More pages in this section
Governance
Catholic Education Systems and Structures
Catholic education acts as a system of inter-connecting and inter-relating authorities and networks which includes the Pope, the Diocesan Bishop, Parish Priests, parishes, religious institutes and schools. Catholic life and organisation is fluid and dynamic with the principles of collegiality and subsidiarity informing and forming structures and relationships.
All Catholic schools are established under the authority of the Bishop of their Diocese. The Diocese, often referred as to being the “local church”, is the main organisational unit of the Church with each Bishop being primarily responsible for its religious and pastoral needs.
The major support for schools is therefore at the Diocesan level, through the Diocesan Education Council (DEC) which is a committee of the Bishop and its operational arm, the Townsville Catholic Education Office (TCEO). The Executive Director is responsible for the school and is the employer of staff in each systemic school.
Across Queensland and Australia, Dioceses and religious institutes also work together where appropriate to support schools on wider issues such as compliance with Australian and State government requirements. This co-operation includes the Catholic Education Queensland Limited (CEQL) representing the Dioceses of Brisbane, Townsville, Toowoomba, Cairns and Rockhampton, and all religious Institute schools and systems. At a national level, the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) represents the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference (ACBC).
Blue: Public Juridic Persons
A Public Juridic Person is the term used for an entity established by Canon Law to perform a specific function. The most common PJP are dioceses, parishes and Religious Institutes.
Two Public Juridic Persons, Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) and Mercy Partners are responsible for other Catholic secondary schools operating in the Townsville Diocese. Each of these authorities appoints a Principal to assist in leading, developing and managing their schools.
Green: Positions held by individual people
The Parish Priest is the spiritual leader of the school and is a member of the School Board.
Orange: Diocesan structures
Structure required in every diocese by Canon Law.
Yellow: TCEO structures
Diocesan Education Council
The role of the Diocesan Education (DEC) is to assist the Bishop in formulating the Townsville Diocesan Education vision and identity. Every person is free, unique, and of immeasurable worth. Therefore, the educational needs of each person and group, particularly those on the margins of or estranged from society, are recognised and addressed.
Catholic Education, therefore:
a) bring together culture and faith, faith and life.
b) Prepares people to participate in the life of the Church and especially to celebrate the litury and sacraments.
c) Build united communities based on caring relationships, cooperation and shared faith.
d) Promotes excellence in all its works through the quality and training of personnel, and the planning and integration of all its programs.
e) Promotes unity among Christians, and a commitment by them to live out the mission of Christ in the world, especially by working for justice and peace for all people.
Source: DEC Constitution
The DEC makes and monitors educational policies so that they are consistent with the Diocesan Mission Statement. Members are appointed by the Bishop and drawn from Catholics within the Diocese. They do not represent any one group in its representation. Bishop Tim Harris, Bishop of the Diocese of Townsville, is the president of the DEC. The Executive Director of the Catholic Education Office, Jacqui Francis, is the Executive Secretary and Fred Nucifora is Chair. There are 6 meetings held within the Diocese across the year.
Bishop Tim Harris is the sixth Bishop of Townsville, appointed by Pope Francis in February 2017. He was ordained a priest on 18th November 1992 and served as parish priest of Corinda Graceville and Surfers Paradise. Bishop Harris has served in various offices as Vicar Forane of the Brisbane West Deanery, member of the Council of Priests, the Personnel Board and the Clergy Appointments Board and until his appointment as bishop, he held the office of Vicar Forane for the South Coast Deanery of the Archdiocese of Brisbane. He obtained the degree Bachelor of Theology from the Brisbane College of Theology.
Jacqui Francis commenced in the role of Executive Director of Townsville Catholic Education in April 2018. She previously held the position of Director of Organisational Services and Capability within the organisation. Jacqui commenced her career as a primary school teacher and worked in state schools in Victoria. She went on to hold middle and senior leadership roles in the NSW public sector and has applied her skills
- Fred Nucifora (Chair)
- Fr Will Brennan
- Trisha Telford
- Pelly Morganson
- Matthew Oar
- Kathleen McCarthy
- Peter McCann
- Geraldine Egelton
