FROM THE BISHOP

Most Reverend Shane Mackinlay DD

The Christian tradition affirms the inalienable dignity of each person: created in the image of God, with unique gifts and talents, connected with the whole of creation, enriched by relationships of friendship and love lived out in a shared common life, capable of astonishing creativity, insight and achievement, and invited into communion with the Triune God revealed by Jesus. This core Christian vision of the human person is fundamental to the mission of Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd.

While the most immediate consequence of this principle is in the way that students are placed at the centre of Catholic education, it also directs the relationship that Catholic schools have to parents, staff and the broader community. Pope Francis has encouraged us to appreciate this community in widest possible sense, and we are becoming increasingly aware that our activities often have impacts stretching far beyond our local community.

There are many ways in which the various forms of modern slavery can affect the operations, business partnerships and supply chain of our schools, often in ways that are not immediately apparent. Practices such as human trafficking, child labour, and exploitation of workers for minimal or no wages are terrible abuses of human dignity and are contrary to the fundamental respect that Christians seek to promote for each person. Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd is committed to doing all in its power to assist in eliminating these practices.

This is the second Modern Slavery Statement of Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd since its new corporate structure was established in January 2021. I am very pleased to see that over the last year, the Company has taken significant steps to embed awareness of modern slavery in its operations, and to further identify and address ways in which it might be at risk of supporting modern slavery. The Company’s plans for 2023 focus especially on communication and training across its schools, kindergartens and offices. This will assist in promoting wider awareness in staff and students, and identifying both potential risks and potential opportunities for addressing them. I am confident that these strategies will help all involved in Catholic education in the Sandhurst Diocese to become more alert to the risks of modern slavery, and to act in ways that promote the dignity, freedom and wellbeing of each person.