A highlight of Catholic Education Week each year is the presentation of The Spirit of Catholic Education Awards.

These Awards were initiated by the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) in 2006 to recognise staff members, parents and carers or volunteers making outstanding contributions to the life of a Catholic school community or other Catholic education authority.

A record number of 215 nominations were received for this year’s Awards from across Queensland representing all Catholic Education communities.

Regretfully due to COVID-19 restrictions, there was no official launch event to mark Catholic Education Week 2020 and consequently local arrangements have been made with Diocesan Catholic Education Offices and schools to make these presentations at a suitable time in the future.

The Award recipients and Award nominees very much embody the spirit of all the dedicated and caring people who work in the Ministry of Catholic Education and who are committed to supporting the students in our schools grow in faith and knowledge and to develop the skills that will stand them in good stead on their life’s journey. 

Rockhampton Diocesan Director of Catholic Education, Leesa Jeffcoat said the COVID-19 Pandemic had caused disruption and dislocation for our school communities in 2020 and this had created some anxiety, difficulty and challenge for students, parents, principals, teachers, support staff and all in our Catholic Education family.

“However, I was proud to witness the collegiality, professionalism, commitment and extraordinary skills of so many gifted educators who worked magnificently, in partnership with parents and students, to plan and prepare the resources for the shift to online teaching and learning and then back again to school based learning. The spirit of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Rockhampton was very much on display for all to see during some very trying and challenging times” Miss Jeffcoat said.     

This year Catholic Education – Diocese of Rockhampton is very pleased to announce that our Diocesan Spirit of Catholic Education Award State Recipient is Pauline Merefield from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School Bundaberg.   

Pauline has been a very active member of St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Bundaberg and the Holy Rosary Parish Communities for more than 30 years. Pauline has been an active member of St Joseph's School community since her children started Preschool in 1991 and has been a Volunteer Catechist teaching Religion in State Schools for 33 years with 25 years as Chairperson of the local Catechist group. 

As a Specialist Science Teacher at Catholic schools in Bundaberg, Pauline has facilitated enrichment days for all year levels and organised regular intensive days for Science investigation. She has been Coordinator of OPTIMINDS teams to local, state and national titles for over 25years. 

Pauline is very much the champion of the school’s environmental projects and established a corridor of endangered Woongarra Scrub that Year 4 and 5 students contribute to and maintain every year. This project has been operating for 12 years. Pauline coordinates and takes students on regular Science excursions to learn about the rock pools and endangered Loggerhead turtles at Mon Repos; coastal habitats at Elliott Heads; and wetland ecosystems at Baldwin Swamp. 

Pauline demonstrates the very essence of the Spirit of Catholic Education Awards, not only through her educational achievements but also through her active and highly valued involvement in both the Bundaberg Parish and the wider community. 

When asked about her award, Pauline said, “it came as quite a surprise and is very humbling, but this is a team effort, as St Joseph’s school is very supportive enabling me to do the things I do, particularly around the environment. Church and faith are a big part of my life and have certainly influenced the way I look at life and my ministry across both school and parish. Service and Mission are the foundations of this faith that I live by.”  

Catholic Education – Diocese of Rockhampton is also very pleased to announce that Brad Jarro, Indigenous Education Coordinator; Phillippa Johnson, Indigenous Education Support Officer and Shelley Major, Indigenous Career and Transition Pathways Officer, who combine to form the Indigenous Education Team at the Catholic Education Office, Rockhampton are one of two State Recipients of this year’s Aunty Joan Hendriks Reconciliation Award. 

The Aunty Joan Hendriks Reconciliation Award commenced in 2012 and is named in honour of Aunty Joan Hendriks. Aunty Joan was a revered Ngugi woman from Moreton Island, an Aboriginal elder and educator who had a deep commitment to her culture, to promoting reconciliation and who was very much a guiding light in understanding Aboriginal Creation spirituality and Christian faith.  Aunty Joan passed away in January 2020. 

The Indigenous Education Team at the Catholic Education Office - Diocese of Rockhampton, is committed to ensuring strong educational outcomes for every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student and to fostering a widespread appreciation and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and spiritualities. Brad Jarro, Phillippa Johnson and Shelley Major work together tirelessly to achieve these goals and several initiatives stand out as examples of their impact.

They have developed the Indigenous Education Growth and Development Tool which schools use to promote insightful and honest reflection about ways of working toward true reconciliation and deep respect. The team also works in supporting senior students to complete their education and recent graduates to move successfully into training, full-time employment or further study. Their commitment, in collaboration with students, families and school staff, is a key part of ensuring success for students. They also provide close support for the broader Indigenous Education Support Team, which includes Regional Liaison Officers, School-based Liaison Officers and Teacher Assistants who have been specifically engaged to support and extend Indigenous students. 

Speaking on behalf of the team, Phillippa Johnson said that, “we were very humbled by this Award and we have a fantastic team that make us look good! We love what we do, and we never forget where we come from and why we do what we do.” 

Phillippa added “We receive this honour in Aunty Joan’s name who we remember as a dedicated, educated, dynamic woman whose love for person and her people was second to none and we hope we live up to her spirit.”   

The model that Brad, Phillippa and Shelley set for all colleagues fosters hope and deep respect. They build knowledge and understanding with integrity and love and help all become the best versions of themselves.

Rockhampton Diocesan Director, Leesa Jeffcoat said that Catholic Education congratulates all who were nominated for a Spirit of Catholic Education Award this year.

 “I extend to them and to all who partner with them in the Ministry of Catholic Education, my heartfelt thanks for all they do nurture in the students entrusted to our care a love of God, a love of neighbour, a love of the natural environment and a love of learning that will last a lifetime” Miss Jeffcoat said.