ACU School Leaders Program

What students have to say about the program:

‘I loved all the moments of prayer and love how it was incorporated, it was truly such a beautiful aspect of this trip and allowed us to connect with everyone to a greater extent…’

‘The support and care received from staff was world class.’

‘All the staff on the trip this year was absolutely amazing and worked to prioritise the students’ needs and allowed us to feel so comfortable.’

‘This program was truly everything I expected and more and gave the opportunity to find yourself.’

What supervising teachers have to say about the program:

‘Participating in the ACU Student Leadership Program was a transformative experience that challenged us as educators as well as our Year 11 leaders to think deeply about faith, democracy, and our place in the modern world. Through expert teaching sessions, structured readings, prayer, and reflective writing, combined with site visits across Rome and London, we were able to connect classroom learning with real historical, cultural, and spiritual contexts. The program pushed us to engage critically, listen respectfully to diverse perspectives, and reflect prayerfully on leadership, justice, and service. Most importantly, it strengthened our confidence to live our faith with integrity and courage as we form young leaders within our school communities and beyond. The connections made and shared, conversations and opportunities for spiritual and faith formation make this an ideal experience for those educators who are open to learning about our Catholic tradition, its history and role in the world today.’ – Adam Calderone, Deputy Principal – Ignatian Mission and Identity, Loyola College; 2025 Supervising Teacher

‘In November 2025, I had the privilege to accompany ten Year 11 students from across the Archdiocese of Melbourne on the ACU Leader’s Program to Rome and London. Initially strangers, we developed as an authentic faith and learning community through study, field trips, shared prayer, the Eucharist, and thoughtful reflection and conversation. This scholarship program allowed the students to study the Christian eras in their original contexts. The students traced the Christian contribution to Western civilisation, which was brought to life through informative lectures, sacred site visits, art and architecture appreciation, historical narrative, biblical and theological texts. Experiences such as a papal audience, visits to the four basilicas of Rome, and tours of the Houses of Parliament in London and the Italian Parliament enriched our understanding of faith’s influence on Church, society and governance. The expertise of the ACU lecturers, alongside the chaplain’s spiritual guidance, deepened both learning and formation. I was struck by the students’ insights, their increasingly perceptive questions, and their joy for life and discovery. This program is an outstanding formative experience; these shared experiences have shaped their intellectual growth, identity as a person of faith, and sense of mission in the Church and the world.’ – Ria Greene, Director of Faith and Mission, St John’s Regional College; 2025 Teacher in Charge

What parents have to say about the program:

‘Prior to the program’s commencement, our hope for our daughter was that she would gain a broader perspective on leadership and find meaningful ways to integrate our family values with the needs of our local community. Throughout this experience, the feedback she shared was incredibly positive; she was deeply engaged by the curriculum and inspired by the sense of community within her cohort.

Since her return to Geelong, I have witnessed a significant growth in her connection to her Catholic faith and our family. She has returned with a renewed sense of commitment to the community and a more profound understanding of her personal beliefs and responsibilities within our local church.’ – Parent of 2025 Participant