Families shift to Catholic Schools for safer learning environments

Eighteen months ago, with her two children miserable and struggling to get to their public school daily, Kim Todd knew something had to change.

“My son was unhappy at school – he had been bullied for a couple of years, and unfortunately, the school, not having a behaviour management plan, failed to protect him and make him feel happy and safe,” she said.

“My daughter was also unhappy – each day was a struggle to get her to school with tears and arguing.”

The local mum visited St Monica’s Catholic Primary School in Evatt and immediately decided to move her children to Catholic education.

“The calmness and engagement from students were the first things that my children noticed,” she said.

“The benefits of the change have been incredible. My son’s confidence has grown so much – he has great mates who treat him with mutual respect and stand up for each other. The school has responded quickly and appropriately when there was an issue. He loves the style of teaching and the programs used. His grades have improved remarkably.

“My daughter is much more settled and very happy to go to school each day. She is dressed and ready before she even comes out of her room. There are no more tears.”

The Todd family are part of a growing trend as families move away from public education in favour of independent and Catholic schools, as shown through the ACT Census, taken every February.

St Monica’s Religious Education Coordinator, Melanie Stratford, has seen a big increase in non-Catholic students enrolling in Catholic schools over the past few years.

“I think families are choosing a Catholic education for a number of reasons,” she said.

“Many families have found their experience of education elsewhere has not matched their academic and community expectations. When they look at alternatives, our system approach to teaching and learning is a big drawcard. When they come to our schools for a tour, they feel welcome and are impressed with what they see from an academic perspective. When they enrol, they love the welcome they experience and the community that they belong to.”

Melanie said Catholic schools were uniquely positioned to support a diverse range of students, and the growth in enrolments had bolstered classes.

“The new families are often eager to become involved in the life of the community, sharing their skills with the school community. Involved families have a positive impact on schools,” she said.

“Catholic schools offer excellence in teaching and learning but also aim to form the whole person. All families who enrol in a Catholic education are invited to a relationship with Jesus and participate in the liturgical life of the school community, but that personal relationship with Jesus is never imposed. Many non-Catholic families have come for a great education but stayed because of our strong faith-based community.”

Melanie said she had observed a great opportunity for evangelisation through the sacramental programs.

“This opportunity is two-fold,” she explained.

“The children are seeking the faith for themselves, but they bring their families along with them. It is an opportunity for evangelisation and faith formation for both the children and parents. I have witnessed many children, even in non-sacramental grades, seeking to be baptised and make their other sacraments.”

Kim agreed, noting that her children were not baptised when they started attending St Monica’s.

“Since joining the school, they have embraced the faith learnings and both my children have chosen for themselves to complete the sacraments,” she said.

“They were baptised in March, had reconciliation in April, and had first communion in June. Cooper had his confirmation this past week. My daughter is interested in being an altar server and has joined the parish altar server club. I have also joined the parish and attend regular Mass.”

Kim said regardless of religion, she believed Catholic education benefited everyone.

“There are more opportunities for students to participate in a range of experiences that help to build confidence and offer different skills,” she said.

“I would absolutely recommend it because of its positive impact on my children’s academic abilities and confidence and the extra opportunities they can participate in that were not offered at our previous school.”