In today’s busy world, Catholic schooling provides a strong and lasting foundation, helping students grow in character, faith, and purpose for their future.

Catholic education extends far beyond just academic teaching. Based on Gospel values, the teachings of Jesus and the dignity of every person, Catholic education forms and shapes the whole person. Catholic education has many benefits, not only nurturing the faith and spiritual growth of young people and empowering them to find meaning and purpose, but it also opens doors to a range of career opportunities.

Catholic schooling offers a lifelong foundation that shapes individuals who contribute with heart, intellect, and service - values clearly reflected in the stories of educators Peta Lynch and Corey Davis. Both began their journeys at Ryan Catholic College and have since dedicated their lives to teaching within Townsville Catholic Education.

Peta’s vocation has spanned roles at Ryan, St Anthony’s Catholic College, and Southern Cross Catholic College. Corey, now a teacher at Ryan, returned to the community that formed him. Both Peta and Corey’s experiences reflect the impact that Catholic education has on the lifelong personal and professional development of its students.

1. Holistic Character Development

Catholic schooling educates the whole person - academically, socially, spiritually and emotionally laying a strong foundation for future success. Opportunities for participation in sport, leadership, community service and faith formation in combination with striving for academic excellence develops individuals who are well-rounded. This is obvious in Peta’s reflection on her time at Ryan Catholic College. She recalls that the Catholic school environment allowed her to build lasting relationships with teachers who not only shaped her values and also inspired personal growth. Many of these teachers became colleagues when Peta returned to Ryan as a teacher. Corey emphasises that the holistic nature of Catholic schools not only prepares students for their future as adults but empowers them to become respectful and contributing members of society.

2. University & Career Readiness

Long term success post school requires students to develop a range of skills. Research shows that Catholic school graduates experience positive outcomes in post-secondary education, including higher university completion rates and successful career pathways. Corey says what he learnt at Ryan Catholic College greatly helped him during his time at university. He believes that his Catholic schooling helped him develop the necessary social skills and interpersonal skills needed for future success.

3. Strong Career Prospects

Catholic school graduates are statistically more likely to be employed and earn higher wages than their peers from government schools, with many pursuing careers that directly benefit the public, such as education, healthcare, and social services. Catholic schooling offers a solid foundation for a range of career opportunities. Throughout Peta’s Catholic schooling, she witnessed teachers who not only displayed professionalism but were also compassionate individuals. She wanted to follow in their footsteps and nurture and form others in the same way her teachers did for her; hence, she was drawn to teaching. Corey’s story is similar. Influenced by the staff and ethos of Ryan Catholic College, he has reflected on the satisfaction he finds in teaching in a Catholic school and the joy he has found in serving the next generation. Both of these teachers are examples that Catholic education has an influence that extends far beyond the school gates.

4. Faith & Spiritual Growth

Catholic schools are committed to fostering a strong sense of community and instilling values that reflect the teachings of Jesus and his mission. Students are invited to encounter Christ and deepen their relationship with God as they engage in prayer, sacramental life, personal formation, and a commitment to service. They learn compassion, integrity and respect for the dignity of each person. Corey’s story is an example of this teaching. Shaped by a family steeped in Catholic tradition, he now actively shares his faith with his daughters, Frankie and Nellie. Not only have they engaged in conversations at home about God and what it means to live a life of faith, but they have also participated in the Parish Sacramental program. Corey is now raising his daughters in the same faith tradition in which he was raised. This generational experience of Catholic schooling illustrates how faith development isn’t confined to the classroom; rather, it extends into family life and personal identity, becoming a cornerstone for life.

5. Overall Wellbeing

The long-term well-being of individuals can also be credited to Catholic schooling, with graduates reporting higher levels of life satisfaction and enjoying better general health outcomes. The Catholic school environment instils a deep sense of belonging in students. Students feel valued, supported and connected through not only academics but the combination of faith formation, acts of service and pastoral care in daily school life.

6. Community Involvement

Finally, Catholic schooling fosters community involvement, through acts of service by encouraging young people to actively contribute to their communities. Living out the Gospel by actively serving others is a hallmark of graduates of Catholic schools. Both Peta and Corey are proof that Catholic schooling instils a spirit of community service and generosity. Peta has volunteered with the State Emergency Service for many years, while Corey has dedicated himself to helping students in both academic and sporting contexts.

The impact of Catholic schooling is one that lasts a lifetime. The lives and stories of Peta Lynch and Corey Davis exemplify this lifelong impact. Not only are they successful graduates of Catholic education in the academic sense, but they are also compassionate individuals who are committed to giving back to their communities. Their stories remind us that a Catholic education is not simply a chapter in a person's life, but a continuing legacy of purpose, service, and faith.