At its August 2020 meeting, the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia (CECWA) gave its approval for the beginning of a consultation process to explore the amalgamation of Corpus Christi College and Yidarra Catholic Primary School from two separate (adjacent) schools into one K-12 college.
Catholic Education Western Australia Executive Director Dr Debra Sayce informed the Bateman Parish community, and both school communities, of the approval the commencement of a consultation process in a letter dated 10 August.
“While students, staff and parents of both schools already benefit from many shared opportunities and activities, there has been significant community interest to explore the potential benefits of amalgamation,” Dr Sayce wrote.
“However, CECWA requires appropriate consultation be made with the diocesan Bishop, school leadership team, and school and parish communities prior to any decision being made.
“The consultation with the school and parish communities will involve four sub-committees being formed [in the pillars of Catholic Identity, Education, Community and Stewardship] with each sub-committee including nominated representatives from the two schools and the parish, and being chaired by a Catholic Education Office representative,” she continued.
“The role of each of these committees will be to identify the advantages and risks associated with a potential change of operation and to prepare a report focusing on the outcomes of the initial consultation and providing recommendations with regard to a potential change of operation in that committee’s pillar of focus. Terms of reference will be provided to these four sub-committees which will each meet several times before compiling their reports later this year.”
Following this process, the reports will be consolidated and presented to the CECWA for the final decision.
“Parents, staff and parishioners will be invited to information forums and feedback will be welcomed on the Community Connect Hub, as the consultation progresses. As questions arise from the community, a Q&A section will also be added to the Connect Hub,” Dr Sayce added.
“The ultimate goal of the consultation period is to work together to discern the Catholic school structures that best suit every student in Bateman and the surrounding suburbs and, therefore, I look forward to the forthcoming process with much excitement.”
Corpus Christi College Principal Frank Italiano shared the following with The eRecord: “This consultative process will allow parents, staff and parishioner voices to be heard. Corpus Christi College is looking forward to this opportunity for dialogue”.