Salesian Review and Reflection Process

College – AUL

Compilation of Documentation

Charter for Salesian Schools in Australia

Preamble:

In keeping with the spirit of Saint John Bosco, whereby “education is largely a matter of the heart” that leads young people to “know that they are loved,” the Salesian school community of today is challenged to be:

• A home that welcomes

• A parish that evangelises

• A school that prepares for life

• A playground where friends meet and enjoy themselves

A Home That Welcomes By:

• Being committed to the care and support of all young people, especially the poor and marginalised

• Cultivating relationships based on genuine affection, openness and acceptance of others

• Fostering a spirit of joy and hope, based on the ‘Good News’ of Jesus Christ

• Encouraging an attitude of optimism and a conviction that life is fundamentally worthwhile

A Parish That Evangelises By:

• Having a strong and vibrant programme of religious education, liturgical celebration and sacramental encounter

• Addressing the spiritual yearnings of young people and adults

• Giving priority to the faith development and formation of staff

• Providing students with significant experiences of faith in action and apostolic involvement

A School That Prepares For Life By:

• Encouraging a passion for life-long learning and a quest for excellence

• Developing a sense of meaning and purpose, which expresses itself in a spirit of service and self-giving

• Proclaiming the challenge of community building, commitment to others and responsible decision-making

• Cultivating resilience, resourcefulness and adaptability as important skills for life

A Playground Where Friends Meet And Enjoy Themselves By:

• Being present to each other in an active, engaging and constructive manner, in fidelity to the Salesian Preventive System

• Building positive and inclusive relationships between each other

• Having a rich experience of interaction and sharing, especially between students and staff

• Creating occasions for celebration and festivity

Faithful to the tradition of Saint John Bosco, the Salesian school community is constantly challenged to re-interpret and re-enliven his educational vision in every generation and circumstance, according to the requirements of the contemporary situation and the needs of young people, to whom he once said: “I have only one wish: that you be happy in this world and the next.”

Formulated at the Salesian Leaders Conference

Melbourne, Australia

March 2003

Salesian Schools Review and Reflection Process

Faithful to the tradition of St John Bosco, the Salesian school community is constantly challenged to re-interpret and re-enliven his educational vision in every generation and circumstance, according to the requirements of the contemporary situation and the needs of young people, to whom he once said: “I have only one wish: that you be happy in this world and the next”.

Charter for Salesian Schools in Australia – March 2003

Purpose

Mindful of the challenge to re-interpret and re-enliven the educational vision of St John Bosco so as to reflect the needs of young people and the requirements of the local context, the purpose of The Salesian Schools Review and Reflection Process is to:

1. provide an opportunity for each school community to reflect upon the manner in which the Salesian charism is given living expression in the life of the school;

2. encourage each school community to constantly review and deepen its fidelity to the Salesian charism;

3. allow each school community to name and celebrate those aspects of school life that are positive expressions of the way in which the Salesian ethos is alive and active in the school community;

4. provide external affirmation of those positive aspects of school life which contribute to the Salesian nature of the school;

5. recommend ways in which the Salesian ethos can be strengthened and developed in the school community.

Occurrence and Timing

The Salesian Schools Review and Reflection Process will be trialled during 2004 (at a time designated by the Principal of each school) and reviewed at the 2004 Annual General Meeting of the Salesian Principals Association.

Process

The Salesian Schools Review and Reflection Process involves three stages:

1. School Community Review and Reflection

• The school community engages in a process of reflection so as to be able to review and deepen the manner in which the Salesian charism is given living expression in the school community;

• The Principal prepares a report and supporting documentation for presentation to the Validation Team;

2. Validation Visit

• A “Validation Team”, comprising two Salesian principals and an educator unfamiliar with Salesian education, visits the school to review the documentation, discuss the Salesian life of the school with the Principal, and interview appropriate staff.

3. Validation Report

• The Validation Team prepares a report to be presented to the Salesian Principals Association and the Salesian Provincial;

• The report will comment on the Salesian dimension of the life of the school, affirming aspects that should be celebrated and making recommendations for ways in which the Salesian ethos can be strengthened and developed in the school community.

Criteria

The criteria for The Salesian Schools Review and Reflection Process are outlined in the “Charter for Salesian Schools in Australia” (March 2003).

Salesian Principals Association of Australia

November 2003

Salesian Review and Reflection Process

College (High School) Implementation Process

Preliminary

• Distribution and explanation of Salesian Schools Charter [March / April 2003]

• Staff briefing and input [28 January 2004]

  • Salesian Schools Charter

  • Salesian Review and Reflection Process

• Preparatory material for reading and reflection [Throughout Term 1]

Staff Retreat Day

• Prayer

• Input by Fr Murdoch

• Response by two members of staff

• Group reflection on ways the Charter values are lived at St John Bosco College

  • Identification of ways in which the Salesian Spirit is given effective expression and how it can be enhanced

• Lunch

• Adventure Activities

• Eucharist

Documentation

• Staff Reflections – as a result of the Staff Retreat Day

• Principal’s Report – a reflection on how the Principal sees that the Salesian Spirit is given effective expression and how it can be enhanced

• Staff Handbook

• Religious Education

• Pastoral Care

• Curriculum

School Visitation [17 – 18 March 2004]

• Fr John Papworth and Fr Frank Bertagnolli visit St John Bosco College

  • Documentation Review

  • Interviews

• Members of College Executive

• Curriculum Committee

• Pastoral and Administration Team

• Teachers

• Student Representative Council

• Parent Forum

• Tour and Observations

• College grounds and facilities

• Staffroom

• Classrooms

• Playground

Report

• The Salesian visitors prepare a report to be presented to the Principal and distributed to staff

Salesian Action Plan

• To be developed at the school level taking into account data and insights gained as a result of the entire review and reflection process

Salesian Schools Review and Reflection Process

Staff Development Day – Term 1 – March 2004