EREA Christmas Message 2023

As the year comes to a close, can I offer my sincere thanks to you and your school communities for another year of educating our young people across Australia. Since beginning my role as EREA National Executive Director, I have been continually amazed and impressed at the diversity and depth of our national network of schools. There are no other school networks in Australia that traverse the geography, demographics and ages of Australian society. It is a network of which we all should be immensely proud.

I thank our new CEOs for their collaboration and leadership this year. It has been a pleasure to work with Chris Woolley, Matt Hawkins, Maura Manning, Andy Kuppe and Deborah Barker to build a national network committed to the Charism of Blessed Edmund in education.  I also offer my appreciation to our Governing Bodies and School Advisory Councils for their leadership and support.

2024 promises to be an exciting year as we collectively educate over 40000 young people to build a better world for all. The new EREA National Office will support the work of TEREA and the enlivening of the Edmund Rice Charism throughout our network of schools and Governing Bodies. Further information about the new EREA National Office is below.

I take this opportunity to wish you all a joyous, peaceful, and hope-filled Christmas and I thank you for your compassion, good grace, professionalism and exceptional contribution throughout the past year. As we approach Christmas, may the gifts of kindness, love, laughter, faith, joy, and peace be given and received in abundance. May the coming holidays bring relaxation and rejuvenation, and may you and your families stay safe and well.

The season of Advent reminds us to continue to be hope-filled in all that we do. A very happy Christmas to you all.

Dr Liam Smith
National Executive Director
Edmund Rice Education Australia