OUR PHILOSOPHY

Introduction

The constitution of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS) contains a Statement of Mission, which provides the expectations of the sole member of MACS, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne (Member), for Catholic schooling and the identity and work of a Catholic school. The Statement of Mission positions MACS firmly in the reality of the Eucharistic character of the Catholic school, affirming that its enterprise is one that builds community and provides opportunity for personal transformation.

With parents and parishes, Catholic schooling seeks to fulfil this mission by providing an environment in which students are enabled to:

• encounter God in Christ and deepen their relationship with him

• pursue wisdom and truth encouraged by a supportive academic culture

• grow in the practice of virtue, responsible freedom and serving the common good.

A Catholic school:

• is actively embedded in the life of the faith communities of the local Church, which in turn is tangibly manifested in the life of each school

• is an essential place for the evangelising of children and young people

• exists to assist students, and their families, to integrate faith, reason, life and culture

• is conspicuously Christian in outlook, explicitly Catholic in faith and practice, and intentionally missionary in orientation

• cultivates spiritual, social and emotional growth in a safe and protective environment

• provides a learning environment in which the whole educational community is formed to embrace life in all its fullness (Jn 10.10)

• offers a human formation that has the intellectual, practical and moral excellence of learners at its heart

• forms consciences, fosters peace and develops respectful dialogue, at the service of intellectual charity

• encourages the discovery of Catholic cultural heritage, especially in art, music, literature and architecture.

St Robert’s Primary School is a school which operates with the consent of the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne and is owned, operated and governed by MACS.

St Robert’s Primary School is a Catholic primary school which has been established to provide quality education in the Catholic doctrine for families in the Newtown area.

​

Mission

The school community of St Robert’s believes that working together as a collaborative team can give our children a primary school preparation that will establish a strong foundation for lifelong development. We recognise the need to provide quality education that will give each child the means to provide a quality education that will give each child the means to acquire an understanding and appreciation of their own worth. Their strengths and their ability to make an important contribution to society. We recognise that through our everyday actions we aim to act with purpose, include and connect.

We understand the need for all to recognise themselves as valued members of society that comprises a variety of cultural, religious, social and ethnic groups that are unique and different from our own Catholic Traditions.

Vision

At St Robert's, following Jesus and enlightened by faith, we aspire to create a learning environment that respects the past, rises to the challenges of the present, and inspires hope for the future.

St Robert's Primary School is a vibrant learning community and strives to realise a vision to prepare children for life as it is now and for how it may be in the future. Our school is well known for being most welcoming and family-oriented, with parents appreciative of the dedication and hard work of its teachers. The spirit of partnership between parents, teachers, students, the parish and wider community, and other schools is very much the fabric of the school.

This vision continues to allow us all as the members of the Body of Christ, in partnership with parents, the Parish Priest, Father James Clarke, and the community, to provide our students with a safe, nurturing, and evidence-based education.

Values

At St Robert’s we foster an appreciation of the core values and appreciation of the core values of Australian

and Catholic Traditions; Care and Compassion, Respect, Honesty and Trustworthiness, Integrity,

Responsibility, Understanding, Tolerance and Inclusion, Freedom, Fair Go and Doing your Best.

Objectives

At St Robert’s every endeavour is made to prepare each child for a world of rapid change and demands. Covid demonstrated to us the importance of continuing education beyond the classroom walls and connection to community via digital means. Our commitment is therefore to work as a team to ensure that solid foundations for continued development are formed throughout each child’s formative years at St Robert’s Primary School.

Philosophy Enactment

At St Robert’s, our school philosophy, which includes the vision, mission, values and objectives, will be central to all our policies, practices and teaching and learning programs. The school’s philosophy is published on our school website as well as in our key policies such as our enrolment policy.

Reporting

The MACS Board will ensure schools have implemented a contextualised school philosophy using this template through the annual report to the school community and regular school review processes (at least once every four years).