Catholic Character Review 2007

SUMMARY OF THE CATHOLIC SPECIAL CHARACTER 
EXTERNAL REVIEW REPORT
 
MONTE CECILIA SCHOOL
 
26-27 June 2007
(All excerpts are taken directly from the full report)
 
 
“To encourage growth through a Catholic way of life.”   These words of the Mission Statement have become like the school’s motto and are continually being promoted. Monte Cecilia School is proudly Catholic and strives to live out its Mission in the daily life of the school.
 
Core Values “ensure the Gospel values of Jesus Christ permeate all aspects of school policy.” (Catholic Special Character Policy)
 
These values are specifically Catholic and the majority could not be found in a school without a spiritual dimension. It is because of these values that parents have chosen to send their children to Monte Cecilia School.   These values which include the rich tradition of the Catholic Church, the development of a prayer life, the nurturing of a lifelong journey of faith, the centrality of Christ in the community and the sacredness of each person made in God’s image, underpin the total life of the school.
 
Even though the school does not have the benefit of the Parish church on site, they make extra efforts to ensure that the school environment reflects the Catholic Special Character of the school by using the beauty of the natural environment to set aside sacred spaces. These are marked with large wooden crosses and are used by the school for prayer and the Way of the Cross, during Holy Week. At the beginning of the year, the whole school community celebrated Mass in the school grounds.
 
The school has shared in the rich history of the site on which it is located, linking back to Whataroa Pa. The school shares the site with Monte Cecilia House and Liston Village and the newly established Monte Cecilia Park. They see this historic home and the village as part of their community. The school has documented the history back to 1846 and the role the Catholic Church has played since 1913.
 
Two of the local goals in the school Charter recognise the role that the family plays as the first teachers of the children and the importance of the family, the school and the Parish sharing mutual goals. “Communication is encouraged which helps us to be open and honest. This is very important to me.” (Parent)
 
Parents acknowledge the many opportunities they have to meet informally at school events, which are often liturgical celebrations and connected to the prayer life of the school. The school has an active Parent Teachers’ Association which sees its role primarily, to bring the school together and enhance the community life of the school. This group initiates many activities for students and families to come together.
The Parent Teachers’ Association work in collaboration with “the friends of Monte” to provide meals, transportation and other support to families in need.   Many parents willingly volunteer to coach sports teams, accompany school outings, support the school’s annual production and help in numerous other ways.
 
The Board of Trustees takes responsibility for Catholic Special Character seriously and in carrying out the annual self review, they always consult with the community and invite feedback about the dimension under review.   The Board publishes twice a year a newsletter to keep parents informed of their activities and happenings. “I love being part of the Monte Community…the Board of Trustees, Parent Teachers’ Association, staff and parents work very coherently and for common goals.” (Parent Survey 2007)
 
 “The best way to teach our faith is to live it. In their everyday actions, our staff shows their faith. Our children are privileged to spend their days with such a wonderful group of people.”   (Parent Survey 2007) This is an endorsement of the spiritual leadership that is provided by all staff led by the Principal and Director of Religious Studies.   They have a strong personal faith, a love for the Church and a commitment to their ministry. The Principal has an inclusive style of leadership and nurtures a co-operative and happy spirit amongst staff. Staff acknowledge that he is considerate and affirming and he happily exercises his leadership as one of service. He has an open door approach and parents appreciate that they are always made to feel welcome. He has appointed a strong senior management team which encourages staff to participate and express their ideas and opinions. The staff are a united team who are committed to the school and proud of what it stands for. They are dedicated and hard working, and take responsibility for the school’s Catholic Special Character and ensure that this is reflected in their students and their families. They work hard but temper this with a spirit of camaraderie, fun and good humour.
 
The Principal’s newsletters are affirming, engender a spirit of community and encourage participation. The Catholic Special Character is always acknowledged and they keep the parents informed about school activities, including religious events associated with the school and the Parish. When necessary, the Principal is prepared to take a stand and remind parents about the expectations of adults in a Catholic Community.
 
