Education

Friday 23 November 2012

EXECUTIVE Director of Catholic Education at the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, Stephen Elder, writes that despite rapid advances in technology, teaching is a vocation that cannot be replaced by a technological solution.

Chaplains' guiding role

Monday 1 October 2012

EXECUTIVE Director of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Steven Elder, clarifies some misunderstandings regarding the Schools Chaplaincy Program.

Educating the whole person

Tuesday 18 September 2012

EXECUTIVE Director of Catholic Education, Stephen Elder, explains the rationale behind the holistic approach to education that Catholic Schools continually strive to provide.

School autonomy and subsidiarity

Tuesday 17 July 2012

ARGUEMENTS for and against schools being autonomous, a situation where they are free from excessive government intervention and best able to reflect the needs and aspirations of their local communities, often focus on whether autonomy leads to higher standards.

Stephen Elder Thursday 29 March 2012

In areas such as health, social welfare and education, the Catholic Church and related organisations provide essential services that save state and Commonwealth governments billions of dollars every year and that are crucial to the health and wellbeing of millions of Australians, writes Stephen Elder
Executive Director of Catholic Education, Melbourne.

Feeling free to say 'Merry Christmas'

Stephen-Elder Sunday, December 11 2011

When it comes to political correctness (PC), I am sure we all have our favourite examples. Short people are now described as 'vertically challenged', manholes are 'personnel access structures' and husbands and wives are called 'partners'.

Parents’ role in education

22-21-parents-pg28-t Friday 11 November 2011

By Stephen Elder

We all know that teachers and schools are crucially important and play a central role in a child’s education. But, as noted by US President Barack Obama in a recent speech given at the White House, parents are equally important.

Why children need a moral compass

22-18-why-pg24-t Friday 30 September 2011

By Stephen Elder

The riots in England in August and the argument that religion has no place in state schools, illustrated by the High Court challenge to the Australian Government’s school chaplaincy program, may at first appearance not have much in common. A closer examination, though, suggests there is a connection.

Unlikely agreement over Bible stories

22-7-unlikely-pg22-t Friday 29 April 2011

By Stephen Elder

It is not often that Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott sing from the same hymn book but, when it comes to the Bible both argue that all Australians should be familiar with the stories and lessons from Christianity’s holy text.

Professor Gabrielle McMullen retires

22-4-adsprofessor-pg14-t Kairos: Volume 22, Issue 4, 20 March 2011

By Fiona Basile

Professor Gabrielle McMullen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Australian Catholic University (ACU), retires this month after 16 years with ACU. Her successor is Professor Pauline Nugent, former executive dean of health sciences at ACU.

22-3-theplace-pg17-t Kairos: Volume 22, Issue 3

By Stephen Elder

Over the next two years Victorian schools will trial and evaluate the new national curriculum in mathematics, science, english and history (from kindergarten to Year 10) and schools will be expected to start teaching the national curriculum in 2013. What the new curriculum ends up looking like is important, as implementation is tied to funding for both government and non-government schools (drafts are to be finalised by October 2011).

A heart for teaching

22-3-aheart-pg16-t Kairos: Volume 22, Issue 3

By Fiona Basile

Dennis Alberto is 27 years of age but he speaks with a maturity and wisdom that exceed his years. He has just begun his first year of teaching at Penola Catholic College in Broadmeadows, teaching science to Year 9 and 10 students, and religious education to Year 11 students.

22-2-thespiritual-pge17-t Kairos: Volume 22, Issue 2

by Stephen Elder

In an article in Kairos last year (Volume 21, No 14), I referred to a 2008 speech given by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to the US in which the Pope argued that Catholic schools, while existing within a secular society, needed to teach students about the Word of God and to recognise their role in fulfilling the Church’s mission.

Leading debate and driving change

21-15-craven-p28t Kairos: Volume 21, Issue 15

By Professor Greg Craven

Public policy has the ability to shape attitudes and thinking, and drive change in cultural, social, economic and political structures. Good public policy can deliver countless tangible benefits to the community, and is undoubtedly an area in which a university, and especially a Catholic one, should be actively involved.

Education not just about productivity

21-14-education-pg22-t Kairos: Volume 21, Issue 14

In his recently appointed role as Minister for Education (a position he also held in the Hawke/Keating governments), Simon Crean justifies investment in education by arguing that it will lead to “huge gains in productivity”.

Girls' education focuses on the future

21-14-girls-pg23-t Kairos: Volume 21, Issue 14

In June, 350 educators from Australia and New Zealand gathered in Melbourne to discuss the education of girls. The conference entitled ‘Insights: A Fresh Look at Girls’ Education’ brought together leaders, teachers and board members from Catholic, government and independent schools.

Equality by degrees

21-13-pg29-equality-t Kairos: Volume 21, Issue 13

It would be hard to argue with the statement that education is the foundation stone for achievement in modern Australian society. Or that it is the major difference between equality and inequality. Yet, while we successfully educate students from all corners of the globe, we more often than not fail those in our own backyard.

Hidden dangers in school funding review

21-12-hidden-pg20-t Kairos: Volume 21, Issue 12

This is the second of two articles in response to the Federal Government school funding review. The first article was published in Kairos Volume 21, Issue 10.

Hidden dangers in school funding review

21-10-hidden-pg24-t Kairos: Volume 21, Issue 10

The first of two articles in response to the school funding review announced by Education Minister Julia Gillard. The second will appear in the next issue of Kairos.

Vigilance needed for cyberbullying

21-07-vigilance-pg27-t Kairos: Volume 21, Issue 07

How serious a problem is bullying, especially cyberbullying, in Australian schools? Studies and research suggest that, while not as widespread as many media reports make out, there is cause for concern and a need for schools and parents to be ever vigilant.

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