Central to the resource is a framework comprising four key dimensions:
The Better Together resource has been developed to complement the various structures that exist in each diocese or school community and should be used in conjunction with local diocesan/school policies, constitutions, strategic plans and school improvement plans.
You can work through the dimensions sequentially or access each dimension individually as needed.
The framework itself can be thought of as a map or a guide – it describes who needs to be involved, what capabilities, attributes, understandings and resources are needed. Essentially the Better Together framework brings together the following key dimensions: people, principles and practices and shows the (inter) relationships among them in order to help people, or groups of people working together, have a successful journey with their school advisory body.
However, a conceptual framework is just that – conceptual. Those who use it will need to breath life into it and make it their own.
The ‘Keystone’ of the framework is the Catholic dimension. Sitting at the apex, it is the central supporting element, as a Catholic school advisory body cannot be truly effective without a strong Catholic identity and mission.
This section outlines how the educating community can work better together in partnership to support student faith formation, learning and well-being and build community.
It very clearly situates ALL students
at the centre of the partnership.
Outlining the important contribution individuals can make to the educational partnership and the work of the advisory body in particular, there are also video vignettes of parents, principals and parish priests from the two partner dioceses talking about their experiences of being part of an advisory body.
This section outlines the Catholic principles that underpin and guide the work of Catholic school advisory bodies. They are based on the twelve
core principles outlined in the 2002 National Catholic Education Commission’s (NCEC)
Catholic School Governance document.
Emphazies the role and purpose of the Catholic school and the
valuable contribution Catholic education has made to Australian society.
This section outlines the key practices of effective school advisory bodies:
The keystone supporting each practice being Catholic identity and mission.
Each core practice is supported by a statement, attributes and indicators of effective practice, with reflective questions as to how it relates to the local context and links to a range of resources.
The Practices can be summarised as:
Effective Catholic school advisory bodies:
The framework is supported by a bank of resources and tools to support the work of advisory bodies. The resources are aligned to the practices:
PLUS
Meeting Matters: Effective advisory bodies have good structures and processes in place. Resources you’ll find here include agendas and minute templates, planning and evaluation tools, checklists and tips for chairing meetings.
Download Powerpoint: Unpacking the Better Together Framework
The Better Together framework brings together people, principles and practices to help groups have a successful journey with their school advisory body.
These four principles underpin each dimension of the Better Together Framework.
How to use …
One component of the Better Together framework are the Explore, Reflect, Respondlearning modules/units that can be accessed on the Resources page. They have been designed to provide professional development for groups prior to, during and after meetings related to the liturgical, educational and school calendar.