The school and the Parish are to be commended for the efforts they make to bring the school and Parish together, especially for the school/Parish Masses, which provide an opportunity for parents to become involved in the life of the Church. The school supports and encourages the children and their families who participate in the Sacramental Preparation Programmes in the Parish.
 
Some members of the Board are also on the Parish Council. This keeps communication open and ensures that reports and information are shared. There is a deliberate intention on the part of the school and the Parish to keep strengthening the ties between the two Communities. The Parish Priest visits the school frequently and each week he joins a class which is rostered, to prepare a liturgy to celebrate with him. Parents acknowledged the Parish Priest’s welcome presence in the school.
 
“The rich traditions of the Catholic Church” are a stated value in the school Charter and the Catholic Character Procedures state that the school recognises its role in ensuring that religious observances are part of the life of the school, so that children experience sacramental celebrations and rituals, which are appropriate to their stage of development.
 
As well as the Parish/school Mass once a term and the class liturgies, the school celebrates Mass or liturgy on special feast days and other relevant occasions. These include Ash Wednesday, the Way of the Cross during Holy Week, Easter, Pentecost, Mercy Day, St. Cecilia’s feast day and ANZAC Day.
 
The Religious Education Yearly Planner includes the roster for assembly prayers, staff prayer and the weekly liturgy. Staff prayer is scheduled each week and a Time Out day has been introduced. This is held at the Friary, which shares the same Campus. Parents have formed a ‘Mums and Dads in touch’ group, which comes together every Wednesday morning to pray for the school community.   Parents and staff are invited to place petitions in a box in the foyer and every school newsletter invites people to join this group. They also participated in a reflection day organised by the Friars. Parents are encouraged to join with classes for morning prayer and parents spoken to at the time of the Review, expressed their appreciation for being welcomed, and included at this special time of the day. Parents acknowledged the children’s sincerity and that prayer has real meaning for them. “Children pray from the heart.” (Parent)
   
Catholic Special Character is highlighted and well articulated in the Charter through the Mission Statement, Values and Goals. The Curriculum Delivery policy states that the school will provide a challenging learning environment in which all students will be given a balanced education in the context of the Catholic faith. This is further developed under one of the purpose statements, to develop a tangible Catholic environment within the wider Monte Cecilia School and parish community through the Religious Education curriculum. 
 
The school’s prospectus emphasizes for parents the way the Catholic Special Character is integral to the life of the school and explains the important practices that are part of this. Class prayer is one such example which parents are invited to join, as well as Mums and Dads’ prayer time each week. The Prospectus stresses the important place the celebration of the Eucharist has in the life of the Catholic curriculum, and the responsibility that parents have to ensure children can actively participate in the sacramental life of the Church, to make what they learn in Religious Education authentic. “If you want your children brought up and educated in the Catholic tradition and faith, then you as parents have to be involved.” (Prospectus)
The Staff Handbook states under Classroom and School Environment that “first and foremost the environment must reflect that we are a Catholic school.” 
 
“When you see the children and staff, they exude a sense of wanting to be at the school and working together to make it a special place. This is enhanced when talking with them as well about the enthusiasm for their school.” (Proprietor Representative’s Annual Report 2006)
 
The Reviewers observed this happy family atmosphere and spirit of co-operation between staff, students and parents. Parents testified that home and school relationships are strong. This was demonstrated in the recent parent survey. “I see in the children’s treatment of each other and the care the staff practice in their daily school lives. The way the majority of the community speak with each other exemplifies this.”
 
Staff appreciate the happy spirit that is evident among them. The staffroom is a place where they feel free to share problems, laugh and pray, and visitors are embraced by their warm and homely atmosphere.
 
Children were friendly, well mannered and interested in the visit. Students interviewed were articulate, enthusiastic and knowledgeable about their school and its Catholic history and practices. They showed pride in their school and were readily able to relate what they have learnt in Religious Education to their own lives. “The Religious Education being taught reinforces good morals that we are trying to teach our children at home.” (Parent)
 
The rationale for the school’s Behaviour Management Policy states, “We believe that all people are made and loved by God who has gifted us with dignity and ability. Jesus commands us, “To love one another as I have loved you.” John 15:12
 
The school is continuously ensuring that the Gospel values of Jesus permeate all aspects of school life, including the implementation of the Behaviour Management programme. Adults in the school community are encouraged to reflect the Catholic Special Character in their conduct and behaviour and this provides a role model for children. Underpinning Behaviour Management is the development of an environment in which mutual respect is a chief tenet. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their own behaviour and are taught to care for property and the environment. The school has a consistent approach to discipline and children are encouraged to be accepting and understanding of each other.
 
