Can your school years really shape your life long after the final bell?

In this episode of Catholic Education Matters, we explore new research uncovering the lifelong impact of Catholic schooling on employment, wellbeing and community contribution.

Host Kate Fogarty, Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst, is joined by Bruce Phillips from the Victorian Catholic Education Authority alongside lead researcher and longtime public policy analyst Andrew Wade, to unpack the findings from a newly released study on the long-term benefits of Catholic schooling

Using data from the nationally respected Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, the research reveals that attending a Catholic school can have a positive impact on employment outcomes, general health, life satisfaction and community engagement - even decades after graduation.

In this episode, we explore:

• How the HILDA data reveals differences between Catholic, government and independent school graduates.
• Why Catholic school graduates are more likely to be employed, earn higher wages, and work in sectors that serve the public.
• The surprising links between Catholic education, life satisfaction and long-term wellbeing.
• What these findings mean for families, educators and communities across Australia.

Whether you're a parent, educator, policy maker or simply curious about the long-term impact of education, this episode offers fresh insight and a deeper understanding of how schooling shapes lives beyond the classroom.

Now join us as we explore what truly matters in education.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The HILDA Survey
• Victorian Catholic Education Authority

Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 55 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story.

Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Sometimes, to understand what matters most, we have to look back at how it all began. The history of Catholic education in Sandhurst is a story of people — ordinary and extraordinary — who gave everything to build something lasting.

In this opening episode of Catholic Education Matters, hosts Kate Fogarty and Jenni Kennedy from Catholic Education Sandhurst, take us on a journey through the extraordinary and often untold history of Catholic education — from its humble beginnings with the First Fleet to the establishment of schools across rural Australia.

This is a story shaped by people: the priests, religious sisters, teachers, families and communities who gave everything to ensure children could access learning, regardless of postcode or faith.

In this episode, we explore:

• How the first Catholic school was started in 1820 with just one teacher and one penny per student.
• The role of Reverand Dr Henry Backhaus, Bishop Martin Crane and the religious orders in shaping early education across regional Victoria.
• The Defence of Government Schools (DOGS) High Court case, and why Sandhurst became the national focus.
• The shift to modern governance and the lasting legacy of holistic education.

Whether you’re an educator, a parent or simply someone curious about how Catholic education evolved in regional Australia, this episode offers a compelling look at where we’ve come from and where we’re headed next.

Now join us as we explore what truly matters in education.

Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 55 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story.

Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

In this very first episode of Catholic Education Matters, Kate Fogarty, Executive Director of Catholic Education Sandhurst, joins us to introduce a brand-new podcast for anyone passionate about education, community and purpose-driven leadership.

From classrooms to staff rooms, this podcast brings together the voices of those who are shaping education in our regional and rural communities — teachers, leaders, allied staff, students and parents — as we explore the big (and small) things that truly matter.

In this episode, Kate shares:

• Why Catholic Education Sandhurst launched this podcast.
• What you can expect from upcoming episodes and spin-off series like Magnify Matters.
• How this platform will highlight real stories from real schools across our diocese and beyond.

Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, parent or just someone who believes in the power of education to change lives, Catholic Education Matters is here to inspire and connect.

Follow now on your favourite podcast app so you don’t miss what’s next.

Catholic Education Sandhurst is home to 55 Catholic schools across Central and North Eastern Victoria, educating 19,750 students. We partner with schools, students and families to provide innovation and excellence in education, inspired by the Catholic story.

Visit www.ceosand.catholic.edu.au or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.