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2 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 Take the give it up challenge! CAFOD is the Catholic charity that helps the poorest, most hard-to-reach people around the world. People who are facing drought, conflict, disease, injustice. We believe in a world where every woman, man and child

Meet Rabiul’s family in Bangladesh

This Lent we are sharing the story of Rabiul’s family in Bangladesh. Rabiul lives by a river and his family rely on fishing to eat and make a living. Last year the river dried up and all the fish died. The fish have not returned and sometimes the family just drink water for dinner.

This is not right. God has given enough resources on this planet for everyone. No one should go hungry.

The good news is that CAFOD is part of the global Church network that reaches to the ends of the earth, so we know here Rabiul is and how to help. But we need the help of schools like yours to make a difference!

We can’t wait to see how your school takes on the give it up challenge this Lent, on or around Fast Day this Friday 15 March! Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 3

So, this year we are inviting schools to take the give it up challenge to support families like Rabiul’s.

Taking the give it up challenge can be simple:

Get involved How your money can help

• Find videos, assemblies, prayers and other free education resources on our website cafod.org.uk/schools

• Did you know we have a team of trained speakers who visit schools and deliver assemblies and workshops? Last term they visited over 500 schools! Get in touch to book yours. Email: [email protected]

• Order free resources such as give it up posters and stickers from shop.cafod.org.uk 4 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019

Weather changes create poverty

By Madeline Woods, a CAFOD Step into the Gap volunteer based at Leeds Trinity University, who has just returned from a trip to Uganda.

As a Step into the Gap volunteer with CAFOD, I have had the opportunity to speak with lots of students at Leeds Trinity University about issues such as climate change. Many of them have been passionate about helping – pledging to change elements of their lifestyle to become more sustainable.

But all too often in the UK, climate change is seen as a faceless and abstract issue. Although we are aware of the issue, we are lucky enough not to have to face the serious and devastating reality of climate change on a daily basis. However, the tide may be turning even in this country. The impacts of climate change are becoming even For three weeks I travelled through different communities. Most of the more apparent on our doorstep – Uganda with my fellow Step into people we met have benefited with last year seeing record soaring the Gap volunteers. Throughout from water projects funded by temperatures and an increasing our time there we were privileged CAFOD supporters across England number of floods. to meet with many people from and Wales.

In Uganda, climate change is When the crops fail due to worst-case scenario is simple: more than just being about ‘save unpredictable changing weather famine. the polar bears’ or ‘ban plastics’ patterns, it leaves people with campaigns. For people in Uganda, nothing to eat. They have nothing climate change is the difference to sell at the market to bring in between life and death. some money for their family. The Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 5

We asked every group we met whether they had noticed the effects of climate change in their area of work. The answer was always ‘yes’.

In Karamoja in the north of Uganda, the last two years have been particularly rough. In 2017, there was a drought. This meant that the rainy season – which usually runs from March to May – never came. In 2018, the problem was reversed – the rain was too heavy. This caused flooding and, once again, the communities’ crops were destroyed.

While visiting a local school we met a man called Philip, who necessary reminder for me about I knew at the beginning of the lives in a community helped by the realities of climate change. trip that climate change was one of CAFOD’s food security Before I came away, I made a few something that affects the poorest programmes. Without even asking changes in my life to try and act communities in the world first, but Philip directly about the impact more sustainably. I try to recycle now I know that it’s not just any climate change was having on his because it takes little effort, but I community. It is Philip, as he sits in life, he told us “weather changes know I could do so much more. the school with a group of children are creating poverty”. who face an uncertain future. It is all From becoming a flexitarian or the communities we have met here giving up meat entirely, to reducing in the north of Uganda. Meeting my plastic consumption and people who are living this reality in avoiding single use plastics, there Ugandan communities has instilled are so many ways in which I can act. in me a sense of responsibility to I urge you to consider your options, act. too. Climate change is very, very real. The people I have met in Uganda And now I realise fully that it’s our have put a face to the abstract duty to our brothers and sisters all stories we have heard about climate over the world to do everything we Hearing from Philip about the change; it is ruining people’s possibly can to reduce the negative challenges faced by communities livelihoods and leaving people impacts of climate change by in Karamoja was a shocking but hungry. taking action now.

Applications are open for Step into the Gap 2019! Visit cafod.org.uk/gapyear

Find resources for schools on climate change. Visit cafod.org.uk/primary/climate and cafod.org.uk/secondary/climate

6 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019

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Catholic Education Today contents Supplied to members of: The Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Colleges. CAFOD Update ...... 2 - 5 The Catholic Independent Schools Conference.

In defence of state-funding for faith-based schools in the UK and beyond ...... 8 The Birmingham Catholic Secondary Schools Partnership. by Professor Gerald Grace, KSG, KHS The Manchester Catholic Secondary Schools Partnership.

