BCE hosts 2026 Spirit of Catholic Education Awards

Brisbane Catholic Education (BCE) has proudly hosted this year’s Catholic Education Week launch and Spirit of Catholic Education Awards (Tuesday 28 July), celebrating the outstanding individuals and teams making a difference in Catholic schools across Queensland.

The event was attended by Queensland Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek MP and Archbishop Shane Mackinlay, alongside other education representatives from across the state during Catholic Education Week 2026 (26 July to 1 August).

Among those recognised was BCE’s own Angela Greathead, Learning Enhancement Teacher at St Joseph’s Primary School, Nundah, who received a 2026 Spirit of Catholic Education award for her unwavering faith, dedication, and commitment to supporting students and families within her school community.

St Joseph’s Primary School Principal Renae Collier said Angela exemplifies the Josephite charism, ‘never see a need without doing something about it.’

“Angela’s quiet dedication and genuine care for her students, colleagues, and families shine through everything she does,” she said.

“As a school community, we support and challenge every child through collaborative teaching and multi-age classrooms that enable targeted learning from intervention to extension.

“Angela’s role is key to ensuring our students feel safe, valued, and empowered within the school community.”

BCE Acting Executive Director Ross Tarlinton said the awards were a powerful reminder that Catholic education is brought to life through the actions of dedicated staff like Angela.

“It is lived in the teacher who sees potential in every student, the leader who builds a community of belonging, the staff member who serves with humility and generosity, and those who work to deepen reconciliation, dignity and understanding across our schools,” he said.

“Thank you for shining your light across our Queensland communities.”

Learn more about Angela here.

Minister Langbroek said Queensland’s Catholic schools and early childhood education and care providers help hundreds of thousands of young Queenslanders to learn, grow and reach their full potential.

“They provide a critical option for high-quality, values-based education and are part of the fabric of our communities, from Queensland’s largest cities to our most remote regions.

“Along with the Premier, I congratulate all involved, for demonstrating excellence in educational service and leadership, in a variety of meaningful and practical ways.

“The Queensland Government looks forward to continuing to partner with the Catholic education sector, to create brighter futures for all Queenslanders.”

Catholic Education Queensland Limited CEO Allan Blagaich said the week allowed Catholic schools to showcase what makes each school unique and what they share in common.

“It’s a wonderful time for Queensland’s 313 Catholic schools and 29 kindergartens to reflect on not just the special nature of their school community but also how they contribute to the wider community,” Mr Blagaich said.

The theme for this year’s celebration is Share your light, inspire others.

“It’s a theme that speaks to the ripple effect at the heart of every school community, the way one person’s example, encouragement or act of service can lift those around them and inspire them to do the same,” Mr Blagaich said.

“Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of young people, nurturing not just academic achievement but character, compassion and a sense of service, so that students leave our schools ready to contribute to their communities and the world around them.”

The official launch of Catholic Education Week will be hosted by Brisbane Catholic Education on Tuesday 28 July, beginning with a 10 am Mass at St Stephen's Cathedral celebrated by the Archbishop of Brisbane, Shane Mackinlay.

Beyond the launch, school and parish communities across the state will mark the week in their own way, with liturgies, open days, community service projects and celebrations planned from small remote and regional primary schools through to large colleges in the major cities.

“That diversity is one of the great strengths of Catholic education in Queensland," Mr Blagaich said. "Every school will celebrate this week in a way that reflects its own community." 

Mr Blagaich said the week of celebration was also a time to acknowledge those who go the extra mile in Catholic education. 

"The Spirit of Catholic Education Awards recognise staff, parents, carers and volunteers in our school communities who make an extraordinary contribution. 

"This year we received 180 individual and 14 team nominations for the awards from right across Queensland, and the recipients are drawn from varying aspects of school life." 

Award Recipients

Aunty Joan Hendriks Reconciliation Award

Emerson Godwell 
Senior First Nations Liaison Officer 
Emmaus College, North Rockhampton 
Catholic Education – Diocese of Rockhampton 

First Nations and Diversity Group 
Annabelle Cowen and Bec Lopez 
Mary MacKillop Catholic College, Highfields 
Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools 

Spirit of Catholic Education Award

Angela Greathead 
Learning Enhancement Teacher 
St Joseph's School, Nundah 
Brisbane Catholic Education

James Emerick 
Principal 
St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School, Gladstone 
Catholic Education – Diocese of Rockhampton

Carole Smith 
Administration Officer 
St Teresa's School, Ravenshoe 
Catholic Education Services – Diocese of Cairns 

Cara Haig 
Principal 
Sacred Heart Primary School, Cunnamulla 
Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools

Brendan Cahill 
Principal 
Brigidine College, Indooroopilly 
Religious Institute and Ministerial Public Juridic Person Schools 

Veronica Feliciano 
Assistant Principal Religious Education 
Good Shepherd Catholic College, Mount Isa 
Townsville Catholic Education

To learn more about the Spirit of Catholic Education Awards and read about the nominees and recipients, visit the Catholic Education Week website. 

Catholic school communities are grateful for the support of the 2026 sponsors of Catholic Education Week in Queensland, Australian Catholic University and UniSuper.

Image caption 1: BCE's Spirit Angela Greathead, Learning Enhancement Teacher at St Joseph’s Primary School, Nundah (centre), with Archbishop Shane Mackinlay (left), and BCE Acting Executive Director Ross Tarlinton (right). ©Brisbane Catholic Education (2026).

Image caption 2: Director of People and Engagement Services Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Schools Rosie Gillespie, Executive Director at Townsville Catholic Education Jacqui Francis, CEO Catholic Education Queensland Limited Allan Blagaich, CEQL Chair Madeline Brennan KC, Queensland Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek MP, Archbishop Shane Mackinlay, BCE Acting Executive Director Ross Tarlinton, Executive Director of the Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns Durm O'Riordan. ©Brisbane Catholic Education (2026).