Part D
Learning and Teaching At the heart of the Catholic school is its belief in Jesus’ call to fullness of life. This leads our schools to be committed to providing an education imbued with that faith, in all its aspects, systems and structures, policies and priorities, pastoral care and discipline, relationships and charitable outreach. “The Catholic school has a single Christian vision, an integrated concept of what makes a fully authentic and mature human being…The curriculum and all its aspects, must reflect this fact.” 30 It follows, therefore, that every part of the curriculum in a Catholic school is religious, since everything works out of this philosophy and theology and thus ultimately relates to God. This truth is fundamental to the approach to learning and teaching in the Catholic school. There is no distinction between secular and religious learning because all knowledge and search for the truth ultimately is a search for God. Teaching and learning are holy tasks. Catholic education strives to develop and provide outstanding educational experiences for our children and young people.
KEY IMPLICATIONS Catholic education is a holy task which seeks to: 1. provide outstanding learning and teaching which are derived from a Catholic philosophy of education; 2. ensure that each subject area of the curriculum contributes to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all pupils.
End Notes 30
Evaluating the Distinctive Nature of Catholic Education (CES 1999) 31 Principles and Practices and Concerns. (Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales 1996)
“The search for excellence is seen as an integral part of the spiritual quest. Christians are called to seek perfection in all aspects of their lives. In Catholic education pupils are therefore given every opportunity to develop their talents to the full.” 31
Their identity and their purpose
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