Stella Maris Catholic Primary School | Beaumaris



Nazareth Parish Education Advisory Board ConstitutionAdopted: ## November 2019Introduction Nazareth parishIn 2008, the parishes of St. Joseph’s in Black Rock and Stella Maris merged to become the Catholic Parish of Nazareth, Rickett’s Point. Fr John Dupuche was the first Parish priest of the Parish of Nazareth followed by Father Anthony Denton. St JosephsSt Joseph’s Primary School, Black Rock, was established as a church/school in 1928. History reveals ‘that before 1928, local Catholics attended a Sunday Mass, with a visiting celebrant, at the Black Rock home of a Mr & Mrs Murphy, on a wide, lattice enclosed verandah, where a temporary altar was set up and chairs provided for about 15 to 20 people’, known as the Murphy Church. (Parish Historical Records)A new St Joseph’s Church was opened in 1964. In 1992 Fr Gerard O’Callaghan retired as Parish Priest of St Joseph’s Parish and Fr Tom White, Parish Priest of Stella Maris, Beaumaris, was appointed Administrator.. The main building of St Joseph’s School was opened in 1954. In 2005 the original church building was refurbished and now houses administrative offices, a teacher resource area, meeting rooms, a staff room and an art room. An additional classroom was also built. The parish/school hall was refurbished in 2008/09 and includes tennis clubrooms for St Joseph’s Tennis Club. The school was upgraded with four classrooms and building a new library, computer lab / multimedia centre under the Building the Education Revolution commencing June 30, 2009.Stella MarisEstablished in 1956, Stella Maris is located in the Melbourne bayside suburb of Beaumaris, 22 kilometres from the City of Melbourne.. Most students remain at Stella Maris from Prep until Year 6. Stella Maris’ students mainly attend the following secondary schools; Kilbreda College Mentone, Star of the Sea Gardenvale, St Bede’s College, Mentone.The school itself is located amongst natural vegetation, including many attractive gum trees. Our school grounds include a mainly hard surfaced upper playground and a school oval. The upper playground has a basketball/netball court, a climbing adventure playgrounds as well as passive playing areas. The school oval includes a productive vegetable garden, a barbeque and playground equipment. Portable AFL goalposts and soccer goals allow the children to practice their skills. The oval adjoins the Parish Tennis Courts and some P-3 children are involved in private tennis lessons, at lunch time.Nazareth Parish Mission statementWe believe our mission is:To foster a learning and teaching community through the integration of faith, life and culture.To develop an understanding of the Catholic faith, to know Jesus in scripture and to be witnesses to His Mission in our day to day lives.To serve the Church community and maintain a distinctive Catholic educational environment.To promote justice and provide pastoral care for all concerned. Governing Principles of the Nazareth Parish Education Advisory BoardServing on the board of a Catholic school is a form of Church lay ministry. It is a response to the call to support the local Catholic parish and school communities in a particular way. It is also a means for members of the community to share their skills and talents for the common good. A well-functioning board provides a rich source of wisdom and insight as well as a means of strengthening community links and potential for ernance and AuthorityParishWithin the provisions of Canon Law, the parish priest in consultation with the parish community is responsible for providing for the Catholic education of parish children and young adults as well the catechetical formation of the faithful and outreach to those who are no longer practising their faith or who do not profess the Catholic religion.The Nazareth Parish Education Advisory Board (Board) provides advice to the parish priest within the context of this Consultation and the vision statement of the schools.Parish Primary SchoolsWith the approval and under the direction of the Archbishop of Melbourne, St Joseph’s and Stella Maris, has been established to provide Catholic education, according to the precepts, teachings and practices of the Catholic Church.These schools are administered by the parish priest of Nazareth Parish Rickett’s Point under the supervision of the Archbishop of Melbourne and is acknowledged as Catholic by his authority.The governance of these schools are undertaken by the parish priest with the support of the Principals.The Board provides advice to the Principals within the context of this Constitution and the school’s vision and mission statements.The parish priest reserves his authority in matters relating to:The Catholicity of the SchoolsDiocesan regulationsEmployment of staffThe formation and dissolution of the boardAppointment of board members and office bearersThe appointment and dismissal of the PrincipalsSchool financesWithin the provisions of Canon Law, the Board is responsible to the parish priest, who in turn is subject to the vigilance of the Archbishop of Melbourne.The Board has no responsibility for the internal management and administration of the schools, which are the responsibility of the school Principals.DefinitionsThe Archbishop is the Catholic Archbishop for the time being of the Archdiocese of Melbourne or the person duly appointed to administer the Archdiocese.The Parish of Nazareth at Rickett's Point is as defined by the Archbishop of Melbourne in accordance with Canon Law.The Parish Priest is the canonical admistrator as approved by the Archbishop of Melbourne in accordance with Canon Law.Nazareth Parish Education Advisory Board (Board) is the body responsible for advising the parish priest and Principals according to the provisions of this Constitution.Land and BuildingsThe ownership of land and buildings thereon is