"After sharing academic data from each school in the tentative collective, we have noted some emerging themes across the board which we plan to focus on.
"Technology, raising mathematics and science achievement, and special needs education were common themes.
"Given the caring and holistic nature of many Catholic schools, we have noted a higher proportion of special needs students. The collective will be working on ways to improve and maximise the resources available for these students with the government funding provided."
Mr Walsh said the collective would also be exploring professional development opportunities to raise student achievement in maths and science.
"In comparison to other OECD countries, New Zealand students are struggling to achieve well in maths and science and the level of achievement is declining year on year.
"We have found, at a primary school level, teachers excel at explaining concepts but lack content knowledge, while secondary teachers have the necessary expertise but struggle to pass that knowledge on to students.
"The collective will allow primary and secondary teachers to gather and share ideas for improved student learning in these areas in particular."
St Michael's Catholic School principal Shelly Fitness said she would expect all schools involved to benefit from the partnership.
"We were already working closely together to raise student achievement so this collective is about formalising that relationship and getting support from the Ministry of Education and the Government."
Ms Fitness said the collective was a good way to share expertise. "Teachers' jobs are increasingly growing and getting busier every year so the collective is an effective way to give and receive support.
"By discussing and making these connections, when we encounter a problem at our school, we will know who to go to for advice."
Schools get net guidance
New guidelines for schools to combat cyber-bullying and internet misuse will be published next week by the Ministry of Education's Cyber Bullying Workforce.
The guidelines will be released on February 10 in line with Netsafe's national Safer Internet Day.
John Paul College principal Patrick Walsh is chairman of the workforce and said cyber-bullying was an ever-present, growing concern for schools.
"The majority of cyber-bullying doesn't happen in school, but at home where students think they are safe from punishment, but their actions have a constant effect in school."
Mr Walsh said the new guidelines would primarily be used by schools, but could also be accessed by parents.
"First and foremost the guidelines were designed to be a resource for schools to better equip teachers against issues involving internet access and students' online presence.
"However, the report will be published on the Ministry of Education website and will be accessible to families as well."
Mr Walsh said the guidelines would clarify the law around the issue, empower schools and define policies for stopping cyber-bullying happening in the community.
The guidelines would also address issues around internet exposure, including youngsters who accidentally strayed on to dodgy sites, he said.
"A young student could be researching fairytales for a school project, type in 'Snow White' and unknowingly click on an unsafe website, exposing them to explicit content.
"Exposure to pornographic images and sexualised content can greatly impact a young student's perception of healthy relationships ... it can be hard for schools to combat this kind of issue."
