A full electronic copy of this document is available from the NZ Catholic Education Office website.
Responsibilities of the School
1. School Strategic Plan
Each school is required by the Ministry of Education to prepare a strategic plan that includes provision for the maintenance and development of Catholic Special Character. For the purposes of the Review and Development process Catholic Special Character will be taken to include the dimensions and foci specified below.
2. School Self-Review
The school conducts a system of internal review to identify strengths and areas requiring development in each of the following dimensions and their related foci.
Dimension: CATHOLIC COMMUNITY - TE IWI WHANUI KATORIKA
The school is a community where gospel values are central, where faith is nourished and where Christian celebration in the Catholic tradition is highly valued.
Focus
1. Spirituality
The individual and communal spirituality of the whole school community is promoted and nurtured.
2. Evangelisation
The school is a faith community which endeavours to spread the Good News by word and witness.
3. Partnership
Education is a collaborative responsibility.
4. Values
The school identifies and actively promotes gospel values.
5. School Culture
Catholic Special Character is visible in the relationships, and the artistic expressions, seen throughout the school.
6. Leadership
Leadership effectively shapes the faith-based vision, direction, values and outcomes of the school programme.
7. Stewardship
The school accepts responsibility for delivering education with a Catholic Special Character.
8. Prayer and Worship
A Catholic culture of prayer, liturgy and faith-based celebration is promoted in the school.
9. Service
Students take part in ser vice and outreach opportunities provided by the school.
10. Social Justice
The school promotes social justice.
11. Collaboration With Parish / eucharistic communities
The school collaborates with the parish(es)/eucharistic communities of which it is part.
Dimension: PASTORAL CARE - MANAAKITANGA
The school community nurtures, supports and cares for individuals.
Focus
1. Relationships
The school is a friendly, welcoming, co-operative learning environment where the dignity of each person is respected.
2. Safety
The school provides for students and staff an environment that is safe physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually, culturally.
3. Behaviour Management
Discipline processes are just, compassionate, respectful and consistent.
4. Bicultural Commitment
The school is committed to the Treaty of Waitangi.
5. Cultural Awareness
The school is open to the enrichment of diverse cultures.
6. Organisation
Pastoral care is organised in a way which is evident to all members of the school community .
Dimension: RELIGIOUS EDUCATION - TE WHAKAAKORANGA WHAKAPONO
The school helps to fulfil the teaching mission of the Church.
Focus
1. Leadership
The Principal and the Director of Religious Studies provide leadership and sound management in Religious Education.
2. Religious Education Curriculum
The Religious Education programme is soundly managed and professionally delivered.
3. Integrated Curriculum
The teaching of Religious Education is integrated with other curriculum areas.
4. Resources
The Board of Trustees makes financial provision for Religious Education and Catholic Special Character resources.
5.Professional Development
The school provides opportunities for regular Religious Education professional development and spiritual development for all staff.
6.Communication
The school communicates with parents/caregivers about Religious Education programmes.
3. External Review
- Every three years an external review will verify that the school has appropriate systems in place that deliver the Catholic Special Character dimensions and foci, along with evidence of practice/implementation.
- The school will make documentation available as requested; will enable the reviewer(s) to speak to whoever they wish; and will allow reviewer(s) access to the school property for the purposes of the review. (cf PSCI Act Section 3 (3), Integration Agreement Clauses 6, 12 and 13, and Canon Law Can. 806.)
- Following the review, the external reviewer will provide a written report to the Board of Trustees and the Proprietor. To enable national trends to be identified a report will also be provided to N.Z.C.E.O.
- Where necessary, assistance and support will be provided by Proprietors' agents, to enable schools to work on developments or changes identified in the review.
- Recommendations from the External Review will be reflected in the school's Strategic and Annual Plans.
- At the time of the external review the review team will discuss with the Principal and the Board of Trustees the school's compliance declaration and the processes involved in completing it.