An Evangelisation Plan gives all members of a Catholic school community their shared purpose and shape to their unique approach to education, which is primarily to evangelise. This is a dynamic process whereby the Good News of Jesus Christ is communicated based upon student needs, staff capacity and available resources. A school Evangelisation Plan will establish priorities and outline strategies for a three year period, but reviewed annually. Above all, it should empower staff and students to participate. This includes appreciating the significance of all rituals and prayers. Chisholm Catholic College s Evangelisation Plan is in accordance with the requirements given to all Catholic schools by the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia. It is a privileged place for Jesus missionary mandate to transpire and transform.
STATEMENT OF MISSION To promote the formation of the full humanity of the student and his or her achievement of individual wholeness in the belief that all life has its origin and fulfilment in God; and that all human values find their completeness in the person of Jesus Christ. We do this by aiming to: develop our students intellectual skills, in particular, their ability to think and to reason, enabling them to seek and discover the truth; to maintain the centrality of intellectual development in the pursuit of truth, wisdom and goodness; HISTORY Chisholm Catholic College was established in 1989 as a result of the amalgamation of St Mark s College, Bedford, conducted by the Christian Brothers, and St Thomas Aquinas College, Bedford, conducted by the Dominican Sisters. From 1989 to 2002, the College had two campuses. The senior students were taught at the original St Thomas Aquinas College site in Wood Street and the junior students were taught at the St Mark s College site in Beaufort Street. In 2003 the two campuses were combined. provide for our students the highest quality moral, spiritual, religious and intellectual education within a loving and disciplined family of faith; care for our students as individuals; to discern their particular needs and to develop their individual talents; to encourage them to be active in the service of the community; prepare the students to be productive members of the global community and to direct them towards a fulfilling pathway in life; help the students to know themselves and to express their individuality through cultural, social and physical experiences. OUR MOTTO It was Jesus expressed wish that we should be extensions of His life in our time. I am the vine, you are the branches. The Church urges the Catholic school to enable the students to live a new life in Christ. Jesus is the Head of the school community. We seek to help students to grow like Jesus in the way they think and the way they love. The College motto GROW IN CHRIST is strongly exemplified in the person and life of our patron, Caroline Chisholm.
The Church exists in order to evangelise, that is to say, in order to preach and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners with God, and to perpetuate Christ s sacrifice in the Mass, which is the memorial of His death and glorious resurrection (Evangelii Nuntiandi 14). Church communities evangelise in different ways. Good evangelisation planning is a basic need for any Church community or group if it is to respond effectively to the faith needs of those it has been commissioned to evangelise. Catholic schools do so by striving continually to be good schools and teaching students to integrate faith, culture and life. These principles underpin the Catholic Identity of Chisholm Catholic College and inform the evangelisation process. GOOD SCHOOLS At its core, Catholic schools are good schools when they continue to offer an education that is distinctive in its vision of forming men and women as Christian persons. It is an active process that both staff and students alike engage in and is intentionally directed to the growth of the whole person. FAITH, CULTURE AND LIFE To offer evangelisation, Catholic schools also need to teach students to integrate faith, culture and life. A Catholic education is fundamentally a synthesis of culture and faith, and a synthesis of faith and life: the first is reached by integrating all the different aspects of human knowledge through the subjects taught, in the light of the gospel; the second in the growth of the virtues characteristic of the Christian (The Catholic School 37). CATHOLIC IDENTITY At Chisholm Catholic College, this Catholic ethos is explored through the teaching-learning process that is mindful of the seven principles outlined in the Bishops Mandate for Catholic education: centred on the truth, human quest for truth, value of all human learning, absolute values, religious dimension of human learning, knowledge offered in a spirit of service and knowledge brings responsibility. The College also promotes its Catholic character by the way in which Gospel values are immersed into the reality of College life. Whether that be through the effective incorporation of the Catholic Curriculum in all Learning Areas, indicating the interdisciplinary nature of the search for truth or the collaborative Campus Ministry programme where the community actively engages in the rich faith tradition so as to love, live and pray as Jesus taught.
