6. Mr Greg Holmes asked -
In the light of Synod resolution 33/94 in relation to low-fee schools what consultations have taken place between the Sydney Anglican School's Corporation and other "Anglicans in each area who are already involved in the management of low-fee paying Christian Schools" and what protocol is in place to ensure that such discussion takes place with appropriate schools and groups of schools?
To which the President replied -
I am informed that the answer is as follows.
The main purpose of Synod resolution 33/94 was to encourage the Archbishop and the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation to set up new Anglican schools in the population growth areas of Sydney. The resolution also urged the Corporation to institute close advisory links with "those Anglicans in each area who are already involved in the management of low-fee paying Christian Schools". Those Anglicans known at the time to be so involved were consulted as part of the compilation of a report prepared in response to the resolution and presented to the 1995 session of the Synod.
A difficulty associated with Synod's resolution is how, in an on-going manner, to identify those Anglicans in each area already involved in the management of low-fee paying Christian schools since they are not a discreet or identifiable body or organisation. Nevertheless in pursuing its mission of establishing new schools, the Corporation actively seeks the support of local parishes, the regional bishop and archdeacon and other Anglican bodies in any area under investigation.
A copy of a more detailed answer to this question will be posted on the noticeboard.
Detailed answer to question asked by Mr Greg Holmes
The main purpose of Synod resolution 33/94 was to encourage the Archbishop and the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation to develop further the possibility of setting up new Anglican schools in the population growth areas of Sydney. The Synod requested a report on progress at the next session of Synod. The report was presented to the 1995 session of Synod and can be found on pages 433 to 438 of the 1996 Year Book.
In resolution 25/95 the Synod further resolved to:
"endorse and support the concept of new, low fee Anglican Schools and requests diocesan bodies and parishes to give support wherever possible to the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation in its task of establishing new, low fee Anglican Schools".
Resolution 33/94 also urged the Corporation to institute close advisory links with "those Anglicans in each area who are already involved in the management of low fee-paying Christian Schools". Those Anglicans known at the time to be so involved were consulted as part of the compilation of the report prepared for the 1995 session of Synod. A difficulty with the original resolution is how, in an ongoing manner, to identify "those Anglicans in each area who are already involved in the management of low fee-paying Christian Schools". They are not a discrete or identifiable body or organization.
The 1999 Handbook of the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation contains the following policy criteria (amongst others) for the establishment of new schools:
• The support of local parishes which see it as part of the Church's mission
• The school should have limited impact on other nearby Christian (especially Anglican) schools
• The drawing area should have a population of at least 30,000 (allowing for one Catholic school and one other Christian school)
• The socio-economics of the drawing area should support appropriate enrolment demand, based on low fees
• The school should be K-12 and co-ed.
• The schools should be spread geographically and be established in every major region of the diocese.
It takes approximately 10 years for a new school to reach full size and maturity. One of the key aspects of the SASC's plan for the establishment of new schools is the future population expected in the area under investigation, not the current. The establishment of new schools is about the future, not the present.
In pursuing its mission of establishing new schools SASC actively seeks the support of local parishes, the Regional Bishop and Archdeacon and other Anglican bodies in areas it is investigating. SASC's annual Report to Synod is distributed on the first night of Synod each year and this is one method of keeping the Synod informed of its progress. Apart from direct consultation with local parishes, most of which are actively urging SASC to open a new school in their area, it is very difficult to identify "those Anglicans in each area who are already involved in the management of low fee-paying Christian Schools".