Editorial: Value for money

The
Catholic Weekly
Online

Sydney
22 February 2004

A melting pot of faith

Jobs plan may hurt disabled

Theology of Body

First PNG Michaelites

Census data

‘Quiet revolution in our school buildings’

‘Outstanding’ approach to teaching

Cardinal will launch Project Compassion

Pregnant pause: First all-night ‘wake up’ call of baby acrobatics

Human rights

Alternative to IVF

Young take steps on interfaith road

Questions to shape choice of next Pope

Editorial: Value for money

Letters: Confession

Conversation: Fr Con Keogh, honoured for helping people rehabilitate themselves - ‘Insane’ priest who draws others to God

Easter – a renewal of life

Pancakes for peace

Catholic schools build for the future

St Joseph’s – a happy partnership where ‘everyone is bubbling over’

‘Getting value for their money’

Shot fanned flames of fear

Knocked out by Marists

Obituary: Capuchin Fr Ted gave up farming and shearing for a ‘late’ vocation

Obituary: Fr Colin, Renaissance man

... mud, sweat and gears? Crazy!

Riverview’s ‘Big Bird’

Editorial: Value for money

CATHOLIC schools have long provided quality education for our children.

In decades gone by this was achieved on a shoe-string budget, thanks in large part to the selfless contribution and sometime ingenuity of members of the religious teaching orders.

But the real heroes in the success story of our systemic schools have been and continue to be the parents and parishioners.

They have made the decision to send their children to Catholic schools; they have borne the main cost of establishing and maintaining the infrastructure, sometimes with great sacrifice.

Bricks and mortar come at a big price. We learn today that $290 million has been spent over the past decade on building new and refurbishing existing archdiocesan schools. More than $40 million extra is expected to be spent in 2004 alone – a grand total of $330 million.

Last year nearly $12 million was collected by primary and secondary schools through the building and maintenance levy. The money was retained locally to help with debt servicing, repairs, building insurances and repairs and maintenance.

Some funding is also provided by the Federal Government, while the State Government provides an interest subsidy scheme.

The investment in our schools has been worthwhile. As Br Kelvin Canavan, executive director of schools, says, “the 62,500 students who attend our schools are being provided with excellent facilities to learn in ... and our teachers will have the very best of facilities in which to teach”.

And, as we read today, there is an important partnership between schools and parishes that pays dividends for both parties. The students and teachers get quality facilities and the parishes share in the community feeling that is generated by the presence of the schools. They are rightly proud of of their achievement

After all, as one parish priest points out, “it’s all for the kids” – and for our very future as a Church community.