Catholic Education Week kicks off at St Mary’s

By Ryan Bellingham

May 6, 2025

St Mary’s Echuca Primary School hosted the beginning of Catholic Education Week this year, welcoming alumni student James McQuillan as guest speaker. Photo by Ryan Bellingham

St Mary’s Echuca Primary School welcomed a special alumni student for the start of Catholic Education Week.

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Paralympian James McQuillan was the guest speaker at the Year 5/6 student leadership conference, which marked the beginning of the week on Monday, May 5.

Mr McQuillan, who plays wheelchair rugby at a national level, spoke to the students about his journey to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Mr McQuillan addressing the crowd of students. Photo by Ryan Bellingham

He also discussed growing up locally, the injury he sustained playing football that left him a quadriplegic, travelling and his personal life.

Around 250 students from the Catholic Education Sandhurst Northern Plains cluster gathered for the conference, which began with a student-led prayer and tribute to Pope Francis.

Students from the Magnify Sandhurst Northern Plains cluster being welcomed to the conference. Photo by Ryan Bellingham

St Mary’s Echuca principal Jasmine Ryan said Catholic Education Week had been running for the past 15 or so years.

“Our theme this year is inclusion and inclusivity, so the kids learn about that through the guest speaker, and then they do all kinds of activities,” she said.

The conference allowed all seven schools in the Northern Plains cluster to access the same resources in one location.

“We pool our money together so that the kids don’t miss out on good opportunities,” Mrs Ryan said.

Catholic Education Week wraps up on Friday, May 9, and will see schools across the Sandhurst diocese engage in activities that promote hope and resilience.