About CCSP

Since 1995, the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT has been the state body officially recognised by the Bishops of NSW/ACT [link] to provide leadership, advocacy and support for parents and carers of children and young people in Catholic diocesan schools and congregational schools (independent Catholic schools operated by a religious institute or public juridic person (PJP).

The Council comprises parents and carers from each of the 11 dioceses in NSW/ACT and congregational schools and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee [link to About the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee], which provides a voice for First Nations peoples in our schools.

Click here to find out about our Council members

From funding through to policy and curriculum development, the CCSP represents the interests of Catholic school parents across all areas of education that affect Catholic school families and children, at government level, industry level and in the media.

Please subscribe to receive our online newsletter Parent Talk and updates from our News Feed [link], and keep in touch with us by completing our parent/carer surveys and feedback form [link to Exercise Your Voice].

State and National Representation

CCSP Councillors and staff represent the parent perspective in many forums and committees at the state level on parents’ behalf. We want to hear your thoughts on current topics and issues, so please make sure to contact us if you would like to put your views forward.

CCSP Councillors and staff also meet regularly with local politicians and consult with the state and national Ministers for Education to develop an ongoing positive relationship.

We work closely with Catholic Schools NSW through our involvement in:

• Working parties
• Reference groups
• Ongoing consultation

and we have parent representation on the following forums:

• Xx
• Xxx
• Xx
• xxx

CCSP NSW/ACT Organisation Chart

[infographic]

At the national level, CCSP is a member of Catholic School Parents Australia (CSPA), the body established in 2013 to represent, advocate for, and lobby on behalf of, Catholic school parents and carers. CSPA frequently partners with the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) in matters of national significance, with CCSP having input through its membership on CSPA’s National Council.

Click here to view the CSPA Website

Our Role

Leadership ** Advocacy ** Support

We also:

• Promote family, school and community partnerships including offering an annual $5000 grant [link to ROS] to schools
• Support teacher education by providing an annual ACU Scholarship for Teachers [link].
• Publish resources [links to 3 x resources pages] for diocesan and school parent groups, families and schools including our regular newsletter, Parent Talk
• Host events such as free online webinars for parents and carers on topics including wellbeing, cybersafety and curriculum.
• Advocate for families through membership of education boards and committees responsible for making decisions that affect Catholic school families
• Support student wellbeing
• Lobby state and federal governments for school funding
• Provide input into curriculum development
• Influence state and federal policy formulation
• Promote and foster the facilitation of the links between family, school, Church and the community

Strategic Planning

Our 2024–2026 Strategic Plan details more about how CCSP leads, advocates and supports NSW and ACT families and how we are doing this.  

How We Are Funded

CCSP funds are provided from each diocese and Congregational schools paying a levy (reviewed annually) per student along with CSNSW support and government grants. The salary of the members of the Secretariat and the Executive Director are paid from these funds. The CCSP also receives funding from CSNSW and the NSW Government.

Governance

The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT is the body officially recognised by the Bishops of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Dioceses in the Province of Sydney and Catholic Schools NSW to represent the interest of families of children in all NSW and ACT Catholic schools.

The Council of Catholic Schools Parents is incorporated under the Roman Catholic Church Communities’ Land Act 1942 No 23.

The CCSP is incorporated as a not-for-profit registered charity. It fulfils the criteria which includes: must be not-for-profit, have a charitable purpose and, be for the public benefit.

Click here to view the listing on the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission website

At its 17 May 2019 meeting, the Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT passed the following by-law:

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Committee of the Council of Catholic School Parents is appointed as a Permanent Standing Committee of the Council of Catholic School Parents. The Chair of the ATSI Committee or a nominee of the ATSI Committee attends meetings of the Council with equal standing and right in the Council.

Our Constitution

The Council’s Constitution was drafted in 1993 by a planning committee and endorsed by the Conference of NSW Bishops in 2000. The Council of Catholic School Parents CCSP is an incorporated association and is governed by a constitution and regulatory statutes or rules.

The CCSP Council is responsible for ensuring the management of the association.

Click here to download the CCSP Constitution

Annual Reports

Click here to view our Annual Reports

Our Policies

CCSP’s suite of policies is contained in the Annual Induction and Policy Manual for Volunteers, Staff and Employees.

Click here to read the CCSP Annual Induction and Policy Manual