Catholic school communities across Queensland are celebrating the unique spirit and shared mission of Catholic education during this year’s Catholic Education Week, held from 27 July to 2 August.
This year’s theme, Communities of Faith, Hope and Love, highlights the enduring values that shape Catholic schools and the diversity of the 313 school communities and 29 kindergartens educating more than 162,000 students across the state.
Executive Director of the Queensland Catholic Education Commission, Allan Blagaich, said Catholic Education Week provides a moment to reflect on the strength, variety and shared purpose of Catholic schools.
“It’s a time to recognise the uniqueness of each of our school communities – whether it’s a small rural school or a metropolitan college – while celebrating the common heritage and values that unite them,” Mr Blagaich said of the event, which is held annually in week three of term three.
“Catholic Education Week brings students, staff, parents, carers and community members together to acknowledge the contribution Catholic education makes to the lives of young people and to the broader Queensland community.”
Schools across the state will mark the week with liturgies, community outreach, open days, student activities and themed celebrations.
The official launch will be held at St Joseph’s Cathedral in Rockhampton, with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Mark Coleridge (Apostolic Administrator, Archdiocese of Brisbane) and Bishop Michael McCarthy (Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton) from 11am on Wednesday 30 July.
The Mass will be livestreamed on YouTube, which you can watch above or by copying the link and pasting into your web browser.
The launch will also include a celebration of the 2025 Spirit of Catholic Education Award recipients, who were announced earlier this month.
“The Spirit of Catholic Education Awards honour those who go above and beyond in their service to Catholic schooling,” Mr Blagaich said. “Recognising these individuals and their contributions is a highlight of the week.”
Mr Blagaich also extended his gratitude to those who participated in the nomination process and support the awards, emphasising the collective effort in recognising and celebrating excellence in Catholic education.