Youthcom believes:
That our Catholic schools, ideally working at the centre of the fullest possible partnership with home and parish, seek to promote the equality dignity and worth of all human beings;
That Catholic education advocates principles of tolerance and inclusivity as central themes;
That Catholic education provides opportunities and experiences that enable young people to integrate their knowledge of Catholic faith with the development of practical skills for modern living;
That rapid changes in curricula, ongoing reform of public administration and any contingent rationalisation may change some aspects of current provision; and
That Catholic schools form a highly important setting to which a coordinated and comprehensive model of youth ministry should direct its attention.
Youthcom will seek to support schools in developing initiatives in faith development and in furthering peace and reconciliation by:
- Working in partnership with the relevant diocesan bodies in supporting the work of Catholic education;
- Developing new, and maintaining existing, relationships with schools through increased contact with principals and/or their nominated teachers;
- Inviting and facilitating schools' participation in events promoting faith development and peace and reconciliation;
- Providing developmentally appropriate resources that can be used with particular age groups in schools;
- Promoting the work of school retreat teams and developing relationships with existing school retreat teams;
- Promoting and supporting the work of youth ministers, youth workers and chaplains in schools; and
- Discussing/developing, with schools and others, ways in which parish youth centres may be used as resources for school communities and in particular for young people who may be most at risk.