EVANGELISATION PROCESS There are two basic elements to the evangelisation process. The first is Christian Witness whereby the actions and words of the community reflect a Christ-like presence and a Christ-like love to others. Christian witness is always the first act of evangelisation and is how people strive to live as they respond to the God who dwells within them. When Christians give witness, they become signs and instruments of God s infinite and unconditional love. The second is the Ministry of the Word where words are used to proclaim the Good News in the same way as Jesus did. The forms of Ministry of the Word that are appropriate to Catholic schools include: Primary Proclamation, calling people to accept initial personal relationships with Jesus Christ and share in his divine and saving power. It is a call to relate with Jesus personally and empowers believers to rise above the human tendency to sin so as to continually recreate and renew and become whole persons. Initiatory Catechesis, helping people mature from the initial conversion to Jesus Christ resulting from fruitful primary proclamation to deeper personal relationship with Him. It is an apprenticeship in Christian living and the ways in which the Church community expresses its beliefs, celebrates, lives and prays. Religious Education, sharing the Catholic faith with people by promoting knowledge and understanding of the Gospel and how Christians are called to live the Gospel in today s world. It is the first Learning Area of the Catholic school and has the same demands and rigour of all other Learning Areas. The Church s vision of the Catholic school as a place of evangelisation is an inspiring one. Today s society poses many and varied challenges to Catholic schools in their efforts to be good schools and integrate faith, culture and life. The Catholic identity of the College however continues to evolve so as to reflect the signs of the times and continue to meet the needs of the faith community. The Evangelisation Plan of Chisholm Catholic College gives life to the two basic elements of the evangelisation process. The Plan outlines strategies that will assist the community to Grow in Christ and contribute to bringing the Good News into all the strata of human society, and, through its influence, transforming humanity from within and making it new ((Evangelii Nuntiandi 18).
THE CREATED PERSON: PROMOTING MOST NEEDED UNDERSTANDINGS OF THE WHOLE PERSON 1 Cor 15:49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we will also bear the image of the man of heaven. Person SEXUALITY Understandings For Development of the Human and Divine 3.3 Human Sexuality matures as people express, as males and females, self giving love in all relationships. 3.6 Male and female are created different but are of equal dignity as being created in the image of God. Commandment Subject Witness Stage Effectiveness Indicator (How can we assess whether the students appreciate these understandings?) #2 Develop a sense of the sacred; respect. #5 Respects and does all possible for the elderly, the sick, those suffering disabilities. #6 Respects the integrity of one s own and others bodies. #7 Love for the poor. #9 To see the likeness of God in all; To love others as persons not as sex objects. In accordance with Catholic curriculum: Religious Education Christian Service PCG Program English Peer Support Media IT Science Health/PE Years 7-12 Through students response to community service. Through how students relate with each other and with staff. Through how students conduct themselves at social events. Staff Formation Information and awareness raising How When Effectiveness Indicator Reinforcement at PCA Meetings
THE CREATED PERSON: PROMOTING MOST NEEDED UNDERSTANDINGS OF THE WHOLE PERSON 1 Tess 2:12 We urging and encouraging you and pleading that you should lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. BODY Person Understandings For Development of the Human and Divine 1.2 To appreciate our bodies as sacred which is to reveal their likeness to God. 1.4 To respect the sacredness of our bodies and to treat them with dignity. Commandment Subject Witness Stage Effectiveness Indicator (How can we assess whether the students are critiquing this misunderstanding?) #2 Develops a sense of the sacred. #6 Lives chastely, respects the integrity of one s own and other s bodies. Religious Education Health/PE Humanities Science Home Economics English Media ITE PCG Program Years 7-12 Through how students relate with each other and with staff. Through how students conduct themselves at social events. EMOTIONS 2.3 Emotions need to be evaluated by the intellect, to assess situations good/bad. 2.5 The emotion of love is the most basic and is attracted by what is perceived by the senses to be good. It stirs the emotion of desire until the good has been achieved and the emotion of hope that good can be achieved. #9 sees the likeness of God in others. Love others as persons not as sex objects. Modest behaviour. Staff Formation Information and awareness raising How When Effectiveness Indicator Reinforcement at PCA Meetings
