‘i have come that you all may have life and have it in...

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‘I have come that you all may have life and have it in abundance’

(Jn 10:10)

‘The joy of the Gospel is for all people: no one can be excluded’

Pope Francis 1

1 Pope Francis (2013) Evangelii Gaudium –The Joy of the Gospel. St Paul Publications n. 23

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CharterIt takes a community to LEAD a Catholic school

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‘Educating is an act of love, it is like giving life’ Pope Francis

Why a Charter?

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The purpose of the Charter2 is to re-imagine leadership, to be aspirational, to embrace an

understanding and a culture of all of us - students, families, staff, principals and leadership

teams, Catholic education office personnel - being actively engaged in leading to give life to

God’s mission in the world.

The aspirations and processes of the Charter will enable all of us across CEWA to develop our

leadership capacity through a focus on identified attributes. It is intentionally formative

encouraging our growth and is characterised by commitment to a culture of personal

agency3 - self-determination of each of us in all aspects. This Charter respects cultural

diversity and provides a guide to the attributes, pathways and processes of engaging

everyone.

Why a Charter?

2 Charter – a document that scopes purpose and direction enabling broader understanding and commitment to it guiding the development of contributing resources. 3 Lovett, S., Dempster, N. & Fluckiger, B (2015). Personal agency in leadership learning using an Australian heuristic, Professional Development in Education, 41:1, p.140

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‘It takes a community to lead a Catholic school’

Why now?

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Re-imagining leadership in CEWA is motivated by the increasingly complex

landscape in which Catholic schooling is occurring. The urgency of the need for

change brings pressures and opportunities which require that all of us assume

personal and co-responsibility for the learning of students and each other.

The Charter provides a platform around Learning - Engagement - Accountability -

Discipleship (LEAD) which enables the flourishing of every one of us so that lives are

transformed by inspiring a ‘passion for learning and discovery, through a closer

relationship with Jesus Christ’ (CEWA Mission Statement).

Why now?

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• How do we enable our students to flourish?

• How do we invest in our teachers to make extraordinary learning possible and

demonstrable in every classroom?

• How do we engage parents as the prime educators of their children guiding their

children in faith and supporting them as they nurture their children to generously

contribute as moral and ethical members of society?

• How do we ensure that our schools are places where every student and staff

member has a sense of belonging, where everyone learns they have a

talent…realising that our lives have great purpose and that we have the power to act

responsibly and generously witnessing to the values of our faith in the everyday

inspired by Jesus Christ?"

“THE CHALLENGE FOR CATHOLIC EDUCATION IS HOW WE RE-IMAGINE LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT IN AN INCREASINGLY INTERCONNECTED AND COMPLEX WORLD AT A TIME WHEN THE RATE AND SCALE OF CHANGE IS SO ACCELERATED.”

In the words of the Executive Director:

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Who is this for?

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The vision that each person possesses untapped leadership

potential cuts against the grain of the corporate top-down

leadership model.

1. Everyone is a leader, and everyone is

leading all the time, well or poorly.

The Charter is for everyone - grounded in an understanding of leadership inspired by the Jesuit tradition described by Lowney4 in the following ways:

No one ever became an effective leader by reading an

instruction book, or learning one-size-fits-all rules. Rather,

a leader’s most compelling tool is who they are: a person

who understands what they value, what they care about

and who faces the world with a consistent outlook.

2. Leadership springs from within. It is

about who I am as much as what I do.

Leadership is not a job, not a role one plays at work and

then puts aside during the commute home in order to relax

and enjoy real life.

3. Leadership is not an act; it is a life – a

way of living.

Personal leadership is a never ending work in progress that

draws on continually maturing self-understanding.

4. Becoming a leader is an ongoing process.

4 Lowney, C. (2003 ) Heroic Leadership. Loyola Press.

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What are the guiding principles?

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These principles guide everyone across CEWA in animating the Charter so that it is

aspirational, inclusive, agile and responsive into the future. It has the promise of

transforming our personal and communal lives.

The Guiding Principles provide the shared vision that inspires us in each of our

communities to local action enabling students to grow and develop, harnessing

school effectiveness processes and encouraging innovative thought and response.

What are the guiding pr inciples?

