TCE Connect

The Role of Arts in Education: Benefits Beyond Creativity

19 June 2025 | By Cat Edwards

Creativity is the spark that turns dreams into progress.  Without it humanity stands still; with it, we shape the future. Introduction As a drama teacher, I’ve been lucky enough to see firsthand the transformative power of arts education in the classroom for over 20 years. Across Australi

Mental Health and Well-being Education in Catholic Schools

19 June 2025 | By Panda Gardner

Catholic education aims to support children and young people across all areas of life by providing a safe and nurturing environment enabling students to flourish socially, emotionally, academically, physically and spiritually. Our values and beliefs are founded on the tenets of Catholic faith which

Excursions in the Early Years

3 June 2025 | By Jade Meehan

“Wow, that’s brave” is the most common reaction our Prep team received when sharing they were taking 100 Prep students on an excursion to the Museum, 20 minutes away. Whilst it may feel unimaginable to some, the authentic, real-world learning experiences and connections to self it

More Than a Game: Sports, Culture, Adventure, and Growth in New Zealand

1 May 2025 | By Brendan Wendt

Ryan Catholic College has successfully embarked on its most ambitious and largest international sports tour to date, with 70 students and 14 staff recently travelling to New Zealand’s North Island for 11 unforgettable days of sport, culture, and adventure that provided our students a once-in-a

Is There a Right or Wrong Age to Change Schools?

24 March 2025

Changing schools is a significant decision for any family, and the timing of such a move can have a profound impact on a child's educational and social development. While some families have no choice but to change schools due to relocating to a different city, others may face this decision while sta

Girls' Schools Matter

7 March 2025 | By Kathleen McCarthy

St Margaret Mary’s College has been offering the option of a girls’ only education for over sixty years; an opportunity to provide an education where girls can take centre stage and become global changemakers. In this blog I will outline how a girls’ education still matters and the

Parent Teacher Interviews: What to Expect & What to Ask

19 February 2025 | By Paul Allen, Kylie Helmore

One of the hallmarks of Catholic education is the high value placed on developing and nurturing authentic and effective partnerships between schools and families. Parent-teacher interviews are one vitally important part of this focus on collaboration, and all of our schools carefully ensure that par

The Importance of the 7 Principles of Catholic Social Teaching in Schools

29 January 2025 | By Mary Mudge

Australia has traditionally embraced an ethos of social justice, with the concept of a "fair go" deeply embedded in its cultural identity. However, in recent years, higher levels of social inequality have become more evident, so it is vital that schools provide the foundation for students to become

Rural Teaching Incentives & Benefits with Townsville Catholic Education

21 January 2025 | By Sharn Greenaway

Teaching in Australia is a vital profession, shaping future generations and strengthening communities. In rural and remote regions like North Queensland, the demand for educators is higher than ever due to challenges such as geographic isolation and limited resources. Teachers in these areas p

The Symbols of Christmas Explained

16 December 2024

Ever wondered where our beloved Christmas symbols originated and the meanings they hold? From the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree to the serene glow of the advent wreath , each tradition carries a rich tapestry history, culture and faith. As we deck the halls and embrace the festive spirit, l

Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: Emerging Leaders Program extended!

29 November 2024 | By Tammi Webber

Since 2018, Townsville Catholic Education, in partnership with the Australian Government, has proudly delivered the Emerging Leaders Incentive Scheme, a transformative First Nations Education program. This initiative empowers students to become proud, confident and capable leaders of tomorrow by add

Primary vs Secondary Teaching: Which Career Path Should You Take?

22 November 2024 | By Candi Dempster

Deciding between teaching primary and secondary education is an exciting problem to have. Choosing a career in teaching is both rewarding and impactful, and selecting between primary and secondary teaching comes with unique challenges and opportunities.  Primary teaching typically caters to stu

2024 Sustainability Through Catholic Social Teaching Grant Recipients

12 November 2024

Each year, schools are invited to apply for the TCE Sustainability Through Catholic Social Teaching Grant. It recognises the way in which the school responds to Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ on caring for our common home through sustainable practices. Laudato Si’ is an encyclical of Po

Ready for High school?

11 November 2024

Transitioning to high school is a significant event in every child’s education journey. While it is a very exciting time for many children, it can often be overshadowed by feelings of stress and anxiety. The change of their social status within their friend group and the increased number of te

What is a Teaching Performance Assessment?

17 October 2024 | By Peter Stower

The Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) is an assessment of reflective practice completed by the pre-service teacher in the final year of their professional placement in a school. It’s an important step for both new teachers and principals to gain confidence in the teacher’s ability to

School Refusal: What Is It & How Can It Be Managed?

