Unless we plan for and actively work towards a PREFERRED FUTURE, we may drift into a--- PROBABLE FUTURE

Transcription

1 The answer will be significantly influenced by the awareness and pro-activity of present generations of school and system leadership Unless we plan for and actively work towards a PREFERRED FUTURE, we may drift into a--- PROBABLE FUTURE

2 LIFE IS A VOYAGE ON A SEA OF STORIES The BIG Stories Our Stories The BIG Stories Our Stories MY STORY Our Stories The BIG Stories Our Stories The BIG Stories A COMMON THREAD IN OUR STORIES.. Our participation in the Patrician story in Catholic school education TSWS

3 A tribe to which we belong--- STORY OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN AUSTRALIA Brief snapshot only of phases Phase 1 European Settlement up to 1880 s Emergence of a small number of 1-2 teacher Catholic schools. Localised, community supported and autonomous. Modest government funding Phase s to early 1960 s After Governor Sir Henry Parkes Public Instruction Act, Catholics decide to go it alone. No more government funding. Expansion of a system of Catholic schools. Up to the 1950 s, staffed almost exclusively by unsalaried religious Sisters & Brothers, + some priests

4 19 th Century: Springtime in the life of the church, witnessing the birthday of a significant number of Religious Congregations devoted to Catholic school education IRELAND 1775 Presentation Sisters 1802 Christian Brothers 1807 Brigidine Sisters 1808 Patrician Brothers 1815 Sisters of Charity 1831 Mercy Sisters 1867 Holy Faith Sisters FRANCE 1817 Marist Brothers 1818 Marist Sisters AUSTRALIA 1857 Good Samaritan Sisters 1866 Sisters of St Joseph Other Religious prominent in Catholic schools from early times, De La Salle, Ursuline, Loreto, Jesuits, Salesian. From the 1880 s until the 1950 s,at least, Catholic schools in Australia were staffed almost exclusively by members of these Congregations. UNSALARIED. Heroic support from Catholic communities

5 Large classes the norm in Catholic schools well into the 1960 s 77 students in one class in Yr 4 -- Patrician Brothers, Liverpool 1964

6 Engaged Learning.Listen to Brother!...early 1960 s

7 Phase 111 From 1960 s to 1980 s Continued rapid expansion close to breaking-point mid to late 1960 s commencement of substantial laicisation of staff. First trickle of Government funding (1968). State only. Federal funding from early 1970 s onwards. NSW Catholic schools staffing 1965 Religious 69% Lay 31% 1985 Religious 9% Lay 91% Smooth transition from Religious to Lay Phase 1V From 1980 s to Now Centralisation of administration. Restructuring of Sydney Archdiocese Parramatta & Broken Bay Dioceses Formalisation of policies and structures. Emergence of ACU.. Teacher & Leadership training and development Professionalisation of staff. Expansion of non-teaching staff

8 Catholic Bishops of NSW & ACT Pastoral Letter 2007 Catholic Schools At The Crossroads The Catholic school system is one of the jewels in the crown of the Catholic community in our Region Widespread perception in the general community that Catholic schools are a good brand! In Australia in 2011: 1,704 Catholic schools 83,112 Staff 723,472 Students A proud story of Catholic school development from the days of going it alone in the 1880 s, through over 80 years without any Government funding, to NOW! A rich legacy for present generation

9 The story of Catholic schools in Australia is a proud one. Present generations of Catholic educators are now the Bearers of the Flame

10 THE ICEBERG What you see. roughly 10%, gets Its stability from what you don t see.. the 90%(approx) below the water

11

12 Teaching & Learning Assemblies & Rituals Technology Reports prep Documentation Meetings Communications Sport Student Supervision Interaction with parents Relationships SUBSTANCE WHAT YOU SEE IN MOST SCHOOLS Beliefs SOUL Values To ponder How much energy & resources go to nurturing the soul?

13 THE X FACTOR UNDER THE WATER.DETERMINING THE SCHOOLS UNIQUE CULTURE & IDENTITY.. ITS SOUL.a blend which includes the following * Vision * Mission * Values * Beliefs * Symbols *Stories * Assumptions * Ideology * Theory of action * PARADIGMS etc The soft agenda To ponder: How much energy and resources go Into nurturing THE SOUL * At school level? * At system level? Short Buzz

14 CURRENT REALITY? 2000 s + Religious culture...values & practice 1980 s 1960 s 1940 s Ever widening gap Religious culture values & practice Challenge for our times to bring the secular and the sacred into conversation?

15 DEGREES OF BELIEVING & BELONGING?? Working in Catholic Agencies Working in Catholic Agencies Frontier Land? Nominal Catholics.No affiliation with church More Than 8O % Eucharistic Community Regulars How is the Catholic school an experience of church for nominals? Special Feasts Christmas & Easter etc. Pivotal occasions Baptisms, Weddings Funerals etc

16 One perspective only.. Categories among those who tick Catholic at census time Eucharistic Community Regulars Close fellowtravellers believers but, not regulars Nominal only.. little or no ongoing affiliation Ballpark figures -- * Regulars less than 15% * Nominals over 70% In Faith we believe that the Good News of Jesus is for all people, in all times REFLECTION/DISCUSSION For the Church to be a more inclusive, more effective mission of Jesus in the world, what changes are needed: i) In current Church policies and practices? ii) In attitudes and behaviours of individual Catholics? iii) How can we assure that school is sensed by staff and students as a Gospel Community?