STORY - "First Local Lay Director of Schools Appointed"

Having held the position of Acting Director of Schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle for the last 12 months, Mr Ray Collins said he was humbled by his recent permanent appointment to the position.

Ray is the first local lay director of Schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle. He attended St Brigid’s Primary School Raymond Terrace and Marist Brothers High School, Hamilton.

“I began my teaching career with the Department of Education at Bourke Public School and joined the Catholic system of schools at St John’s Primary School Dubbo. I have worked as a Principal, an Education Consultant, Head of Teaching and Learning and as Assistant Director of Schools over the last 25 years in two dioceses,” Ray said.

“I am married to Annette, also a teacher, and we have four children: Joseph, Clare, Thomas and Rebecca.”

While Ray acknowledges the many challenges before him in his role, Bishop Michael Malone says he is confident that Ray will make a significant contribution to Catholic education in the diocese. “He has worked in various capacities and he brings both freshness and experience to the position. ... He shone during his interview. He expressed articulately his passion for Catholic schooling, a passion which he says he has developed over many years and which still burns in his heart.

“Ray has proven himself to be an open-minded, broad-visioned man. He is able to look beyond the Catholic Schools Office and Catholic education to think about and plan strategically for the good of the whole diocese.”

“Catholic schools are a vital arm of the evangelising and catechising role of the Catholic Church,” Ray said. “As such they are closely linked to the life of the parish and the diocese. The Catholic Schools Office works closely with the Chancery and other agencies in ensuring a strategic approach to the challenges that face the diocese and individual parishes.”

Ray and Bishop Michael are also on the same page when it comes to the importance of the document Catholic Schools at a Crossroads, released in 2007 by the Catholic Bishops of NSW and ACT. “It challenges Catholic schools to become more ‘Catholic’, to unashamedly promote the Catholic faith, to promote liturgies and other Catholic activities. It challenges school staff to instil a sense of pride in students in being Catholic and attending a religious school. It reminds us all of the need to promote Catholic education’s values and virtues,” Bishop Michael commented.

According to Ray, “There is no doubt that families have moved away from regular attendance at Sunday Mass. Part of the challenge for schools is to provide opportunities where these families are exposed to Sunday liturgies where they will be welcomed and encouraged to become regular members of that community.”

As Director of Schools, Ray is responsible for 17,344 students and almost 2,000 staff.

“Ray’s fine leadership and his many outstanding personal qualities were certainly highlighted during July’s Days in the Diocese (DID) and World Youth Day (WYD) experiences. He was a wonderful leader, contributing to many aspects of DID and WYD - from strategic planning to cooking and assisting the pilgrims with their everyday needs. He was a welcoming presence and offered great practical support at our World Youth Day site at Kilaben Bay,” Bishop Michael said.

“I also respect Ray for his willingness to dialogue with others. He doesn’t jump to conclusions and make instant judgments. He listens and is very thoughtful in his decision making and discernment.”

“I want Catholic schools to be places of excellence in every dimension of Catholic education,” Ray said. “I expect our schools to provide a high quality of education in the academic sense but also in areas such as the performing arts. I want our schools to be caring communities where students feel supported through their school years and where they feel safe. I want them to be quality worshipping communities, closely linked to their parishes. It is vital that they are communities demonstrating great commitment to social justice issues; living the Gospel as well as proclaiming it.”

Catherine Mahony

Back to Aurora Homepage