A bold initiative
CSNSW has embarked upon a bold initiative called Connected Catholic Communities (CCC).
CCC is a response to the outcomes of the Australian Plenary Council by calling on those responsible for Catholic education – including parents and parishes – to identify and respond to the diverse needs and distinct circumstances of Catholic schools in Australia today.
"The 2022 Plenary Council reinforced the imperative of this co-responsibility, through a call to action, that a contemporary Church must ‘re-shape our engagement with the world … to identify and respond to the needs of the diverse and distinct circumstances of Catholic schools, through exploring new and different ways in building partnerships both within and beyond the school gate."
- Fifth Plenary Council of Australia Called by Christ – Sent Forth As Missionary Disciples
Our context
Schools are a reflection of society and the increasing demands and pressures of contemporary life are impacting on our schools.
Schools are often called upon to do and to be more in response to an array of complex family needs. This can take schools away from their core work in teaching and learning.
All schools have limited resources and complex workloads which can make it challenging for them to respond to the out-of-school influences on student learning and wellbeing. Collaboration with the broader community is required.
"We need to be bold and audacious – and we need to step into the needs of the community and the way modern families see our schools and what they need from them."
- School Leader Catholic School NSW, 2023
Our opportunity
We know our schools are instrumental in improving the life chances of young people and building social capital in the communities they serve. We also know how to alleviate the social determinants of education that might prevent a student from achieving her or his full potential.
New ways of working, which leverage local community and external partnerships to harness a fuller range of resources, provide the uplift required to holistically meet student needs and improve outcomes.
There is an opportunity to leverage the vast footprint of the Catholic Church and its agencies to do this. Collectively, we can reimagine the work being done and services provided in schools, both now and into the future.
"Schools defined as strong have intense connections with the community and other local services…A prominent role for professionals other than teachers – community partners, parents, and others – is expected, and welcomed. Strong partnerships are also welcomed as schools seek to leverage the resources of external institutions…”
- Schools as learning hubs, OECD 2020
Our collective impact
All young people in our Catholic schools’ flourish when their learning, development and wellbeing needs are supported.
This support comes through a holistic, networked model of schooling which operates in close partnership with their families and the wider community. Our families and staff flourish because they are part of this ‘Connected Catholic Community’.
"The Catholic school community, therefore, is an irreplaceable source of service, not only to the pupils and its other members, but also to society… Society can take note from the Catholic school that it is possible to create true communities out of a common effort for the common good."
- The Catholic School; The Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education. 1977, Section 4 - #62
Ecosystem of partnerships
We recognise that each community has its own context, priorities and approach to building this support system – an ecosystem of partnerships.
A school that reflects this spirit of co-responsibility and partnership continually asks the question: What is it that we can achieve together that we cannot achieve as individuals?
Strategic partnerships
We recognise that each diocese and school has different needs and challenges that impact their communities and students.
The Connected Catholic Communities initiative enable systems and schools to reach out to and network with; families, parish, community and support services to address the social determinants of education, remove barriers and create opportunities enabling all students to achieve the fullness of life.
Strategic partnerships leverage the resources of the community to address inequality and through collaboration, provide the uplift needed to develop a sustainable model for the benefit of all students and their families.