Catholic Education Sandhurst Executive Director Kate Fogarty is joined by Tom Sexton, Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Executive Director, to discuss the recent enterprise bargaining wage offer from the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA) and Catholic school employers. 

Drawing on their front-row view, Kate and Tom reflect on taking an unprecedented step of putting a best-offer directly to employees, the realities of cost-of-living pressures, and why unity and portability across Catholic employers still matter. 

It’s a candid, good-faith conversation about leadership under pressure, communicating through noise, and keeping students, staff, and mission at the centre of decision-making.

Now join us as we explore what truly matters in education.

Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 51 Catholic schools across regional and rural Victoria, educating 15,490 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. 

Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Ashley Marsh is joined by speech pathologists Lauren Cook and Lauren Naish from Catholic Education Sandhurst for a practical conversation timed with Developmental Language Disorder Day.

DLD - a language difficulty you often can’t see - affects about 1 in 14 children. Lauren Cook and Lauren Naish unpack what DLD is, what it can look and sound like in classrooms, and how teachers and families can spot early signs and support students with simple, high-impact strategies.

In this episode, we explore:

• What DLD is and why the theme 'You can’t see DLD' matters for classrooms and families
• Early indicators across Foundation to Year 6
• Practical strategies teachers can use ie slower teacher talk, facing the class, concise instructions and visuals, and adjusting video playback
• Why oral language is foundational to literacy and how gaps in language can undermine even strong reading programs
• How system-wide OxEd screening and intervention will work in our schools 

Whether you’re a teacher, school leader or parent, this episode offers clarity, encouragement and next steps for supporting students with DLD, because when we make language visible, we open doors to learning for every child.

Now join us as we explore what truly matters in education.

Websites mentioned in this podcast:

Raising Awareness of Developmental Language Disorder (international site)

8 classroom tips

The DLD Project (Australian Site)

Speech Pathology Australia

Communication milestones

Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 51 Catholic schools across regional and rural Victoria, educating 15,490 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. 

Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

What happens when a life of public service meets the mission of Catholic education?

In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Kate Fogarty is joined by Jacinta Collins, Executive Director of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC), for a rich and reflective conversation on leadership, legacy and the future of Catholic education in Australia.

As Jacinta prepares to retire from her role, she shares insights from a remarkable career spanning politics, advocacy and education — from her early days in the Labor movement and Australian Parliament to leading the national body that represents 1,751 Catholic schools and more than 800,000 students.

Together, Kate and Jacinta explore:

• The journey from social work and politics to Catholic education leadership.
• The mission and role of the NCEC in shaping national education policy.
• The evolution of unity and purpose across Catholic education in Australia.
• How faith formation, teacher efficacy, and access to early learning are shaping the next generation.
• Jacinta's hopes for the future, and why every decision still begins with the student.

This episode is part of our series of conversations with executive directors of Catholic education around Australia

Whether you’re an educator, school leader, or part of the broader Catholic community, this conversation offers a heartfelt look at the people and purpose behind Catholic education in Australia.

Now join us as we explore what truly matters in education.

Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 51 Catholic schools across regional and rural Victoria, educating 15,490 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. 

Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

What does system leadership look like when every decision starts with the student?

In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Kate Fogarty is joined by Dr Ed Simons, Executive Director of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools for a conversation about mission-driven system leadership and the practical work of lifting learning at scale.

Drawing on more than two decades across the UK and Australia — as teacher, principal, policy advisor and system leader — Ed reflects on governance, culture and the centrality of calm, safe, respectful classrooms. He shares why coherence matters, how to support teacher expertise, and what it takes to keep the student at the centre of every decision.

Together, Kate and Ed explore:

• How system coherence and culture give teachers clarity without losing local context.
• The work ahead on attendance and behaviour - and building predictable, positive classrooms.
• Evidence-informed priorities that protect learning time (including smart use of technology).
• Supporting teacher growth through clear curriculum, coaching and leadership formation.
• Why Catholic identity and mission shape the purpose and direction of the whole system.

