Christian Brothers' High School , Lewisham

In 2011 Christian Brothers’ High School (CBHS) Lewisham will celebrate 120 years of Catholic education in the tradition of Edmund Rice. It is a multicultural school that celebrates its proud tradition, diversity and strong partnership with family.

An all boys context, CBHS Lewisham provides the freedom for young men to experience the broad range of opportunities as to reach their potential. Excellence in teaching and learning within the context of social justice principles that empower all, especially the marginalised, is core to life at CBHS.

In 2009 CBHS Lewisham formed a relationship with St Joseph’s Walgett to develop an innovative project that promoted a two-way educational program based on justice and a sharing of culture. Members of Year 5, 6 and 11 were provided with the opportunity to experience the predominantly indigenous outback town of Walgett. They were able to experience a community where every person is valued, every person is equal and no person is judged, where fairness and equality is always foremost. These young members of our community returned with a greater appreciation of what it means to be indigenous.

This was a most rewarding experience and the school community hope that these boys can become the voice for Indigenous Australians as they continue with their struggles. Lewisham has over the past few years been innovative in developing boys’ literacy with the successful implementation of the “Paragraph Power” program that targets literacy across the curriculum. This program has been positively received by the entire school community and has been sought after by many other schools within NSW. As the program moves into its next phase, the school community is positive that it will continue to develop boy’s literacy within Lewisham and beyond.

The school is currently developing the professional development of all staff and our focus for the year is “Teachers influencing Learning”.

As a school community we will endeavour to develop authentic programs that will benefit both our staff and students as they strive to do their best Conanti Corona (“A crown to the one who strives”).