Aus Salesian School Leaders Prepare for Conference

SYDNEY: 26th February 2005 -- Teachers from the nine Salesian schools in Australia are preparing for the biennial "Salesian Educational Leaders Conference".  The 11 - 13 March conference, to be held in Melbourne, is expected to attract approximately fifty delegates from four states.  The theme of the conference is "The Salesian School of the Future".  Keynote speakers include Professor Richard Teese of Melbourne University, a noted educational policy advisor and an expert on educational planning, and Sr Edna Mary MacDonald FMA, the Provincial of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (Salesian Sisters) for the South Pacific Province (Australia, Samoa and American Samoa).
    The conference is being planned and organised by the Salesian Principals Association of Australia as part of its ongoing strategy to assist senior educational leaders in Salesian schools to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of the Salesian charism and spirituality.  Previous conferences have proved extremely beneficial and constructive.  The 2003 conference developed a Charter for Salesian schools that has formed the basis for much of the Association's work over the last two years.  The Charter is grounded in the Oratorian Criteria which define every Salesian work as a home that welcomes, a parish that evangelises, a school that prepares for life and a playground where young people meet and enjoy themselves.
    Other recent initiatives of the Salesian Principals Association of Australia include an Induction Programme for new leaders in Australian Salesian schools, and a Salesian Review and Reflection Process that assists schools validate, celebrate and deepen the authenticity of their Salesian culture.

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