1. Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding The Better Together resource has been developed to assist Catholic school communities with their existing school advisory bodies, such as boards, councils and parents and friends associations and help those wishing to establish such a body. Introduction

2. Better Together aims to provide a framework that: Is evidence-based Can be adapted to various local contexts and advisory body structures Reflects the importance of strong partnerships between parish, home and school in supporting faith development, learning and well-being of students, staff and families Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding

3. In short: Church documents tell us... The research demonstrates... Practice shows us... We are better together. Why Better Together? When principals, teachers and parents work together to build a culture of shared leadership and responsibility for student faith formation, learning and well-being, purpose and mission of the school can truly be realised. Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding

4. Central to the resource is a framework comprising four key dimensions: People Principles Practices [Resources] You can work through the dimensions sequentially or access each dimension individually as needed. Unpacking the Framework Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding

5. Unpacking the Framework: Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding Catholic Identity and Mission is the Key Stone of the Framework

6. Unpacking the Framework: PEOPLE Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding Partnership refers to: Collaborative relationships, based on mutual trust, respect and shared responsibility, involving all members of the Catholic school community which aim to foster and enrich the spiritual formation, learning and well-being of the children and young people at the school.

7. Unpacking the Framework: PEOPLE Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding Partnership is more than Involvement Effective partnerships are intentionally aligned to the faith formation, learning and well-being of young people. They invite a collaboration among parents, teachers and the parish and provide opportunities for each member to learn from each other by sharing knowledge, insights and experiences.

8. Unpacking the Framework: PEOPLE Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding How do we relate and work together in partnership? A model of collaboration based on: Mutual trust and recognition Common vision and accountability Development of each person and skills Learning to deal with conflict Shared decision-making Styles of meeting A culture of collaboration Spirituality

9. Unpacking the Framework: PEOPLE Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding I dentify three needs, situations and/or calls to mission, in your context which might be better met by greater collaboration? What 2-3 concrete, practical steps do you see as ways towards implementing more collaboration in your context so that you can better respond to the needs of your community? What obstacles to greater collaboration exist in your context? What can be done about these?

10. Unpacking the Framework: PRINCIPLES Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding

11. Unpacking the Framework: PRINCIPLES Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding

12. Unpacking the Framework: PRINCIPLES Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding What does each principle mean to you personally? How is it reflected in your Catholic school community? How is it or will it guide your work as an advisory body?

13. Unpacking the Framework: PRACTICES Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding

14. Unpacking the Framework: PRACTICES Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding An Effective Catholic School Advisory Body: Is Faithful to the mission of Catholic Education and the Church Engages in learning and well-being partnerships Focuses on building a learning community Knows how to know their communities Responds in meaningful ways

15. Unpacking the Framework: PRACTICES Catholic Identity & Mission, Engaging, Learning, Knowing, Responding What do these words evoke for you personally or as a group? In what ways are these core practices evident in your work? What could we be doing differently?