vested in the Roman Catholic Trusts Corporation for the Archdiocese of Melbourne, which shall hold such in trust for the parish in accordance with Canon Law.The costs of all land and buildings, comprising buildings equipped to satisfy the requirements of a parish schools, shall be underwritten by the parish.Nazareth Parish Education Advisory Board purposesThe purposes of the Board are to:Act as an advisory body to the parish priest and Principals, on matters concerning education in the parishAct as a forum for discussion on matters concerning education in the parish primary schoolsProvide a link between the parish priest, Principals, teachers and parishioners in relation to the provision of Catholic education in the parish communityPromote community development by fostering a strong interrelationship between parish and the parish primary schools, Catholic secondary colleges and pre-schoolsBoard responsibilitiesThe responsibilities of the Board are to promote the Catholic ethos of the schools and to support Religious Education programs andPromote the Catholic ethos of the school and to support the Religious Education programsProvide advice on the development and review of schools policies Plan for the future of the parish primary schools and its ability to accommodate future enrolmentsProvide advice on budget planning and finance-related mattersContribute to the selection process for the schools PrincipalsEnsure the appropriate provision of faith development and RE programs for children attending Government schoolsFoster adult education in faithThe Schools Education Board (Board)MembershipThe Board shall be composed of a least 8 members who appreciate, value and share the educational mission and ethos of the Catholic Church. It shall consist of:The parish priest (ex officio)The schools Principals (ex officio) (2)One (1) teacher representative per school (2)Four (4) parents (2 from each school) of children attending each parish primary school elected by the parents of the schoolOne (1) parishioner nominated by the parish priestOther persons co-opted for a period of time to serve particular need on the education board(An?ex officio member?is a member of a body (a board, committee, council, etc.) who is part of it by virtue of holding another office.) (the Parents and Friends President has an invitation to attend the Board Meeting to present, subject to the Chair Approval)Ordinary MeetingThe Board should meet at least 4 times per year (including the AGM) and at least once each term.A quorum comprises a majority plus one of Board members at the time of the meeting and members must be present at all time during a meeting.Annual General MeetingThe Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Board members shall be held once a year.An annual report is to be presented at the AGM and communicated to the parish community.Office BearersFollowing the AGM, the Board will elect from its own members a chair. Ex officio members and employees of the parish or schools shall not be eligible to hold the office of chair.The Board may elect a deputy chair who will carry out the duties of chair in his/her absence.The Board will appoint a secretary from among its members. The secretary attends board meetings and prepares necessary documentation under the direction of the executive officer or chair.Board Executive CommitteeThe Board may form a Board Executive Committee which may comprise:ChairParish priest, or his nomineeNon ex-officio member of the boardPrincipalsBoard secretaryThe Board Executive Committee provides support to the parish priest, Principals and the Board and operates with terms of reference determined by the Board.Other CommitteesOther committees, or working parties, may be established by the Board in response to identified needs of the Board.Appointment of Board MembersThe parish priest or his representative will appoint Board members nominated or elected under categories (a), (b) and (c).In the event of a casual vacancy, the vacancy will be filled by appointment of the parish priest or his representative on a recommendation of the Board. Any person appointed to a casual vacancy shall hold office for the balance of the term of the member who is vacating the position.The terms of appointment for members of the Board are as follows:All Board appointment in the inaugural year of operation will be for 1 year; following year 1 The parents of children at the schools will be elected for three years, and may be re-electedThe parishioners will hold membership for three years, and may be re-nominatedThe term of appointment for the board chair will be for two calendar years and may be eligible for re-election.Change of ConstitutionThis Constitution may be changed only if the parish priest or his representative, after consultation with the Board, decides upon alterations or accepts any alterations proposed by two-thirds of the members of the Board.Notice of any proposed change to the Constitution must be given to Board members, in writing, 14 clear days in advance of an extraordinary Board meeting called specifically for the purpose of discussing the matter.Confidentiality and SolidarityBoard confidentiality and solidarity are key ingredients in building trust among members. At times, there will be good reason to declare an issue, a paper and/or a discussion as confidential. This should be done by the chair prior to a Board meeting.Board members should also respect the right of individuals to express their views freely at meetings without fear of being named outside the meeting as taking particular positions. A sense of trust and harmony among members is vital for the wellbeing of the Board.This Constitution was ratified by the parish priest or his representative onDated ________________________Signed ____________________________________ ................
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