The power of an interconnected Catholic schooling system

With 146 schools across South East Queensland, Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) is uniquely positioned to deliver rich and dynamic learning environments for every student. 

From whole system competitions to clusters of schools working together, BCE is a unified network, sharing expertise, resources, and strategic direction.  

The power of clusters 

Senior Leader David Cashman said collaboration across a cluster of schools highlights the benefits of working together as a connected system.  

“Rather than operating in isolation, schools within geographical clusters share resources, best practices, expertise, and opportunities to enhance learning experiences for all students across the region,” he said.  

“A clear example of this collaboration is the leadership shown by All Saints Primary School, Albany Creek, which hosts a range of interschool competitions within its cluster throughout the year, including speech and mathematics competitions.   

“These events provide students from across Moreton Bay and North Brisbane with unique opportunities to challenge themselves academically, build confidence, and connect with peers beyond their own school communities.   

All Saints Primary School Principal Roycelyn Wilden said these initiatives enriched student learning and strengthened relationships between schools, staff, and families.  

“Every BCE school has something unique to offer its surrounding cluster schools,” she said.  

“Our cluster competitions show our students that they are part of a wider Catholic community.   

“That sense of connection builds confidence, encourages aspiration, and enhances learning outcomes across all schools involved.”  

BCE clusters work together by sharing resources and facilities, while others like Holy Spirit College, Fitzgibbon (Brisbane North), offer a school transition program that supports students as they move from a BCE primary school to secondary school.   

St William’s Primary School, Grovely, has also joined forces with Mt Maria College, Mitchelton, to host a band camp.

This initiative offers students from across the region a valuable opportunity to learn directly from their secondary school counterparts, with the aim of enriching their musical development.  

System-wide approach 

BCE Lead Education Advisor Rochelle Smith said being part of an interconnected system of schools means successful initiatives can be scaled quickly.  

“BCE’s STEM MAD Showcase is a standout example of how our shared ecosystem amplifies opportunities for students and accelerates student learning,” she said.   

“The whole system initiative allows students to collaborate, inspire, and tackle real-world problems with a collaborative sense of purpose, all while exploring skills they will need for the future.  

“Since 2019, the competition has expanded to over 100 plus teams, with students going on to compete at a national level.”  

BCE Acting Head of Student Learning and Wellbeing Ken Sawers said there is power in working as a system to enhance professional learning, consistency, and positive outcomes for students.  

“In 2025, more than 400 BCE educators, school and system leaders, researchers and policymakers came together for BCE’s inaugural Inclusive Education Symposium, demonstrating the power of connection across a unified schooling system,” he said.  

“With a focus on building a consistent, whole-of-system approach to inclusive education, the symposium enabled participants to engage with contemporary research, best practice and emerging thinking in the inclusive education space.”  

Culturally sensitive learning enables student potential 

In 2024 BCE also launched its system-wide approach to teaching First Nations language across its 146 schools.  

Senior Manager Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Dr Mayrah Dreise, said that by working as a system, we can continue to improve outcomes for First Nations students.  

“The curriculum and guidance document provides an opportunity for learning and reconciliation across all of our 146 schools,” she said.  

Mayrah adds, “since 2024, BCE schools have also embraced the integration of First Nations content from the Australian Curriculum into their teaching and learning, guided by our Molum Sabe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Strategy. We recently launched the 2026-2027 strategy.”       

“Since its inception, the strategy is already creating an education that is not only academic but culturally relevant and sensitive,” she said.  

“BCE will continue to foster learning environments that promote cultural identity, uplift the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and encourage First Nations students to achieve their full learning potential.”  

Enhanced subject offerings 

FisherONE online education Principal Britt Gurnett said in 2022 BCE launched FisherONE online education with the aim to enhance subject offerings across all 146 schools.   

“FisherONE provides a wide range of subject enrolment options, giving students across the state access to highly quality teaching and learning, regardless of their location or the school they attend,” she said.  

“The program ensures that our students in regional communities have the same opportunities and subject choices as BCE inner-city schools.”  

In 2025, over 1600 BCE students took part in the system wide BCE Rugby 7’s Competition.

In 2026, students joined together for BCE’s Innagural Student Voice Showcase, highlighting the strength of student voice across the system, bringing schools together to share ideas, learn from one another, and champion student‑led change. 

Image caption: ©Brisbane Catholic Education (2026).