EDUCATION MATTERS: Growing together in leadership

By Dr Gerard Gaskin, Executive Director of Catholic Education Tasmania

In Catholic education, the role of the principal is one of profound trust. Each of our school communities has been entrusted to the care of its leader, whose daily work shapes not only the learning that takes place within their classrooms, but the faith life, culture, and wellbeing of the entire community.

While Principals carry significant responsibility, they do not walk this journey alone. Within Catholic Education Tasmania, we believe leadership grows best in community. Our principals are supported by a network of colleagues, mentors, and system leaders who share in the mission of providing quality, faith-based education for all.

Each year, Catholic Education Tasmania welcomes new Principals: both those stepping into leadership for the first time and those bringing experience from other systems. Every leader brings their own story, shaped by different experiences and perspectives, and together they enrich our collective wisdom.

To support new Principals in their first year, Catholic Education Tasmania provides a comprehensive full-day induction program held once each term. These days offer time for reflection, learning, and connection with colleagues and key staff from the Tasmanian Catholic Education Office. Participants explore their early experiences of leadership, share their stories, and learn about the structures and supports available across the system.

Beyond induction, leadership formation continues through a range of opportunities designed to strengthen faith, capability, and connection.

Principals engage in cluster networks, coaching, reflective practice sessions, renewal leave, and professional learning that deepens both their leadership and their vocation. Each term all Catholic Education Tasmania Principals gather for two days for CCEL – College of Catholic Educational Leaders – a unique opportunity for professional development and collegial support.

Additional opportunities for growth include participation in pilgrimages such as the Saints of Italy experience, attendance at major gatherings like World Youth Day, and engagement in national conferences such as the National Catholic Education Conference. Principals also contribute to system-wide learning through events like the Teaching Matters Summit, where they share practice and explore how faith and evidence-based teaching intersect in the classroom.

Through all these experiences, one message remains clear: leadership in Catholic education is never a solitary task. It is a calling lived out in relationship with our communities, our colleagues, and our shared faith in Christ.

As we look towards 2026, we look ahead with conviction in our mission and gratitude for those who bring it to life in our schools each day. Together, we continue to grow the mission of Catholic education in Tasmania, guided always by the belief that every child is known, valued, and loved.

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