Distinctive Catholic Ethos

“Root & Fruit”

Induction For New Staff

July 2014

St. Mary’s Catholic College

& Christ the King Catholic Primary School

Is Education About:

Getting a Job, Getting a

Life or Attaining Life

Hereafter?

What do You See or What Would You Want to See

When You Look at a Faith School?

Perspective is Everything

Distinctive Schools Monsignor Roderick Strange (2008) writes about the

work of John Henry Newman:

“An academical system without the personal influence of teachers upon pupils, is an arctic winter; it will create an ice-bound, petrified, cast-iron University, and nothing else’ (Historical Sketches iii. p.74). It was always the same message: education is never merely a matter of learning; it involves a care for the person as well … In so many ways education was Newman’s line. He cared for standards, but never forgot the person. He can be an inspiration for teachers and for all of us.

So when you think of those who taught you, ask who inspired you and how?”

(Strange, 2008)

RATIONALITY AND KNOWING

“A holistic appreciation of learning embraces a

wide spectrum such as, emotional, spiritual,

sensory, communal as well as cognitive

knowing. A good school provides opportunities

for the development of holistic learning through

an expansive curriculum. The ultimate goal of

all knowing in a religious tradition is the

attainment of wisdom. Wisdom is the art of

making life enhancing choices.”

Kevin Treston

Frankie Goes To Romano

Just In & Just OutJustice

“Then God said, let us make humankind in our own image … So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Genesis 126-27

“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone.”

Genesis 218

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 11

“And the Word became flesh and lived among us.”

John 114

“I have come so that you may have life, and have it abundantly.”

John 1010

Our Root for Wisdom

“Then God said, let us make humankind in our own image … So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Genesis 126-27

“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone.”

Genesis 218

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 11

“Then the Lord God formed man from the

dust of the ground, and breathes into his

nostrils the breath of life; and man became a

living being.”

Genesis 27

A God of Creation (Nature)

Humans are Created in God’s image and

likeness – deserving of dignity and our

respect

Humans as Relational Beings - People in

Community

Humans as Moral Beings

Humans as Earth People

God of Creation (Nature)

Self, Community & Relationships

1. HUMANS ARE CREATED IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, God created people in God’s image and likeness. Every person, created in God s image, is worthy of dignity and respect, regardless of social status, ethnicity, religion or culture.

2. HUMANS ARE RELATIONAL BEINGS

Our lives are woven into the tapestry of other lives. The core Christian metaphor for God is Trinity which images God as a communion of relationships. The experience of community for a Catholic school is not just some vague ideal but an essential mark of the school’s authenticity as a Christian learning community.

God of Creation (Nature)

3. MORAL BEINGS

A Christian anthropology insists that humans are moral beings capable of choosing good or evil. We are born both blessed and wounded into an imperfect world. A deep awareness of, and commitment to gospel values in the school’s curriculum, seek to foster the school’s culture as morally good. Formation in ethical behaviour pervades every aspect of school life.

Mercy (Forgiveness) Reconciliation: Sacramental

Justice (Reciprocity)

Formative Moral Development

Discipline Within a Community Trinity - God of Relationships & God in Community

Law of Love – Must be at Centre of Our Systems

Mercy (Forgiveness) - Reconciliation: Sacramental

Justice (Reciprocity) - Formative Moral Development

Joy – Let’s tell our faces

The Good Shepherd/ess Form Tutors - Mentoring &

Positive intervention

God of Creation (Nature)

4. HUMANS AS EARTH PEOPLE

A Christian anthropology believes that humans are created within an intricate network of life forms on the earth and in the universe. The creation story images God as creating men and women by breathing life into the earth (Genesis 2:7). Humans have a special responsibility for stewardship in creation. An authentic Catholic school will honour the interconnectedness of people with the whole of creation.

Quality of the Physical Environment Whole College

Departmental & Classrooms

Sustainability, Eco-schools, efficient use of resources

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 11

“And the Word became flesh and lived among us.”

John 114

“I have come so that you may have life, and have it abundantly.”

John 1010

Our Root for Wisdom

A God of Incarnation (Grace)

The Body is to be Respected

Humans are Spiritual Beings

Humans as Final Destiny People – back to

the Father we will go

God of the Incarnation (Grace)A Life Transformed

5. THE HUMAN BODY IS TO BE RESPECTED

Through the Incarnation, God, in the person of Jesus, fused together our humanity and divinity.

6. RATIONALITY AND KNOWING

A holistic appreciation of learning embraces a wide spectrum such as, emotional, spiritual, sensory, communal as well as cognitive knowing. A good school provides opportunities for the development of holistic learning through an expansive curriculum. The ultimate goal of all knowing in a religious tradition is the attainment of wisdom. Wisdom is the art of making life enhancing choices. Authentic faith-based schools encourage reflection, Sabbath spaces and discernment in how decisions are made.

God of the Incarnation (Grace)

A Life Transformed

Quality of the Human Environment

Developing the “whole person”

Spiritual & Moral Development

Education “beyond the physical”

Values based – Right & Wrong: Discuss!

Curriculum R.E.

Bishops’ Directory

Bishops’ Directive

7. HUMANS ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS

Within each person there is a yearning for ultimate meaning to the great life questions such as, What does it mean to live, given the fact that one day I will die? Comprehensive religious education, prayer, works for justice, liturgical celebrations and rituals affirm a sense of the sacred in the everyday life of the school. The presence of God is acknowledged in the whole curriculum.

8. HUMANS AS FINAL DESTINY

A Christian anthropology believes that death is that phase of human life which moves a person to another realm of transformed being. This transformed human life is impossible to describe.

Distinctive Education

The Fruit of Wisdom

Our Distinctive Ethos

A distinctive Mission & Vision rooted in faith, the dignity of the person and a “people in community”

A curriculum rooted in wisdom thinking where the richness of all subjects are respected and the spiritual & moral comes alive

A Discipline and way of being born out of love & enriching relations

Collective Worship & Charitable

Works Warp & Weft

Rhythm of the Church’s Year

Advent

Lent

Easter

Everyone’s Responsibility

Daily Act of Worship

CD-ROM & Prayer Books

Support - Chaplaincy Team & Pastoral Staff

Perspective is Everything

Sense of Vocation

Be the Self You Are Called to Be.

Bring Out the Same Self in Others.

“Building Communio”

I have come that you may have life and have it to the fullest

John 1010