The Framework is foundational in nature and provides a context for leading learning in our diocesan schools. It's five essential elements namely Leading Learning, Collaborative Learning, Personalised Learning, Supportive Learning and Professional Learning are informed by contemporary research and best practice.

Catholic schools within the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle are communities of learning and are characterised by high expectations for learners to achieve excellence, academic rigour, innovation and purpose, within environments that engage, empower and enable. Above all that is what we are about as a system of school learners. The five essential elements are fleshed out in the Framework, built upon and demonstrated on our website. Grounded in the vision that 'At the Heart of Everything there is Jesus Christ', our Catholic identity underpins the nature and purpose of our schools. This vision enables our schools to be characterised by continuous, purposeful and quality improvement in learning, teaching and leadership that engages, empowers and enables learners.

The Learning Framework asks leaders of learning to look at the definitions within the framework, to ask what each learner believes, and to reflect upon the stimulus materials known as exemplars, policies, research, links and illustrations to deepen our understanding of what learning requires. Informed by the Australian Professional Standards, National School Improvement Tool, Early Years Learning Framework and other supportive foundational documents, the Framework is based in contemporary research and practice. Leading educational researchers such as Dinham, Duignan, Robinson, Sharratt, Fullan, Hattie, Timperley and others provide the roadmap for The Learning Framework Unpacked.

As Director of Schools, I thank the leaders within CSO Teaching and Learning Services and the school and system leaders who were part of the Organising Committee led by Kathryn Fox. It was a great pleasure to formally launch the Framework for consideration and implementation into the Learning fabric of our schools. I believe this Learning Framework will provide our schools with contemporary learning practice and ultimately equip our students with learning experiences for global participation in knowledge, innovation, skills and values for full participation in the world of the 21st century.