18 September 2024

Many children and young people will express a reluctance to go to school at different times during their education. For approximately 0.4 – 5.4% of school aged children this can lead to school refusal. There is no single “cause” for school refusal and the reasons for school refusa

Exploring Career Paths

11 September 2024 | By Jessica Brown-Kenyon

The landscape of life, learning, and work is constantly evolving. The concept of a "job for life" is a thing of the past, making it essential for schools to educate young people on how to navigate this changing environment. Whether through a career-focused approach or integrated within broader educa

JCU Student receives Townsville Catholic Education Award

9 September 2024

The 2023 Catholic Education Prize was awarded to Melissa Lovell, a graduating student from the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) program. This prestigious prize, established in 1997, recognizes a student with the highest overall achievement in both academic studies and professional e

Child Protection Week

30 August 2024 | By Katherine Olsen

Teaching children personal safety strategies can help them build confidence and resilience and help keep them safe. This week is National Child Protection Week and it is an opportunity to revisit key safety messages with our children.  Townsville Catholic Education schools are utilising this we

Small Town, Big Impact: A Graduate Teacher's Passion for Teaching in her Hometown

13 August 2024 | By Olivia Licciardello

Born and raised in the small town of Ayr in far North Queensland, school has always held a special place in my heart. Growing up in a close-knit community meant that teachers and friends were a constant presence in my life. Imagine going from prep to grade 12 with the same group of friends and havin

The Future is Here: RoboSumo competition showcases tech-savvy students

1 August 2024

St Anthony's Primary School hosted an exciting and innovative competition on Tuesday 30 July, bringing together six primary schools from the Townsville Diocese for a day of technological challenges. The RoboSumo competition saw students from St Anthony's, Marian, St Benedict's, St Clare's, St Joseph

Founders Day 2024: A Celebration of Community in the Burdekin Catholic Schools

30 July 2024

The magic of faith, hope and love was shining bright across the Burdekin on Friday, 26th July as Burdekin Catholic High School, St Colman’s Catholic School, and St Francis Catholic School celebrated their annual Founders’ Day.  This cherished tradition honours those who laid the gro

Deus Caritas Est Award Recipients

26 July 2024

The Catholic Education Deus Caritas Est Award is our most prestigious student award and is presented during Catholic Education Week at the Catholic Education Week Mass. Each of our secondary schools nominated one representative (Year 12 student) who demonstrated a commitment to Christian living

Spirit of Catholic Education Awards

24 July 2024

Earlier this week, we celebrated our Spirit of Catholic Education Award nominees and winner! These awards highlight the important work being undertaken by staff, parents, carers and volunteers who support Catholic school students. Nominees, including teams, are recognised across a number of categori

Catholic Education Week - Bishop's Tim Homily

24 July 2024

On Tuesday 23 July, members of the Townsville Catholic Education community gathered at Sacred Heart Cathedral to celebrate Catholic Education Week Mass. In his homily, Bishop Tim made a connection between Catholic Education Week's theme of Communities of Faith, Hope and Love and the distinctive miss

Do you have to be Catholic to attend a Catholic school in Australia?

12 July 2024

Does my child need to be Catholic? Short answer is nope! Our Catholic schools are open to all who want to bask in our stellar education! We are all about the families who want to share our educational goal, inspired by Christian values. Granted, baptised Catholics have a slight edge when it comes to

How to Develop Critical Thinking in Students

27 June 2024 | By Dr Timothy Smith

Critical thinking continues to be one of the most important skills that employers seek in the workplace. The leading global consulting firm, McKinsey & Company recently reported that cognitive skills, which include critical thinking, are essential to future-proof individuals’ ability to wo

The Benefits of Service Learning

20 June 2024 | By Anita Livingston

What is Service Learning? Service learning describes pathways for learning that are grounded in students’ experiences of service action, but include purposeful reflection to discern the inner transformation that results from encounters with others. These two intentional components of service a

Teaching and Regional Areas- Top Benefits and Rewards

6 June 2024 | By Chloe McLaren

Embarking on a teaching career in remote Australia has been one of the most rewarding and unique experiences of my professional and personal life. Mount Isa, in North West Queensland, where I now call home, is a place where community and collaboration intertwine with the beauty and tranquility of ou

A Guide to Catholic Education Disability Support Available

6 June 2024 | By Amanda Holden

Catholic schools are committed to fostering cultures of inclusion that respond to the educational needs of students regardless of their abilities, backgrounds and aspirations. This commitment to inclusive practices is supportive of both Catholic Church teaching and Australian Government legislative