Contributing to Stronger WA Communities

Contributing
to stronger WA
communities
2020

Contents
03.
Foreword
By Dr Debra Sayce
Executive Director CEWA
04.
At a Glance
05.
Flagship
Initiatives
06.
Supporting
Parental
Choice
08.
Contributing
to Western
Australia's
Economy
10.
Partners in
Our State's
Future

Foreword
BY DR DEBRA SAYCE
Executive Director CEWA
Catholic schools have been an important part of Western
Australia’s education landscape since 1844. As the second
largest education provider in the state, the Catholic
education system provide educational options and quality
school opportunities for 18% of the State’s total school
student population, including 23% of all secondary
school students.
In 2019, more than 76,000 students were enrolled at 162
Catholic schools located from Wyndham in the state’s
north to Albany and Esperance on the south coast, and
inland to Kalgoorlie. Catering for families from a spectrum
of social and economic backgrounds, Catholic schools
provide educational choice for all families seeking a Catholic
education for their children, regardless of their individual
circumstances or their capacity to financially contribute.
For more than 175 years, as long as some of the State’s
oldest Catholic schools have served their local communities,
WA parents have exercised their freedom to choose schools
that articulate the values they believe are important to their
children’s intellectual, spiritual and social development.
In fostering these values, Catholic schools recognise
that a quality education is built on a strong home-school
partnership. Catholic schools support, and are supported
by, effective parent and community relationships that give
direction and purpose to their pastoral roles.
Parents in Catholic schools make a significant contribution
to their children’s education, saving the Federal and
State governments millions of dollars annually. In 2019,
this resulted in a net saving of $262 million to Federal
Government and $611 million to State Government in
recurrent costs alone.
In addition to the significant financial savings for the
State and Federal governments, Catholic schools make
a far-reaching contribution to the WA economy. In 2019,
independent analysis undertaken by Ernst & Young
estimated that Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA)
supported approximately 11,000 full time teaching and
non-teaching jobs resulting in an estimated Gross Value
Add of $1.64 billion.
CEWA values the State Government’s commitment to
ensuring all students – regardless of where they live –
receive a high-quality education. To ensure all schools,
including Catholic schools, can better support the growing
student population in contemporary, world class facilities,
CEWA is seeking a commitment from the major political
parties for continued support and recognition of a diverse
and strong non-government schooling sector, enabling
choice for WA families. Parents, who are prepared to
financially invest in their children’s education, expect
Federal and State governments to support their
legitimate educational choices through equitable funding
and supportive policies for all schools – government
and non-government.
This report highlights the significant role of Catholic
education in Western Australia, evidenced not only In the
financial contribution to the economy but more importantly
in preparing children and young people to positively
contribute to society well into the future.
'Partners in our State's future' wraps up the report, outlining
the key challenges facing Catholic schools as CEWA calls
for renewed Government support for fair and equitable
investment for students attending Catholic schools.
Catholic Education Western Australia | 3

At a Glance
Catholic schools come in all sizes, from small country schools to large
metropolitan Kindergartens to Year 12 colleges. More than 34% of WA’s
Catholic schools are located outside major metropolitan areas. In some
remote communities, a Catholic school is the only local school.
13
CEWA
SCHOOLS
Diocese of
Broome
Providing an education that strives to educate
the whole child – intellectually, spiritually,
physically, morally and emotionally –
is a priority for Catholic schools.
More than
76,000
students attend a Catholic school
11
CEWA
SCHOOLS
112
CEWA
SCHOOLS
27
CEWA
SCHOOLS
Diocese of
Geraldton
Archdiocese of Perth
Diocese of
Bunbury
18% of all WA school students Catholic schools
meet students'
diverse needs
That's
15%
of all WA primary
school students
75
schools offer
Three-year-old
programs
and
23%
of all WA secondary
school students
133
schools have
Kindergarten
programs
13
Aboriginal Families as First
Educators (AFaFE) playgroups
24
schools offer
Education
Support
Centres
12
schools provide
boarding
services
68
schools provide
Outside School
Hours Care
4
schools offer
Long
Day Care
147
schools provide
support for
Aboriginal
students
5support secondary
students to
re-engage in their
learning at specialist
CARE (Curriculum
and Re-engagement
Education) schools
4 | Contributing to stronger WA communities

