Edmund Rice Education launches new Charter for schools

Edmund Rice Education Australia has launched its renewed Charter for Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition, a core document for its 55 schools in all states and territories.

The schools were led by the Christian Brothers until 2007, when they handed governance responsibility to EREA.

Members of the Edmund Rice Education Australia community gather to mark the signing of the new schools charter. PHOTO: EREA.

The new charter describes the distinct, though not unique, identity of the Edmund Rice Education Australia network of schools.

It provides a practical expression of this identity and is of crucial use in planning, decision-making and review of the education EREA offers.

It uses four “touchstones” to describe the culture of a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition. These are: Liberating Education, Gospel Spirituality,  Inclusive Community, and Justice and Solidarity.

During 2024, the national community of EREA schools was invited to engage in a process of analysis and reflection to prepare the new charter.

The renewed charter highlights the opportunities and challenges of responding to the diverse needs of learners, from early childhood to early adulthood, across all regions of Australia.

Michael Slattery, EREA Council chair said: “It was heartening to be at Waverley College on 24 November to launch the renewed Charter for Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition.

“The inspirational student-led launch, grounded in our Catholic faith, and integrating powerful First Nations symbol and ritual, provided the opportunity to celebrate the culmination of the process of conversations across our EREA community – beginning with young leaders in January and concluding in Alice Springs in August,” Dr Slattery said.

“The charter will be the core document to guide schools over the next six years.”

Liam Smith, EREA national executive director, reflected on the importance of the renewed Charter as a foundational statement of purpose. 

“The Charter supports EREA’s new governance structures which further ensure that, within safe and nurturing environments, over 40,000 young Australians are connected to the message of Jesus, the prophetic voice of the Church and the charism of Blessed Edmund Rice,” Dr Smith said. 

“It highlights the important role of national and global educational approaches.”

This article is taken from an article published on the EREA website (via CathNews).