1.  CATHOLIC EDUCATION IN WANGARATTA

 

 

1.1 CATHOLIC SCHOOLS AS CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES

       

The Catholic community of Wangaratta and surrounding parishes support a system of schools that aims to give a good academic education, and also to place special stress on the development of values and pastoral care of the pupils. These schools try to supplement the work of Catholic parents by co-operating with them in encouraging students to live full Christian lives according to Catholic principles.

 

To achieve this every effort is made to encourage the development of a strong sense of Christian Community within these schools. In practical terms this means striving for a feeling of family friendliness. Immediately noticeable should be a warmth, a closeness of human relationship between young and old, a true family feeling.  This is the uniqueness which is the very essence of the Catholic school and that many see as justification for the enormous investment of personal effort and money which the Catholic Church puts into its schools.

 

1.2 RECENT HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN CATHOLIC SECONDARY EDUCATION IN NORTH-EASTERN VICTORIA

 1.2.1. Prior to the early 1970's a number of schools close to Wangaratta offered secondary education.  These schools were:

 

Champagnat College 

Wangaratta   

          (Marist Brothers)

Delaney College       

Beechworth   

(Brigidine Sisters)

F.C.J. College

Benalla

          (F.C.J. Sisters)

Marian College         

Myrtleford

          (Presentation Sisters)

Marian College         

Rutherglen

(Presentation Sisters)        

Sacred Heart College

Yarrawonga

          (Mercy Sisters)

          St. Joseph's College 

Wangaratta

          (Brigidine Sisters)

1.2.2     In 1974 a Commonwealth Capital Grant was offered to Champagnat College for the provision of a new school. It was decided to establish a senior regional co-educational College to serve students of the area and rational resources.

          In 1975 Galen College was established as a result of a general re-organization of Catholic secondary education in Wangaratta and district. It was founded to serve as a regional Year 11 and 12 school in this area and located on the Marist Brothers' property adjoining Champagnat College.

          The decision was taken to establish a separate College rather than to expand the senior sections of the feeder schools because such a school appeared to be an effective way of modifying the traditional school atmosphere and coming to grips with the challenge posed by the increasingly high retention rates of older students.

      Prior to entering Galen College most students were enrolled at an abovementioned school.

 1.2.3   Galen College was named after Reverend George Devitt Galen, native of Donegal, Ireland. He was Pastor in charge of Wangaratta and district whilst the principle portion of St. Patrick's Church, Wangaratta was being erected. He died in November, 1869, aged 32 years.

1.2.4   In April 1982 the Marist Brothers announced their withdraw from Wangaratta at the end of that year. Prior to this date the question of amalgamating the three Catholic secondary schools in the town had been discussed and in view of the Brothers' withdrawal it was decided the amalgamation would be effective in February 1983. This decision arose from financial as well as educational considerations including the provision of a broader range of opportunities for all students in the school. From February 1983 until December 1989 the school operated on two sites, the Years 7 and 8 at the Ryley Street site and Years 9 to 12 at the College Street site.    During 1989 the decision was made to consolidate all 7-12 classes at College Street and this occurred in February 1990.

1.2.5 The Galen College community is pledged to maintaining an awareness of its historical roots and is particularly conscious of its major parent schools - St. Joseph's and Champagnat

 

Champagnat College had its beginning in the will of the late Patrick Naughton who in 1914 left, as a bequest, an estate of about 40,000 to be used for the Church and for educational purposes in Wangaratta. In 1940, the Marist Brothers were asked by the Bishop of Sandhurst (Most Rev. John McCarthy) to undertake the building and control of a College at Wangaratta. To this end, Sandhurst Diocese acquired about 70 acres of land on the OVens River and handed it over to the Brothers. The Brothers bought the adjoining 27 acres and it was decided to build the College. The College was opening in 1955. It stook on a 97 acre site on the western fringe of the City of Wangaratta with Ovens Rivers frontage. In 1982 the Marist Brothers donated the titles of the entire property to the Diocese of Sandhurst. Years 7-12 of Galen Catholic College are located on this site. 

     

St. Joseph's College began in 1887, at the request of Dr. Crane, Bishop of Sandhurst, the Brigidine sisters came to Wangaratta from Goresbridge, in the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin, Ireland. They opened a boarding and co-educational day school in 1888 and also formally took charge of the parish primary school. Co-education continued until the arrival of the Marist Brothers in Wangaratta in 1955. Primary classes ceased at St. Joseph's in 1963 and the boarding school closed in December 1964. In 1975 its two senior classes became foundation members of the Galen Senior College and as from February 1983-December 1989 the former St. Joseph's site was known as Galen Junior School.

