Catholic school communities from across the Diocese of Sale came together in Bairnsdale on May 20 to celebrate Catholic Education Week 2026, gathering in a spirit of peace, faith, and hope.
The celebration began with a Thanksgiving Mass led by the Bishop of Sale, Most Reverend Greg Bennet, and clergy at Nagle Catholic College in Bairnsdale. They were joined by representatives from 41 Catholic schools who travelled from across the Diocese, along with education leaders and invited guests.
Student voices from the Nagle Catholic College choir, along with choristers from St Mary’s Primary School (Bairnsdale), St Brendan’s Primary School (Lakes Entrance), St Joseph’s Primary School (Orbost), Catholic College Sale, Mary MacKillop Catholic Regional College (Leongatha), and St Francis Xavier College (Beaconsfield), provided an uplifting presence during the Mass.
This year’s Catholic Education Week theme, “Every school a home of peace,” draws inspiration from the words of Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14:27). The theme invites school communities to reflect on the essential role that peace, hope, and faith play in shaping young lives and nurturing flourishing communities.
A highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the annual Sr Mildred RSJ and Sr Marcella RSJ Catholic Education Award. The award honours primary school students who exemplify the Christian virtue of hope within their school communities.
Named in recognition of the first two Josephite sisters to lead and teach in the Diocese of Sale, the award acknowledges their enduring legacy in Catholic education, which began in 1902 at St Michael’s Catholic Primary School in Traralgon.
Seven year six students selected from Catholic schools across the Diocese were recognised, each receiving a commemorative trophy and a $200 bursary to support their Catholic secondary education. They are:
– Georgia McGuinness – St Brendan’s Catholic Primary School, Lakes Entrance
– Claudia Gunn – St Thomas’ Catholic Primary School, Sale
– Brody Potalej – St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School, Traralgon
– Nash Bogart – St Ita’s Catholic Primary School, Drouin
– Amity Wilkinson – St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Wonthaggi
– Georgia Vangunster – St Michael’s Catholic Primary School, Berwick
– Naomi Perera – St Therese’s Catholic Primary School, Cranbourne