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An inclusive and empowering vision and action for

inclusive leadership across CEWA will:

• Reflect a mission-inspired and effective Catholic

schooling system with a collective vision and

shared purpose5 welcoming and serving all.

• Promote the collective capacity of all staff

through a culture of dialogue and continuous

collaboration.

• Be committed to embracing the gifts of all

members of the Diocesan learning community –

families, students and staff.

The guiding principles

• Be informed by understanding leadership, governance and the

relationship with authority in all contexts, especially within the

context of Catholic education as a key mission of the universal

and Australian Church.

• Ensure equity of access supported by a variety of modes for

learning that meet the needs of the vastness of CEWA – ‘enabling

opportunity and diminishing inequity, and aligning and

empowering learners and communities in new ways’6.

• Engage in ways of being - learning, engagement, accountability

and discipleship which encourage greater flexibility, emphasise

personal capabilities, vocational call and opportunities for

contextualisation and personal initiative and agency.7

5 National College of School Leadership (2007) System Leadership & Governance – Leadership Beyond Institutional Boundaries. 6 Hallgarten, J., Hannon, V. & Beresford, T. (2016) Creative Public Leadership: How School System Leaders Can Create the Conditions for System-wide Innovation. WISE7 Dempster, N., Lovett, S. Fluckiger, B. (2011) Literature Review: Strategies to Develop School Leadership. AITSL Melbourne

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What are the key understandings?

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The Bishops of Western Australia in the Mandate8 declare that Catholic schools offer a genuine

educational choice in a pluralist society. Catholic schools contribute to the development of our young

through education, particularly to their formation in Christian conscience and virtue. To be Catholic

schools, they need to be good schools.

O’Leary9 challenges that the ‘task of the educator is, beyond the giving of new information to students, to

bring them to the edge of their own divine possibilities’ – this is all students acknowledging the presence

of God in every person. This is the excitement of the evangelizing challenge released through the

inspiration of the theology of Vatican II in articulating a dynamic understanding of Revelation. Within this

excitement is the challenge of continuing to encourage and awaken the presence of God in all of us –

this is perhaps one of the greatest opportunities and where the mission of God’s love in the world can

connect bringing together home, school and parish within the context of the broader Catholic education

community and the Diocesan communities.


8 Bishops of Western Australia (2008) Mandate of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia 2009 - 2015. n.6. p. 79 O’Leary, D (2008), Begin with the Heart…Recovering a Sacramental Vision, Columba Press, Dublin. p.28

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Pathways of attributes are mapped which invite each of us across CEWA to reach our God-given

potential while contributing actively to the flourishing of students, school communities and the broader

system of Catholic Education in Western Australia.

The four (4) Leadership Commitments are animated by processes of LEAD - the inspiration for the CEWA

Strategy Leading in a Flourishing Catholic Education System. The Pathways are intentionally expressed in

the first person emphasising commitment to inclusion and personal agency. The Pathways are informed

by international and Australian research.

(Bryk & Schneider, 2002; OECD 2008a; AITSL 2011; Forde, McMahon & Dickson, 2011; Leithwood, 2013; Kools & Stoll, 2016; Hallgarten,

Hannon & Beresford, 2016; World Economic Forum 2016)


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What are the processes?

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It is intended that the CEWA Charter will enable all of us to flourish personally and as a system through

intentionally interdependent processes that promote opportunity, access, innovation, new learning

patterns that enable the ‘agency of learners, not just as consumers of technologies, but as makers,

problem finders and solvers; and entitled, invested players in their own right’10.

These processes promote accountability to peers and communities, research and increasing focus on

‘learner engagement and personalisation in the digital age’11 through:


10 Hallgarten, J., Hannon, V. & Beresford, T. (2016) Creative Public Leadership: How School System Leaders Can Create the Conditions for System-wide Innovation. WISE

11 11 - Ibid. p.30

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• Identifying key personal and professional attributes

and skills that will enhance the flourishing of all with

the students as the focus: fostering belonging –

building trust; mastery – cultivating talent;

independence – fostering responsibility; generosity

– finding a purpose12

• Enabling self-reflection of individuals to ascertain

their development and learning needs in service of

others, developing goals based on developing

specific attributes and professional capabilities


• Developing pathways which interact within the personal,

school and system contexts and engaging learners in the

design and processes

• Developing personal pathways to work with a coach, mentor,

professional companion13 or trusted guide,14 engaging ‘elders’

of Catholic education and other ministries

• Working with colleagues to develop shared professional

learning programs and networks – local & online

• Identifying and sharing effective practices in developing

flourishing learning communities.

