EDUCATION MATTERS: Opportunity for reflection proves fruitful
By Dr Terry McCarthy, Interim Executive Director of Catholic Education Tasmania
Recent data from The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) has invited the question of how we induct new employees into Catholic Education in Tasmania?
The NCEC was established by the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference as the peak body for Catholic education in Australia. NCEC data reveals that Catholic Education educates one in five students across Australia, or nearly 830,000 students in 1,750 schools. Importantly, 115,000 staff are employed across Australia in Catholic schools.
We recently enjoyed time with 81 new staff and explored questions such as: what makes a Catholic school ‘Catholic’; what does it mean to be part of a Catholic school community; and what is ‘formation for mission’ in a Catholic school? We shared some of the following with our new employees.
Mission: The mission of Catholic education is founded on the mission of Jesus Christ as expressed in Gospel teachings. Catholic schools and colleges are both educating and evangelising communities. They give an authentic voice to the religious dimension of life through the lens of a faith community. Our schools collectively strive to meet the challenge found in Matthew’s gospel, when Jesus commissioned his followers to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
Community: Catholic school and college communities participate in the evangelising mission in several ways. This includes the religious life of the school or college community, the pastoral and academic curriculum imbued with a Catholic world view, and the teaching and learning of religious education.
Formation: Catholic Education Tasmania fosters the formation of its employees to grow in confidence in their understanding and commitment to the mission of the Catholic school. The ‘Parable of the Sower’ is often used as a metaphor for the work that is undertaken in Catholic communities. It is foundational to the CET Induction program. The parable reminds all who serve in Catholic education that our work is a shared participation in Christ’s mission: to sow the Word of God through teaching, leadership, administration, care, service, and daily example.
Our Induction Program also covered the important area of Safeguarding led by our Manager, Tracey Groves. She shared the role and functions of the CET Safeguarding Team, including our responsibilities in supporting child safety and responding to safeguarding concerns.
It was a privilege to spend some time with our new teaching and school support employees from the South, North and North-West of the State. We wish each of them long and happy careers with CET. Thanks to all who contributed to the program in some way.