Democratic Principles

Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Ltd (MACS) schools operate with the consent of the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne and are owned, operated and governed by MACS.

Democratic principles

MACS schools recognise that the school plays a vital role in advancing democratic ideals and principles. For democracy to continue to thrive, children must be taught democratic ideals and principles and to value its way of life. MACS schools will explicitly and implicitly support and promote the principles of Australian democracy, including a commitment to:

• elected government
• the rule of law
• equal rights for all before the law
• freedom of religion
• freedom of speech and association
• the values of openness and tolerance.

MACS schools will prepare children and students to become citizens who will preserve and shape democracy in the future through their curricular and extracurricular programs. Democratic values will be taught explicitly in the curriculum and implicitly in the child’s experience of the school, in classroom practices, and from what is taught to how it is taught.

Reporting and monitoring

The MACS Board will monitor the publication of this Democratic Principles Statement by MACS schools through the Annual Report to the School Community (ARSC) and regular school review processes (at least once every four years).