Join John Paul II in prayer HONDA
SEPTEMBER General: That old people may be considered an asset to the spiritual and human growth of society Missionary: That in Africa authentic, brotherly cooperation may develop among all those who work for the growth and development of ecclesial Communities
Brian Gardner’s
HONDA NORTH 432 Scarborough Beach Road Osborne Park 6017 Phone: 944 99 000 new@hondanorth.com.au www.hondanorth.com.au DL0891
For the best deal on a new Honda, accessories, parts, finance or from our range of quality used vehicles.
WA’s only Catholic weekly newspaper Perth: 4 September 2003 Price: $1
Catholic education for all A
ll Catholic children in WA should have the opportunity to attend Catholic schools no matter what their financial and social situation says the new head of Catholic Education Ron Dullard. Mr Dullard made the comments to The Record in his first week as director of Catholic Education replacing Therese Temby who left the position after ten years to spend more time with her family. Mr Dullard was previously the deputy director and said the fact the appointment was made from within the department shows that the Bishops believe Catholic education in WA is heading in the right direction. “We will continue in the same vein as we have previously and respond of course to any new Catholic education demands,” he said. This meant ensuring that all Catholic parents had the choice to send their children to Catholic schools. “Traditionally we have seen about 50 per cent of Catholic children attend Catholic schools,” Mr Dullard said. “Certainly in the last 10 to 15 years we have been catering to population growth, but now that has slowed down we need to address why that other half of Catholic children are not attending Catholic schools. “Some of the barriers to a Catholic education may be finance, location and the perception that fees may be too high, so we have to address these barriers so that
RE units near completion
Photo:Phil Bayne
New Catholic Education director Ron Dullard all Catholic children have a reasonable chance of attending a Catholic school.” This did not mean that all parents would have the opportunity to send their children to any school they desired, as all schools had to have enrolment criteria, rather that they should be able to attend a Catholic school that catered to their needs. “Within the Catholic Church there is a diversity that is reflected in the wider pop-
The Catholic Education Office is in the final stages of finishing its religious education units for Kindy through to Year 10 and they should be completed by the end of the year. New Catholic Education Office director Ron Dullard said that the units for years 11 and 12 were currently being developed and should also be completed some time soon. The units have been developed over many years and are aimed at integrating Gospel values into core teaching subjects such as maths, English and social sciences. Mr Dullard said the department hoped to be producing materials for teachers to use next year in their classes. Material will be distributed via Catholic Education’s virtual private network Cathednet, which all Catholic teachers have access to.
■ Page 6 Cathednet wins State award. ulation and we need to set up schools according to community demands,” Mr Dullard said. One area he was keen to look into was whether there was a need for a school for boys similar to St Clare’s in Lathlain, which caters for girls who have difficulty coping in the mainstream or normal
school environment. “For schools in areas where there are high levels of unemployment there may be a need for special fee reduction,” he said. “On the other hand parents from more affluent backgrounds or those who wish their children to attend more academic based schools on a par with Guildford Grammar or Christ Church should have the choice of sending their children to a school such as Aquinas for example,” he said. Mr Dullard said we would like to see new single sex schools open in the northern suburbs. ‘We haven’t had a single-sex school open in WA for the last 30 to 40 years,” Mr Dullard said. “There may be parents who for one reason or another believe that single sex education has benefits and those parents in an area such as Joondalup, where we have seen large population growth, should be given the opportunity to give their children a single sex education.” Another step being taken to ensure that children do not miss out on a Catholic education was the meeting of Catholic principals within close proximity to each other in order to pass on names of students who missed out on places and to advertise any vacancies they may have. “At the end of the day the future of Catholic education in WA is looking bright and rosy,” Mr Dullard said.
■ Page 6 Carpenter thanks Temby
It’s all in the name at Redcliffe T
Father Eugene McGrath and friends. They are Principal Drew Jago, left, Jeanette Moloney, crouched at front, and Raelene Lugget, with the people who really count, the children of St Maria Goretti’s Pre-primary group. Photo: Phil Bayne, CEO Media
he close relationship that exists between the school and parish communities at St Maria Goretti’s in Redcliffe was highlighted recently with the naming of the school’s new pre-primary centre. Officially blessed and opened last week by Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, and outgoing Director of Catholic Education Therese Temby, the new centre proudly carries the name of local parish priest, Fr Eugene McGrath. Speaking at the ceremony, Mrs Temby said St Maria Goretti’s was a special Catholic school; an active and important part of the parish. The high regard in which the community holds Fr McGrath was perfectly illustrated in the naming of the new centre, she added. Bishop Sproxton said the opening of the new centre was an important step in the continued growth and development of the school. Such progress, he said, was built on faith – the same faith that guided the children in their pursuit of reason, knowledge, meaning and understanding. Echoing this sentiment, Principal Drew Jago said the school’s founding Order, the Sisters of Mercy, were an inspiration to all members of the St Maria Goretti’s school community. “We would like to thank you for the spiritual foundation that continues so strongly today. You can be very proud of the school’s 47 years and we thank you for your continued support,” he said.