Our Catholic Special Character

The special character of a Catholic school is defined in each school's Integration Agreement:

"The school is a Roman Catholic school in which the whole school community, through the general school programme and its religious instructions and observances, exercises the right to live and teach the values of Jesus Christ. These values are as expressed in the Scriptures and in the practices, worship and doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church, as determined from time to time by the Roman Catholic Bishop of the diocese."

At St Bernadette's we strive to educate our students within an atmosphere of Christ's love, and this is central to all we do in the school. The school encourages students to grow in faith in preparation for their life in the wider community.

Religious education is integrated into the total life of the school. Special character is evident in our daily classroom prayer, at the celebration of the sacraments, at assemblies, and in the staff life of the school. Our CERR Values reflect the catholic special character of our school community with particular reference to Gospel values.

School culture

St Bernadette's School provides a hope-filled Catholic Christian witness, which empowers our community members to integrate their faith and life. The school culture embraces and reflects the Catholic special character in the way staff and students treat each other with courtesy, consideration, and aroha, and in the physical environment of the school.

Worship

The school promotes a Catholic culture of prayer, liturgy, and faith-based celebration. Community prayer is part of the daily life at the school. All students are encouraged to attend Family Mass once per month. The school marks significant feasts and seasons of the liturgical year.

Being a Catholic School means that Religious Education underpins everything we do and all learning interactions. It leads us to understand what it is to be Catholic – It is a given at our school. For our students we aim to instill in them the essential faith knowledge, experiences and understanding for them to be able to "Live life to the Full" as members of the Catholic Church. Participation in the mass and sacraments, having a sound knowledge of prayer and the fundamentals of the Catholic faith, surrounded by a supportive faith community, will lead our students to demonstrate the following understandings:

·       Being Christ- Like in their actions

·       That as a follower of God – You are never alone

·       That it takes courage to be themselves within their faith

·       That it's "cool to be Catholic"

·       Knowing right from wrong

·       How to live by the Fruits of the Holy Spirit

These understandings will lead them to be the hands and Face of Christ and truly "bring Christ into the World"

See the Face of Christ in everyone!