Edmund Rice Education Australia

Edmund Rice Education Australia was established by the Christian Brothers in Australia and is an integral part of the Edmund Rice Network, the Catholic Church in Australia and its associated Catholic Education Commissions and Offices in dioceses of the Catholic Church around Australia.

Edmund Rice Education Australia was established in October 2007. It is the outcome of one of two project groups, the National Planning Committee for Schools Governance and Shaping our Future Committee Oceania. As a result of the work of these two groups, the Christian Brothers decided to amalgamate separate Christian Brothers provinces in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea to form one Oceania Province focused on the social justice mission of the Christian Brothers. Separately, Edmund Rice Education Australia was established with the intention of independently implementing the educational mission of the Christian Brothers. Both these entities commenced on 1 October 2007.

The intention of the new structure is to invigorate both missions while empowering lay people to become increasingly involved in the future work of the Christian Brothers.

The opportunity for Edmund Rice Education Australia is to reinforce the distinctive values of Edmund Rice Education through a national and unified network of Australian schools and educational entities.

Two primary documents which underlie the establishment of Edmund Rice Education Australia were prepared by the National Planning Committee for Schools Governance of the Christian Brothers. These are:

  • Foundations:  For Schools Ministry as Church Mission as Applied to Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition (download PDF), and
  • The Charter: A Proclamation of an Authentic Expression of Edmund Rice Education as applied to Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition (download PDF)

Each school and educational entity within Edmund Rice Education Australia is called to be authentic to The Charter.

Structure of Edmund Rice Education Australia

Edmund Rice Education Australia is comprised of the following structure:

  • A Council, with the responsibility of governance of the schools on behalf of the Christian Brothers and to ensure the continuance of the charism of the Blessed Edmund  Rice;
  • A Board, with responsibility for oversight of the administration of the EREA Schools and Educational Entities; and for developing and monitoring EREA strategic directions.
  • An Executive team with responsibilities for implementing EREA policies and strategic directions, and providing a range of services and support to EREA schools.

All schools and educational entities in Australia in the Edmund Rice tradition are bound by a Charter of cultural characteristics which comprise holistic education, spirituality, faith in action, community, pastoral care, service of others, being just, caring for those at the margins, compassion, stewardship and reflective practice. Living these characteristics give Edmund Rice Education a special position in educating for liberation and possibility.

The National Office of Edmund Rice Education Australia is located in Melbourne.