Victorian Catholic Education Authority - VCEA

27/08/2026

VCEA welcomes the launch of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference's 2026 Social Justice Statement, Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division.

Its message is simple yet timely: stronger communities are built when we choose understanding, welcome and solidarity. The statement challenges us all to foster a culture where every person is respected and belongs.

Ahead of Social Justice Sunday on 30 August, we encourage everyone to take time to read and reflect on its call to action.

Download the statement - https://shorturl.at/cIlsD

Catholic Social Services Australia welcomes the launch of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference's 2026 Social Justice Statement, Living the Gospel in Times of Social Division.

At the heart of the Gospel is a simple and powerful call - to love our neighbour, welcome the stranger and uphold the dignity of every person. It reminds us that stronger communities are built through everyday acts of welcome, listening and solidarity, where every person is valued, included and able to flourish.

Inspired by this vision, this year's Social Justice Statement invites us to respond to the challenges of division with compassion, respectful dialogue and a shared commitment to the common good. By choosing understanding over judgement, hospitality over exclusion, and hope over fear, we can strengthen the bonds that unite us and help build communities where every person is welcomed, respected and truly belongs.

As we journey towards Social Justice Sunday on 30 August, we encourage our members, partners and the wider community to read the statement, reflect on its message and ask how each of us can help create a more welcoming, peaceful and compassionate Australia.

Download the 2026 Social Justice Statement: https://cssa.org.au/resources/social-justice-statements/

Watch the live launch: https://www.youtube.com/live/bO_orapNEsA?si=y2lhkKBnTmt8w3jP

19/08/2026

VCEA CEO Professor Elizabeth Labone was delighted to meet with Damian Howard, new President of the Victorian Association of Catholic Primary School Principals (VACPSP), and Lee Tadic, Executive Officer of Catholic School Parents Victoria.

The collective voice of Catholic primary school principals is an important one and VCEA deeply values its partnership with VACPSP.

VCEA will continue to support the work that VACPSP does for Catholic primary school principals through its strong advocacy, professional learning mentoring and wellbeing initiatives.

17/08/2026

VCEA was pleased to host members of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) Vocational Education and Training (VET) Network Group, bringing together representatives from across Australia to discuss strategic priorities for vocational education and training in Catholic education.

VET plays an important role in ensuring every young person can access pathways that nurture their talents, support their aspirations and enable them to flourish in further learning, employment and community life.

Held alongside the 2026 VET National Teaching & Learning Conference in Melbourne, the meeting provided an opportunity to share expertise, strengthen collaboration and support quality VET provision for students.

This year’s conference theme, ‘Healthy Workplaces. Thriving Teachers. Positive Outcomes.’ highlights the importance of supportive workplace cultures, teacher wellbeing and inclusive practices in delivering positive outcomes for every student.

14/08/2026

Today, we remember Mary’s journey to Heaven and celebrate her as a model of faith for all of us.

The Assumption signals the end of Mary’s earthly life and marks her return to heaven to be reunited with Jesus.

May Mary’s example encourage each person to be brave, compassionate and open to God’s call in their everyday lives, reminding us of the dignity God gives each person.

07/08/2026

Today, on the Feast Day of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, we give thanks for the life and legacy of Australia’s first saint.

Mary MacKillop’s unwavering faith, courage, and commitment to serving those on the margins continue to inspire many. Mary paved the way for education of children, particularly the poor.

Let us be reminded through the words of Saint Mary MacKillop, that “we must teach more by example than by word, (1867).

As we celebrate her feast day, may we be inspired by her example of trust in God, perseverance in adversity, and dedication to education, justice, and the dignity of every person.

St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, pray for us.

Image used with permission of the Trustees of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Must not be reproduced without permission of the Trustees. © 2026

06/08/2026

Today, we celebrate Principals’ Day 2026 and recognise the leadership, dedication and commitment of principals and assistant principals across Catholic education in Victoria.

05/08/2026

VCEA CEO Professor Elizabeth Labone was pleased to attend the official opening of the new Senior Years Campus at St Aloysius College, North Melbourne.

The official opening marked a significant milestone in the College’s transition to a fully co-educational school. The purpose-built campus will provide contemporary learning environments for approximately 330 students in Years 11 and 12, including science laboratories, technology and maker spaces, and flexible general learning areas.

Professor Labone joined St Aloysius Principal Mary Farah, Member for Northern Metropolitan Sheena Watt MP, representatives from Mercy Education Limited, Catholic education leaders, principals and sector stakeholders to celebrate the occasion.

Congratulations to Principal Mary Farah and the St Aloysius College community on the official opening of this outstanding new learning facility.

04/08/2026

Congratulations to all Victorian Catholic school students recognised in this year’s Premier’s VCE Awards.

These awards celebrate outstanding academic achievement across Victoria and acknowledge the commitment, perseverance and excellence students have demonstrated throughout their VCE studies.

To learn more about the Premier’s VCE Awards and view the full list of recipients, please visit the following link- https://shorturl.at/hyWlp

Pictured: award recipients from St Kevin's College, Parade College, St Peter's College and Xavier College

02/08/2026

VCEA Chair James Merlino and CEO Professor Elizabeth Labone were delighted to join Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd Executive Director Kate Fogarty for the installation of Bishop René Ramirez as the ninth Bishop of Sandhurst.

Mr Merlino, Professor Labone and the VCEA team look forward to working with Bishop René to advance Catholic education in Victoria in his capacity as one of VCEA’s Company Members, along with his brother Bishops and Sr Eileen Ann Daffy.

We look forward with hope and confidence to the many ways God will work through Bishop René’s leadership, ministry, and service to Catholic education in Victoria.

28/07/2026

VCEA was pleased to join the Oscar Romero Catholic Primary School community in Craigieburn for a sod turn marking the commencement of an exciting new building project.

The development will deliver a new multipurpose hall, eight modular general learning areas and associated works, providing contemporary spaces to support students and the school community.

VCEA Director, Infrastructure Strategy and Planning Chris Carpenter joined Principal Bridget Adams, State Member for Kalkallo the Hon Ros Spence MP, Parish Priest Fr George Varghese Kurisingal, Fr Godfrey Hogarty and representatives from Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools and neighbouring Catholic school communities for the occasion.

The development is an important investment in the future of Oscar Romero Catholic Primary School, supporting high-quality learning opportunities for students for years to come.