Family and community engagement
Culture of our school communities
The Culture in each of our schools and colleges is a lived expression of each school’s ethos. Through internal and external relationships, policy, practice and ritual, our schools express core beliefs, mission and traditions that shape the lives of all in our communities.
Our Catholic identity’s culture is strengthened when school, home and parish work in partnership to integrate faith, life and culture.
Brisbane Catholic Education polices and processes about our student and staff wellbeing reflect our Catholic Identity and culture. Our schools also promote sustainable environmental and stewardship practices into their organisational structure and processes as part of this same culture.
Our schools assist parents with their responsibility for the Christian formation and education of their children. We acknowledge the diversity of roles held by our parents and affirm the role of parents as partners with the church, school and broader community.
There are Nine 'Capacities' identified as hallmarks within a Catholic educational community: presence; prayer; principle; welcome; ritual; journey; purpose; commitment; fidelity.
Prayer for meetings can be designed to promote productive, just decisions and be inclusive of all stakeholders. It contributes to the formulation of our Catholic school communities. For resources see Prayer Life and Liturgy.
School boards, parents and friends
School board formation: keeping faith
Keeping Faith presents 10 short sessions for School Boards or leading school communities. These are designed to provide a formative praxis developed around the nine capacities for Christian community identified in the BCE Formation for Mission Framework. These are hallmarks within a Catholic educational community: presence; prayer; principle; welcome; ritual; journey; purpose; commitment; fidelity.
Each session has a prayer format so that the reflection and sharing occur within this structure. The wisdom principle is that we deepen our understanding through a ‘head, heart and hands’ engagement with the tradition, the scholars, each other and our own reflection and experience.
School Board Formation – Keeping Faith
Contact: Michael Blanchfield - Education Officer Catholic Identity
Other Partners
The following organisations play important and significant roles in the formation of our Catholic communities and culture.
Archdiocese of Brisbane
The Archdiocese of Brisbane provides news and information about the Archdiocese and its 112 parishes, diocesan organisations, contacts and links. There are parish resources and support in sacramental education, adult ministry and pastoral councils.
Archdiocese of Brisbane
Liturgy Brisbane
Evangelisation Brisbane
supports the wider community through the Church bodies of:
Evangelisation Brisbane
Introductory theology – short course: ‘At Home with God’s People’
This is a program that is an excellent resource for individual or small group study (no assessment). It facilitates deepening understanding of faith, relationship with God and provides helpful information for ministry and discipleship.
At Home with God's People
Xt3
Catholic online network, providing an interactive social media platform for sharing videos, podcasts, articles and more. Enables youth and young adults to stay informed and in touch with church news and events.
xt3
National office for the participation of women
These groups bring women of ages together, young and old, to renew their faith in God. This resource includes free subscription to Women Matter E-news produced by the Australian Bishops National Office for the Participation of Women.
National Office for the Participation of Women
Catholic earthcare australia (CEA)
Promotes understanding among people that Creation is sacred and endangered and must be protected and sustained for present and future generations yet unborn. It gives advocacy in response to Pope Francis’ call for an “ecological conversion” of the world’s Catholics.
CEA
Australian catholic social justice council (ACSJC)
A national justice and peace agency of the Catholic Church in Australia. It promotes research, education, advocacy and action on social justice, peace and human rights, integrating them deeply into the life of the whole Catholic community in Australia. It provides a credible Catholic voice on these matters in Australian society.
ACSJC
Australian catholic migrants & refugees office
An office established by the Australian Bishops to inform policy and action and to act as an official voice on national and international migrant and refugee issues.
ACMRO
L'Arche
Based on a fundamental belief in the dignity of every person, L’Arche aims to create communities which welcome people with an intellectual disability and those who choose to live with them or support them.
L’Arche also seeks to reveal the particular gifts of people with an intellectual disability. There are many opportunities to get involved.
L'Arche
Founding Stories
All of our Archdiocesan school and college communities are encouraged to embrace a founding story. The charism of each founding story belongs to the whole church and the charism of each founder shines brightly as each reflects the person and gospel of Jesus. There is a connection in this for all members of our Catholic communities.