Sydney Catholic Schools executive director Danielle Cronin explains the thinking behind Magis 2033 and how the Ignatian principle of “the more” will guide Catholic education in the years ahead.
Q1: Can you explain the Jesuit principle behind the choice of ‘Magis’ for the name?
A: We chose the name Magis for both its richness and its simplicity. Magis is a Latin word meaning ‘the more’ or ‘the greater’. In the context of our new strategy, it calls us to deepen our work and purpose, expand our impact and elevate our excellence for each and every child. It calls us to do what truly matters with greater depth, meaning and quality rather than simply more things.
In the Ignatian understanding of Magis, it is also a reminder that we do our work all for the greater glory of God. Magis 2033 builds on more than 200 years of Catholic education in Sydney, underscored by our mission to provide Catholic education that is deeply anchored in faith, marked by educational excellence, and accessible to all who seek it.
We propose a Christ-centred vision of education that forms the whole person and invites the lifelong pursuit of truth, beauty, and goodness.
Magis 2033 has three core values of Wisdom, Wonder and Witness that express our mission clearly and simply.
Wonder reflects our desire to cultivate awe and curiosity and to help students find God in all things. Wisdom speaks to the synthesis of faith and reason, nurturing knowledge, understanding and sound judgement. Witness reminds us that education is not only about personal success, but about speaking truth with love and living a life of faith with compassion, empathy and service.
Q2: You’ve said the strategy is about doing “what truly matters with more depth, meaning and quality” rather than doing more things. How will that approach inform daily decision making and Catholic education over the coming decade?
A: It is a discipline that will shape our decision-making across the system. Practically, it means we will be far more intentional about our focus. Rather than continually adding new initiatives, programs or compliance demands, the strategy asks a simple but demanding set of questions in day-to-day decision-making: Does this serve the formation of the whole child? Does it strengthen teaching and learning? Does it deepen our Catholic identity and mission? This focus allows us to say no to activity that distracts from our core purpose, and to concentrate our energy on what has the greatest impact for students, staff and families.
Over the coming decade, this approach will ensure we embed high-quality curriculum and pedagogy, invest in the formation and flourishing of students, staff, and families and strengthen relationships at the heart of our parish school communities. At a system level, policies, resources and accountability will be aligned to reinforce, not fragment, these priorities. This is a deeply Catholic way of working, grounded in discernment and stewardship.
Q3: How does aligning the strategy with the 2033 Jubilee marking the death and resurrection of Christ influence your long-term vision?
A: Aligning Magis 2033 with the Jubilee year anchors the strategy in the foundations of our faith. The Jubilee year speaks to a re-awakening of memory and mission: remembering who Christ is and what God has done in history and recommitting to the mission entrusted to us. By 2033, we hope to see flourishing students, flourishing staff and flourishing communities. It is a deeply hopeful horizon to be working towards.
In terms of Wonder, it means students who retain a genuine curiosity about the world and a deep appreciation of creation, recognising meaning and purpose in their learning. In terms of Wisdom, that means graduates who can think critically, synthesise faith and reason, and apply sound judgement. And Witness means we form young people who speak truth with love, who contribute to the common good and live with compassion and the spirit of service.
