Catholic Education Week officially launched

The role of social media as a force for good was a focus at the official Queensland launch of Catholic Education Week (26 July – 2 August) today.

Education Minister Kate Jones joined a panel of secondary school students to discuss the impact of social media at the Festival of Catholic Education in Brisbane.

“In the past decade social media has become a key part of modern life, bringing us closer to other parts of the world and making communication faster and easier,” Ms Jones said.

“The theme of Catholic Education Week this year is ‘engaging minds, igniting hearts and serving others’ and the panel explored the part social media plays in advancing these three aims.”

Ms Jones said Queensland’s 298 Catholic schools played a valuable role in the state’s education system. 

“Since the first Catholic school opened in the Brisbane CBD 170 years ago, generations of Queenslanders have benefitted from the Catholic education system,” she said.

“Now more than 146,000 students attend Catholic schools in our state, which represents 18.5 per cent of all Queensland students and about 55 per cent of students in non-government schools.

“Enrolments are made up of about 78,500 primary and 67,700 secondary students and include more than 5,800 Indigenous students.

“The Catholic schooling system strives to provide a high quality education and encourages a life-long love of learning.

“The Palaszczuk Government continues to support Catholic schools and has committed record funding for the sector in the 2015-16 State Budget.”

Find out more about Catholic Education Week 2015 at www.catholiceducationweek.com.au

Media contact: Minister Jones’ Office 3719 7530