Schools Council

Role of the Parramatta Diocesan Catholic Schools Council

The Parramatta Diocesan Catholic Schools Council (PDCSC) was established in 2004 to assist and advise the Bishop of Parramatta in all matters pertaining to the administration and conduct of systemic schools in the diocese, as well as Religious Education within all Catholic schools in the diocese. The PDCSC replaced the Parramatta Diocesan Schools Board which operated from 1988 until 2004.

Core Functions of the PDCSC

• Strategic Direction
  to discern and develop for the Bishop’s consideration broad policies, advice and strategic directions for the Catholic school system in the diocese;
  
  
• Stewardship and accountability
  to assess and monitor outcomes so as to advise the Bishop for the ongoing enhancement of the quality of Religious Education in all Catholic schools in the diocese, the overall quality of Catholic schools and the administration of the school system and its resources.
  

Tasks

• identification and annual review of long term strategic directions for the diocesan school system and for Religious Education in all Catholic schools in the diocese;
  
  
• assessment of the extent to which the strategic priorities developed by the Executive Director serve the identified long-term strategic directions and goals for the system schools and for Religious Education in all Catholic schools and is supported by the annual budget;
  
  
• identification of selected strategic priorities within the core mission and operation of diocesan Catholic schools and advice on reports against those priorities at agreed times;
  
  
• monitoring selected areas of educational and administrative compliance with a view to promote quality education, minimise risk to the diocese and to maximise efficiency and effectiveness of operation;
  
  
• advice on the effectiveness of system operations through the analysis of data on educational and financial performance;
  
  
• advice on educational performance through the analysis of external student test data, compliance and other relevant data;
  
  
• advice on strategic matters concerning teacher supply and leadership succession planning
  
  
• advice on provision of new schools, restructuring or closure of schools and effectiveness and efficiency of infrastructure provision;
  
  
• identification and development of statements of broad policy or understanding;
  
  
• development of a strategic approach for promotion of the interests of Catholic schools in the diocese and wider community as well as in political and other arena.

Committees

There are two committees to assist the council:

• System Learning Committee
• Financial and Physical Resources
• Evangelisation and Religious Education Committee

System Learning Committe (SLC)

The System Learning Committee provides advice to the council on governance and strategic matters relating to the educational performance of diocesan schools.  As such, the terms of reference are to provide advice and develop recommendations on:

• Initiatives to support quality learning and teaching in literacy numeracy and formation;
• Student performance data (NAPLAN, early years assessment, mathematic assessment interview, religion education assessment);
• Student diversity model;
• Enrolment policies, retention and trends;
• Compliance with State and Federal requirements;
• School snapshots;
• Principal, teacher, parent, student survey data; and
• System learning programs.

Financial and Physical Resources Committee (FPRC)

The Financial and Physical Resources Committee provides advice to the council on any matter that impacts on the financial and capital works responsibilities of the council. As such, the terms of reference are to provide advice and develop recommendations on:

• annual and long term financial and facilities targets
• annual recurrent and capital budgets
• actual performance against approved budgets
• annual and long term capital and maintenance needs and plans
• school fee collection policy and performance
• effectiveness of investment and debt management
• internal financial and control systems
• implications of annual audited financial statements
• State and Commonwealth funding policies and regulations
  
  

Evangelisation and Religous Education Committee (EREC)

The Evangelisation and Religious Education Committee provides advice to the Parramatta Diocesan Catholic Schools Council (PDCSC) on governance and strategic matters relating to religious education, formation and the new evangelisation. As such, the terms of reference are to provide advice and develop recommendations on:

• Enhancement of Catholic identity of diocesan schools;
• Religious Education curriculum and outcomes;
• Identification and preparation of future leaders, REC’s and formation of existing school leadership teams and staff;
• Accreditation of teachers of religious education;
• The content and implementation of formation programs and professional learning;
• Collaboration between schools and parishes; and
• Re-visioning Catholic schools as centres of the new evangelisation.

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