Celebrating Catholic Education Queensland

One of the highlights of Catholic Education Week 2026 was seeing some of Brisbane's iconic landmarks light up in celebration of Catholic education in Queensland and this year's theme of 'Share Your Light, Inspire Others' 💙 🤍 💛

On Tuesday 28 July, the colours shone brightly across the city, from the Story Bridge, Victoria Bridge, Kurilpa Bridge and Neville Bonner Bridge to Reddacliff Place and Kangaroo Point Bridge!

It was wonderful to celebrate this year's Spirit of Catholic Education and Aunty Joan Hendriks Reconciliation Awards recipients this week, following the Catholic Education Week Launch Mass in Brisbane!

Congratulations and thank you to each of the 2026 recipients — as well as the 180 individual and team nominees from across the state 💙

Catholic Education Week 2026 was officially launched yesterday with a Mass at the Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane - Cathedral Communities celebrated by Archbishop Shane Mackinlay.

The Mass commenced with students processing into the cathedral while carrying brightly lit lanterns — beautifully representing this year's theme of 'Share Your Light, Inspire Others' 🕯️💙

The launch was hosted by Brisbane Catholic Education and it was wonderful to see students and staff from local schools in attendance!

It's Catholic Education Week — so 'Share Your Light, Inspire Others'! 🕯️ ✨️

This is a joy-filled time for Queensland Catholic education students, staff and families to celebrate what makes their school communities so unique... and also what they share in common 💙

The theme also speaks to the ripple effect at the heart of every Queensland Catholic school, where one person's example, encouragement or act of service can lift and inspire others.

Learn more about this year's celebrations at https://buff.ly/gKdUu1H

Congratulations to Annabelle Cowen and Bec Lopez from the First Nations and Diversity Group at Mary MacKillop Catholic College Highfields (Toowoomba Catholic Schools), who are the team recipients of this year’s Aunty Joan Hendriks Reconciliation Award!

The team has been recognised for their outstanding contribution to strengthening community cohesion and advancing cultural inclusion.

The Group has delivered a range of meaningful initiatives to foster awareness, respect, connection, reconciliation and knowledge sharing, including their recently established yarning circle. As both an outdoor classroom and a gathering place, the yarning circle reflects Annabel and Bec's deep commitment to ensuring every voice in the College community is heard and valued 💙

Learn more about the Group's powerful work at https://buff.ly/HBu4d8s

Congratulations to Emerson Godwell, Senior First Nations Liaison Officer at Emmaus College Rockhampton (Catholic Education Office Rockhampton), who is the individual recipient of this year's Aunty Joan Hendriks Reconciliation Award!

Emerson has been recognised for maturity and leadership ahead of her years.

Her role in the College community – which has a 16% First Nations student enrolment – helps to build relationships, offer hope and keep young people connected to school 💙

Read more about Emerson's transformative work at https://buff.ly/HBu4d8s

Congratulations to Veronica Feliciano, Assistant Principal Religious Education at Good Shepherd Catholic College in Mount Isa, who is the Townsville Catholic Education recipient of the 2026 Spirit of Catholic Education Award!

Veronica has been recognised for her faith leadership, which brings the school, parish and wider community together around a shared sense of mission 💙

Read more about Veronica's contribution to Catholic education in Queensland at https://buff.ly/HBu4d8s