Our Ministries

Dominican Education Council

The Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands have been engaged in the ministry of education since their arrival in Australia from Ireland in 1867. That ministry has encompassed teaching in primary and secondary schools, including schools for the hearing-impaired and vision-impaired, as well as in the tertiary sector.
                     
Since 1988 the Congregation has progressively entrusted the leadership and management of its Schools to the laity, through the establishment of Incorporated Boards and the appointment of lay Principals. The Congregation continues to exercise canonical stewardship and partnership in the governance of its Schools.

In the Year 2008 the Congregation holds Canonical responsibility for:

• Santa Sabina College, Strathfield NSW
• St Lucy’s School, Wahroonga NSW
• Siena College, Camberwell VIC
• The Catholic Centre for Hearing Impaired Children, Strathfield NSW

The Education Council of the Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands (to be known as the Dominican Education Council) was formally constituted by resolution of the Prioress and Leadership Team in October 2001. While the Council operates in partnership with the Trustees of the Dominican Sisters of Eastern Australia and the Solomon Islands, it has no legal existence in civil law separate from the Congregation.

Click here for a copy of the Dominican Education Council Charter
(pdf document – 251KB)

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Dominican Education Council is to contribute to the effective continuation of the Congregations’ mission in education as a vital and integral component of the Church’s mission

ROLE

The Dominican Education Council is a body established to work in partnership with the Prioress and Leadership Team in relation to the educational ministry of the Congregation. This partnership requires the Dominican Education Council to carry out a broad, multi-dimensional role, and to work in a manner that recognizes the rights and responsibilities of the Incorporated Bodies (School Boards), and affirms the importance and identity of each School.

DEC MEMBER PROFILES

• Sr Julianna Drobik OP (Executive Director)
• Professor Raymond Canning
• Mrs Sue Fabian
• Sr Mary-Clare Holland
• Ms Miriam Stiel
• Ms Gail Gill

ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM

The Dominican Education Council is responsible for hosting an Annual Symposium for the Chairman and Deputy Chairmen of the School/Colleges, Incorporated Boards, Principals and the members of the Congregational Leadership Team. The Symposium provides an opportunity for input on the Dominican Charism, story and tradition and for dialogue on school governance, in particular an exploration of models for future governance of our congregational school/colleges.

The opportunity for reconnecting, building relationships between the various entities and the informal networking that happens between the key leaders in our schools is an important part of the annual gathering.

2008 Symposium - Click here

Keynote Address: Sr Mary Britt OP - Click here

2007 Symposium - Click here

Symposium Report - Click here

Keynote Address: Fr Mark O'Brien OP - Click here

2006 Symposium - Click here

Keynote Address: Sr Diana Woods OP - Click here

2005 Symposium - Click here

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