As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice Tradition, faith formation, justice and outreach  are at the core of everything we do. We nurture and encourage the spiritual development of every student through prayer, reflection and charitable works. 

We pride ourselves as an inclusive community, welcoming staff and students regardless of their background, culture or religion, to share our shared values of hope, joy, and love. This occurs through the variety of age-appropriate liturgies, masses and social justice activities. 

Throughout the year the Lewisham community regularly gathers to take part in Masses, liturgies and prayer services, with other opportunities for faith formation and Year-based retreats occurring at important points in a student’s faith journey. 

School Masses and Liturgies include: 

On a weekly basis, the Lewisham community gathers each Wednesday morning for Community Mass in the school Chapel. Built as a War Memorial Chapel in 1948, it is also used for our Friday Rosary service, Remembrance Day and Stations of the Cross during Lent. The school also sends student representatives to the following Archdiocese Masses at St Mary’s Cathedral: 

• St Patrick’s Day Mass
• The Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians
• Catechist Volunteers Mass

Daily, all lessons commence with prayers built around our Liturgical Seasons, Touchstones and the needs of our community.  The Chapel is open daily for quiet reflection, prayers of intercession and class-based gatherings and prayer services. 

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Overseas and Local Opportunities / Virtual Immersions 

As a member of the global Edmund Rice community, we aim to engage with our brothers and sisters here and abroad. These opportunities have included:

• Kakadu Immersion 
• World Youth Day 
• Joint Fiji Immersion with St Patrick’s College, Strathfield
• Desmond Tutu ‘Courageous Leadership’ Program
• Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders Virtual Immersion to Peru

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Catechist Program

In conjunction with the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), CBHS Lewisham provides our Year 10 cohort the opportunity to teach scripture at Lewisham Public School. Each Monday, students plan, resource and lead lessons for students from Kindy–Year 6. The program allows young men of faith the platform to teach the good news while building their own self-confidence, public speaking skills and an understanding of their faith. 

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Sister School Program

Each year, the school Identity Team partners up with St Scholastica’s College Glebe to run two joint events with our Year 10 cohorts: 

• World Refugee Day Fundraiser
• Spirituality Day with Karis Ministries 

These fund and fact raising events also allow our two communities time to interact socially, donate to charities such as St Vincent de Paul and House of Welcome and engage in Eucharistic Celebrations and age appropriate reflection activities. 

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Social Justice 

At Christian Brothers Lewisham, we strive to help each student understand the world beyond the school gates. Inspired by the charism of Edmund Rice, we aim to offer hope in a world where the dignity of humanity and the beauty of creation are often overlooked. Through meaningful initiatives and programs, we provide students and staff opportunities to play an integral role in the broader community by addressing justice issues and supporting those in need.

To cater for age appropriate initiatives and opportunities, we seek partnerships with various organisations on a local, national and international level. As a whole school we participate in the annual Project Compassion for Caritas Australia, the St Vincent de Paul’s Winter Appeal, and Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. 

Students in Years 5 and 6 take part in the Justice and Peace Program focusing on Right Relationships and Service to Others. Primary social justice initiatives include making sandwiches for the homeless, delivering Christmas gifts to local nursing homes, supporting the St Vincent de Paul winter appeal and food drives, and raising awareness for Indigenous Literacy through our Book Swap initiative.

In Years 7–12, students partake in a multitude of initiatives such as the Act for Peace Ration Challenge, Winter Sleepout, weekly volunteering at the Matthew Talbot Kiosk, World’s Greatest Shave, Movember and other events that support specific causes close to their hearts.

In conjunction with those initiatives, we have also created a collaboration between each House group and a chosen organisation whereby focusing on specific issues in our community, but also igniting our House and school spirit. 

The charism of Edmund Rice is further enriched through our partnership with various Edmund Rice Organisations allowing for valuable opportunities to engage with other EREA communities to the extent of creating global connectedness. 

Peru Day: Partnering with the Christian Brothers’ community in Lima Peru, we fundraise towards the ‘Build a Home’ Project, allowing homes to be built for students and families of the local Fe y Alegria School. This virtual immersion allows our students to experience the program live from the hills of Lima and meet the local community we partner with. 

A full week of fundraising activities includes:

• Mufti Day
• Empanada and Inca Cola Stall
• Battle of the Bands
• Peru Winter Sleepout and Live Stream with Lima Peru

Desmond Tutu Leadership Foundation: ‘The Courageous Leadership’ Program across the Edmund Rice Global Network allows our students to develop an understanding of how the Edmund Rice charism is lived out in the 4 corners of the world. Enriched in dialogue, the  EREBB Global Classroom Partners Initiative allows students to share ideas and enact powerful actions for change. 

These justice and peace programs and initiatives allow students to authentically live out the EREA Touchstone of Justice and Solidarity.