Diocesan News
The week of May 25–29 offered an opportunity to celebrate Catholic Education throughout the Diocese of Ballarat and to recognise the profound and ongoing contribution Catholic education makes to students, families and communities.
It was a privilege to gather at Damascus College Ballarat for the Catholic Education Week Mass, led by Bishop Mark Freeman, and to come together for the annual Awards Dinner. These moments are always a powerful reminder of the strength and spirit of our Catholic education community. The evening provided a meaningful opportunity to acknowledge those who have dedicated 30 years of service to Catholic education, as well as to celebrate the recipients of the Bishop Paul Bird CSsR Spirit of Catholic Education Awards. These awards recognise individuals and teams who go above and beyond in their service to Catholic education, and it was inspiring to witness the depth of commitment, care and faith that exists across our Diocese.
You can read more about the evening on the DOBCEL website, where there is a full list of 30-year recipients, award nominees and winners. Congratulations to all!
Tom Sexton – Executive Director
A joyful finale to Catholic Education Week 2026
Catholic Education Week 2026 concluded with the annual Mass and Awards Dinner, bringing together staff and leaders from across the Diocese of Ballarat to celebrate the faith, learning and community at the heart of Catholic education.
Held from May 25–29 under the theme Peace be with you all (Romans 15:33), the week saw schools mark the occasion in ways that reflected their local communities – from liturgies and student-led activities to gatherings that brought families together. A highlight was the historic Mass at Sovereign Hill’s St Alipius Tent Church.
The week culminated with the Catholic Education Week Mass and Awards Dinner at Damascus College, where Bishop Mark Freeman led the Catholic Education Week Mass for the first time as Bishop of Ballarat. The evening recognised the incredible milestone of 30 years of service for 28 employees and celebrated nominees and recipients of the Bishop Paul Bird CSsR Spirit of Catholic Education Awards.
Schools Unite for Catholic Education Week
Students from St Joseph’s Coleraine, St Malachy’s Edenhope, Sacred Heart Casterton and St Joseph’s Penshurst came together at St Joseph’s Coleraine to celebrate Catholic Education Week.
The day began with Mass celebrated by Fr John Corrigan and Fr Cay Trinh, focusing on this year’s theme, “Peace Be With You.”
A special feature of the day was the involvement of Monivae College Hamilton students who had attended the participating primary schools. They returned to help lead activities and reconnect with younger students.
Throughout the day, students enjoyed dancing, games and team-building activities while building friendships across the four school communities. A highlight was the creation of a peace mural, with each student contributing a handprint to symbolise unity, belonging and peace.
The celebration provided students with a valuable opportunity to strengthen their faith, make new connections and experience the spirit of Catholic education in action.
[Photos and content shared by Danny Franc, Principal of St Joseph’s School Coleraine]
On Thursday, staff and students from St Patrick’s School, Nhill and St Mary’s Primary School, Warracknabeal, combined for Catholic Education Week celebrations. Mons Glynn Murphy led the school communities in Mass in the Nhill Church. It was wonderful to have a full church and a church full of voices joining in with the singing of hymns and other songs during the Mass.
Following Mass, students joined in a Hip-Hop dance session with Freestyle Dance Ministry’s Justin Siedel. Justin led students and staff in routines choreographed to Christian-themed songs of praise. As with Mass, it was wonderful to see the engagement of the students.
A provided lunch of hot dogs and fruit boxes rounded out the shared celebrations, before St Mary’s headed home to Warracknabeal. The day further continued the ongoing building of the relationship between the two schools.
[Photos and content shared by Kingsley Dalgleish, Principal of St Patrick’s School Nhill]
Laboratory Technicians’ Professional Development Day at St Brigid’s College Horsham
During Catholic Education Week, St Brigid’s College proudly hosted the Laboratory Technicians’ Professional Development Day, bringing together staff from Catholic schools across the Wimmera and Ballarat regions.
Pictured are Carol Case-Hassall (St Brigid’s College Horsham), David Nicholson (Marian College Ararat), Barbra Kelderman (Damascus College Ballarat), Regina Wilson (St Patrick’s College Ballarat), and Robyn Price and Jenny Callahan (Loreto College Ballarat).
The day highlighted the value of collaboration and professional learning, as participants shared knowledge and strengthened connections across Catholic school communities.
[Photo and content shared by Malory Ryan on behalf of Carol of St Brigid’s College]
First published in CEB Communciations