BELIEVING COMMUNITY Luke 12:32 Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Beliefs to be Proclaimed Commandment Jesus conceived by the Holy Spirit Need to pray for the dead Beliefs are listed under each article of the creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in the Holy Spirit. Advent Death of a loved one Assemblies Liturgies Retreats Prayers Caritas initiatives Feast/Event Way/Belief Proclaimed Effectiveness Indicator (Signs of student understanding) Newsletter School posters Handbook Newsletters Assemblies Retreats Parent Seminars Liturgies Prayers Visual cues at masses Chisholm Care Chisholm Day Caritas Initiatives Staff and students know and understand College motto. Staff and students reflect the College motto in their lives. Staff Formation How When Who Effectiveness Indicator College Chaplain and Ministry Team to provide input on various aspects of the beliefs to be proclaimed. Whole staff faith formation. As appropriate Response to input
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY Col 3:4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. Eucharist, Penance and Confirmation 1. How has our school life sought to help students in non-verbal ways to become aware of the sacred before celebration of the Eucharist? Bless with holy water; Genuflect when entering the chapel; Visual cues relating to etiquette; Presence of a sacred space. 2. How frequently have our students participated in celebrations of the Eucharist to be apprenticed in this act of worship? Community Mass; House Mass; Year group mass; Holy days of obligation; Special day masses e.g Chisholm Day; Graduation Mass; Weekly Mass; Thanksgiving Mass; Whole school masses; Staff masses; Retreat masses. Effectiveness Indicator e.g. attentiveness, participation Participation Attentiveness Staff & students receive dradeucharist/blessing 3. What practices or strategies have been used in our school to apprentice students In expressing thanks to God for blessings? Masses; College prayer; Angelus; Prayers in the daily bulletin; Intercessions; Prayers at start of RE class. In the sacredness of the scriptures? Trained Chisholm Ministers to proclaim the Word effectively; Gospel reading for the week is published in the Student Handbook; Explanation of Scriptures; Cues in masses and liturgies. The real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist? Trained Chisholm Ministers (staff & students)of the Eucharist; Encourage all students to receive the Eucharist/blessing; Encourage reverence in the Eucharist; 4. How has our school sought to apprentice students? Develop in general skills needed to prepare for active participation? Year 7 retreat; Celebrant explains the theme of the Mass; Power point cues. Prepare personally before each and every school celebration of the Eucharist? Celebrant explains the theme of the Mass; Power point cues. Staff Formation How When Who Effectiveness Indicator Personal participation at Mass Accreditation courses Whole staff faith formation As appropriate Chaplain/Deacon CEO External Presenters Response to input
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY Luke 15:7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. Eucharist, Penance and Confirmation Effectiveness Indicator PENANCE e.g. attentiveness, participation 1. How has our school sought to apprentice students? In the regular examination of conscience? Counselling (School Counsellors, Chaplain, Deans of Year, Staff); Reconciliation opportunities; explanation of messages from scripture to link their life with; counsel students to recognise good from poor choices. To express sorrow to God for sins? The language we use; Prayer of Contrition is taught and is in the Student Handbook; the availability of the school chaplain for reconciliation; the examination of conscience cues used at liturgies and Sacrament of Reconciliation. 2. How often have our students had opportunities to celebrate Penance for their apprenticeship in its celebration? Students receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at least once a year; CONFIRMATION 1. How has our school sought to apprentice students? In relating the gifts of Confirmation to the issues of their lives? Students participate in Christ s mission: Christian service; Students speak out when injustices are observed; They make Gospel a part of their daily life; They appreciate the gifts and the fruits of the Holy Spirit which are taught in the RE Curriculum. Staff Formation How When Who Effectiveness Indicator Explanation of reconciliation Personal participation in Sacrement of Reconciliation Accreditation Courses Whole staff faith formation Ongoing Chaplain/Deacon CEO Campus Ministry Team Response to input
