Cairns conference celebrates Catholic education

Reposted from National Catholic Education Commission on 28 August 2025

Last week’s Australian Catholic Education Conference in Cairns was a tremendous success, bringing together more than 1,450 educators and leaders from across Australia and overseas for three days of learning, dialogue, and celebration. The energy, hope, and commitment to Catholic education were palpable throughout the event.

From inspiring keynotes by Sr Nathalie Becquart, Professor Dylan Wiliam, Dr Jordana Hunter, Dr Steve Constantino, and Dr Simon Breakspear, to more than 70 workshops, panels, and masterclasses, delegates engaged with ideas that will shape the future of Catholic education. Students took centre stage in panels like ‘Voices that Matter, Actions that Count’, reminding us all of the power of listening to their perspectives.

I want to sincerely thank all our speakers, presenters, partners, and sponsors whose generosity and expertise made the conference possible. A special thank you also to Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns Executive Director Durm O’Riordan and his staff, and Cairns Bishop Joe Caddy AM, for hosting us so warmly and creating a welcoming environment for this important gathering.

As we reflect on the three days, it is clear that faith, excellence, and access continue to guide Catholic education. I am proud of the energy, inspiration, and unity we witnessed, and I am confident that together we will continue to nurture every child’s potential, strengthen our communities, and advance our mission.

And in an exciting announcement, it was revealed that the next conference will be hosted in 2028 in the Greater Sydney Region, aligned with the Eucharistic Congress, with hopes of involving the Dioceses of Broken Bay, Parramatta, Wollongong, and the Archdiocese of Sydney. I am especially thrilled about the possibility of a visit from Pope Leo, which would make the event a truly historic milestone for our Catholic education community.

End of this chapter 

This week, I informed Archbishop Anthony, Chair of the Bishops Commission for Catholic Education and Nicholas Moore, Chair of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) of my intention to retire in early 2026. My tenure leading the NCEC has been wonderfully fulfilling in terms of both the Mission of the Church and the collegiality and collaboration I have enjoyed with so many stakeholders in Catholic education. 

It is time for me to end this chapter of my professional life, but I look forward to seeing the commitment to Faith, Excellence and Access continue under the leadership of NCEC’s next Executive Director and within in the work of our 1,751 schools and 700 early learning centres.  Following last week’s conference, which was a stirring demonstration that we are all more than the sum of our parts, I feel privileged to have worked alongside our educators, students, and their families for the past 7 years. 

As the Bishops Commission for Catholic Education begins the recruitment for my successor and establishes an independent review of the mission, governance, and operations of the NCEC, I look forward to working with the panel and all our stakeholders to ensure the structure, resourcing, and vision for the NCEC’s next chapter continues to serve the needs of contemporary Catholic education. 

Jacinta Collins

Executive Director

National Catholic Education Commission