Education in a Holy Cross School |
Religious Policy |
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The distinctive religious character
Description of a Catholic School 1.1 A Catholic School is a school community, recognized by the local Bishop, which through its general programme of education and especially its Religious Education classes and religious practices, exercises the right to live and learn the values of Jesus Christ, as upheld by the Catholic Church. Such a school provides this value-based education for the Catholic community as well as for those from the wider community who seek an education in harmony with the aims of the school. 1.2 The Catholic school aims: (1) to provide a challenging educational environment which integrates faith and culture; (2) to promote the holistic growth of all learners; (3) to give active witness to social concern and care for others. 1.3 The catholic school achieves this through: (1) promoting a Catholic perspective of human life; (2) a holistic approach to life; (3) nurturing religious and moral formation; (4) the dedication of the principal and staff to practicing and promoting moral values and to a high standard of teaching and learning. 1.4 The Catholic school strives towards: (1) the excellence of education, with outcomes embracing the total formation of each individual, and involving a passion for the ministry of educating; (2) preparing learners to take their place in society as responsible citizens; (3) respect for the uniqueness of every person and for the integrity of creation; (4) a critical communication of culture, guided by a Christian concept of life centred on Jesus Christ whose life and teaching provides the model; (5) transmission of values for life through the integration of faith and culture, and culture and life; (6) nurturing of the faith of all members of the school community, recognizing that each is at his or her own stage of faith development; (7) encouraging and practicing openness and dialogue between the various faith communities as a means of both education and spiritual formation and development; (8) affirming and respecting the different religious identities, backgrounds and traditions of learners; (9) serving both the Catholic and the wider community with a concern for all people, especially the poor and marginalized, and for the spiritual and moral development of every individual; (10) working in partnership with parents - the primary educators of their children - the local Church, the wider community for the benefit of the community it serves and of society itself; (11) being a model of Christian freedom, justice and love in its administration, teaching and relationships between educators, governing body, learners, parents and community. 
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Recognizing our call to participate in the Catholic Church's mission to share the gospel of Jesus, we, the staff, learners and parents of Holy Cross Primary School Aliwal North, acknowledge our responsibility to provide an environment in which this gospel is lived out and experienced. This includes:
• Maintaining and fostering the Catholic Ethos and faith environment of the whole school. • Nurturing the faith of all those within the school community. • Being responsive to the changing needs and programmes of the local Church, Catholic schools and education. • Addressing the human and environmental rights and responsibilities as outlined in the South African Constitution by developing skills, knowledge, values and attitudes that empower learners to make informed decisions and take appropriate actions in their parishes and communities. • Highlighting the significance of other religious traditions without compromising the Catholic Identity of the school. • Fostering regular evaluation which ensures RE the respect that it deserved in the School Curriculum. 
Celebrating the Church Year, e.g. Lenten Corners in Class Rooms
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