Catholic Universities, ...... 11 Through the SCES to all Catholic Schools in Scotland. By Rosa Lewis, Parliamentary Officer, Catholic Education Service Editorial Team: Reflections of a Catholic CEO ...... 12 Editor - John Clawson by Raymond Friel, CEO of Plymouth CAST News Roundup - Willie Slavin A Catholic Research School: igniting the enquiring minds of young people ...... 15 by Louise McGowan and Christopher Doel Netcet Editorial Board Bob Beardsworth, Peter Boylan, Carmel O’Malley, Kevin Quigley, Dr. Larry McHugh, Willie Slavin, Academisation of Catholic Schools ...... 17 Fr John Baron By Dr. Ellis Field Editorial Contributors: News from CATSC ...... 19 Research: Professor Gerald Grace, CRDCE Peter Boylan News from Scotland ...... 24 CATSC - John Nish CISC - Dr Maureen Glackin CISC News...... 26 SCES - Barbara Coupar CAFOD - Victoria Ahmed Take care – changes are on the horizon for RE in Catholic schools ...... 29 by Dr Sean Whittle, Research Associate at the CRDCE, St Mary’s University Editorial Office: Networking (CET) Ltd 9 Elston Hall, Elston, Newark, Notts NG23 5NP Catholic Schools or Schools for Catholics? ...... 31 Email: [email protected] by Peter Boylan

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In defence of state-funding for faith-based schools in

Professor Gerald Grace the UK and beyond Director: Centre for Research and Development in Catholic Education, London Paper for The Philosophy Society meeting at Wolfson College, Cambridge 10th March 2007

INTRODUCTION A: Arguments from a particular historical political party has ever proposed an and political context election manifesto calling for an end to In my series of articles under the such state funding. It can also be noted 1. State funding for faith-based schooling that no major political campaign has ever title ‘Unpublished Papers’ (papers began in the early 19th century when the been organised by UK citizens and voters presented at past conferences), British state (reluctant to fund popular against state funding for faith-based I thought it would be timely to education) made grants in support of schools. offer the readers of Networking a schooling to the Church of England (as the Established Church) and to various There is, in other words, no significant version of a presentation which I Nonconformist religious agencies. The demonstration of the democratic political made to a group of Philosophers Church and the religious agencies wished will in this society calling for an end to meeting at Wolfson College, to provide education for the mass of the state funding for faith-based schooling. Cambridge in 2007. Although people for the salvation of souls (Bible – the original text was entitled, based literacy) for moral education and 5. While there are a number of ways in for functional literacy for employment. which this situation may be interpreted ‘In Defence of State-Funding one would be, that most citizens are, in for Faith-Based Schools in the 2. Once this precedent was established practice, giving a vote of confidence to UK’ (since that was the title I was by government, the principle of state the existence of a plurality of faith-based given), it became apparent to me funding for faith-based schooling was schools and to state financial support for extended by political negotiations such schools. that some of the arguments I was and by appeals to equity, to other advancing also had international faith community schools representing This popular democratic will probably relevance (hence the title shown the Roman Catholics, the Jews, and exists because:- above). most recently Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, · the work of faith schools is valued Buddhists, Greek Orthodox and Christian for the spiritual, moral, social and Evangelicals (eg. Seventh Day Adventists) educational formation of children and We see in the UK the beginnings youth, of a movement in education, 3. While there have always been arguments · the work of faith schools is valued for politics and the media which and controversies about the extension positive community involvement and has as its object the removal of of this funding to other faith groups (e.g. contributions to the common good of existing state funding for Faith- the C19th campaign against funding for society, RC schools under the slogan ‘No Rome · the work of faith schools is valued Based schools. This movement on the Rates’), the issue in practice has for providing a counter-cultural sees itself as radical and always been decided in favour of state environment to a market-dominated, progressive but I suggest, that funding and state financial support has consumer culture in the external world. on the contrary, it is retrogressive been progressively increased over time by governments of various political This is not to say that many state schools and that is why I wrote my original persuasions. do not provide such valued outcomes – paper in 2007. they clearly do – but faith-based schools The situation, as it stands today in the provide these outcomes with the support UK, is that there is substantial state of a distinctive spiritual, moral and social The defence of state funding for faith- funding for faith-based schooling culture or ethos which most citizens think based schools in the UK is based upon two (of many faiths), although each faith is appropriate in a multi-faith democracy. grounds:- community is required to contribute a percentage of the capital costs of a 6. Those who make the case against · Arguments derived from a particular school building. state funding for faith-based schools historical and political context. have to make their arguments within · Arguments derived from a principled 4. With the advent of democracy in the the contemporary democratic political justification of such funding. C20th, it can be noted that no major context in the UK. They have to convince Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 9

