Finding a place in a Catholic school in Christchurch is so hard, some parents confess to “rediscovering” their faith to secure their child’s spot. Catholic school rolls – like those of other Christian schools – are bursting in Christchurch. They’re seen as “desirable” schools. Under pressure The Catholic Diocese across Christchurch has over 7000 students. Read more
The great educator and cultural historian Walter Ong, S.J., wrote an essay for America in 1990 in which he suggested the metaphor of yeast can serve as a powerful model for Catholic education. Yeast, he wrote, is an agent of infusion, of integration and penetration that transforms the flour into which it is introduced. He Read more
A Wellington Catholic primary school is facing potential closure because of stagnant population growth in the capital. Parents of students at Cardinal McKeefry Catholic Primary School in Wilton have been told the Wellington Catholic Archdiocese had spoken to the Ministry of Education to consider the school’s future. Kelly Ross, vicar for education and the director Read more
When Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer attended Catholic schools in the 1960s, the landscape of Catholic education was such that there were typically only Catholics in Catholic schools; the schools were almost exclusively run by religious, and it was as if every parish had one. Times have since changed, and those past realities are, for the most Read more
A former pupil of Dunedin’s Trinity Catholic College, now a NASA scientist, returned to his alma mater to inspire students to follow their passion. Hamish Prince, who graduated from college in 2014, recently spoke to students about his journey from Dunedin to NASA. Prince, a graduate research assistant in atmospheric science, shared how his love Read more
According to Fr Richard Leonard SJ, Christians are not salespeople but free giveaways or samples of Christianity, of how to love our neighbour, and that’s what Catholic education should be. Leonard worked for 25 years in forming teachers and spoke recently to the South Australian Catholic school leaders in Adelaide, Australia. For many children, Catholic Read more
A groundbreaking study has confirmed the immense financial benefits of parental school choice in Australia. Non-government schools save taxpayers at least $4.59 billion annually in recurrent funding costs. The research from Catholic Schools NSW, published March 14, reveals that if all schools received their full government funding entitlement, the yearly recurrent savings provided by non-government Read more
Offering spiritual direction to teachers could transform Catholic school communities. That’s leading religious education scholar Associate Professor Michael Buchanan’s opinion. Schools have become a more diverse workforce. This has led many learning communities to introduce formation opportunities. These enable all teachers to participate in enhancing the Catholic school’s mission. Buchanan (pictured) said a growing number Read more
The Hastings Hibernian Education Trust is left puzzled that no one has responded to the Trust’s invitation for funding applications. Wanting to help, in mid-September, the Trust emailed the invitations to 160 parishes throughout the country, but a month later, two weeks before applications closed on November 1, no applications had been received. On learning Read more
Accolades continue for the New Zealand Catholic bishops’ trailblazing document on sexual diversity. The latest comes from David Palmieri of Outreach, a US LGBTQ Catholic resource. “Aroha and Diversity in Catholic Schools, manifests the love of Jesus Christ in its courage to seek “respect, compassion, and sensitivity” for LGBTQ children in Catholic schools and colleges” Read more