Flagship Initiatives
CEWA's flagship initiatives support schools to achieve
their vision of being Christ-centred and child-focused
communities and engaged learning environments.
Child Safe Framework
The Child Safe Framework, launched in 2018, promotes work
practices and establishes expectations for personal and
professional boundaries that support a child safe culture
for all Catholic schools, care centres and communities.
Based on the latest research in child safety for institutions,
in line with best practice, and consistent with the Royal
Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual
Abuse recommendations, the nine elements of the Child
Safe Framework support our school communities in
maintaining child-safe cultures founded on healthy and
respectful relationships.
Transforming Lives: Strategy 2025
With over 3100 Aboriginal students and more than 100
Aboriginal Teaching Assistants in Catholic schools across
Western Australia, and the system-wide key initiative
of Transforming Lives: Strategy 2025, CEWA is committed
to creating outstanding, culturally responsive learning
environments for young Aboriginal people and their families.
Vision for Learning
Launched in 2019, Vision for Learning articulates our
commitment to a quality Catholic education which is
Christ-centred and child-focused. It envisages the learning
journey of young people as they develop strong academic
skills and learn to collaborate, innovate and think critically
in order to contribute positively to a rapidly changing world.
The Vision for Learning is underpinned by research and by
the experience of nationally and internationally acclaimed
practitioners. It recognises the important role parents
play as partners in the education of young people, and the
importance of all educators to bring the vision to life in
following their vocation. The Vision for Learning is aligned to
the domains of CECWA’s Strategic Directions 2019-2023.
Digital Transformation
CEWA's multi-year digital transformation project has
enabled a world-class digital ecosystem that provides safe
and secure cloud-based collaboration and insights for staff
and students. The platform has received local, national and
international acclaim.
The strategy strives to ensure Aboriginal students have
equitable access and participation in Catholic schools,
and every opportunity to achieve educational outcomes
equal to that of their non-Aboriginal peers.
CECWA Strategic Directions
Responding to God’s call to serve our diverse communities
1
CATHOLIC IDENTITY
2 EDUCATION
3 COMMUNITY
4 STEWARDSHIP
a
b
c
Inspiring
Christ-centred
Leaders
Contemporary models of Gospel
leadership that are inclusive,
flexible and responsive to the
increasing requirements of
church, governments and society.
Shared leadership and
governance practices that
embrace Catholic Social Teaching
principles emphasising common
good, participation, subsidiarity
and co-responsibility.
Inclusive leadership formation
and development reflecting the
commitment and diverse talents
of staff, students, parents and
community members.
a
b
c
d
Catholic Schools
of Excellence
Effective communities
developing students as
whole Christian persons.
Catholic schools witnessing
effective, contemporary
pedagogy and mission-inspired
practice and outreach.
Shared understanding and
commitment to a Catholic
Vision for Learning across
all schools.
Commitment to providing high
quality Religious Education.
a
b
c
d
Catholic Pastoral
Communities
Inclusive communities
welcoming and supporting
students with diverse learning
and social needs.
Shared understanding and
commitment to the Transforming
Lives: Strategy 2025.
Open processes for conversation
and engagement with all
members of CEWA communities
and their local church.
Services to enhance the safety
and wellbeing of students and
staff across all contexts.
a
b
c
Accessible,
Affordable and
Sustainable System
of Schools
Initiatives ensuring the
accessibility, affordability,
sustainability and growth
of schools.
Transparent and
inclusive processes for
distributing resources that build
equity and
co-responsibility across
all schools.
Responsiveness to the diverse
needs of students.
Catholic Education Western Australia | 5

Supporting Parental Choice
Affordability
Catholic schools are as diverse as the communities they serve, catering
for families from a variety of social and economic backgrounds.
Acknowledging the significant contribution that parents make to their
children’s education, and recognising the increasing financial pressures
facing families, keeping fees as low as possible and maintaining
affordability is fundamental to Catholic schools.
CEWA is very clear in its position that no Catholic
family seeking a Catholic education for their child be
denied the opportunity due to financial difficulty.
More than half of all WA Catholic schools have an Australian
Socio-Economic Score (SES) average of less than 100.
68
SCHOOLS
WITH SES

Diversity
Focusing on more than just academic outcomes, Catholic
schools promote education for all – celebrating the diversity
and achievements of every student, their unique skills
and their full potential. Specialist learning and support
programs in Catholic schools provide opportunities for
all students to achieve their best.
A Culture of Excellence
CEWA colleges are among the top performing schools in the
State in terms of Western Australian Certificate of Education
(WACE) achievement, and cater for all students, whether
they are aspiring to undertake university, further training
or enter the workforce.
2019 key results are highlighted below:
7,088
students
with
disabilities
(NCCD funded)
342
students
attend CARE
Schools
(Curriculum and
Re-engagement
Education)
3,115
Aboriginal
students
Students enrolled in
Vocational
Education
Training (VET)
qualification
95.6%
95.6%
of Year 12 students
28% achieved WACE
of Year 12 students
achieved of Year 10-12 WACE
students
CEWA students
representated
• 4,988 students achieved the WACE at CEWA
colleges with 19 students awarded with
School Curriculum and Standards Authority
(SCSA) General Exhibition, SCSA General
Exhibition (ATSI), VET (Vocational Education
and Training) Exhibition and Subject
Exhibition awards.
• Many students achieved an ATAR ranking of
95 or higher. CEWA students’ median ATAR
was 82.05 in 2019, compared with the State
median of 81.05.
• Literacy and Numeracy standards were
met by 97.0% of CEWA students and the
percentage of students that reached
Numeracy, Reading and Writing standards
were 97.8%, 99.0% and 98.9% respectively.
As schools of excellence, Catholic
schools support students to gain
confidence in their abilities and to
achieve their unique potential.
6
ATSI
6 8 51
51
8
General General
Subject Subject
WINNER
TOP
WINNER
TOP
ATSI
General
Exhibition
ATSI
ATSI
Exhibition
Awards
Awards
Exhibition
Awards
Certification
of Excellence
8
82.05
Subject Subject
Median ATAR
Awards Certification
CEWA Schools
81.05 Median ATAR at public schools
of Excellence
CEWA schools
representated
CEWA students
53% representated
6 8 51
WINNER
TOP
6 8 51
95.6% 82
WINNER
ATSI
95.6% 17% 82.05
TOP
34%
ATSI
of Year 12 General General Subject Subject
General General Subject Subject
of Year 12 students of Year 12’s in WA
Exhibition Exhibition
of Year
Awards
12 students
Certification
Exhibition Median Exhibition ATAR of the top 50 schools
Awards Certification
Med
taking WACE exams
students
17%
achieved WACE
ATSI Awards
of Excellence
CEW
achieved WACE
ATSI Awards
of Excellence
CEWA Schools
for median ATAR score
81.05 Median ATAR at public schools
81.05 Median
CEWA students
CEWA students Students achieved CEWA schools 3CEW
representated
representated
representated
rep
43.4% 1,011
4 10
Catholic Education Western Australia | 7
17%
of Year 12’s in WA
17% 34%
students who completed
VET
VET
taking WACE VET Cert exams II or higher Exhibition Certificates
Exhibitions & Awards

Contributing to Western
Australia's Economy
$611M
Amount that Catholic schools
saved WA taxpayers in 2019
$262M
Amount that Catholic schools
saved Federal Government in 2019
As government funding only accounts for 76% of the cost of education
for students attending a Catholic schools, parents are required to
contribute to the cost of their children’s education if they choose to
send their child to a Catholic school. If Catholic school students were
to take up government school places to which they are entitled, the WA
taxpayer would have to bear significant extra costs.
In its independent analysis, Ernst & Young (EY) has determined that the
current funding model for Catholic schools results in significant annual
savings to both State and Federal governments. Combined with the
significant contribution that Catholic schools make to the WA economy,
the WA taxpayer benefits significantly from Catholic education.
In 2019, more than 76,000 Catholic school
students were entitled to, but did not
take up a place in a government school.
Recurrent Savings
$1.64bn
GVA contribution in 2019; 17% of total
WA Education & Training sector
The current agreement between the State and Federal governments
requires the WA State Government fund most of the cost of government
schools, and a smaller portion of costs for non-government schools.
This agreement means that the WA Government saves $611 million
per annum and the Federal Government saves $262 million in
recurrent costs alone by not having to fund the full cost of educating
those students currently enrolled in Catholic schools.
This figure has been calculated by
comparing how much base funding
each Catholic school student in WA
would attract from the State and Federal
Governments under the existing funding
agreement if all Catholic school students
moved to government schools.
In 2019, under current funding
arrangements, Catholic primary schools in
Western Australia received an estimated
16% less in per-student base funding
when compared to government schools;
and secondary schools received 30%
less in per student base funding when
compared to government schools.
8 | Contributing to stronger WA communities

Graph 1: Student funding comparison - Catholic to Government schools in WA
$15,000
PRIMARY
$1,823 recurrent savings per student
SECONDARY
$4,673 recurrent savings per student
$14,762
$12,000
$9,000
$9,924
$1,823
$11,747
$2,636
$10,089
$4,673
$3,313
$6,000
$7,619
$9,111
$7,632 $11,449
$3,000
$2,305
$2,457
$0
CATHOLIC
GOVERNMENT
CATHOLIC
GOVERNMENT
Source: EY
STATE FUNDING
FEDERAL FUNDING
Capital Savings
In WA Catholic schools, capital costs associated with
the purchase of land, construction of buildings and
property improvements are funded primarily from
private contributions.
Between 2009 and 2017, 88% of capital funding for
WA Catholic schools was sourced from parent fees,
highlighting the importance Catholic school parents place
on educational choice.
Analysis undertaken by Ernst & Young identified that if
the WA Government was required to educate all students
currently attending Catholic schools, it would need
approximately $5.1 billion in additional capital expenditure
to establish the necessary school infrastructures. 1
While demonstrating that Catholic schools have an
important place in the State’s economy, the reliance on
parents to fund not only the recurrent costs of their school
fees but also the infrastructure to support quality education
delivery requires consideration. As WA’s economy faces
increasing uncertainty, CEWA is determined to advocate for
sustainable grant funding to meet the schooling needs of
WA’s diverse population now and in the future.
Considering an assumed cost of $85m to construct a
Kindergarten to Year 12 school, and the growing demand
for Catholic education in high growth areas across Western
Australia, the lack of sustainable capital funding for school
construction and improvement will result in schools being
unable to respond to meet the learning needs of students.
CEWA employs nearly
11,000
staff, making it the 5th largest
non-government employer in WA
Contributing to the WA economy
Analysis by Ernst & Young indicates that as of 2019, CEWA
supports approximately 11,000 full time teaching and
non-teaching jobs and estimates and estimates the total
Gross Value Added (GVA) contribution to the WA economy
to be approximately $1.64 billion. This represents almost
17% of the WA Education and Training sector per year.
Catholic Education Western Australia | 9

Partners in Our State's Future
42,500
40,000
37,500
35,000
Source: EY
Graph 2: Forecast Enrolment Demand in
Catholic schools in WA (Fixed Proportion)
41,372
35,424
PRIMARY
41,384
36,341
41,397
37,283
SECONDARY
41,409
38,248
2020 2021 2022 2023
Investing in Our
Children’s Education
As State Government prepares for additional
education requirements which will flow from
increases in Western Australia’s school aged
population, maintaining school choice for parents
through a healthy and growing government and
non-government sector will be vital.
That is why fair and timely provision of additional
school infrastructure and funding is an ongoing
area of advocacy for CEWA.
To ensure all school
students - including those attending Catholic
schools - have access to the best learning
and wellbeing support, CEWA is seeking state
government support of three priorities:
Economic Stimulus and
Infrastructure Investment
In the next ten years, there will be sufficient demand for
up to ten additional Catholic schools across the state.
CEWA aims to build new schools and expand capacity of
existing schools in areas of WA experiencing significant
enrolment demand and upgrading facilities in existing
schools according to need.
While capital funding for non-government schools
in Western Australia is currently reliant on parental
contributions and school fees to service low interest
loans, CEWA is seeking State Government support in
providing fair capital loan arrangements for Catholic
schools to ensure students in Western Australia have
access to contemporary, world class facilities.
This regardless of where they live or attend school.
This commitment needs to focus on:
• Replacing the existing capital loan scheme with a
State capital grant scheme to support new school
development applications
• Improving lending terms for Low Interest Loans by
reducing interest rates and extending the current
15-year loan maturity period to 20 years
27 capital
development
projects
in 2020 with
a total cost of
$127m
In the next five years, CEWA needs to invest:
$141m
to complete
schools
Including
Our Lady of
Mercy College
Australind
(Year 7–12)
St Elizabeth's
Catholic Primary
School
Hocking (Year K–6)
Mother Teresa
Catholic College
Baldivis (Year K–12)
St John Bosco
College
Piara Waters
(Year K–12)
Salvado
Catholic College
Byford (Year K–12)
$30m
for Kimberley
Schools
Including
St Mary's
College
Broome
(Year K–12)
St Martin de
Porres CARE
School
Broome
(Year 7–12)
$160m
for 2 new schools in
high growth areas
Including
Madora Bay
and another high
growth location yet
to be confirmed.
10 | Contributing to stronger WA communities

Supporting Resilient
Communities
As well as being pivotal to supporting the sustained learning
of children and young people, Catholic schools provide vital
pastoral care and wellbeing support.
1
children have been assessed
as having at least one mental
in7 health disorder (aged 4-17) 2
While mental health and wellbeing are increasingly being
identified as priorities for schools, access to essential
psychology services does not match the demand.
CEWA Psychology Service currently receives a grant of
$2.5m per year from the State Government, translating to
the employment of 16 full time equivalent staff in the CEWA
Psychology team.
CEWA is seeking a five year commitment from State
Government to provide $10 million per annum for an
additional 50 psychologists.
1:500
Recommended Psychologist
to Student Ratio
1:4800
Current CEWA Psychologist
to Student Ratio
Disruption Relief for
COVID-Safe Communities
Consistent with the government position, Catholic Education
Western Australia acknowledges that the toughest
social and economic test is yet to come. While the State
Government responds to COVID-19 by focusing on rapid
revenue recovery and restoring economic and social
stability, schools have a significant role to play in keeping
people employed, stimulating regional economies and
enhancing the productive capacity of the economy.
Just as government and the business sector are considering
resilience strategies, the scenario-based forecasting
undertaken by CEWA has identified that families facing
financial pressure is on the increase. With that, the ability
for parents to contribute to their child’s education will be
adversely affected.
CEWA is seeking State Government support in an equal
ratio to COVID-19 disruption relief funding offered to
government schools.
Aside from the cost of maintaining COVID-safe schools,
funding is needed to provide financial relief to families and
staff. As the State Government focuses on recovery and
restoring employment, investment in education will be vital
to stimulating the economy and enhance the wellbeing of
children and young people.
Priority Requests for Catholic Education from State Government
1
Capital funding to meet
schooling needs of
WA’s diverse population
and provide educational
choice for families.
2
Funding support to
meet demand for
essential psychology
services to meet mental
health and wellbeing
needs of students.
3
Creating COVID-safe
schools, supporting
families and generating
recovery for the
WA economy.
Catholic Education Western Australia | 11

Sources
1. "Catholic Education WA "Economic Contribution & Funding Investigation"
(Ernst & Young, 2020)
2. "The Second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and
Wellbeing Report" (Lawrence, Johnson, Hafekost, Boterhoven de Haan, Sawyer,
Ainley & Zubrick, 2015)
• February 2020 Census (WA Government)
• August 2019 Non-Government School Census
(AGDESE – Federal government)
• February 2020 Cosi collection (CEWA)
• ABS 4221.0-Schools
• Australian Commonwealth Government "Australian Education Regulation 2013
- No.67.2103" (2013)
• https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2019/10/Jointmedia-statement-Perth-to-increase-in-attractiveness-for-
internationalstudents.aspx
• Australian Commonwealth Government "Australian Education Act 2013" (2013)
• CEWA "Socio-Economic Status scores" (2017)
• Australian Commonwealth Government "Australian Amendment Bill 2017”
(2017)
• Bilateral agreement between WA and the Commonwealth on quality schools'
reforms dated 3rd December 2018
• CEWA "School Information" (2018) & ACARA "Full Time Equivalent Teachers"
(2017)
• REMPLAN "Western Australia Input/Output" (Dec 2017)
• WA Economic Profile, September 2019. https://www.jtsi.wa.gov.au/
docs/defaultsource/default-document-library/wa-economic-profile—
september-2019.pdf?sfvrsn=8e3f701 c_4
• https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2019/09/Majormaintenance-blitz-New-job-creating-school-package-
unveiled,aspx
• 5220.0 ABS - Australian National Accounts: State Accounts 2018-19
• Victorian School Building Authority 'Non-Government Schools Capital Fund',
https://www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au/Pages/Non- Government-Schools-
Grants-Program.aspx
www.cewa.edu.au
12 | Contributing to stronger WA communities