When considering the environment in which a ‘culture of vocations’ can be fostered and nurtured, certain basic elements within the school contribute to where vocations spring to life. Certain attributes of the school community will help prepare the way for children, no matter how young, to be open to considering all vocations, including those of ordained and consecrated life:

• School leadership that shows a respect for all and encourages the specific gifts of individuals, gives witness to vocation as a response to our God who calls all to share their gifts.
• A school community which recognises and celebrates that, by virtue of our baptism, we are all called by God to fullness of life: that each person has a specific vocation. The question is ‘which one is it? A school that fosters this awareness of a common call, will have a clear focus of the need to encourage some to be open to the call of God to full service in the church.
• A school community that is receptive and welcoming, sees its mission beyond its own boundaries, and looks for opportunities to celebrate the diversity of its community and appreciate the catholicity of the entire church.
• A school that actively celebrates God’s action in prayer, and the celebration of the sacraments, carefully planned and celebrated, with the involvement of the young people in the action of prayer and liturgy.
• A school which looks to involve young people in the life of the parish community.
• A school that finds ways for students to learn of different opportunities of serving God in all states of life, and extends specific invitations to students to consider fulltime ministry within the Church as a viable and life-giving option for their future.
• A school that nurtures and supports the family, and is aware and supportive of those in difficult and broken relationships.
• A school that celebrates examples of commitment, will recognise examples of service and dedication by both staff and students, and will invite people from the wider community to visit the school to share their experience and to encourage the students to recognise their talents and use them for the good of others.
• A school that actively encourages its staff to willingly share their giftedness with their community: where teachers and all concerned with the school are encouraged to speak of their faith and relationship with God.