Largest Gathering of NZ Catholic Schools to Take Place This Week

More than 900 teachers, principals, lecturers, priests, bishops, school trustees will gather in Wellington from around the country, to celebrate and develop Catholic education at their triennial convention this week.

Hon Hekia Parata, the Minister of Education and Lesley Longstone, the Secretary of Education will address delegates as well as overseas keynote speakers Michael Holman SJ (UK) and Megan McKenna (USA).

A feature of the convention is the technology used in schools by students and teachers to enhance learning.

“We’re excited at having the digital hub set up to showcase some of the best up and coming technology used in schools,

“It’s important for teachers and schools to keep updated with learning new technologies so that they can fully utilise it in students’ learning, afterall it’s the skills they’ll need when they’re engaged in higher learning or work later on. This applies for our secondary schools as well as our adult learners,

“The focus on new learning tools doesn’t replace the teaching of subjects, or our core values and identity, but rather enhances it,

“The theme of the convention is ‘Living the Treasure’ this refers to the importance of reflecting on the culture and ethos of each of our schools that make them special character Catholic Integrated Schools. All of the seminars will focus on this dimension in some way,

“The aim of the convention is to strengthen this unique identity of New Zealand’s Catholic Schools and encouraging them to develop further as providers of cutting edge, high class education,

“We’re grateful to a large number of commercial sponsors that are participating in the convention and will be present throughout. Microsoft will launch its free software for schools, which will enable them to interact with one another in a relatively simple way

The Catholic Education Convention is the triennial gathering of all NZ Catholic Schools. There are 238 Catholic Schools, 4,000 teachers within the network across the country educating 66,000 students.
The Convention runs from 8-10 August at the Wellington Convention Centre.