“This gathering brings together Catholic educators, Bishops, priests, school trustees and a range of others associated with our national Catholic education system.

Our 239 schools and 30 or so Early Childhood Services, along with the various tertiary institutions, will have the opportunity to interact with one another in a positive way.

The theme of the Convention is Nga Taonga – living the treasure.

Yes, we do have a treasure in our Catholicism.  The Convention will provide each of us with many possibilities and experiences which will enrich our faith and enable us to be exposed to the good practice in our schools and other education activities.

THANK YOU for the leadership and personal contribution you make to the life of your education institution.  Our schools and other education institutions can be proud of the contributions they make to the life of our Church and of our nation.”

Brother Pat Lynch  NZCEO

Four of our staff members, Annette Woodhead, Theresa Cooper, Meidy Iskandar and Phil O’Connell-Cooper  are representing St Joseph’s Takapuna at this Convention.  In a seminar at the Convention,  our staff will present the learning we have been doing in relation to deepening our theological knowledge and understanding of what we are teaching in Religious Education, combined with the increasing use of digital technology and tools in the actual teaching and learning.

Four of our young artists, Levi K, Nina W, Ivan and Amesh, supported by Maree Kereama, Tracey Gregory and Erika Bon, have created a feathered work of art representing our school. This will be taken in procession by Meidy Iskandar,  at the opening ceremony of the convention in the Michael Fowler Auditorium, along with the artworks from all the schools and early childhood centres attending, to create a massive symbol of what it means to be part of  Catholic Education in Aotearoa New Zealand.