Parent Communities

Parents are the first faith educators of their children

The family forms the first Christian community. It is where young people learn to live faith through action and words. Families are formed in their faith through partnership with the parish and school.

It is the parish community which invites and welcomes new members and continues to nurture their faith throughout their lives. It is within this community that people learn what it is to be Catholic.

It is the role of parents as primary educators of their children to present them for initiation into the Christian community. Catholic schools complement parishes and support families by forming and developing young people in the Catholic faith.

The parish is where initiation into the faith is celebrated and nurtured through the sacraments. Sacraments are events for the whole Catholic community to celebrate together and this is reflected when families, parish and schools in partnership, prepare and celebrate the sacraments as a community.

By the nature of their mission and mandate, Catholic schools assist parishes in their responsibilities to parents by providing the knowledge and understanding of the Catholic faith including knowledge of the sacraments.

The Federation of Catholic School Communities

The Federation of Catholic School Communities was established by parents for parents and caregivers, children, families and schools to provide an active voice for families with children in South Australian Catholic schools.

The Federation:

Advocates for the right of parents and caregivers to choose a Catholic education for their child
Encourages and supports active and constructive family engagement in education
Promotes and supports Catholic education
Builds valuable partnerships between families, schools and education systems and
Contributes to the shaping of educational policy and practice

The Federation's web site is for parents and caregivers, families and educators and includes information on the work of the Federation, updates on key education issues and initiatives and resources for schools and school parent and caregiver groups.