Children are encouraged to think of others less fortunate than themselves, by participating in various Outreach projects both internationally and locally, such as Caritas, 7 Days of Caring, Mufti Mania and Monte Cecilia House. The school supports a primary school in Fiji, which the Principal had visited on a recent trip.   One of the highlights of the school year for the students is the annual Mission Day. This is organised and run by the Year 6 students who contact local firms for sponsorship. This is a good example of the Religious dimension being integrated into the total curriculum.
 
The recent survey of parents demonstrated that the school has a strong Outreach programme and that there is an effective caring support network when a family experiences sickness or difficulties.
 
The school is fortunate to have appointed a Director of Religious Studies who has had considerable experience in Senior Management positions in Catholic Schools. The School Self Review identified significant areas for development and at the time of the External Review, many of these had already been acted upon. The School Self Review was carried out by the Director of Religious Studies who acknowledged the close working relationship, which she has with the Principal and the support he gives to her. She is a well-respected member of the Senior Management team and her proactive approach ensures that Religious Education is given high priority and status within the school curriculum. She is dedicated and passionate about her role and responsibilities, and her reflective approach ensures that the delivery of Religious Education is always improving and developing.
 
The parents and Board of Trustees acknowledged the competent leadership of the Director of Religious Studies and this was endorsed by parents in the recent parent survey. 
 
Through the leadership team, Religious Education is given high status. The Director of Religious Studies has identified the need to cull and re-organise resources and to update where necessary. The school, supported by the Parent Teachers’ Association has purchased picture and photo resources for each room and the Director of Religious Studies has made resource boxes for each teacher. The Parent Teachers’ Association have invited people to purchase one of these books or give a donation. This is an innovative idea and there has been a generous response from the school community.
 
The Director of Religious Studies has drawn up a Professional Development and Spiritual Formation plan, which includes the requirements for all teachers of Religious Education to gain Level 1 Accreditation or to be actively working towards this. This is an excellent plan and to give it status it is recommended that it be incorporated into the Strategic and Annual Plan and that each teacher has a Religious Education Professional Development goal as part of their annual appraisal.
 
The Principal and Deputy Principal have just completed their Masters in Educational Leadership through the Australian Catholic University and other staff members have the required points for Accreditation, which just needs to be formalised.
 
A meeting is held at the beginning of the year for new parents, and the Director of Religious Studies has a slot to speak about the Religious Education programme. Religious Education is highlighted on the school notice board, which is regularly updated. Parents are encouraged to purchase and use the family/whanau book, and reinforce at home what the children have learnt at school. The children’s activity books are sent home regularly and at the beginning of the year, a letter from the Director of Religious Studies is sent home with these to encourage parental participation in the children’s activities. Parents acknowledged that they enjoy reading these books and discussing the activities with their children. “The Religious Education book offers an all round understanding of the topic, Catholic teachings and values. This simple interactive book gets the teachers parents and children involved.” (Parent) “My children enjoy their Religious Education and my husband and I take turns in delivering the parent content and use the material to enhance our own family values.” (Parent) The Reviewers observed some very constructive parent comments in the children’s books “We learnt, shared and discussed heaps about Jesus. It has helped us expand our knowledge in this area and we are happy that we could do this together.” (Parent comment) 
 
Monte Cecilia is proudly Catholic and is a model of a successful Catholic school in partnership with parents and the local Parish Community. Parents recognise that they are truly blessed to have their children in a school where the Catholic faith and values are practiced in a warm and caring environment, and where people genuinely care for each other.
 
“I am extremely happy with Monte Cecilia School and my children are loving it.” (Parent)

 

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