As it turned out Saturday was a bit cold, wet and miserable. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that we were unable to run our school fete!
A new era for Catholic education in Melbourne with the establishment of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd. Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS) has been established to assume the governance and operation of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne. The change in governance arrangements will see all 293 schools owned by the Archdiocese, its parishes or associations of parishes in the Archdiocese of Melbourne transferred to MACS, which will be responsible for the governance and operation of schools from January 1st 2021. In reference to this change in governance arrangements Archbishop Peter Comensoli said, ‘Building on the significant legacy of parish priest led and governed schools, MACS will usher in a new era for Catholic education in the Archdiocese. Education is integral to the mission of the Catholic Church to proclaim the Good News, and Catholic schooling forms our young people so they may be equipped with the knowledge, skills and hope to live meaningful lives and enrich the world around them. The establishment of MACS is a necessary and constructive change to the operations for schools that not only reflects community expectations about the operations of schools, but keeps our Christ Centered mission at the heart of all we do in Catholic education.’ A Steering Committee was established in November 2019 to consider changes in governance for Melbourne Catholic schools. The Steering Committee has overseen 11 months of significant consultation and deliberation which has culminated in today’s announcement. In essence the Parish Priest will no longer be the employer of Catholic schools. The general running of our Catholic schools will look and feel the same as what we know and love. At St John the Baptist we will continue to foster and nurture our strong links to our broader Parish. Archbishop Peter has appointed Mr Gerard Dalbosco as the inaugural Chair of MACS to lead this historic new path for Catholic education in Melbourne. Further information about the transition of governance arrangements for Melbourne Catholic schools can be found at www.governance.melbourne.
