School Philosophy & Vision

INTRODUCTION

The constitution of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS) contains a Statement of Mission, which provides the expectations of the sole member of MACS, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne (Member), for Catholic schooling and the identity and work of a Catholic school. The Statement of Mission positions MACS firmly in the reality of the Eucharistic character of the Catholic school, affirming that its enterprise is one that builds community and provides opportunity for personal transformation.

With parents and parishes, Catholic schooling seeks to fulfil this mission by providing an environment in which students are enabled to:

• encounter God in Christ and deepen their relationship with him

• pursue wisdom and truth encouraged by a supportive academic culture

• grow in the practice of virtue, responsible freedom and serving the common good.

A Catholic school:

• is actively embedded in the life of the faith communities of the local Church, which in turn is tangibly manifested in the life of each school

• is an essential place for the evangelising of children and young people

• exists to assist students, and their families, to integrate faith, reason, life and culture

• is conspicuously Christian in outlook, explicitly Catholic in faith and practice, and intentionally missionary in orientation

• cultivates spiritual, social and emotional growth in a safe and protective environment

• provides a learning environment in which the whole educational community is formed to embrace life in all its fullness (Jn 10.10)

• offers a human formation that has the intellectual, practical and moral excellence of learners at its heart

• forms consciences, fosters peace and develops respectful dialogue, at the service of intellectual charity

• encourages the discovery of Catholic cultural heritage, especially in art, music, literature and architecture.

St Paul's Bentleigh is a school which operates with the consent of the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne and is owned, operated and governed by MACS.

St Paul's Bentleigh  is a Catholic [primary school which has been established to provide quality education in the Catholic doctrine for families in the Bentleigh area.

VISION

Our vision calls us to: 

• Welcome, respect and support all people as unique individuals.
• Nurture growth in faith and spirituality through the experience of daily life and learning in our community.
• Expect all to give, and to achieve, their best.
• Promote an ethos of care for the health and wellbeing of individuals, our parish school community and our environment.
• Build trusting, respectful relationships as the foundation for effective teaching and learning, and for growth in knowledge and appreciation of self and others.
• Provide a rich and challenging curriculum that empowers each child for life and future learning within a complex, global community.
• Achieve optimal standards in teaching and learning, and in the leadership and resources needed to support them.
• Develop authentic partnership between home, school and the wider community based on open communication and a shared commitment to the wellbeing of all.
• Be reflective and innovative in recognising and responding to the evolving needs of people.

ENACTMENT OF SCHOOL VISION AND PHILOSOPHY

In all documents, in all practice by students and teachers, in work with the School Advisory Council and the community, in all teaching and learning programs, in all school initiatives, in all internal and external interactions, in all organisational structures and practices the vision of the school will sit at the centre and there will be expectations about all work aligning with the school vision.  Regular evaluation processes will be in place to measure performance in all areas of the school with respect to the implementation of the vision and values of the school.

The process at our school can be represented as the vision, catholic values and beliefs at the centre.  In an outer ring there will be a set of principles.  As a further outer ring will be a set of practices.  A detailed list of school policies sits within this framework. In all work in the school, the question “Is this work or process in line with the school vision, catholic values and beliefs?”  This question will be a fundamental part of the practice of all leaders in the school.

REPORTING

The MACS Board will ensure schools have implemented a contextualised school philosophy using this template through the annual report to the school community and regular school review processes (at least once every four years).