This study emphasises the connections between the work of leaders and the core functions of schooling. It draws these connections in the context of the values and beliefs of the Catholic Church and the mission of Catholic schools in their communities. The Framework has been developed with two main purposes in mind. The first is to guide the professional learning and development of aspiring leaders and to encourage teachers to consider movement into leadership positions. The second is to unite Catholic schools around a vision of agreed leadership practices for leaders – 'the standards' – and to provide a foundation for formalised assessment against these practices. The Framework sets out to cultivate the leadership potential that exists within the system. [p.iii, ed]