Today the Church faces the challenge of continuing the rich tradition of Catholic education that began in Sydney in 1820. The strong community of Catholic schools that now exists is a tribute to the determination and commitment of all Religious and lay people who have worked to provide
Catholic education for generations of students.

Over the period 1870-1970 Catholic people sought out and supported Religious Congregations which provided a high percentage of the educators in Catholic schools. As in the first fifty years of the development of Catholic schools in Sydney, this privilege and challenge is carried out largely by members of the Church for whom this work is only part of their life's vocation. They are people with family commitments and other responsibilities to parish and community. Their livelihood depends on the salary and conditions they receive for the professional services they provide as Teachers, Principals, Support Staff and system administrators on behalf of the Church.

The Church entrusts all who work in Catholic schools with the task of assisting parents in "...the integral human formation and the faith education of young people" and challenges them to integrate the contemporary realities of work with the call of the Gospel to evangelisation and our Baptismal commitment.

A challenge for the Church as employer is to ensure that as far as possible the mission of Catholic schools can be taken forward in complex and sometimes ambiguous environments, while at the same time endeavouring to balance the personal needs and professional responsibilities of those who are employed.

This document seeks to:

• affirm those who work in Catholic education and acknowledge their continued commitment to this special ministry in the Church.
• articulate foundational beliefs and provide direction for growth-promoting workplace relations in Catholic education.
• recognise the realities and complexities of the contemporary workplace in the context of the commitment of Baptism and the Vision and Mission of Catholic schools.