Catholic Schools Today

Today’s Catholic schools are vibrant communities which provide high-quality educational opportunities. Inspired by the teachings of Jesus, Catholic schools enable learning, faith, life and culture to converge within a safe and supportive environment. Catholic schools are inclusive, welcoming and focus on nurturing each student’s unique potential.

Working in partnership with parents, Catholic schools provide students with rich learning experiences.  Students’ knowledge and capabilities are developed across all learning areas of the Victorian Curriculum, with teachers aiming to support each child at his/her point of need in order to progress their learning.  The Religious Education Curriculum of the Diocese of Sale To Live in Christ Jesus, invites students to develop a capacity for reflection, for deepening their appreciation of their life, the lives of others and the environment and to look to the future with optimism and hope; being open to seeing God in all things.

Catholic schools aim to equip students with the skills necessary to be critical thinkers, lifelong learners and active contributors and participants in society. A commitment to exploring contemporary issues such as social justice, equality and stewardship of creation aims to energise students, encouraging them to embrace their ability to effect positive change in their world; local and global.

What do Catholic schools strive to do:

While attending a Catholic school, students can expect that their school will strive to:

• Keep them safe

• Meet their educational, wellbeing, social and emotional needs

• Ensure they have a say in their learning

• See them as a valued member of a school community

• Be inclusive and respectful - acknowledging and valuing their religious beliefs and cultural heritage

• Challenge and inspire each individual

• Provide a range of specialist subjects, including languages, art, sport and music

• Assist the student to learn about social justice  

• Provide them the opportunity to attend school camps and excursions where learning can take place and be applied in real-world settings

• Develop an openness to and understanding of, the person and mission of Jesus as experienced through the Catholic faith

Parents can expect that Catholic schools will strive to:

• Respect, value and welcome them as the first and most important educators of their child

• Exceed the Child Safe Standards as set by the Victorian Government, so as to ensure the highest levels of safety and protection of all students

• Educate the whole child, mindful of their academic, emotional, physical, spiritual and creative gifts and needs

• Teach the Victorian Curriculum and the Religious Education curriculum of the Diocese of Sale, To live in Christ Jesus

• Keep abreast of the latest research in learning and teaching, so as to ensure the best approaches to learning and teaching are being employed

• Tailor learning experiences to meet the needs of each child, and assist their progress over time

• Be in communication with them, providing feedback about the ongoing learning progression of their child

• Provide specialist subject areas such as languages other than English, physical education, music and art

• Use technology as a tool to support learning

• Promote equality, justice and respect for all, especially people with different faith stances and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

• Teach the Christian story as experienced through the Catholic tradition, in a way which is relevant, meaningful and life-enhancing for today’s students