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LATESTCatholic Education Convention 2009 Handbook For The Board of Trustees Of New Zealand Catholic Integrated Schools 2007 [pdf 1025kb] Special Character Review and Development 2007 document [pdf 665kb] The Role of the Proprietor's Appointee on the Board of Trustees [pdf 120kb]
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07.07 Stocktake of the Board of Trustees Governance Model 06.07 Availability of Healthy Food in the Nation's Schools 05.07 NCEA Achilles Heel On The Mend 04.07 Catholic Schools Days - May 2nd 2007 02.07 Graduating students from our schools who are "Globo Sapiens" in their outlook 09.06 Catholic Schools' Convention Attracts A Record Audience 02.06 Attitudinal Revolution Called For Stocktake of the Board of Trustees Governance ModelThe New Zealand Catholic Education Office supports the Minister of Education’s determination that additional resourcing is required to better support and upskill some Boards of Trustees who may feel out of their depth in governing and managing their school. This is not a widespread problem, but nonetheless, is an issue particularly with some smaller primary schools. We ought not forget that secondary schools have been governed by individual Boards of parents and community representatives for well over 100 years. The model of governance has a long history of working successfully. There is no doubt that parents who are now a well educated constituency are eminently capable of governing schools, albeit with a little more help to ensure they are well briefed about their role. There is certainly no issue with their vision, common sense and good judgement regarding the pivotal role they have in the school system. http://www.scoopit.co.nz/shakeit.php 10 July 2007 Patrick J. Lynch Availability of Healthy Food in the Nation's SchoolsThe Government's "Mission On" programme which is led by the Ministries of Health and Education, is timely and one whose implications for our young people reach over the horizon. The additions to the administrative regulations governing schools which focus on nutrition issues for students are reasonable and are worthy of active support. Many New Zealanders are not fully aware of the implications of the insidious creeping health crisis which is facing the nation. If nothing is done to change eating habits and attitudes to food, the nation's health budget, which is already significantly stretched, will be unable to look after those who will be beset by illnesses related to unhealthy eating and lack of exercise. Governments are elected to lead and to face issues which affect the common good. This initiative, when all the evidence is stacked up, is necessary, if New Zealand's well being and resilience as a nation are to be safeguarded. http://www.scoopit.co.nz/shakeit.php 11 June 2007 Patrick J. Lynch NCEA Achilles Heel On The Mend
http://www.scoopit.co.nz/shakeit.php 30 May 2007 Patrick J. Lynch Catholic Schools DayMay 2nd, 2007 New Zealand's 240 Catholic Schools celebrate who they are and their contribution to New Zealand society with a special national day on May 2nd. This is the sixth such celebration since 1996. A wide range of events and activities are taking place around the country to mark the special day. Many schools will organise joint celebrations, bringing together primary and secondary schools, and early childhood centres, and involving parents and communities. Catholic schools are part of an international network of schools, which number 192,400, with numbers of students in excess of 50 million. The Church community believes in the importance of Catholic schools, which seek to make a positive contribution to world peace and development. Schools encourage their students to be people who live with gratitude for the past, enthusiasm for the present and hope for the future. The theme of the day is "Radiating hope and celebrating excellence". Catholic schools were urged by the late Pope John Paul II to reach out into all aspects of society, helping "to make human life more human. In this way we honour the God who made us to be fully human and fully alive." Given the challenges the world faces, we need all the brain power, creativity, enthusiasm and solid common sense we can master to help make the world a better place. Catholic schools are committed to achieving this vision of a better world, and to working alongside others who are similarly committed to the well-being of all humanity. http://www.scoopit.co.nz/shakeit.php 30 April 2007 Patrick J. Lynch Graduating students from our schools who are "Globo Sapiens" in their outlookThe start of the 2007 school year is a good time to reflect on how effective our schools are in forming young citizens who are willing to actively contribute to the well–being of the world community. Despite the country's geographic isolation, New Zealanders have to be globo sapiens in their outlook, attitudes and behaviours. It is too easy to adopt isolationist approaches to world issues, when the growing reality is one where New Zealanders are expected to be contributing global citizens. For this to occur, our schools need to be bold and acknowledge that there is a spiritual dimension to each student, which ultimately motivates them and is the basis of their decision making in every