Leading Catholic schools towards an effective impact on contemporary society

Abstract

This qualitative study seeks to address changes that are being (or should be) implemented by Catholic school leaders to leave an impact on the lives of their entrusted community: staff, students and their respective families. If the mission of the church is to continue, the role of church schools cannot be undermined. Schools need to help address the Religious rift that has developed through generations. We are living in a society where the wrong priorities are taking over and what was once a common Catholic faith foundation, is no longer. This ever-increasing religious crisis is weighing on the shoulders of our Catholic schools and educators. The aim of this research is thus to see if Catholic schools need to tweak their purpose and mission by prioritising character formation over curriculum – living the faith over instruction. In order to reach a society that is becoming increasingly secular, blinded by bling and popularity let us give our young the love they yearn and a listening ear; let us teach them skills to be one with nature and encourage them to protect our common good; and let us give them a voice and help them be critical thinkers, able to fight for what is right. What changes are necessary to achieve this? In order to conduct this research, reference was made to various Church documents, from Vatican Council II to more recent years, and other articles. Interviews were conducted among a selected number of school leaders from both primary and secondary Church schools. Data was analysed using a thematic approach and a narrative was written highlighting main points featured in the said interviews. This was done with the aim of placing crucial data in a mundane setting with the scope of focusing on the reality we are living in – hoping to lead to self-questioning and an internal evaluation. At the end of this study, certain insights were shared in the hope of finding ways of how Church school leaders can continue to seek to reach their students with the aim of leaving an impact on them. In order to achieve this, educators must walk the talk and put Christ’s love and values at the centre of schools - our one true model.