Commencement Message from Adam Spencer
Welcome to the 2023 school year. I am extremely excited to commence in the role of Director of Catholic Schools this year. I have a long-held affection and commitment to our Diocesan schools, and I am honoured to now be afforded the opportunity to play a new role in shaping their future alongside so many wonderful people.
2022 was a challenging year for many in our school communities, and there are a number of individuals and communities that are still suffering as a result of some of the tragic events that occurred during this time, not the least of which was the devastating flood events. As we progress through 2023, those affected can be assured of our unwavering commitment and support for you. Alongside this, it is important that well-being is prioritised at every level, and, as you will note later in this message, this will be one of my priorities this year.
The start of a new year always brings a sense of ’new beginnings’ and optimism for the year ahead. As we embark on 2023, I encourage you to consider this through the lens of Christian hope. As Christians in the Catholic tradition and as educators, the one thing that sets us apart is our commitment to Christian hope.
There is a distinct difference between hope and Christian hope. As Pope Francis succinctly outlines “Feeling hopeful does not mean to be optimistically naive…………. Hope is the virtue of a heart that doesn’t lock itself into darkness, that doesn’t dwell on the past, does not simply get by in the present, but is able to see a tomorrow.” As I see it, that is our call to action in 2023 as we lead ourselves and our school communities through and out of the challenges of bushfire, flood, pandemic and other external pressures.
“We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us, and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and a far-sighted vision,”
Pope Francis 2022
From a practical perspective, my intention is to spend the coming weeks engaging with Principals, Priests and school communities. The purpose of these visits will be to ascertain firsthand your most immediate challenges and opportunities and consider together how the Catholic Schools Office and I can support you in ensuring our schools continue their journey toward providing exemplary Catholic education for our students.
Whilst I acknowledge I will have much to learn in the new role, I also have some straightforward and deliberate objectives that I will seek to focus on as a matter of priority. Some of these priorities will be determined by the Board, and some are crafted from my own experience of Catholic education and the Diocese. At a very high level, these will include:
- Authentic commitment to working with Parish Priests and Parish communities in ensuring a smooth transition to the new governance structure but, more importantly, ensuring an ongoing culture of schools fully grounded in the faith life of the Parish community.
- Embedding a regional structure that seeks to ensure local communities and regions are serviced according to their unique needs whilst at the same time ensuring efficiency in systems, processes, and allocation of resources.
- Commitment to staff well-being enabled through an effective workforce plan that provides strategies for recruitment, retention, rewards and recognition.
- Continued commitment to the Transformation Team as they continue their work in driving effective change programs.
- Operationalising the recommendations of the Flood Commission and working closely with Principals and Parish Priests in those affected communities to support them in guiding staff, students and families through the related challenges and opportunities.
- Embark on a journey of cultural renewal in the Catholic Schools Office as staff make the necessary changes in focus and practice related to the new governance model.
It is also expected that as I commence my new role, the Board will outline for me a range of KPIs that will further inform and add to these priorities.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy new year and best wishes for the year ahead. As we embark upon this era characterised by Christian hope, I assure you of my commitment, my passion, and my service in ensuring that our students, their families and our staff can live to their fullness of life through our wonderful Catholic schools.