Date of Award
2025
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Schools and Centres
Education
First Supervisor
Associate Professor Shane Lavery
Abstract
This purpose of this research was to explore the perceptions of Principals and Faith Leaders regarding the transmission of Presentation charism in Australian Presentation schools. In particular, the study investigated how Principals and Faith Leaders perceive the nature of Presentation charism, as well as how it is evidenced in their leadership approaches in Catholic schools in the Presentation tradition. Furthermore, the study explored the perceptions of Principals, Faith Leaders and Presentation Sisters of what is required to formally and informally transmit the Presentation charism in Australian Presentation schools. The study’s review of literature identified four areas of literature that formed the conceptual framework of the thesis: the nature of charism, Presentation charism, Catholic schools and charism and transmission of charism. The theoretical framework for this study was a constructive qualitative approach employing interpretivism as its theoretical perspective. The interpretivist lens for this study was symbolic interactionism. The methodology used for this research was a qualitative instrumental case study. Data were gathered in four ways. Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually with six Principals and five Faith Leaders from Presentation schools from across Australia. Focus group interviews occurred in person with four independent and autonomous Congregations of Australian Presentation Sisters. Additionally, the researcher conducted a document search and maintained researcher field notes. The data analysis approach used in this study involved data condensation, data reduction, data display and verification and conclusion drawing. As a result of this study, the researcher concluded that Principals and Faith Leaders understood the nature of the Presentation charism as deriving from Nano Nagle and Presentation Sisters’ expression of living the Gospel. Principals and Faith Leaders appreciated the accessibility and relevance of the symbols, language and religious devotions that underpin the Presentation charism. Principals and Faith Leaders indicated empowerment through education as the bedrock of their Presentation schools with a twofold responsibility: to be an agent of transformation and to have a social responsibility to advocate. The results outlined that Principals and Faith Leaders evidence leadership attributes that reflect the Presentation charism and align with faith leadership, adaptive leadership and relational leadership. They identified key features of the Presentation charism to be caring for those on the margins, spirituality, justice, compassion and hospitality, along with courage, inclusion, simplicity, tenacity and hope. Principals and Faith Leaders indicated the importance of the teachings of Jesus Christ underpinning a Presentation expression of the Gospel. Following in the footsteps of Nano Nagle and the Presentation Sisters, Principals and Faith Leaders recognised the need to be attentive, responsive and adaptive leaders as the contexts impacting Presentation schools evolve: the dwindling presence of Religious in Australia, the lack of Catholic succession in Australian Catholic schools, the increasingly secular nature of Australian society and the fragility of the Catholic Church. The results revealed that Principals and Faith Leaders possess a clear understanding of the significant role they play in leading the formal and informal transmission of Presentation charism. However, Principals, Faith Leaders and Presentation Sisters acknowledged the challenges that inhibit the formal and informal transmission of Presentation charism: the decrease in staff with theological knowledge and engagement with Catholic expressions of faith, ensuring future Presentation leaders value charism and the dwindling physical and spiritual presence of the Presentation Sisters in Australian Presentation Schools. Principals and Faith Leaders indicated that ongoing and intentional formation that is diverse, offers different entry points and uses varied methods is critical to enable transmission of the Presentation charism in Australian Presentation schools. The researcher included several recommendations pertinent to the profession and for further research regarding transmission of charism in Catholic education settings.
Publication Details
Thomson, G. L. (2025). The Perceptions of Principals and Faith Leaders Regarding the Transmission of Presentation Charism in Australian Presentation Schools [Doctor of Education]. The University of Notre Dame Australia. https://researchonline.nd.edu.au/theses/470