THE
pathway
St Agnes' Parish educational from early education to life-long learning
St Agnes’ Parish provides a unique education pathway that is unmatched in opportunity and access, locally and nationally. The group that represent this pathway includes (from back row); St Joseph’s Family Services Executive Manager Wendy Ward, St Peter’s Primary School Principal Geoff Leary, Coordinating Executive Officer of St Agnes’ Parish Education & Training Stephen Pares, St Joseph’s Regional College Principal Jim Dempsey, John Henry Institute Manager Ben Castles, MacKillop College Acting Principal Cath Eichmann, (seated) St Joseph’s Primary School Principal Tess Koning, Newman Senior Technical College Principal Mark Nunan and St Agnes’ Primary School Acting Principal Rick Galvin. Accompanying them are students from across St Agnes’ Parish schools.
ST AGNES’ PARISH HAS EDUCATED LOCAL YOUTH SINCE THE SISTERS OF ST JOSEPH ESTABLISHED A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN PORT MACQUARIE IN 1913. Coordinating Executive Officer of St Agnes’ Parish Education & Training Stephen Pares says that while the educational pathway offered to students today is significantly different from 100 years ago, it is well-recognised and respected by the local community.
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tephen Pares says St Agnes’ Parish’s strong grounding in the Catholic faith is the basis for an unmatched education pathway that provides a well-rounded combination of academic, cultural, sporting and pastoral programs. “The pathway begins in early education and goes beyond high school graduation. This approach develops our students into resilient, socially-conscious individuals wanting to make a difference in the community,” Stephen Pares said. “Four decades ago, the Parish identified the need for early education that was opened up to local families from all backgrounds. From there, St Joseph’s Family Services now offers innovative learning programs and holistic family support that equips families with the solid foundations for children to develop knowledge, skills and mindsets in our primary school environment.” “Our primary schools build on this strong foundation through a modern and specialised learning model which supports and extends students capabilities. At its core, students receive a holistic education within communities
which support them and their families as they offering that answers local training and skills grow, learn and develop. We are very proud development needs for school students and of the breadth of opportunities that students people of all ages. receive within our primary schools.” “Parents that experienced this pathway “At the secondary school level, we help our have in turn, placed their children and grandstudents discover knowledge, skills and values children on the same educational journey. To that will serve them me, this is clear recognition well for the rest of something special that of their lives. Our we are offering over multisecondary schools ple generations.” We could not achieve this are the springboard “We could not achieve without the exceptional for students to this success without the leadership and extend themselves exceptional leadership and commitment from our spiritually, intelleccommitment from our edueducational leaders, their tually, physically cational leaders, their leadleadership groups and support and emotionally. ership groups and support from parents and families. Newman College, from parents and families,” our specifically dedStephen Pares said. icated world-class To see first-hand how facility focusing the Parish educational on vocational pathway prepares your education also has an enviable reputation for family for lifelong learning, you can book a providing our students with practical skills that tour at one of our primary schools during prepare them for the workplace.” April or attend a Year 7 information session. Stephen Pares says the Parish’s training More information is available at: provider, the John Henry Institute, is a newer enrolinexcellence.org.au