The Development of a school as a catholic community: the principal's role

Abstract

The aim of this research was to find out what role is played by the principal in the development of a school as a Catholic community. The research was set in New Zealand Catholic schools within the Catholic Diocese of Auckland. It was necessary to find out what contributes to the development of a Catholic community, and to consider whether any particular leadership styles make a positive contribution to that development. The methods used were a questionnaire, which was sent out to all the Catholic primary principals in the Auckland Catholic Diocese, and case studies of two of the Auckland Catholic primary schools. Numerous influential people within the two school communities were interviewed, including (when available): the school principal; the chairperson of the Board of Trustees; the director of Religious Studies; a proprietor's representative on the Board of Trustees and the parish priest. Relevant documentation from the two schools was reviewed, including that appertaining to the schools' Catholic Character Review, newsletters and other documentation relevant to the schools' gospel values. In these ways, a picture was painted of the development of these schools as Catholic communities. Through the responses of the principals taking part in the questionnaire, and the case studies, it became clear that there were eight areas that affect the implementation of gospel values within Catholic schools. These were gospel values; liturgical/prayer/personal reflection; practical links with parish/community; communication/consultation; hospitality/relationships within school; physical environment; curriculum and outreach. These characteristics highlighted the essential differences between the Catholic and the state school. A shared leadership style was found to make a positive contribution to the development of the school as a Catholic community. Implications of Research Most of the literature available on leadership in the Catholic school setting has been carried out in the United States and Australia. There has been little research published based upon leadership in Catholic schools in New Zealand. With the introduction of the newly developed Catholic Character Review for New Zealand Catholic schools, which was implemented in 2004, this was an opportune time to look at the development of the Catholic primary school in New Zealand. Considering the implications of Vatican II) over recent decades, with the changing role of the laity, it is important for the Church at all levels to be aware of the characteristics that define the culture of a Catholic school and to understand the role of the principal in the development of that culture.