Five Marks of Catholic School Identity

Mark 1: Created in the Image of God

In a Catholic school we...

  • Believe that each person is created in the image of God
  • Know that each person has an eternal destiny
  • Embrace the dignity of all
  • Recognize and celebrate the gifts and talents of others
  • Allocate resources to support and enhance the well being and the physical, emotional, academic and spiritual development of staff and students

Mark 2: Catholic Worldview

In a Catholic school we...

  • Share a Catholic worldview through activities and events
  • Create physical spaces in our schools that reflect our Catholic perspective
  • Foster a Catholic worldview of reflection, service and sacramentality
  • Make decisions rooted in Gospel teaching
  • Embed sacramental routines (prayer, mass, liturgies, scripture and worship) and reminders in the culture of the school and district

Mark 3: Faith Permeation

In a Catholic school we...

  • Incorporate a religious dimension in all learning
  • Advocate for a sacred perspective within a secular context
  • Encourage a critical evaluation of contemporary culture
  • Provide opportunities for staff to develop their abilities to infuse faith into curriculum and pedagogy
  • Teach Catholic values by fostering a love for wisdom and truth

Mark 4: Gospel Witness

In a Catholic school we...

  • Witness to others a life lived in relationship with Jesus
  • Participate actively in the life of the Church
  • Pray personally and lead others in prayer
  • Demonstrate knowledge of faith and commit to faith development
  • Create a vision for evangelization and ministry

Mark 5: Spirit of Community

In a Catholic school we...

  • Live in community, spiritual unity and relationship
  • Recognize that God will be found in each other
  • Foster reconciliation
  • Develop priorities and protocols to address the needs of the marginalized
  • Honor parents/guardians as primary partners in education

The 5 Marks of a Catholic Education Student - PDF
The 5 Marks of an Excellent Catholic Teacher - PDF

Prayer for Catholic Schools

Dear Jesus,
let your light shine in our Catholic schools.
Let your grace rain down,
bringing hope to each person we encounter,
bringing wisdom to our teachers
and leaders,
bringing strength in times of trial.
Protect us from harm.
Let the children come to You,
for the kingdom of God is theirs.
St Thomas Aquinas,
patron saint of Catholic schools,
pray for us.
Amen