Schools run by Catholic teachers have been educating children in western Victoria since before the goldrush. In those early days, the schools had only basic resources but they had great commitment to the spiritual and academic growth of the students. As the years went by, other teachers such as Saint Mary MacKillop continued to work with parents to provide Catholic schools for children throughout the Ballarat diocese. That commitment to education continues in our own time.
Today the diocese of Ballarat provides sixty-four schools, caring for students from Preps to Year 12. Teachers and parents work together to promote the all-round development of the students, drawing on the teachings of Christ who came that we might have life and have it to the full.
I commend our schools to you and I extend a warm welcome to all families who have brought their children to a Catholic school. May you and your children be blessed as you share the life of our Catholic school communities.
Paul Bird CSsR
Bishop of Ballarat