School Improvement Plan | Catholic Identity | 2022

Focus Area: Witness

In 2021 one of the central improvement goals for Catholic Identity at Seton Catholic College was a renewal of the College Retreat Program The goal was for each year group from Years 7 – 12 to focus on a distinct theme This theme would be reflected in the Retreat Program, the Christian Service-Learning Program, and Pastoral Care focus of each year group In 2022 the College Retreat Program was further developed based on the feedback from staff and students in 2021

The Year 12 Retreat was redeveloped due to COVID-19 restrictions, and the overnight stays were omitted The retreat centred on the theme of "The Road Ahead," providing a platform for students to contemplate their connections with peers, family, and God, while being guided by Seton staff

The Year 11 Retreat focused on the theme of Servant Leadership with students completing a two-day retreat facilitated by Youth Ministry Team and Teamworks Year 10 students completed a retreat on the theme of 'Vocation and Life Choices' facilitated by Youth Ministry Team The Year 8 Retreat focused on the theme of Stewardship of Creation This two-day retreat involved one day of Christian Service Learning at Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre and a day learning about 'Harmony with Creation and Stewardship' run by Seton staff Year 7 and 9 students completed retreat days facilitated by Enlighten Education and Goodfellas These Retreat Programs helped students to develop peer relationships, build self-confidence and examine negative stereotypes of boys and girls and explore how these stereotypes can be harmful

In 2023 the Retreat Program will continue to be developed with the inclusion of year group Mass and more opportunities for students to celebrate sacraments of reconciliation and eucharist

In 2021 the Christian Service Learning Program at Seton Catholic College was expanded to include middle school year groups, Year 7 and 8 In 2022 the program was further developed to offer more opportunities for students and for senior students to begin the Christian Service Learning Program in Year 10 with the intention of students finishing their service learning earlier In 2022 the senior Christian Service Learning program was modified to include a reflection essay to allow students to reflect more comprehensively on the service they have completed and how completing the service made them feel In 2022 all Year 12 students completed Christian Service Learning hours and Year 12 students in total completed 6632 hours In 2022 there was an increase in students earning Ministry Badges at both levels At the end of 2022 it was decided that a Christian Service Learning Coordinator would be appointed to help further grow this area

In recent years a central goal for Catholic Identity at Seton Catholic College was to promote the story of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Over the last few years there has been a significant increase in the visibility, awareness and understanding of the story of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton amongst staff and students In 2022 this work of the promotion of the College Patron was continued Seton Catholic College has recently renamed its buildings after Bayley, Carrol, Fillicchi, Saint Peter, and Emmitsburg, all of which are connected to the College Patron, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton In addition, the College's administration building has been renamed the "Mother Seton Centre," while the main street running through the centre of the College has been named "Paca Street" in honour of Elizabeth Seton To further commemorate Elizabeth Seton, a statue of her has been erected at the entrance of the Mother Seton Centre. These changes aim to create a stronger connection between the physical layout of the College and the life story of Elizabeth Seton, thus providing a more meaningful experience for the College's staff and students.

In the department of Religion and Life students learn about the life of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Year 7 and 12. Students are taught her life story and why she is a significant person in the Catholic Church. The annual Seton Day Mass has been developed to highlight and celebrate the life and works of Saint Elizabeth Seton.

As a part of the School Improvement Plan for 2023 and beyond it was highlighted that there needed to be more iconography and visual representations of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton around the College

The Seton Catholic College motto is 'Seek Christ' and it is through the daily relationships and community that this motto is brought alive Every interaction is important as we live the College RISE values Through Respect, Inclusion, Service and Excellence we seek to foster the growth and development of each person, young and adult, through a wholistic approach and understanding of curriculum

It is vital for the College to provide opportunities for staff and students to grow and develop their faith Staff cannot fully evangelise when they have not been given opportunities to learn and explore their faith

Each year the College provides various avenues for staff to grow in their personal faith It is important to offer different opportunities for development as every faith journey is unique

In 2022 the Faith, Story and Witness Program was further developed with the aim of educating and supporting staff on their faith journey Each year a Ministry Professional Development Day will be organised to help staff fulfil the requirements of accreditation renewal and to support staff to grow and develop their faith Every second year the Ministry Professional Development Day will include Staff completing Christian Service Learning in the community

In 2022 Seton Catholic College offered a training program for staff, students and parents to become Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion This included four workshops ran after school with the support of the Parish Priest, College Principal and Campus Minister The Extraordinary Ministers of the Holy Communion were commissioned at the Seton Day Mass and blessed by the Parish priest.

Held at the beginning of each week, Staff Prayer offers a chance to come together as a staff community to share in prayer Staff prayer is be led each week by a different Staff group, Department or House Staff are encouraged to take ownership of staff prayer by creating insightful and engaging prayers to meet staff where they are on their unique faith journey Staff prayer takes place in De Vialar Chapel or in other areas of the school to promote unique and different experiences of prayer In 2022 it was decided that Staff Prayer would be streamed via Teams for any staff member unable to make it to De Vialar Chapel

The weekly Friday Shared Prayer, led by students and PCG teachers, has been in place at Seton Catholic College since 2020 Shared prayer highlights important events in the College calendar and the liturgical calendar of the Church Each Pastoral Care room has a sacred space within the room which is the focal point for shared prayer and liturgical celebrations

In 2022 the celebration of Mass at Seton Catholic College was redeveloped Rather than Mass being celebrated by two Pastoral Care Groups each week it was changed to celebrating Thursday Mass in House Groups This allowed for important festivals and dates of the liturgical calendar to be highlighted separately from House Mass and worked to promote House identity and elevate House Mass to a central House event each term