This episode is part of our series of conversations with executive directors of Catholic education around Australia

Whether you’re in the classroom, in school leadership or shaping system strategy, this is a must-listen conversation about purpose, reform and the future of Catholic education.

Now join us as we explore what truly matters in education.

Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 51 Catholic schools across regional and rural Victoria, educating 15,490 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. 

Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Kate Fogarty is joined by Elena Pasquini Douglas, founder of Knowledge Society and a passionate advocate for bringing research and evidence to the forefront of education reform.

Drawing on her deep experience working with leaders in education, health and government, Elena reflects on what it takes to move from good intentions to meaningful impact, and why Catholic schools have a unique opportunity to lead the way.

Together, Kate and Elena explore:

• The difference between high-performing and improving systems, and what we can learn from them.
• The role of school leadership and teacher expertise in student achievement.
• Why “learning to teach better” is a system-level responsibility.
• How Catholic schools can live their mission by embedding evidence in every classroom.

Whether you're in the classroom, in system leadership or simply passionate about improving outcomes for every child, this is a must-listen conversation about purpose, reform and the future of Catholic education.

Classroom Mastery provides leaders and teachers with the knowledge, skills and strategies they need to create classroom behaviours and school culture that foster positive learning environments for all students.

Catholic Education Sandhurst rolled out Magnify Sandhurst, an evidence-informed, science of learning school improvement initiative, to its 51 Catholic schools across the Sandhurst Diocese at the beginning of 2025. Magnify Sandhurst focuses on how the brain learns, how literacy is effectively taught, uses a low variance, knowledge-rich curriculum and the creation of positive classrooms. Our practice is calm, predictable, and repeatable to maximise learning time in all classrooms. Magnify Sandhurst is deliberately bold and wide-ranging, generating whole-of-system improvement.  

Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 55 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. 

Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

For six years, Bishop Shane Mackinlay has served as a wise and steady leader in the Sandhurst Diocese; guiding its parishes, championing Catholic education, and helping to shape a shared vision for the future.

Now, as he prepares to step into his new role as Archbishop of Brisbane, Bishop Shane joins host Kate Fogarty for a personal and reflective conversation on leadership, legacy and the next chapter ahead.

From the formation of Catholic Education Sandhurst Limited and the introduction of system-wide governance, to his deep commitment to synodality and a Church that walks with its people, Bishop Shane shares the insights, learnings and moments that have shaped his time in Sandhurst and how they will guide him into the future.

In this episode, we explore:

• The journey from parish priest to bishop, and now archbishop
• The legacy of building a diocesan education system and fostering synodality
• What Bishop Shane has learned about leadership, governance and shared vision
• Why Catholic education holds a special place in his heart
• What excites him - and challenges him - about leading the Archdiocese of Brisbane

This episode offers a heartfelt farewell and a fitting reflection on a leader whose legacy will continue to shape Sandhurst for years to come.

Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 55 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. 

Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

This podcast was recorded on traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta People.

Reconciliation doesn’t live in a single day or week — it’s a daily practice of listening, learning and walking together.

In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Kimberley Furness, Marketing Coordinator at Catholic Education Sandhurst, sits down with the organisation's Aboriginal Education Lead Michael Chisholm and Aboriginal Education Officer Tanika Thornton to reflect on the meaning of Reconciliation Week, their personal career journeys, and the role of Aboriginal spirituality and culture within Catholic Education Sandhurst.

From classrooms to liturgies, from the FIRE Carrier program to the Reconciliation Mass, this conversation explores what it looks like to build a more inclusive, just and culturally safe school system that honours both First Nations identity and Catholic values.

In this episode, we explore:

• The role of Aboriginal Education Officers and why it matters in every school.
• The importance of embedding First Nations perspectives across the curriculum.
• How Catholic values and Aboriginal spirituality share deep connections through land, story and community.
• The story and impact of the FIRE Carrier Program.
• Practical ways teachers can move beyond tokenism to authentic action.
• How embracing First Nations identity lifts all students, not just some.