2.      VISION & MISSION STATEMENT & GRADUATE OUTCOMES

 

During 2003, the Galen staff assisted by CEO staff and the Governor’s Council, reviewed our Vision and Mission Statements, as well as what we perceived to be the key notions of an authentic Catholic education.

 

 2.1 VISION STATEMENT

Vision 1 Because the Gospel is our inspiration:

·         We strive to build a community that incorporates gospel values by loving one another as Christ loved us;

·         We actively assist those in need by participating in community, environment and pastoral care programs;

·         We deliver a curriculum that encourages and challenges students to create pathways for life; and

·         We aim to be a vital part of the universal church.

Vision 2 Because we celebrate our Catholic Christian heritage:

·         We share our Christian story, impart Catholic culture and live its values;

·         We celebrate the College's significant events, achievements and the traditions of our founders;

·         We develop faith and integrity through our liturgies, retreats, religious education classes and the broader curriculum.

 

VISION 3   Because faith is dynamic and evolving:

·         We provide relevant and meaningful experiences to nurture our faith and spirituality;

·         We encourage understanding and respect for different expressions of faith; and

·         We support and enrich individuals' faith journeys at different ages and stages.

 

VISION 4   Because through education we nurture the whole person:

·         We endeavour to provide a pastoral care program that fosters an environment of dignity and respect;

·         We aim to deliver a balance of spiritual, academic, cultural, physical, emotional and social learning;

·         We aim to establish a dynamic structure that fosters co-operative relationships; and

·         We aim to promote skills necessary for developing life-long, loving relationships.

 

VISION 5   Because all are challenged and encouraged to pursue their dreams:

·         We encourage personal and professional development;

·         We aim to embrace contemporary and innovative educational practice; and

·         We aim to develop constructive partnerships between parents, staff, students and the community.

 

 

 

GRADUATE OUTCOMES

 

We endeavour to create graduates to:

 

Have a dynamic faith

Be committed to social justice

Be environmentally aware

 

Develop and sustain loving relationships

Be life-long learners

Realise their potential

Be creative problem-solvers

 

Be resilient, confident and independent

Be respectful

Have courage and integrity

Be self-aware

 

2.2  KEY NOTIONS ABOUT CATHOLIC EDUCATION

1. The school demonstrates fidelity to the rich heritage of the Catholic tradition.
2. The school makes obvious the integration of faith and life and endeavours to reflect critically on daily events in the light of the eternal and daily realities of the creation, incarnation and redemption.
3. The school develops policies and practices that promote among young people wholeness, co-operative effort and an appreciation for the unique gifts of each person.
4. The school hows evidence of practices that promote the care of all members of the school community.
5. The school provides an environment where students can reach full potential.
6. The Staff/Staff and Staff/Student relationships should be exemplary.
7. The school focuses on total development - spiritual, moral, social, emotional, intellectual - of the individual child. In doing so, it provides a context for each child's natural creativity to emerge and it stimulates a deep sensitivity to all existence.
8. School cultivates intellect, ripens capacity for right judgment, introduces to cultural heritage, promotes a sense of values, prepares for professional life, creates mutual understanding between students, and is a joint centre for families and teachers.
9. It is characterised by hopefulness. The students will move optimistically into a world which can, and must, be renewed, reconstructed, regenerated. Pessimism and alienation have no place in such a school community.
10. student will experience his dignity as a person before he knows its definition.
11. Gospel values should be evident in the total curriculum and the practices of the school. An orientation towards the "poor" such that it may inevitably mean some conflict with the demands of the competitive and materialistic aspects of our society.
12. Actions speak louder than pious declarations.
13. There is an emphasis on educating the whole person with preferential option for the marginalised and deprived.
14. Spiritual, moral, social, emotional, intellectual, physical growth of each individual student - their creativity and growth in sensitivity.
15. Especially poor - those who lack resource, competence, power and even, in a sense, acceptability
16. Every student, whether likeable or less likeable, a brilliant scholar or a slow learner, a co-operative student or a disruptive influence, has an inalienable human dignity and is approached with respect and even reverence.
17. The Catholic school is the place for the integral formation of the whole person, developing responsible, inner directed, freely-chosen faith.
18. Staff are professional, competent, ministerial, and committed to the philosophy of the Catholic School.
19. Staff speak to and about students in a manner which respects their human dignity.
20. The secret of education lies in respecting the pupil. Ralph Waldo Emerson.
21. Hold childhood in reverence. Give nature time to work before you take over her business. Rousseau.
22. Environment where students can reach full potential.
23. Staff/staff and staff/student relationships are very important.

