Catholic schools in the Diocese of Broken Bay exist to educate and form young people in Catholic discipleship, offering them experiences of following Jesus as members of the Catholic community.
The mission of St Paul’s Catholic College Manly is to educate the hearts and minds of the young providing excellent academic education in the Catholic tradition of Edmund Rice and St Paul’s charism to inform, encourage and develop their full potential as young people in a contemporary world. We strive to establish the values of respect, responsibility, results and reverence in all that we do.
Each school in the Diocese of Broken Bay has a Youth Minister. This position exists to provide services to Catholic schools and parish communities by fostering the youth of these communities to be active and integral partners in the life and mission of the Catholic Church. Through the Youth Ministry Coordinator’s involvement in school and parish activities, they carry out a school-based ministry which seeks to foster, initiate, and co-ordinate faith development opportunities that assist secondary school students to move towards a mature living out of their faith as active members of their local parishes. Students in Year 10 have the opportunity to be trained and formed in youth ministry and leadership skills as part of a dedicated Youth Ministry Religious Education class and then continue on to join the St Paul’s College Senior Youth Ministry Teams in Year 11 and Year 12. Students involved in the College Youth Ministry have the opportunity to receive ongoing spiritual formation through College spirituality days, retreats, Youth Alpha, attendance at the Australian Catholic Youth Festival, World Youth Day and an immersion pilgrimage. These occur at various times throughout the year. Year 10 students are involved in literacy groups at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Manly and Year 11 assist the Primary Scripture Catechist Assistance Program, working with parish volunteer catechists at Manly Village Primary School.
The Youth Minister works with the Director of Religious Education and Leader of Liturgy in the development of faith and spirituality experiences within and outside the college such as retreats and reflection days, Special RE / Catechists, CSYMA, Australian Catholic Youth Festival and World Youth Day. Further, the Youth Minister as part of a team oversees social justice activities including charitable fundraising. Groups supported include Caritas, Catholic Mission, St Vincent de Paul as well as a number of other local charities.
