric of our communities, from Queensland’s largest cities to our most remote regions.
“Along with the Premier, I congratulate all involved, for demonstrating excellence in educational service and leadership, in a variety of meaningful and practical ways.
“The Queensland Government looks forward to continuing to partner with the Catholic education sector, to create brighter futures for all Queenslanders.”
Pictured: CEQL CEO Allan Blagaich, Board Chair Madeline Brennan KC, BCE Acting Executive Director Ross Tarlinton OAM, Queensland Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek and Archbishop of Brisbane, the Most Reverend Shane Mackinlay with recipients of the 2026 Spirit of Catholic Education Awards.
Catholic Education Queensland Limited (CEQL) Board Chair Madeline Brennan KC said the week carried particular significance as the first Catholic Education Week held under CEQL, following the organisation’s transition from the Queensland Catholic Education Commission at the start of the year. She said it felt fitting that a new chapter for the organisation began with a celebration of everything that remains constant: the mission, the people and the communities that make up Catholic education in Queensland.
CEQL CEO Allan Blagaich said the week gave 313 Queensland’s schools and 29 kindergartens an opportunity to reflect on the special nature of their communities and how they contribute to the wider community.
The 2026 Spirit of Catholic Education Award recipients are:
Aunty Joan Hendriks Reconciliation Award
Emerson Godwell, Senior First Nations Liaison Officer, Emmaus College, North Rockhampton (Catholic Education – Diocese of Rockhampton); and the First Nations and Diversity Group led by Annabelle Cowen and Bec Lopez, Mary MacKillop Catholic College, Highfields (Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools).
Spirit of Catholic Education Award
Angela Greathead, Learning Enhancement Teacher, St Joseph’s School, Nundah (Brisbane Catholic Education); James Emerick, Principal, St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School, Gladstone (Catholic Education – Diocese of Rockhampton); Carole Smith, Administration Officer, St Teresa’s School, Ravenshoe (Catholic Education Services – Diocese of Cairns); Cara Haig, Principal, Sacred Heart Primary School, Cunnamulla (Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools); Brendan Cahill, Principal, Brigidine College, Indooroopilly (Religious Institute and Ministerial Public Juridic Person Schools); and Veronica Feliciano, Assistant Principal Religious Education, Good Shepherd Catholic College, Mount Isa (Townsville Catholic Education).
To learn more about the Spirit of Catholic Education Awards and read about the nominees and recipients, visit www.catholiceducationweek.com.au.
Catholic school communities are grateful for the support of the 2026 sponsors of Catholic Education Week in Queensland, Australian Catholic University and UniSuper.