12 Van Bockern, S. & McDonald, T. (2015) Circle of Courage Schools in Brendtro, L & Mitchell, M (Eds). Deep Brain Learning. Starr Commonwealth. Michigan13 Degenhardt, L. (2013) Professional Companioning: Support for leaders in managing the increasing complexity of their roles. In Leading and Managing. Vol 19, no.2, pp 15-3314 Good, R. (2016) The Rise of Trusted Guides. Flipboard.com/@robingood/content-curation-world-9pgk3c6gy

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What guides our thinking and action?

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GIVE LIFE TO GOD’S MISSION

DEVELOP SELF & OTHERS

ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITY

CHAMPION INNOVATION, IMAGINATION & GROWTH

give purpose and focus to all action in continuing to build flourishing Catholic

education communities across CEWA. These commitments enable all of us to

contribute as they are applicable across all aspects of the CEWA community.

The LEAD strategy enables a consistent approach ensuring that all ways of

being – learning, engagement, accountability and discipleship – are the

animators of the action. The interplay between the Commitments and LEAD

guide:

• Inclusive processes engaging all in CEWA communities

• Pathways for learning for students and adults that engage participants in

design and modes of delivery that emphasise discipleship as the heart of

Catholic education

• Processes for the growth of self-awareness and accountability

to the community.

THE FOUR CORE COMMITMENTS

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BUILDING THE CULTURE OF CEWA

OUR WAYS OF BEING

Leadership pathways & processes

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COMMITMENT LEARNING ENGAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY DISCIPLESHIP

I participate willingly in prayer, liturgy and faith formation experiences both personally and in the community.

I am committed to building positive relationships with all community members –students, families, staff members and colleagues across CEWA.

I am committed to challenging unjust situations and practices especially those that oppress, diminish or exclude people

I endeavour to be a witnessto God’s mission of love which inspires and energises my work with students, families, staff members and colleagues across CEWA.

I am committed to growing in my knowledge about Jesus Christ who inspires the Catholic faith tradition and our work with students and families in Catholic Education.

I am aware of the needs of others and respond with compassion, especially towards those who are marginalised.

I am committed to responding positively to the needs of students and families across all the communities of CEWA and beyond.

I am open to experiences, relationships and learning that will deepen my relationship with JesusChrist inspired by the Gospel.

I set high expectations for myself as a learner, for students, families, and colleagues to transform our lives and communities so ‘all can live life to the full’ (Jn10:10).

I actively seek to welcome students, families and those marginalised into the school community enabling them to participate with dignity whilst outreaching to the broader community.

I am outward looking, seeking to advocate for the best opportunities for all students and families whilst supporting the formation of staff and colleagues in living the mission.

I am inspired by a vocational call to leadership for Mission and to being an articulate witness to the Catholic faith through word and action.

GIVE LIFE TO GOD’S MISSION

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I witness to learning for all through quality relationships with students, staff, families, carers and the wider community.

I am a good listener, clear in communicating with others and I am respectful and open to receiving and giving feedback.

I am confident in my qualities and capacity to contribute to the learning and wellbeing of students, able to persist in the face of challenge.

I foster a sense of sacramentality - seeing God in everyone - in all relationships with students, staff, community and the environment.

I am committed to growing in self-awareness so that my way of being will be life-giving, hope-filled, loyal and just with all members of the community.

I continuously improve my networking and influencing skills focused on enabling others in their flourishing.

I am reliable in fulfilling my professional responsibilities and motivated to continuously improve in service of others within the local and broader community.

I am committed to behaving with integrity inspired by Gospel values and moral purpose witnessing to Christ-centred values and ethical perspectives in personal, school or system practice.

I can communicate, negotiate, collaborate, advocate effectively and relate well to the school, CEWA and broader community inspired by the call to welcome and respect all, especially the marginalised.