 

WHAT IS A CATHOLIC SCHOOL?

 

It focuses on the total development - spiritual, moral, social, emotional, intellectual - of the individual child.  In doing this, it provides a context for each child's natural creativity to emerge and it stimulates a deep sensitivity to all existence.

 

It enhances the dignity of each person.  Therefore, its structures are liberating rather than constraining.  It has a tolerance of failure and a commitment to forgiveness and reconciliation.  It stresses the growth of the individual rather than the formation of people according to a set of narrow, preconceived expectations.

 

It stresses that education is a call to service, not merely a means of gaining material prosperity.  Its pronouncements and its procedures show that it values the achievements and affirms the personal worth of every child, not just the talented and the highly motivated.

 

It values openness.  This is seen in the quality of relationships existing between its members - children, teachers, parents, pastors - in a general openness to criticism and renewal, and in the establishing and maintenance of structures that invite and facilitate involvement.

 

It seeks truth.  Hence, young minds are coaxed open rather than indoctrinated.  The curriculum is designed in such a way that pupils develop an openness to truth, a tolerance of different views and an ability to judge critically and become inner-directed.

 

It is characterised by hopefulness.  Its graduates will move into a world which can, and must, be renewed, reconstructed, regenerated.  They must see themselves, with God's help and as part of his plan, as being able to make a difference.  Because of this, pessimism and alienation from the world have no place in a Catholic school.

 

It is an instrument of authentic liberation.  Its task is to set children free - from fear, from self-absorption, from aimlessness, from despair, from consumerism, from petty ambition.  It does this through the vision it offers and through the living witness that its members maintain.

 

GALEN CATHOLIC COLLEGE SCHOOL BOARD

 

Purpose:

The purpose of the Galen Catholic College school board is to sustain, develop and renew the school through effective utilisation of the knowledge and abilities of elected and appointed leaders from the school community.

Scope:

The scope of the school board’s work is to provide stewardship and to promote shared leadership in the school community in the areas of:-

·         Vision & Mission

·         School Programs & Operations:  Policies & Curricula

·         Leadership: Administration & Management

·         Resources & Facilities

·         Professional Development

Membership:

Appointed Members:

Parish Priest of St Patrick’s Wangaratta

Principal

Deputy Principal

Catholic Education Office Representative

One community nominee

 

Elected members:

Four Staff

Four Parents

One representative of the Parents Association

 

Four staff:

members to be elected by a process determined by the Principal in consultation with key staff groups and in accordance with appropriate awards and agreements.

 

·         Four parents will be elected onto the board.

·         Only parents or legal guardians of children attending the school are eligible for nomination for the school board.

·         All parents or legal guardians of children attending the school are eligible to nominate prospective board members.

·         Nominations for expected vacancies on the Board are to be sent to the Board Secretary a month prior to the date of the elections.

·         The person nominating and the nominee must sign nominations.

·         Nominations need to be completed using the nomination form approved by the board.

·         Parents nominated must attend a meeting that informs them of the purpose, scope, operating guidelines and decision-making style of the board and of the expectations that the board has of individual members.  This meeting will take place following the close of nominations.

·         Information regarding individuals seeking election will be distributed in the newsletter along with voting forms.  Votes will be cast in order of preference with one being the first preference.

·         The principal, the parish priest and at least one board member not seeking re-election will count votes.

·         All parents or legal guardians of children attending the school are eligible to vote in elections for parent board members.

·         The results of the election will be announced at the Annual General Meeting of the Board.

·         Casual vacancies that occur throughout the year are filled at the discretion of the board.

 

Parents Association Representative: One representative of the parents association will have a position on the board.  The process of appointment will be determined by the parents association and will endeavour to select a person who will best represent the interests of the whole school.

 

Community Nominee: to be determined by the Parish Priest of St Patrick’s Wangaratta after consultation with the executive of the board.

Executive:

The Executive:

·         The chairperson, principal and secretary will be the executive of the board.

·         The positions of chairperson and secretary are to be discerned by the members of the board.

·         The process of discernment will focus on the person who will best lead the board and to fulfil the duties of secretary.

·         The principal will deputise in the even of a short term absence of the chairperson.  If the absence of the chairperson is to be of a longer term then the board will discern a replacement.

