Simple changes to the parish-school relationship have created greater community understanding
From little things, big things grow. For St John the Baptist School, the saying couldn’t be more apt. The school has introduced a number of changes that have brought large rewards for the local parish, building a stronger sense of community drawing inspiration from the initiative of
“Being Church Together”.
One step was the placement of the office of the Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission (APRIM) within the Parish Administration Area.
“Just that simple move has deepened the relationship between parish and school from both an operational level and community level,” principal Todd LaForgia says. “Operationally it has facilitated team meetings that occur between school and parish, as well as sharing calendars, events and educational opportunities.”
A strong focus on collaboration has seen one of the school’s dedicated teaching staff take on the role of sacramental co-ordinator, working closely with the APRIM.
“In the past, pastoral associates have run the sacramental program but, over the past year, giving that role to a teacher within the school provides a future pathway to religious leadership development in a Catholic school,” Mr LaForgia says.
The placement of a teacher – someone students already know and trust – as sacramental co-ordinator has resulted in 28 students participating in the sacramental program this year. “Because the sacramental co-ordinator teaches some of the children, she’s able to engage them in their learning around the sacramental program,” Mr LaForgia says. “Parents know her on a teacher level so are comfortable being able to approach her about anything around the church.”
Year 3 students Gracie and Mila, and Year 4 student Ollie, are participating in the sacramental program this year. “My brothers, my mum and I are all baptised so we wanted to know more about God and be closer to Him,” Gracie says.
The parish-school relationship and the understanding of being one community has created many special moments for everyone involved. “The interaction between the staff, the administration and parishioners has also brought in many things we never had thought of,” Father Denis says.
“At the recent celebration of the Saint John the Baptist feast on June 24 we had a community Mass where the children took the prayers of the faithful and were in the choir.
“Their involvement brought a refreshing and surprising dimension to our worship, exceeding parishioners’ expectations. In this participation of both parish and school, the readings were shared by a parishioner, then a teacher, then the communion minister – that kind of interaction cements our unity as a community.
“We have also witnessed four extra baptisms and parishioners wanting to help in the community as a result of the parish-school relationship and the understanding that we are one community.”
This was recognised at the Catholic Education Awards. “We were just looking at establishing a vision for this community but the awards are a nice recognition,” Mr LaForgia says.
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