I am able to understand and interpret complex connections across the diverse aspects of the school, parish and broader community engaging others in a shared vision for the future.

I show initiative, agility and resilience in leading and building the capacity of others to manage change in an increasingly complex environment.

I am committed to co-responsibility and contributing my gifts for the flourishing of the school, parish, local and CEWA community.

DEVELOPSELF &OTHERS

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My cultural heritage is welcomed and I have opportunities to learn about and build the understanding of our diverse and multicultural Australian community.

I feel welcome and valued in contributing to my school community.

I am committed to engaging with parents and the broader community in fulfilling my role.

I understand the dignity of each person and I am committed to learning more about and responding to the teaching of Jesus to ‘love for one another’ just as he loved us.

I advocate for the prime role of parents and carers in the learning and wellbeing of students and continually provide opportunities for active participation in all aspects of school and CEWA life.

I am trustworthy in dealing with challenging situations and conflict endeavouring to mediate ways forward that enhance the dignity of all and witness to Gospel values.

I engage others in leading through the formation of teams across all aspects of the life of the school community, building the commitment to the Shared Wisdom of the Spirit.

I collaborate with the Parish Priest and parish community to continually invite students, staff and families into deeper engagement with Jesus and the faith community

I lead an inclusive, outward-facing learning community drawing on best practice from other schools and systems, national and international research to address disadvantage and enable access and diverse voices.

I explore innovative strategies for developing relationships with families, gathering regular feedback to inform decision-making and the direction of the learning community.

I collaborate with agencies beyond education to support the health, wellbeing and safety of students, staff and families.

I collaborate actively and enthusiastically with the broader educational community of CEWA to create an interdependent, innovative and outward looking system of schools contributing to the common good of Australia and the global community.

ENGAGEWITHCOMMUNITY

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I am open to new ideas, ways of understanding and I feel encouraged to be curious and questioning.

I am a champion for student voice encouraging their imaginative ways of knowing and being

I am informed by current knowledge and research into teaching, learning and human development in being co-responsible for the growth, development and wellbeing of students inspired by Catholic Social Teaching.

I am committed to my own growth in faith inspired by Jesus and the Gospel, to serve students and families so that together we may be hope-filled and confident in our unique God-given gifts.

I am committed to continuous growth in learning so that curiosity, imagination and innovation are hallmarks of student learning and our way of being as a school community.

I witness to continuous growth, mindful of exploring and engaging the imagination and innovative ideas of students, staff and families in welcoming all so that together we will flourish.

I champion inclusion through the allocation of resources to ensure imaginative and innovative avenues are pursued so that students grow in their confidence to live life to the full (Jn10:10)

Inspired by my faith and knowledge of Catholic Social Teaching, I investigatedevelopments in educational, social and environmental trends to influence improved education opportunities for all.

I champion using researchin education to inform practice within our local school, across the CEWA system and in advocacy for education in professional associations and with government bodies

I champion the forming of partnerships within and beyond the school both local and global through the use of technology and multi- media, engaging students, staff and families.

I champion inclusion and the opportunity for all to grow through active contribution personally and as a school community to CEWA and Diocesan initiatives.

I advocate for continuous growth in educational policy and practice inspired to welcome all making a reality the opportunity for all to live lives transformed by God’s love.

CHAMPIONINNOVATIONIMAGINATION& GROWTH

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The following questions guide personal reflection and community accountability, community processes and resource development.

Implications andresource development

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L E

D

ALearning Engagement Accountability

Discipleship

Is leadership – personal agency - an inbuilt feature of all learning opportunities? Are the voices of all being included in the processes for learning? Am I open to learning and stepping beyond my comfort zone for others?

Are the voices of our community engaged in this process or project?Are we stepping beyond our immediate community to engage others?Are we engaging the research?

Am I reflecting on my personal contribution and growth so that students learn and grow?How am I contributing to my community so that ‘all may have life abundantly’?How am I contributing to the CEWA community? Am I just a spectator or a contributor?

Am I life-giving to others in my community in my relationships and actions?How is our community being the presence of Jesus and serving the common good?How are we engaging actively in the CEWA, Australian and global community?

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