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Catholic Education Week will be celebrated across South Australia’s 101 Catholic schools this week (12-18 May), inviting school communities, families, and staff to celebrate the high-quality teaching and learning that takes place on a daily basis.

This year’s celebration is significant as it marks 180 years of Catholic education in South Australia—a remarkable milestone that aligns with the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year. The 2025 Catholic Education Week theme, #ShineWithOpenHearts, reflects the heart of Catholic schooling—where students are encouraged to shine through kindness, compassion, learning and leadership.

“180 years of Catholic education in South Australia is an outstanding achievement and one that we should all be proud of. It is important to reflect on the early mission of Catholic education, to provide faith-based instruction to our young irrespective of their background,” says Dr Neil McGoran, Executive Director of Catholic Education South Australia (CESA).

“This year the Shine with Open Hearts theme for Catholic Education Week reminds us of the identity, mission, and enduring values that guide our schools. Catholic Education Week is a time to reflect on our shared journey, celebrate our achievements, and look to the future with hope and open hearts.”

During this week, schools across South Australia will celebrate the excellence of Catholic education and the values that make it unique while highlighting student achievement and outstanding teaching and learning.

The week coincides with the Catholic Education Awards South Australia, which take place in Adelaide on Thursday 15 May, honouring the outstanding teachers, leaders, staff and volunteers working in our Catholic schools.

This year’s celebrations take on special meaning in the Diocese of Port Pirie, where schools will come together under the theme ‘Seeds of Hope’ to engage in prayer, reflection, and acts of social justice.

A central element to Catholic Education Week is a social media campaign which invites all Catholic schools to share their stories through the lens of #ShineWithOpenHearts. Whether it’s through helping others, showing respect, sharing hopes and dreams for the future, embracing learning, or leading with love, every school community is encouraged to share what makes them #ShineWithOpenHearts.

Schools have been provided with specially designed corflutes where students, staff and parents can write simple messages and have their photograph taken as well as a pack of suggestions for classroom and whole school activities including colouring sheets, certificates, challenges and assemblies.

To complement this a Prayer Resource has been created by the Catholic Identity & Mission team, at CESA, providing schools with relevant scripture, song and learning opportunities around the theme of ‘Stories of Hope’.

From today we will be sharing these stories on our official Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CatholicEducationSA, showcasing the joy, hope, and community spirit that define Catholic education. Make sure you are following!