Whether you’re an educator, student or community member, this episode will deepen your understanding of reconciliation not just as a concept, but as a shared responsibility grounded in truth, respect and action.

Now join us as we explore what truly matters in education.

Mentioned in this episode:

• FIRE Carrier Program
• Gulpa Ngawal Lotjpa
• William Stanner
• Opening The Doors Foundation
• Reconciliation Australia
• NAIDOC
• Closing the Gap

Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 55 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. 

Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

As the Church welcomes Pope Leo XIV, we pause to reflect on the extraordinary life and legacy of Pope Francis.

In this special episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Kate Fogarty, Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst, sits down with Bishop Shane Mackinlay to mark the passing of Pope Francis and explore the impact of his papacy both globally and here in Australia.

Recorded on the first day of the conclave, as 133 cardinal-electors gather to choose the 267th successor to St Peter, this conversation offers a moving and deeply personal reflection on the Pope who brought the peripheries to the centre, challenged systems with symbolic acts, and led with joy, mercy and humility.

“People came to see John Paul. They came to listen to Benedict. But they came to be with Francis.” - Bishop Shane.

In this episode, we explore:

• The global mood surrounding the conclave and its liturgical significance
• Bishop Shane’s personal experiences with Pope Francis at the Synod and in smaller gatherings
• The Pope’s call to Synodality, solidarity, and care for our common home
• What kind of leadership the Church might need next and how Pope Francis’ legacy has reshaped the path forward.

This conversation offers insight into one of the most influential global figures of our time, and how his vision continues to shape our Church and our world.

Let's take a moment to pause, reflect and honour a Pope who walked with the world.

Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 55 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. 

Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Can your school years really shape your life long after the final bell? 

In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, we explore new research uncovering the lifelong impact of Catholic schooling on employment, wellbeing and community contribution. 

Host Kate Fogarty, Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst, is joined by Bruce Phillips from the Victorian Catholic Education Authority alongside lead researcher and longtime public policy analyst Andrew Wade, to unpack the findings from a newly released study on the long-term benefits of Catholic schooling 

Using data from the nationally respected Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, the research reveals that attending a Catholic school can have a positive impact on employment outcomes, general health, life satisfaction and community engagement - even decades after graduation. 

In this episode, we explore: 

• How the HILDA data reveals differences between Catholic, government and independent school graduates.
• Why Catholic school graduates are more likely to be employed, earn higher wages, and work in sectors that serve the public. 
• The surprising links between Catholic education, life satisfaction and long-term wellbeing. 
• What these findings mean for families, educators and communities across Australia.

Whether you're a parent, educator, policy maker or simply curious about the long-term impact of education, this episode offers fresh insight and a deeper understanding of how schooling shapes lives beyond the classroom. 

Now join us as we explore what truly matters in education.

Mentioned in this episode:  

• The HILDA Survey
• Victorian Catholic Education Authority

Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 55 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. 

Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Sometimes, to understand what matters most, we have to look back at how it all began. The history of Catholic education in Sandhurst is a story of people — ordinary and extraordinary — who gave everything to build something lasting.

In this opening episode of Catholic Education Matters, hosts Kate Fogarty and Jenni Kennedy from Catholic Education Sandhurst, take us on a journey through the extraordinary and often untold history of Catholic education — from its humble beginnings with the First Fleet to the establishment of schools across rural Australia.

This is a story shaped by people: the priests, religious sisters, teachers, families and communities who gave everything to ensure children could access learning, regardless of postcode or faith.

In this episode, we explore:

• How the first Catholic school was started in 1820 with just one teacher and one penny per student.
• The role of Reverand Dr Henry Backhaus, Bishop Martin Crane and the religious orders in shaping early education across regional Victoria.
• The Defence of Government Schools (DOGS) High Court case, and why Sandhurst became the national focus.
• The shift to modern governance and the lasting legacy of holistic education.

Whether you’re an educator, a parent or simply someone curious about how Catholic education evolved in regional Australia, this episode offers a compelling look at where we’ve come from and where we’re headed next.

Now join us as we explore what truly matters in education.

Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 55 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story. 

Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.