setting. A free society requires a set of common ideas based on the acquisition of virtues, which are fostered at home and school. Education is more then skill and knowledge acquisition because it is fundamentally a moral endeavour. Young people will only become virtuous when they are taught to be so and are able to interact with virtuous people. It is only through paying attention to, and fostering individual spirituality, that teachers and parents encourage students to have reasons for living and reasons for contributing to the well–being of others, not only within the country, but internationally. History teaches us that anarchy readily emerges in States that lose their moral vision and moral purpose. When the social virtues, like: self control, politeness, decency and the pursuit of ideals are not taught and practised, a rapid dilution of social cohesion occurs. There is a vital need to constantly acquaint our young people with their civic responsibilities and to promote education which focuses on confronting prejudice, while seeking to bring about understanding of religious and cultural differences. The fundamentals of the world's great religions and the inspiration and insightful ideas of the great civilizations, when appreciated, will help open the minds of our young people who frequently do not know what they do not know, since they are tucked away at the bottom of the world. After all, this nation has among its citizens individuals who were born in over 150 countries. Not only are we all citizens of New Zealand, we are also international citizens who have an obligation to contribute to the resilience, development and well–being of the world's nations and peoples. The concept of the human family where individuals reach out as one another's keepers is the education framework which needs to be promoted in schools. Fundamentally, boldness is called for all of this, since the bold decision is normally the right one. 3 February 2007 Patrick J. Lynch Catholic Schools' Convention Attracts A Record AudienceThe 2006 Catholic Education Convention which concluded today in Wellington, attracted over 800 participants from all over New Zealand. It was the largest national gathering the Catholic education system in the country has witnessed since the first Catholic school opened in 1841. Representation from over 85% of the 240 schools, was quite remarkable! Participants: were teachers, principals, school trustees, senior secondary school students, Bishops, priests, parents and a range of interested parties. The theme of the convention was 'Radiating Hope - Challenging Our Times'. The gathering primarily focused on the highlighting and strengthening of the special character of the schools and early childhood centres through keynote addresses by overseas and local presenters, plus a wide range of seminars run by leading individuals working in their particular fields. The Minister of Education, The Hon Steve Maharey, addressed the gathering offering his support and encouragement to the 800 leaders of the school system which educates 66,000 students. One of the main outcomes of this three yearly gathering was the strong sense of national identity the schools now have as they seek to serve, not only their own communities, but also seek to contribute to the nation's resilience and well being. Catholic schools are part of a wider network of schools, internationally, which educate over 50 million young people in 192,000 institutions, in over 180 countries. New Zealand's Catholic Schools are proud to be part of this international network. 2 September 2006 Patrick J. Lynch August Convention
9 July 2006 Patrick J. Lynch Attitudinal Revolution Called ForThe adage, "if all you do is what you do, then all you'll get is what you've got", is worth reflecting on at the beginning of the 2006 school year. Recent OECD rankings put New Zealand students in fifth place out of forty one countries in their access to high quality technology. International testing puts our best and brightest up with the world's best and brightest. All this is excellent news which is encouraging for teachers, political leaders and other stakeholders. However, evidence from the reverse side of the coin shows a significant percentage of our students are in the "can do better", category. As a nation this is where we need to commit ourselves to the better nurturing of talent where ever it is found, and be diligent in unearthing it. As a country we are perceived internationally as a gutsy, bold and energetic people. This image has to be built on, if, as one of the small international players, we are going to make our way in the world, where the "sovereign giants" with their hundreds of millions of citizens stomp around. Those New Zealanders who are successful at home and internationally, do so more because of their 'can do' attitudes and energy rather then through their sheer brain power capabilities. Perhaps it is time to concentrate more strongly in our education delivery on the attitudinal, emotional maturity side of student development, as well as ensuring the academic fundamentals are done well. In the long run, it is well-honed personal attributes that bring success and well being to individuals and nations. 5 February 2006 Patrick J. Lynch |
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