THE PRIMARY PROCLAMATION John 15:11 I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. Sacred Focus (Classroom Prayer Centre, Chapel, Crucifix etc) In PCG room: Prayer centre desk with religious symbols placed on it e.g. crucifix, candle, box for intercessory prayers School and Year motto to be displayed on the pin-up board. In the Staff Room: Display of the Church s season e.g. Lent, Advent. Reverence Sign ( Etiquette, Expressions of Reverence) Educate staff and students on Chapel etiquette e.g. blessing, genuflect Effectiveness Indicator (What signs are there that students respect the sacred places and signs in the school) There is respect and maintenance of the sacred place in the PCG rooms. Staff and students bless themselves when they enter the Chapel. In the Classroom/Office: Crucifix Chapel Reflection Centre Staff Formation Information and awareness raising. Leadership Formation How When Who Effectiveness Indicator Mention at meetings Ongoing Principal Campus Ministry Team Heads of Learning Area Crucifix in all offices Mention at Academic Ongoing Principal Council meetings Campus Ministry Team
THE PRIMARY PROCLAMATION: SCHOOL THEMES Acts 5:42; Every day in the temple and at home they did not cease to teach and proclaim Jesus as the Messiah. Theme When Proclaimed How Where Effectiveness Indicator (Signs of Student Understanding) School Motto: Grow In Christ Year theme: Y7 Commitment to Christ Y8 Community with Christ Y9 Challenge for Christ Y10 Called by Christ Y11 Contributing for Christ Y12 Catalyst for Christ House theme: Keenan Wisdom Through Christ Laurence Learning Through Service O Sullivan Truth In Life is Victory Prendiville Build With Faith Ongoing Verbal Written Interactions Assemblies Parent seminars Meetings (staff, student councils, house) Peer Support Gatherings Newsletters Liturgies Retreats Chisholm Care Prayers Chisholm Day LifeLink/House Day Caritas initiatives Handbooks Staff & students know and understand the mottos. Staff and student reflect the motto in their lives. Staff Formation Information and awareness raising Leadership Formation Information and awareness raising How When Who Effectiveness Indicator Faith story and witness Ongoing Campus Ministry Team Achieve Accreditation Ongoing renewal accreditation CEO Faith story and witness Ongoing renewal accreditation Ongoing Campus Ministry Team CEO Achieve Accreditation
PRAYING COMMUNITY 1 Thess 5:16-19 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Formal Prayer Year Groups Intergration in the School Day Effectiveness Indicator (Do students know the basic formal prayers?) Sign of the cross College prayer Petition Our Father Adoration, Contrition, Petition Hail Mary Adoration, Petition Glory Be Adoration House prayer Prayer of Contrition Mass responses Grace Angelus 7-12 PCG time Masses House meetings Sacrament of Reconciliation Religious Education lessons Assemblies Year masses Whole school masses Graduation mass Any formal gatherings/events e.g.committee meetings, seminars Camps Retreats Staff meetings Languages classes Ability to recite the prayers together in a respectful and engaging manner. Staff Formation Awareness of prayers How When Who Effectiveness Indicator Staff prayer Weekly Learning Areas on Roster Attendance at staff prayer Staff meetings Campus Ministry Team Ability to recite prayers Leadership Formation Awareness of prayers Staff prayer Weekly Staff meetings Learning Areas on Roster Campus Ministry Team Attendance at staff prayer Ability to recite prayers
PRAYING COMMUNITY Eph 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Informal Prayer Year Groups Integration in the School Day Effectiveness Indicator (Sufficient opportunity to pray informally?) Understanding intentions for prayer use in PCG and preparations for Eucharist. Years 7-12 During PCG time prayer roster. Evident in actions. Creation of prayers using one of the 4 means of intercessions. Scriptural reflection in the daily bulletin. Camps/ retreats Grace before meals. Staff Formation Awareness of informal prayers/intercessory prayers Whole School Assemblies How When Who Effectiveness Indicator Staff prayer Weekly General Staff Evident in Action Intercessions at mass Mass attendees