The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) Conference 2022 was held at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre in early September, with over 1000 attendees taking part in the conference.

Being held after the Churchā€™s 2020 Plenary, NCEC 2022 was an important opportunity for Catholic educators to come together and share best practice from across Australia and overseas.

The Conference also provided a forum for those associated with Catholic education, including bishops, directors, leadership teams from diocesan offices, primary and secondary school principals, teachers, parents and students to come together to discuss issues relevant to Catholic education.

The theme of the conference in 2022, ā€œThe future is listeningā€, invited speakers and participants to explore, listen and articulate the future of education for young people in Australia. Called to listen and perceive, to meet these challenges with courage, and with faith, hope and love for our students.

A significant occasion during the conference was a Mass which was celebrated on Tuesday 6th September at St Patrickā€™s Cathedral. Two Year 9 students (Anika Hasenrader & Edelweiss Perez) represented the college in attending the Mass to join with conference delegates to celebrate the future of Catholic Education.

It was wonderful to see the Cathedral full of students, teachers and Catholic Education representatives, together in prayer and song, celebrating the Eucharist.

Michael Chesser, Director of Catholic Mission & Mercy Ethos