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Catholic identity is a keystone for the evangelising mission of all Catholic education communities. It is expressed in structures and processes; in curriculum and the learning environment; in the formation of staff to support, teach and lead; in strategic planning and community culture; the wellbeing of students; and the engagement of parents, parish and wider community.
We value our Catholic identity at St William's School and strive to teach, support, lead, plan and engage our students, staff, parents, parish and the wider community in all that we do.
A Catholic Christian school derives its identity and culture from its Catholic Christian character, from its charism. The word charism, in the tradition of the Church, refers to spiritual gifts used for the service of the whole community. A central influence on the charism of any school is the person of Jesus Christ.
St William’s School draws inspiration and direction from the stories of our founding religious congregation, the Sisters of the Good Samaritan. The Good Samaritan Sisters are an Australian Congregation founded in 1857 by Archbishop Polding, an English Benedictine monk and the first Bishop of Australia. Central to the life and work of the Good Samaritan Sisters is the Benedictine tradition with its emphasis on maintaining a balance between prayer, work and leisure.
The lesson of the Good Samaritan parable and the influence of the Benedictine spirit provide our particular inspiration. We endeavour to imitate the Benedictine practice described by Joan Chittister OSB:
Everyone is received as Christ.
Everyone receives a warm answer, on the phone, at the door, in the office.
Every guest is received with the same warmth and the same care,
the same dignity and the same attention.
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Benedictine Values
Stability
Prayer
Compassion
Conversion
Hospitality
Humility
Community
Work
Obedience
Peace
