The power of hope to drive internal and external partnerships

A message from the Executive Dean Faculty of Education and Arts Professor Mary Ryan:

The start of a new semester is always a time of excitement, hope and opportunity, and this year is no exception. Although we are already a month into Semester 1, it's never too late to reflect on our goals and the collaborative spirit that drives our community.

This year, we are looking forward to sharing a series of events, featuring the Summit of Hope, which aligns with the Jubilee Year of the Catholic Church’s theme of Hope. The series will feature several online seminars through May to October and will culminate in a one-day summit on 20 November in Melbourne. These events will bring together partners and thought leaders within the community, and will provide opportunities for inspiration, collaboration, and celebration, reinforcing our commitment to creating an enriching and dynamic environment for learning, discovery, and faith formation.

Our hope for a more diverse and wide-reaching teaching workforce is taking shape. This semester, we are particularly excited to welcome new students to the All Points to Teaching (APTT) program, a collaborative, employment-based teaching program based in community hubs, that brings together the National School of Education and several of our institutes, including the Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, the Australian Centre for the Advancement of Literacy, the Institute of Child Protection Studies and the Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education. This program provides wrap-around supports to APTT students and partner schools in disadvantaged communities, enhancing teaching practices, addressing the national teacher shortage, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Furthermore, the APTT program supports our goal of widening participation, aligning with our broader objectives to make education more inclusive and accessible.

The Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education (ILSTE), formerly known as the Learning Sciences Institute Australia, recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary. ILSTE leads the Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment (GTPA), in partnership with the National School of Education and 18 other higher education providers across Australia. The GTPA has been instrumental in providing hope for many school systems by assuring the readiness of graduate teachers. This initiative not only supports our students and future educators but also aligns with sector needs, ensuring a high standard of teaching and strengthening the ties between our institutions.

We are also proud to highlight the remarkable achievements of our National School of Arts and Humanities, who have secured in excess of $3.9 million in funding from prestigious organisations such as the Australian Research Council (ARC), the Swedish Research Council, the Arts and Humanities Research Council UK (AHRC), and the Hong Kong Research Council. These grants support a wide range of projects and collaborations with external partners, furthering our mission to advance knowledge and build hope for a thriving community.

Across the faculty, we are fostering hope for a bright future built on the pursuit of knowledge, the dignity of the human person, and the common good.