For her work in integrating speech pathology with education, Brisbane Catholic Education’s Catherine Court has thrust herself – and the role of Speech Pathologists – into the spotlight after winning the prestigious Archbishop’s Award for Leadership.
As we celebrate Speech Pathology Week (25 to 31 August), Catherine shares her thoughts on the essential role speech pathologists play across BCE’s schools off the back of her recognition at the BCE Excellence Awards.
Catherine said, “speech pathology is often viewed through a clinical lens, assessing, diagnosing, and delivering interventions to help students”.
“My goal, and that of our broader Speech Pathology team, is to integrate our work seamlessly within an educational framework,” she said.
“My efforts have focused on ensuring that we collaborate closely with curriculum teams, inclusive education teams, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education teams, offering a more holistic support system to our students.
“By working together with various educational teams, we can provide more comprehensive support tailored to each student's unique needs.
“This collaborative effort ensures that all students, regardless of their background or challenges, receive the necessary support they need to succeed at school.”
Expressing her gratitude for the Archbishop Award for Leadership Catherine added, "I am so honoured to have won this award”.
“It’s a testament to the hard work of not just myself, but the entire BCE Speech Pathology team and our broader inclusive education partners,” she said.
BCE Lead Education Advisor Inclusive Education Lynece Cavanough said Catherine wears numerous hats, including the supervision of 25 speech pathologists.
“Catherine recognises opportunities for collaboration across teams, and even sectors, to ensure that the work we do in Speech Pathology embraces many perspectives, achieving the most positive outcomes for our students,” she said.
“Through initiatives like the Foundation Literacy Monitoring Tool, which records student literacy progress in real time, Catherine has partnered with colleagues from the curriculum team to lead transformative projects that have left an indelible mark on primary students' literacy skills, preparing them for a lifetime of learning and success.
“As a supervisor to 25 speech pathologists, Catherine’s leadership has fostered a supportive environment where questions are welcomed, and growth is encouraged.
“Catherine’s commitment to excellence, combined with her unwavering adherence to Catholic values of compassion, respect, and integrity, makes her a truly exceptional leader and deserving candidate for this award.”
In 2024 Catherine was also nominated for the Queensland Catholic Education Commission’s Spirit of Catholic Education Awards.
For more information about Foundation Literacy Monitoring Tool click here.
For more information about the BCE Speech Pathology team click here.
About BCE’s Excellence Awards:
This year, 379 staff were nominated from across 101 of 146 BCE schools and seven offices for awards celebrating the impactful ways the nominees work to support and nurture the growth of students, including teaching, leading, and mentoring.