St Joseph’s Primary Riverwood pull out all thes

tops to celebrate diversity and
community

Catholic Schools Week 2012 which begins on Sunday, 29
April, will be a celebration of faith-based education and the outstanding
achievements of Catholic primary and secondary schools across NSW and the
ACT.

For six days, 20,000 staff and teachers from 615 schools and more than
260,000 students will strut their stuff to show exactly why Catholic education
has such an acclaimed reputation.

In Australia today one in five or 20
percent of all school children receive their education at Catholic schools. One
of the reasons is the consistently high academic standards, where students
continue to achieve marks well above the state average in HSC examinations and
the recently-introduced NAPLAN numeracy and literacy tests for primary school
children.

But along with outstanding teachers and academic, arts, cultural
and sporting programs, Catholic schools also imbue students with strong moral
and spiritual values.

Dr Dan White with Sam, a young student from

St Brendan’s Kindergarden class, North
Leichardt

Taking the theme: “Catholic Schools: Faith in Every
Student” for this year’s Catholic Schools Week, parents and local communities
will be able to observe teaching and learning excellence, as well as witness how
students are encouraged to celebrate their faith and live out the values of
love, compassion, tolerance and acceptance.

“As a father of six children
myself, I know first-hand that there are few more important decisions for
parents than choosing the right school for their precious child, where they can
be sure that child will receive the best possible educational experiences,” says
Dr Dan White, the Archdiocese of Sydney’s Director of Schools.

“In an
increasingly secularised world, Catholic schools unashamedly proclaim the love
and presence of God in a rapidly-changing and often turbulent society,” he
explains and emphasises how Catholic Schools Week serves as a strong reminder
that, true to Gospel messages, we have a responsibility to reach out to all
sections of society, especially to the disadvantaged and the marginalised.

St Brendan’s Primary students excitedly prepare

for Catholic Schools Week

“Our
Catholic schools do this magnificently,” he says.

But he warns that we
must not become complacent over recent achievements at Sydney and Catholic
schools throughout the State, including the outstanding HSC and NAPLAN
scores.
“The Catholic Education Office remains committed to focussing on
learning and striving for excellence, and is committed to meeting the learning
needs of every child regardless of his or her background or natural capacity to
learn,” he says.
Catholic Schools are inclusive welcoming students with
disabilities, from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as those from ethnic
minorities.
Throughout the week starting Sunday 29 April and ending Saturday,
5 May, parents and local communities are invited to join in the seventh annual
Catholic Schools Week celebrations. Not only will parents and others be able to
obtain a firsthand look inside classrooms to see students and teachers in
action, but they will also be invited to participate.

Youngsters Prepare for Catholic Schools
Week

At some schools, tables will be turned with parents and teachers
becoming the pupils and students taking the classes. At others school gardens
will be on display. Other students will present short plays or screen movies
they have made or interview parents and visitors to their schools for a tv or
radio project.

Parents will also be given an insight into modern learning
where smart boards, computers, blogs, podcasts and live streaming have
revolutionised teaching and the way children learn.
“Catholic Schools Week
gives us an opportunity to acknowledge our successes and achievements and to
show parents what their children are up to and why we do what we do,” says Dr
White.
To join in the fun and to find out more about Catholic Schools Week,
log on to www.catholicschools.nsw.edu.au
SOURCE:
ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY