Contents 03. Foreword By Dr Debra Sayce Executive Direc<strong>to</strong>r CE<strong>WA</strong> 04. At a Glance 05. Flagship Initiatives 06. Supporting Parental Choice 08. <strong>Contributing</strong> <strong>to</strong> Western Australia's Economy 10. Partners in Our State's Future
Foreword BY DR DEBRA SAYCE Executive Direc<strong>to</strong>r CE<strong>WA</strong> 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 <strong>to</strong>tal 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 <strong>to</strong> Albany and Esperance on the south coast, and inland <strong>to</strong> 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 <strong>to</strong> financially contribute. For more than 175 years, as long as some of the State’s oldest Catholic schools have served their local communities, <strong>WA</strong> parents have exercised their freedom <strong>to</strong> choose schools that articulate the values they believe are important <strong>to</strong> 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 <strong>to</strong> their pas<strong>to</strong>ral roles. Parents in Catholic schools make a significant contribution <strong>to</strong> 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 <strong>to</strong> Federal Government and $611 million <strong>to</strong> State Government in recurrent costs alone. In addition <strong>to</strong> the significant financial savings for the State and Federal governments, Catholic schools make a far-reaching contribution <strong>to</strong> the <strong>WA</strong> economy. In 2019, independent analysis undertaken by Ernst & Young estimated that Catholic Education Western Australia (CE<strong>WA</strong>) supported approximately 11,000 full time teaching and non-teaching jobs resulting in an estimated Gross Value Add of $1.64 billion. CE<strong>WA</strong> values the State Government’s commitment <strong>to</strong> 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, CE<strong>WA</strong> is seeking a commitment from the major political parties for continued support and recognition of a diverse and strong non-government schooling sec<strong>to</strong>r, enabling choice for <strong>WA</strong> families. Parents, who are prepared <strong>to</strong> financially invest in their children’s education, expect Federal and State governments <strong>to</strong> 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 <strong>to</strong> the economy but more importantly in preparing children and young people <strong>to</strong> positively contribute <strong>to</strong> society well in<strong>to</strong> the future. 'Partners in our State's future' wraps up the report, outlining the key challenges facing Catholic schools as CE<strong>WA</strong> calls for renewed Government support for fair and equitable investment for students attending Catholic schools. Catholic Education Western Australia | 3
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