FIVE educators from St Teresa’s Catholic College Noosaville have been announced as the winner of the Archdiocese of Brisbane’s prestigious Spirit of Catholic Education Award 2024 for challenging domestic and family violence. The team was selected as the recipient of this award for creating a program encouraging students and staff to stand up and run for people impacted by domestic and family violence, raising $59,000 over seven years.
The Archdiocese of Brisbane’s Spirit of Catholic Education Award 2024 winning team includes the following members of St Teresa’s Catholic College:
- Mark Roberton, Business Manager
- Meegan Keating, Student Pathways Officer
- Elizabeth Robertson, Teacher
The team has successfully implemented and designed a 12-week school-based program where students not only train to successfully complete the overnight Darkness to Daylight event, but also learn about respectful relationships and confidence to identify unhealthy relationships.
The Spirit of Catholic Education Awards celebrates the outstanding contributions of educators and volunteers within Catholic education in Queensland. The award winners will be celebrated during Catholic Education Week, hosted in Cairns on 22 July.
St Teresa’s Catholic College Business Manager Mark Roberton said the journey began in 2016 when he entered the challenge to combine his love for running and commitment to stand up against domestic and family violence.
“I felt moved by the experiences I heard at the pre-run vigil, and was inspired to get my students involved,” he said.
“This led me and the team to create a program allowing students to train mentally and physically for the Darkness to Daylight challenge.
“As part of the program students learn about the Power and Control Wheel, respectful relationships, and gain the knowledge and confidence to identify unhealthy relationships.”
Mark said it was a “huge honour” to learn of his team’s win against more than 160 nominations that were received for the Archdiocese of Brisbane area and across Brisbane Catholic Education.
"I hope this award helps to continue to shine a light on domestic and family violence, raising awareness and support for those affected,” he said.
"I would also like to acknowledge our students. Last year, one of our students broke 80km in one night — an extraordinary achievement that embodies the spirit of determination and resilience we aim to instil in all our students at St Teresa’s Catholic College.”
Challenge DV Chief Executive Officer Keith Tracey-Patte said he was pleased and proud of the amazing program St Teresa’s had built and the team’s dedication to taking students on this challenging but important journey.
“This is how we need to tackle the issue of domestic and family violence prevention - connecting with kids through their safe schooling environment and teaching them the facts about respectful relationships and domestic violence in a way that cuts through,” he said.
“Connecting this education with a social event such as Darkness to Daylight is a powerful way to close the loop on these discussions and serves as a way for the kids to demonstrate their advocacy in a team event that unites them and the wider community through a shared purpose.
“Challenge DV’s fruitful relationship with St Teresa’s is a great example of what we can achieve together and it’s an opportunity available to all.
“We welcome other schools interested in embedding these important lessons around respectful relationships for our young people to invest in this critical work so we can continue to see our kids armed with the tools they need to be safe and keep others safe.”
St Teresa’s Catholic College Principal Samuel Anderson said since its inception in 2016, over 100 Year 10 students have embraced the Darkness to Daylight program, embodying the College’s values of respect, empathy, and social justice.
“I am exceptionally proud of the Darkness to Daylight program and our amazing staff who have designed and led it,” he said.
“The St Teresa’s Catholic College Darkness to Daylight initiative is a good news story in positively addressing domestic violence within society.”
In 2023 the St Teresa’s Catholic College team and students were featured in a 37-minute documentary about the program Mark and his team developed. The documentary was produced by Challenge DV.
The trailer of the documentary can be viewed below.
For more information about St Teresa’s Catholic College Noosaville or to enrol click here.
About the Spirit of Catholic Education Award:
The Spirit of Catholic Education Award celebrates the outstanding contributions of passionate educators within Catholic Education in Queensland. Individuals or teams including staff members, parents/carers, or volunteers are nominated for making an outstanding contribution to the life of their school community.
About Darkness to Daylight:
In Australia on average 110 people die from domestic and family violence every year.
Darkness to Daylight is a 110km run where each kilometre represents one of those lives lost.
When you enter Darkness to Daylight, which takes place in May of each year, you are making a stand, helping to drive community awareness and intervention, and raising crucial funds to help prevent domestic and family violence.
For more information about the Darkness to Daylight challenge click here.
©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Teresa’s Catholic College, Noosaville (2024).
©Brisbane Catholic Education, St Teresa’s Catholic College, Noosaville (2024).