Catholic Schools in South Africa

Ethos of Catholic schools

When you walk into a school you immediately get a ‘feel’ about the place. There are a variety of elements that give you this feeling. It could be the way the school looks, the way you are welcomed or the friendliness of the learners. This is largely an intangible presence called the ethos of the school.

Ethos defines and displays the core beliefs of the school and is closely linked to its value system. This ethos should be reflected in the school’s mission statement, which is the beacon for all school activities. It is the school’s way of ‘being in the world.’ It is about what they do and how they do it.

The school’s ethos should be a lived experience for the whole school community and is realised by the daily interactions in the school. However, this needs to be actively understood and promoted in practical ways.

Some key characteristics of a Catholic school are:

• Everyone is welcome. No-one is excluded. This positive anthropology means that all members of the school community are created in God’s image. There is no discrimination because all human beings are created in the image of God and are therefore good.
• It has a strong value system based on Gospel values with Christ as the centre of the school. It is a faith community that fosters positive. relationships among learners, teachers and parents.
• The religious atmosphere fosters formation of the whole child. Worship and prayer are integral and central to school life. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and must treat others the same.
• The Catholic school resists individualism. It is concerned about justice and the well being of the whole community – we are our sisters and brothers keepers.
• The best is expected from learners because teachers believe in them.
• Clear standards of behaviour from all members of the school community are defined and expected.
• A sense of social responsibility based on Gospel values is fostered. This helps learners to become worthwhile citizens who will hopefully make a difference to society. These values should permeate all the school’s endeavours.
• The school should provide a broad curriculum which is meaningful to students and relevant to their community.
• School leadership should develop positive student and staff morale and give priority to people.
• Collaborative decision-making is encouraged and the gifts of each individual recognised.
• Parental involvement and collaboration is vital for a true community to develop – a community that has the development and well-being of every member as its vision.

Catholic Schools Offices:

The main aims of the Catholic Schools Offices (CSO) are:

• To provide managerial and administrative support to schools, principals and SGBs
• To help promote, encourage and protect the ethos and distinctive character of Catholic schools
• To develop leadership qualities in the school community
• To help promote educational excellence, unity of vision and collaboration among Catholic schools
• To develop and maintain sound relationships with the principals and educators of Catholic schools
• To co-operate with other bodies who are serving and promoting Catholic schools
• To monitor provincial legislation that impacts on our schools