Overview

The CECV is the peak body for Catholic school education in Victoria.

We play a vital role in ensuring that every Victorian Catholic school has a voice in state and national matters, can respond to regulatory agencies effectively, and is able to meet the contemporary challenges of Catholic intellectual, spiritual and educational excellence.

As the single body representing Catholic education providers in Victoria, we work on behalf of diocesan education companies in Melbourne, Ballarat, Sale and Sandhurst, and Religious Institute and Ministerial Public Juridic Person education entities to promote Catholic education and advocate for our students’ needs.

We are also responsible for receiving, distributing and reporting on government funding provided for Catholic schools in Victoria.

In 2023, the Victorian Bishops appointed the CECV Implementation Committee to oversee and manage the most significant reform and renewal process to the CECV since its inception in 1973. This process will result in a stronger more effective organisation, to the benefit of more than 213,000 students across almost 500 Catholic schools across Victoria.

Governance

Governance

The CECV has established a number of committees to oversee its operations, provide regular reporting and policy advice.

The CECV supports Catholic schools in compliance with all requirements under relevant laws for their ongoing registration as schools in Victoria, including review and monitoring.

The CECV is committed to a best practice approach to the Victorian legislative reforms related to the protection of children. We have established a Child Safety Working Party to further support the development of policies and practices that enable Victorian Catholic schools to take a proactive role in the care, wellbeing and protection of children and young people.

Catholic schools in Victoria have programs and provide services to students and their families in the areas of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student education, Anaphylaxis management, an Intervention Framework, New Arrivals program – English as an additional language, gifted students, referral services, specialised therapy and students with disability support.

The CECV coordinates enterprise bargaining processes and provides employee relations services to Catholic education providers across Victoria.

The CECV has undertaken projects to benefit and advance Catholic education in Victoria including the Enhancing Catholic Identity in Schools Project (ECISP) and the Integrated Catholic Online Network (ICON).

The CECV is committed to ensuring that all Catholic schools are as prepared as possible for dealing with emergencies including natural disasters and pandemics. The safety of students and staff is paramount. Every school has an emergency management plan that outlines responsibilities, procedures and actions in the event of an emergency.

The CECV collects and manages statistical data and information on Catholic education in Victoria.

CECV Stratagic Plan 2015-2019
CECV Strategic Plan

 

Representation

Representation

The CECV and the diocesan Catholic education offices maintain cooperative links with a wide range of educational bodies in Victoria and nationally.

State

Independent Schools Victoria (ISV)
Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA)
Victorian Government Department of Education and Training (DET)
Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT)
Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA)

National

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)
Australian Government Department of Educatiom Skills and Employment
Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL)
National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC)

Regular liaison occurs with both government and opposition parties at state and federal levels.