 

Role of the Chairperson:

·         The chairperson is to ensure positive links with the school community, promotes and manages group dynamics, gains commitment to operating guidelines, ensures contributions are made and respected, fosters understanding of management processes and guides the school board in the spirit of shared wisdom.

·         For further information please refer to the Diocese of Sandhurst School Board Manual.

 

Role of the Executive:

·         The executive acts as the leadership team for the school board, operating in the spirit of shared wisdom, collegiality and collaboration.

·         Members of the executive will strive to ensure that the school achieves the highest possible standards.

·         The executive will ensure the school has a development plan which will enhance the educational culture of the school and is responsible for ensuring that the school’s improvement plan includes all areas listed in the scope of the board.

·         The executive, at the request of the Principal, can act on important and urgent issues that occur outside the normal board meeting schedule.

·         Parents members of the executive, or their nominees, will have a role in employing all new staff.

 

Tenure:

·         The principal, deputy and parish priest are members of the board for the term of their appointment.

·         The elected staff and parent members are elected to the board for a three year period.

·         If there are insufficient candidates available to fill the elected positions, at the discretion of the executive, a fourth consecutive year on the board can be served.

·         Elected members can only serve two concurrent periods on the board.

·         Elections will be conducted every odd year.

·         (In 2003 four members will be elected.  Two for two years and two for three years.  In 2005 elections will be held for two positions for a three year period.)

·         Parents are eligible to re-nominate for vacant positions twelve months after leaving the board.

·         At the discretion of the board, vacancies can be designated as available for 12 months only.

·         At the discretion of the board Casual vacancies on the board can be filled for periods up to 18 months.

 

Parents Association Representative:

·         The parents association representative will have a membership of the school board for three years.

·         At the end of three years the position shall be declared vacant and a discernment or election process take place.

·         One person can only serve two consecutive periods on the school board as parents association representative.

 

Community Nominee:

The community nominee will have a membership of the three years only.

 

Expectations of Board Members:

Board members are elected to provide leadership for the whole school and not just represent a section, or sections, of the school community.  Board members will be expected to:

·         Respond to all communication directed to the board through them.

·         Read all relevant school board communications.

·         Participate openly in all board activities.

·         Attend induction and development meetings for school board members.

·         Attend all board meetings where possible.

·         Be an active member/leader of at least one subcommittee.

 

Operating Guidelines

Meeting Schedule

·         The school board will meet twice each term.

·         The date, time, length and frequency are at the discretion of the board.

·         The board has the discretion to alter the number and time of meetings held in any one yaer if appropriate.

·         Subcommittees and working parties meet on a schedule that is appropriate to the tasks they are working on.

·         The executive has the power to call extraordinary meetings to address issues within the board'’ scope.

 

Quorum:

Two thirds of the members of the board.

 

Apologies:

Apologies for non attendance should be lodged with the secretary as early as possible.

 

Agenda:

·         The executive will meet two weeks prior to each meeting to set the agenda for the forthcoming meeting.

·         In coming correspondence will be reviewed at the agenda meeting with correspondence relevant to the board’s scope being referred on to the board or to the appropriate sub committee.

·         The agenda will be prepared using the meeting plan in the constitution.

·         The agenda and any additional information are then distributed to board members prior to the meeting.

 

Meeting Format:

Venue: Senior Library

Start:  7.30 pm

Welcome & Apologies

Opening Prayer

Focus Issues

Reports

·         Sub-committees

Vision & Mission

School Programs & Operations:  Policies & Curricula

Leadership:  Administration & Management

Resources & Facilities

Professional Development

·         Working Parties

·         Parents Association

·         Principal

·         Finance

Correspondence

Minutes from previous meeting/business arising from minutes.

Debriefing

-Confirmation of dates

-Meeting re – cap.

-Confirmation of next meeting

Closing prayer

 

Minutes

Minutes of each meeting are to be taken by the minute secretary.  Minute are to be circulated to all members as soon as possible following each meeting.

 

Changes to the Constitution

·         Proposed amendments to the Constitution to be voted on at the AGM.

·         A two thirds Majority of the vote is required to support the amendment.

·         Parents, staff and the Parish Priest can propose amendments to the constitution and they are also eligible to vote on the amendments.

·         A motion to Change the Constitution should be sent to the Secretary of the Board by 1st November.  It needs to be proposed and seconded by a parent or legal guardian of a child attending the school.

·         Details of the proposed amendment are to be published in the school newsletter prior to the end of the school year.