The formation of staff and leaders lies at the heart of our mission of Catholic education, if we are to support an authentic and enriching experience of faith and learning for our students in partnership with their families.
As our Framework highlights, formation is “an intentional, ongoing and reflective process that focuses on the growth of individuals and communities from their lived experiences, in spiritual awareness, theological understanding, vocational motivation and capabilities for mission and service in the Church and the world” (NCEC, 2017, p. 9).
Part of our ongoing work at the National Catholic Education Commission is to support a renewed focus on formation which we do through the work of our Faith Formation and Religious Education Standing Committee and with the development of resources, professional learning and formation opportunities and an ongoing dialogue across our Catholic communities.
This year, we are pleased to offer our first national Formation for Mission gathering in a number of years, which will provide an an opportunity for diocesan directors and leaders of formation, mission and religious education across Catholic education to come together, to share practice and to explore a range of areas including formation for early career teachers, middle and senior leaders and boards, building a culture of formation, and engagement with families.
The two-day gathering will be held at Mary MacKillop Place in North Sydney and I encourage our leaders and those involved in formation to consider this valuable opportunity.
Jacinta Collins
National Catholic education executive director
Photo: St Martin’s Catholic Primary, Greenacres, courtesy Catholic Education South Australia.