Outstanding contributors to Catholic education recognised

Outstanding contributors to Catholic education in the Diocese of Ballarat were recognised with Spirit of Catholic Education Awards and 30 Year Service Awards presented at the Catholic Education Week awards and dinner in Ballarat on Friday (3 May).

Three outstanding educators received the Spirit of Catholic Education Award, chosen from 17 wonderful nominees from across the diocese. They are:

(Click on the name to read about the wonderful work of the recipients)

Tony Haintz – Damascus College, Ballarat, for Building Inclusive Catholic Learning Communities.

Cynthia Maiden – St Joseph’s Primary School, Hopetoun, for Enhancing Family Engagement, Governance and Stewardship.

Cathy Prunty – Damascus College, Ballarat, for Empowering all to Flourish.

Catholic Education Ballarat Executive Director, Tom Sexton, said the Diocese is blessed to have teachers and leaders of the calibre of Tony, Cynthia, and Cathy, along with the other 14 nominees, working in its schools.

‘We want every student to have the opportunity to flourish fully in their learning in schools that are caring, committed to excellence, and live out the Catholic faith, in partnership with families.

‘Tony, Cynthia, and Cathy, and the other nominees, exemplify the approach to teaching, and genuine care for their students and communities, that allows our schools to live out these values.

‘I thank them for their wonderful work and congratulate them on their well-earned recognition,’ Mr Sexton said.

Special congratulations to all nominees for the Spirit of Catholic Education Awards in 2024:

• Christina Sofis(Loreto College, Ballarat) – Fostering Inspiring Leadership
• Sharon Dwyer(OLHC Warrnambool) – Empowering all to Flourish
• Kevin Brodie (DOBCEL Ballarat Office) – Empowering all to Flourish
• Finance and Compliance Team (St Brigid’s College) – Enhancing Family Engagement, Governance and Stewardship
• Cynthia Maiden (St Joseph’s, Hopetoun) –Enhancing Family Engagement, Governance and Stewardship
• Olga Lyons (St Patrick’s, Port Fairy) – Fostering Inspiring Leadership
• Breeana Wade (DOBCEL Mildura Office) – Empowering all to Flourish
• Caitee Carter (St Alipius School,Ballarat) –Enhancing Family Engagement, Governance and Stewardship
• Simone Jans & Sarah Goodbourn,Da Capo Instrumental Music Program (Loreto College, Ballarat) – Achieving Best Practice
• Eliza Dwyer (St Patrick’s School, Port Fairy) – Building Inclusive Catholic Learning Communities
• Brooke Nester (DOBCEL Ballarat Office) –Empowering all to Flourish
• Bernadette Lynch (St Aloysius’ School) – Building Inclusive Catholic Learning Communities
• Mark Vanderkley (SIMON, DOBCEL Office, Ballarat) –Empowering all to Flourish
• Tony Haintz (Damascus College, Ballarat) –Building Inclusive Catholic Learning Communities
• Lindy Crowe-Procaccino (Loreto College, Ballarat) – Empowering all to Flourish
• Religious Education Curriculum Team (DOBCEL Office, Ballarat) –Achieving Best Practice (Bernie Tolan, Justin, McInerney, Jo-anne Van der Voort, Kim Hawkes, Bernadette Luckman)
• Cathy Prunty (Damascus College, Ballarat) – Empowering all to Flourish

A remarkable 34 teachers and staff who have committed their gifts and talents over 30 years of service to Catholic education were also recognised at Friday’s celebration. They are:

Christine Carmichael, Annemaree Chapman, Jane Clark, Carolyn Clementson, Paula Cox, Andrea Cox, Cathryn Harrington, Janet Cain, Timothy Kermeen, Jamie Lamb, Gavin Lang, Sheelagh Leary, Kellie Lee, Clare Levings, Michael Mahoney, Hamish McCrum, Justin McInerney, Steven Mifsud, Marie O’Donnell, Tim O’Farrell, Giorgio Paolucci, Carmel Parker, Lesley Pearce, Kym Penry, Jacqueline Pierce, Cathy Prunty, Maria Richards, Maria Salvo, Nerida Thurn, Dympna Turner, Judith Vanderkley Mark Vanderkley and Jim Waight.

We thank you for your dedicated service and recognise the profound influence you have had on the generations of young people in your care.

There are 52 Catholic primary schools and 11 secondary colleges across the Diocese of Ballarat, from Mildura in the north, Portland in the south, and west to Edenhope and Nhill, educating more than 18,500 students and employing over 2,500 teachers and support staff.