Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools Launch "Vision for Engagement" Framework

Last month, Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) officially launched its comprehensive "Vision for Engagement" framework, designed to create thriving learning environments where every student can flourish academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.

A Faith-Inspired Response to Modern Challenges

The Vision for Engagement comes at a critical time when young people across Australia face unprecedented challenges. With attendance rates struggling to return to pre-COVID levels—dropping from 91.4% in 2019 to 88.3% in 2024 nationally—and growing concerns about student mental health, technology impacts, and classroom disruption, MACS has developed a systematic, evidence-based approach to student engagement.

"This Vision for Engagement is a commitment from MACS to work in partnership with students and their families to successfully navigate the issues of contemporary life so that together we may form 'lives of faith, hope and love in the light of Jesus Christ,'" the framework states.

Six Pillars of Student Flourishing

The Vision for Engagement is built on six interconnected engagement practices that address the holistic needs of students:

1. Teaching Respectful Behaviour

Moving beyond traditional discipline approaches, MACS schools now implement evidence-based behaviour frameworks that explicitly teach expectations, create safe environments, and use positive reinforcement strategies. This approach recognises that behaviour is teachable and not fixed.

2. Fostering Belonging

Creating emotional climates where every student feels accepted, respected, and connected. This includes building strong teacher-student relationships, partnering with families, and offering diverse experiences beyond the classroom where students can discover their passions.

3. Focusing on Attendance

Implementing a multi-tiered system that promotes attendance rather than simply addressing absence. Schools now use data-driven approaches to identify at-risk students early and provide targeted interventions.

4. Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing

Taking a proactive approach to student wellbeing through explicit social-emotional learning programs, early intervention strategies, and carefully considered approaches to technology use in schools.

5. Enabling Motivation

Recognising that motivation drives learning persistence and engagement. Schools focus on creating learning cultures where mistakes are opportunities, progress is visible, and excellence is the norm for all students.

6. Targeting Individual Learning Needs

Ensuring every student receives appropriate support through accessible instruction, data-informed interventions, and inclusive classroom environments that promote full participation.

A Whole-School, Evidence-Based Approach

What sets the Vision for Engagement apart is its systematic implementation through a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Rather than leaving engagement strategies to individual teachers, MACS requires a coordinated whole-school approach where every staff member works together to create consistent, supportive environments.

Dr. Edward Simons, Executive Director of MACS, emphasised that this framework represents "an authentically Catholic model of equity in action, where excellence is not just reserved for some, but expected for all."

Addressing the Digital Challenge

The framework takes a particularly thoughtful approach to technology use, acknowledging emerging research about the harmful effects of excessive screen time on student wellbeing and attention spans. Schools are implementing policies that minimise unnecessary screen time, especially in early primary years, reflecting the principle that "young and still forming minds require more screens to go down and more eyes to go up."

Strong Catholic Identity at the Core

Throughout the framework, Catholic principles remain central. The five Catholic principles for education in MACS schools—building communities of faith, hope and love; being collaborative and inclusive; recognising human dignity; pursuing knowledge and excellence; and acting for justice—permeate every aspect of the engagement strategy.

Archbishop Peter Comensoli affirmed this approach, stating: "When we know how to recognise the voice of God, we discover the joy and beauty of being in relationship with the Creator of the universe. When we know how to pray, our faith becomes lived and tangible, and a radiant witness to others."

Implementation and Support

The Vision for Engagement is supported by comprehensive professional learning opportunities, high-quality resources, networks and communities of practice, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation. Schools will implement the framework through a systematic four-stage process: Exploring, Experimenting, Expanding, and Embedding.

A Model for Catholic Education

With nearly 300 Catholic schools and 17,000 staff across the Melbourne Archdiocese, this initiative represents one of the most comprehensive approaches to student engagement in Australian Catholic education. The framework's emphasis on evidence-based practices, combined with authentic Catholic identity, offers a model that other Catholic school systems may well consider adopting.

As Dr. Mary Oski, Director of Education Excellence, noted: "Vision for Engagement amplifies our shared objective: to create schools where all children and young people are welcome, and classrooms where every student is challenged, supported and inspired to reach their full potential."

The launch of Vision for Engagement signals MACS' commitment to ensuring that every student in their care not only learns effectively but truly thrives as a whole person, equipped to "enrich the world" with their unique gifts and deep faith foundation.

For more information about the Vision for Engagement framework, visit https://www.macs.vic.edu.au/Our-Schools/Curriculum-Learning-Programs/Flourishing-Learners