I’m not welcoming you, you’re welcoming all of us here for this very important cause. So to Nicholas and, of course, Deb O’Neill, to the Minister I know he’s had to go, to Members and Senators and to all in this room passionate about Catholic Education. Thank you so much for gathering to support the incredible work of Catholic schools around this Country, as the Minister has said, and as Jacinta has said, Catholic schools have been playing a very important role in delivering parental choice in supporting families right across this vast Nation for more than 200 years. The contribution that you make is absolutely incredible.
It was great to be at the Schools Plus teaching awards last night, we heard about some incredible teachers. The one that stands out for me is Sister Celestine, because I am a product of Catholic education. I have nine years at Sacred Heart College in Geelong, and she was one of those incredible prep teachers, prep, as it was known then. Everyone in Geelong knows Sister Celestine, I mean, she’s died a number of years ago now, but she was incredible. And when I reflect on the importance of evidence based teaching and all the great work that Catholic schools are doing, and the transition that you are making and just into in so many ways, leading the way, including in your mastery of mathematics work that you are doing.
I look back at my projects with Sister Celestine, and I can see that explicit teaching that was happening in our school back then, because in many ways, the coalition wants to see a back to basics for education, but back to basics and taking us forward as a Nation. So whether it’s in Canberra Goulburn, whether it’s the NCEC across the country, whether it’s Max in Melbourne, it is really exciting to see that the progress that is being made in not just grasping what is happening with the best evidence based teaching, but the transition that is happening right across so many Catholic schools. I had the joy of visiting a primary school, Catholic Primary School, outside Hobart, one of the very first school visits, when I first stepped into this portfolio and I was watching explicit instruction in action, and this young teacher. She was incredible, the way she taught, the children did not have a moment to be distracted, because they were so enthralled by what was happening, the way she was teaching, the energy, the highly effective learning materials were just really transforming. And just watching the sort of teaching that we’re now seeing rolled out in so many schools is really inspiring.
So congratulations, I’m really in awe of what you are doing. I love the fact that not only are you focused on faith and the importance of celebrating your faith in your schools, that doesn’t mean that you only embrace those of Catholic faith. I mean, Catholic schools have got a great tradition of opening the doors to students of all faiths, and that’s the one of the one of the great hallmarks of Catholic schools. And of course, access plays a very important role. But that focus on excellence is really important because whilst and we are making some strides in certain schools, in school systems and in the States, in Tasmania, in Victoria, in New South Wales, with the new syllabus, we still have a long way to go. One in three children or students are still not meeting the minimum benchmarks in NAPLAN. And I know that is of concern to everyone in this room, and frankly, to everyone in education. So we have got an absolute focus on what we need to do to support the government’s work to the extent that they are really pushing those reforms. But also, of course, as you would expect, to hold the government to account when they’re maybe not quite where they need to be. And I’ll try and be very diplomatic in my comments. I have made a few comments and raised a few concerns, particularly on behalf of Catholic schools. I would love to see Catholic schools being able to access teaching scholarships. There’s a very big $50 million program, rolling out teaching scholarships, and they’re only available to student teachers who want to teach in government schools. I think it’s really important that that is extended to non government schools, because Catholic schools play a very important role in many disadvantaged communities, low fee schools that are doing an incredible job. So those teaching scholarships are really important.
There’s also some limitations with the High Achieving Teacher Program, where there’s been a decision made to limit the access to that program, again, I would like to see that opened up. And of course, we have had some difficult times with religious discrimination. We’ve firmly been of the view that any change in the law, we need to see all schools go forward and not backwards, and of course, we very much are of that view. So there are some challenges, but I just want to say congratulations on everything you are achieving. I am so excited to see the focus on evidence based teaching supported by the likes of Ochre, I met with Ochre the other day. I think they’re working with the NCEC writing lesson plans. I mean, it is incredible to me that ACARA, one of the purposes and functions of ACARA is to provide curriculum materials and resources, and yet the schools and school systems have got to go out and basically find ways to deliver those materials. And so I think that, again, is also a bit of a gap in our system, and the schools and school systems are doing an important job to try and really fill that gap. So congratulations. Have a great celebration. I look forward again to meeting with you again on Thursday. And here’s to Sister Celestine. Here’s to all the other wonderful teachers who do so much to transform lives. Thank you so much.