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Catholic Education SA has been named among the winners at the 2021 SA Child Protection Awards.

The Awards recognise the contributions government, non-government and philanthropic partners have made to improve the lives of families, children and young people.

One of four finalists for the ‘Improving education and learning outcomes for children and young people in care’ award, CESA has taken out the award for its ‘generous scholarship program which provides scholarships to 200 children and young people to attend Catholic primary and secondary schools across the state’.

The Awards, delivered by the Department for Child Protection (DCP) in partnership with the National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) celebrate the achievements of those who provide vital support to vulnerable children and young people and inspire others to support children and young people in care.

The Catholic Schools Scholarship Program is an innovative collaboration between Catholic Education South Australia and the Marshall Liberal Government, which aims to remove any financial barriers so that young people in care have the opportunity to not only attend school but to thrive in a positive learning environment.

First announced in June 2020, the program currently has 192 new students enrolled or due to start next year in our Catholic schools.

Each recipient will receive full tuition, uniforms, textbooks, excursion and extracurricular activities, that will continue each year until the child or young person completes their schooling.

The scholarship program, funded by Catholic Education South Australia, is available to children and young people in both metropolitan and regional SA who are enrolling for the first time in a Catholic school.

CESA works closely with Department for Child Protection caseworkers to identify children and young people who would benefit from the program. Any child or young person in care may be nominated for the scholarship program, and they are then matched with a school that best suits their individual needs.

The success of the scholarship program lies in the many Catholic schools who have so warmly welcomed these new students into their schools and communities.

Minister for Child Protection Rachel Sanderson said at the time of the scholarship program announcement that she is thrilled to partner with Catholic Education South Australia to further support children and young people in care.

“The Marshall Liberal Government’s partnership with Catholic Education South Australia aims to provide additional support to children and young people in care and their families, recognising that a good education is a fantastic foundation for life and all the possibilities that lie ahead,” said Minister Sanderson.

“Education empowers and we know a good education is the best foundation for future prospects and all the possibilities that lie ahead.

“I want our children and young people in care to believe they have the capacity to achieve anything in life – and these scholarships will go some way in helping them do just that.”

The Awards were presented at the SA Child Protection Awards Breakfast on Wednesday 8 September 2021, during National Child Protection Week (5-11 September 2021).

Pictured above L-R: Dr Neil McGoran, Director, Catholic Education South Australia, Hon Rachel Sanderson MP, Minister for Child Protection, Michael Lincoln, Catholic Education South Australia, Amanda Cescato, Senior Education Advisor: Learning Diversity and Wellbeing, Catholic Education South Australia, Gavin McGlaughlin, Principal, St Francis de Sales College Mount Barker, and John Mula, Deputy Director, Catholic Education South Australia.