The idea of Catholic curriculum and curriculum reform in Australia

Abstract

The current development of national curriculum in Australia provides significant opportunities and challenges for the country's 1700 Catholic schools. This article considers the growing interest in the nature of Catholic curriculum from an Australian perspective, at a time of national debate about curriculum. It also offers a case study of the development and implementation of the Diocese of Broken Bay Catholic Worldview statement as an example of a contextualised Catholic curriculum theology. The Catholic Worldview statement includes 10 propositions which reflect the hierarchy of truths central in Catholic teaching. From these, a set of associated values have been identified. The focus of the project is not on what it means to be Catholic in a generalised sense, but on an approach to Catholic curriculum in the context of a particular diocese, in a particular culture, and at a particular time. However, it may serve as a model and inspiration for other contexts.

Keywords:

• Australian curriculum
• Catholic curriculum
• Catholic identity
• worldview
• Catholic schooling
• education

Notes

1. Brother Barry Lamb's research has traced the existence of this school continually from 1820 until the present day, where it continues as Parramatta Marist High school.

2. St Mary of the Cross MacKillop became the first Australian saint to be recognised by the universal church with her canonisation in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI on 17 October 2010.

3. The Australian Curriculum consultation process is occurring in a range of forums, and on the world wide web, so anyone who can access a computer and the Internet can participate.

4. Authorised by Bishop David Walker, Bishop of Broken Bay, 27 July 2004.

5. At a time of considerable debate and criticism of the government concerning restrictive migration policies, it was pointed out that Simpson, a sailor who had deserted his British ship in Australia, was an illegal English migrant!