Resources
Catholic Schools New South Wales Infographic
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Catholic Schools New South Wales Facts and Figures
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Catholic Schools New South Wales Structure
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What does Catholic Schools NSW do?
The aim and mission of Catholic Schools NSW Ltd (Catholic Schools New South Wales) is to support the Bishops of NSW in bringing to life the Church’s evangelising mission.
To achieve this, Catholic schools work to improve the education and faith outcomes of students by creating communities of faith and learning. This task means joining the “work of education with the explicit proclamation of the Gospel” (Evangelii Gaudium, no. 134), and by doing so, helping students to be good citizens in society and prepare them for their eternal life with God. Catholic Schools New South Wales is responsible for the following:
- receiving and distributing government funding given to diocesan Catholic schools for their day-to-day operations and for capital works;
- ensuring that Catholic schools and diocesan Catholic School Agencies (CSAs) adhere to compliance requirements;
- providing expert policy advice and direction through policy development;
- reporting to the Bishops of NSW on the efficiency and effectiveness of Catholic education in NSW;
- fostering collaboration and efficiency in the use of resources in NSW Catholic schools; and
- promoting and advocating for Catholic education in NSW.
The official Catholic Schools New South Wales role statement provides further detail on the role and functions of Catholic Schools New South Wales. It is available here.
Why was Catholic Schools NSW established?
In 2016, following a review of the then ‘Catholic Education Commission New South Wales’ (CECNSW), the Bishops established a new governing body for NSW diocesan Catholic schools. This was based on an express desire of the Bishops for more appropriate, efficient and transparent administration of Catholic schools in NSW. The new body better supports Catholic schools in meeting all their obligations and enhancing the delivery of Catholic education in NSW. The responsibilities and functions of CECNSW were transferred to Catholic Schools New South Wales.
Catholic Schools New South Wales aims to benefit all NSW Catholic schools and their leaders by encouraging and fostering greater collaboration at different levels among all of Christ’s faithful who share actively in the apostolate of Catholic education throughout New South Wales.
How does Catholic Schools NSW operate?
Catholic Schools New South Wales is a company whose members are the eleven diocesan Bishops of NSW. Each Bishop has responsibility for the CSA in his diocese. Collectively, these systems are recognised by governments as the NSW Catholic schools system. In particular, a company Constitution and ‘Canonical Mandates’ from the Bishops of NSW outline the functions and authority of Catholic Schools New South Wales.
Catholic Schools New South Wales is governed by a Board of independent Directors and its work is undertaken by an experienced and professional secretariat.
The Catholic Schools New South Wales Constitution is available here.