Sydney
14 July 2002
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School defies terrorism
Pope ‘force for freedom and good’
Vinnies reaches out: a new generation
Abuse allegations ‘devastating’
Caritas renews call for help as southern Africa faces food crisis
Jason scores with ‘no sex before marriage’
‘Return to the scapular’ call for feast day
Medjugorje visionary calls off visit
‘Boundless plains’ to share with refugees? - Spirituality in Pub
Health care ‘not a commodity’
Fr Pat goes back to St Pat’s for jubilee Mass
Queensland search for men to teach
St Vincent’s clocks up 1000
IVF baby farming banned - Govt ‘no’ to sale of eggs
Witchcraft move under fire
Editorial: Tangled web
Letters: Catholicism and the Royal Family
Conversation: Never say never - always hope - Larri Hayhurst, nurse educator
Reflections: Justice: what it means to me
Earthcare - a call to ‘expand our vision’
Opinion: Where young and old share the joy!
Comfort zone
Embryos used to find ‘morning after’ pill
Stem-cell research: Warning of embryo use in human tests
Stem-cell research: Legislation provides for ‘destruction of embryos’
Stem-cell research: ‘Key principle’ at stake
Stem-cell research: Risks to egg and sperm
Resurrection and ‘last things’ in Catechism series
Sing? Yes! Sing-along syndrome? No!
Inspirations: Joseph, 8, gives up toys for Cebu kids
Queensland search for men to teach
By Damir Govorcin
Catholic schools across Queensland are preparing to launch an extensive recruitment campaign in an attempt to attract more male teachers following the release of figures showing females outnumber their male counterparts by more than three to one.
A taskforce, comprising principals and male and female teachers, will be set-up to develop strategies to make people aware of the opportunities of teaching in Catholic schools.
The extensive campaign will include placing advertisements in newspapers, and the distribution of information brochures and leaflets.
“The decline in the number of male teachers has been occurring for the past
15 years and it is a major concern,” says Queensland Catholic Education Commission executive director, Joe McCorley.
“It’s certainly beneficial for students to be taught by both male and female teachers. It gives the kids a balanced approach to learning about life.”
About 77 per cent, or 4,105, of the teachers at Catholic schools in Brisbane are women, compared with 23 per cent (1,205 teachers) who are men.
Mr McCorley says there are a number of misconceptions about the teaching profession he would like to dispel.
He said males should disregard notions about poor remuneration and that teaching is a job just for women.
The average male wage in Catholic schools has improved in recent years. A male teacher can now earn $49,400 a year, he says.
The recent public backlash over child sex abuse claims won’t make the recruitment of males any easier. But Mr McCorley says those who take up the vocation will play a pivotal role in kids’ lives.
“Teaching in Catholic schools is one of the most rewarding jobs you can have,” he says.
“There are different value systems and you have the opportunity to make a major difference.
“I’m sure there are males out there who have a gift for teaching, and it would be a shame if their talents go to waste.”