The Diocese of Maitland- Newcastle Catholic Schools(Catholic Schools) recognise and value the primary
role of parents, carers and family in the education of their children and their role in the school and
parish community. Pope Francis has stated in his Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, “School is not
a substitute for parents but is complementary to them.” Catholic Schools support and complement the
role of parents and carers to engage with their child’s education and their school community.
Developing opportunities for positive and strong connections between schools, families, parishes and
the community has been shown to positively impact students’ progress and success. As well as
encouraging a welcoming and inclusive school culture.
Family and community engagement is important for improving student wellbeing and achievement
including:
• Enhanced social skills
• Improved health outcomes
• Higher student grades and test scores
• Better student behaviour
At St Joseph’s parents are invited to participate in school life as much as possible, through attendance at school and parish events and volunteering.
In 2025 St Joseph’s will be moving to the FACE model to promote engagement with and connections between family, school, parish and the wider community for the benefit of a student’s spiritual development, wellbeing and learning by:
a) Promoting Catholic education and identity.
b) By building a friendly and welcoming community.
c) By bringing together families, students, clergy, parishioners, and staff, both religious and lay, in
a spirit of collaboration and close co-operation.
d) Providing an educative forum supporting Families in their involvement in their children’s
spiritual, social and academic development at home and school.
e) Providing an educative forum for enriching the learning environment and exploring issues
related to the spiritual, social, and academic development of students.
f) Providing a consultative forum for Families to engage with the School and their child’s learning
environment.
g) Providing a consultative forum for Families to connect with the Principal, Parish Priest, and
School staff in furthering the educational endeavours of the School.
h) Acting as a mechanism for representing Families when it is appropriate to do so.
i) Undertaking activities in furtherance of the above, as approved by the Principal, including but
not limited to fundraising.