Catholic Education Matters

What does 'know better and do better' actually look like in the classroom? In this episode of Catholic Education Matters , Executive Director Kate Fogarty is joined by Learning Leader Craig Simpson to explore one of the most powerful commitments within our Cultural Covenant: a passion to 'know better and do better' . From memory and retrieval to routines, attention and the thoughtful use of techno...

What does culture look like when it’s named, shared and lived across a whole system? At the beginning of 2026, Catholic Education Sandhurst launched something that will quietly shape our system for years to come, our new Cultural Covenant. In this episode, Executive Director Kate Fogarty is joined by principals Alannah Darmody (St Liborius Primary School, Eaglehawk) and Joel Brian (St Brendan’s Pr...

Literacy is not a matter of luck, postcode or chance; it’s a matter of equity, access and social justice. In this episode of Magnify Matters , Distinguished Professor Pamela Snow, one of Australia’s leading voices in literacy, language and the science of learning, joins Tim Edwards (Catholic Education Sandhurst Assistant Director: Learning and Teaching) for a conversation about what it takes to en...

Catholic Education Sandhurst Executive Director Kate Fogarty is joined by Tom Sexton, Diocese of Ballarat Catholic Education Executive Director, to discuss the recent enterprise bargaining wage offer from the Victorian Catholic Education Authority (VCEA) and Catholic school employers.  Drawing on their front-row view, Kate and Tom reflect on taking an unprecedented step of putting a best...

In this episode of  Catholic Education Matters , host Ashley Marsh is joined by speech pathologists Lauren Cook and Lauren Naish from Catholic Education Sandhurst for a practical conversation timed with Developmental Language Disorder Day. DLD - a language difficulty you often can’t see - affects about 1 in 14 children. Lauren Cook and Lauren Naish unpack what DLD is, what...

What happens when a life of public service meets the mission of Catholic education? In this episode of Catholic Education Matters , host Kate Fogarty is joined by Jacinta Collins, Executive Director of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC), for a rich and reflective conversation on leadership, legacy and the future of Catholic education in Australia. As Jacinta prepares to retire from...

What does system leadership look like when every decision starts with the student? In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Kate Fogarty is joined by Dr Ed Simons, Executive Director of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools for a conversation about mission-driven system leadership and the practical work of lifting learning at scale. Drawing on more than two decades across the UK and Au...

In this episode of Catholic Education Matters , host Kate Fogarty is joined by Elena Pasquini Douglas, founder of Knowledge Society and a passionate advocate for bringing research and evidence to the forefront of education reform. Drawing on her deep experience working with leaders in education, health and government, Elena reflects on what it takes to move from good intentions to meaningful impac...

For six years, Bishop Shane Mackinlay has served as a wise and steady leader in the Sandhurst Diocese; guiding its parishes, championing Catholic education, and helping to shape a shared vision for the future. Now, as he prepares to step into his new role as Archbishop of Brisbane, Bishop Shane joins host Kate Fogarty for a personal and reflective conversation on leadership, legacy and the next ch...

This podcast was recorded on traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta People. Reconciliation doesn’t live in a single day or week — it’s a daily practice of listening, learning and walking together. In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, host Kimberley Furness, Marketing Coordinator at Catholic Education Sandhurst, sits down with the organisation's Aboriginal Education Lead...

As the Church welcomes Pope Leo XIV, we pause to reflect on the extraordinary life and legacy of Pope Francis. In this special episode of Catholic Education Matters , host Kate Fogarty, Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst, sits down with Bishop Shane Mackinlay to mark the passing of Pope Francis and explore the impact of his papacy both globally and here in Australia. Recorded on th...

Can your school years really shape your life long after the final bell?  In this episode of Catholic Education Matters , we explore new research uncovering the lifelong impact of Catholic schooling on employment, wellbeing and community contribution.  Host Kate Fogarty, Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst, is joined by Bruce Phillips from the Victorian Catholic Education A...

Sometimes, to understand what matters most, we have to look back at how it all began. The history of Catholic education in Sandhurst is a story of people — ordinary and extraordinary — who gave everything to build something lasting. In this opening episode of Catholic Education Matters , hosts Kate Fogarty and Jenni Kennedy from Catholic Education Sandhurst, take us on a journey through the extrao...

In this very first episode of Catholic Education Matters , Kate Fogarty, Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst , joins us to introduce a brand-new podcast for anyone passionate about education, community and purpose-driven leadership. From classrooms to staff rooms, this podcast brings together the voices of those who are shaping education in our regional and rural communities — teach...

Welcome to Catholic Education Matters, a podcast proudly produced by Catholic Education Sandhurst .  Education isn’t just about what happens in the classroom, it’s about the people, the heart, and the purpose behind it all. That’s why this podcast explores the big ideas and every day moments that shape learning in our schools, from the latest research and innovative teaching practices to the...