the majority of citizens, and through to such schools by all citizens regardless (because of the prohibitions of the these citizens the political parties that of their financial status. American constitution), these schools the existence of state funding for faith are closing, thereby robbing poor schools is against the best interests of In other words, the right to a faith-based communities of one of the most valuable children and youth and of the wider education for children and youth should resources which they possessed. society. To do so, they must be able not be mediated by the differential ability to present evidence-based arguments of families to pay for it – otherwise it 8. In the contemporary USA we have a rather than those based upon secular remains a formal and not an actual right situation where state refusal to give ideology, polemical assertions or of citizens. financial support to faith-based schools ignorance about the actual educational is working against the interests of cultures of faith schools. 5. The pressing need for state financial its poorest citizens and its poorest support for faith-based schooling reveals communities. Research has established 7. At present, the case against state funding itself most clearly in the contemporary (See Bryk et al 1993 and Grace, 2002) that for faith-based schools exists neither at educational situation in the USA and can Catholic schools provide considerable the level of an expressed democratic be illustrated by reference to research on educational, moral and social benefits political will, nor at the level of valid Catholic schools in that country. Similar for their students and make important empirical research. (See Grace, 2003) situations can be noted internationally contributions to the common good of (see Grace and O’Keefe, 2007). societies.

B: A principled justification for state 6. Catholic schools in the USA were Faith schools (of all types and not funding of faith-based schools originally founded, largely by religious only Catholic) which can be shown to orders, in major urban inner-city areas contribute to the individual good of 1. The European Convention on Human to provide schooling for poor immigrant students and to the common good of Rights (2000) states in Article 14, ‘The Catholic populations of various ethnic communities and societies, have a strong Right to education’, that Citizens have:- origins. Over time, as a result of social claim to some financial support from the ‘The freedom to found educational mobility, these Catholic populations state. establishments with due respect for have migrated to the suburbs and new democratic principles and the right of populations, largely black and non- 9. These claims have been recognised in parents to ensure the education and Catholic (ie. Baptist, Pentecostalists etc) The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, teaching of their children in conformity have moved in. Catholic schools in such Spain, Ireland, Australia and New with their religious, philosophical and locations have continued their services Zealand as well as in the UK. The modern pedagogical convictions and these rights to the local community, working on the conception of a faith-based school has shall be respected’ principle endorsed by the Second Vatican moved from a ghetto model (providing Council (1962-1965) that:- schooling only for members of the faith) 2. In other words, democracies should be to a community model (providing for characterised by a variety of educational ‘First and foremost the Church offers members of the faith and also for others provision and this variety may include:- its educational services to the poor, (subject to places available) who wish to · faith-based schools or those who are deprived of family have access to its services). Those states · schools based upon a philosophical help and affection, or those who are which provide financial support to faith position, e.g. humanism, secularism, far from the faith. Since education is schools are recognising the principle atheism an important means of improving the of economic equity in access to faith · schools based upon a distinctive social and economic condition of the schools and are recognising such schools’ pedagogical approach eg. Rudolf individual and of peoples, if the Catholic contribution to the common good of Steiner, Montessori, Summerhill school was to turn attention exclusively society or predominantly to those from the 3. Faith-based schools exist as part of this wealthier social classes, it could be Those states which deny such financial variety of educational provision and it contributing towards maintaining their support for faith schools restrict this should be noted that only totalitarian privileged position and could thereby option, in practice, only to those who regimes have attempted to suppress continue to favour a society which is can afford to pay the fees of what are the existence of such schools. Whenever unjust’ (The Catholic School 1977 pp 44- classified as ‘private schools’. totalitarian regimes have collapsed, faith 45). schools have been re-established as part 10. Maintained faith-based schools in Britain of the legitimate expression of citizen 7. Post Vatican II principles of openness to are part of free educational provision of and parental rights in education, eg. and dialogue with those of other faiths services and provide a greater potential Hungary, Poland and Ukraine. and of no religious faith has resulted in set of choices for parents and children Catholic schools in inner-city America (subject to the availability of places). Both 4. Establishing a right to exist does not now providing a valuable community of the major providers of faith-based however establish a right to receive state service to multi-faith and multi-ethnic schools at present in the UK, the Church financial support – such schools could poor populations. Unfortunately, with the of England and the Roman Catholic exist as private fee-paying establishments decline in the numbers and resources Church have school populations which as in the USA, France etc. The principled of the religious orders which subsidised are religiously, socially and economically case for state financial support rests upon this service and with the refusal of the diverse. arguments for economic equity in access American state to finance such schools 10 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019

C: Responding to arguments against state case of Northern Ireland, can be found and access which is not mediated by the funding in long standing political and economic ability to pay for it by individual citizens. injustice and not in the existence of faith A range of arguments have been raised schools. Racism is also a fundamental Note: conditions for funding faith-based against state funding for faith-based cause of social divisiveness and injustice. schools schools. These are briefly reviewed as All the major religious faiths teach love, follows:- peace, harmony, compassion, justice The corollary of state funding for faith-based and forgiveness as part of the authentic schools is that the state may regulate the 1. State funds should not be used to expression of the faith. At the present schools in various ways, including:- support one particular religious time, it needs to be remembered that commitment these teachings characterise Islam, as • requirements to follow a National well as Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism Curriculum (as is the case in the UK) In accordance with the European and Buddhism. All the major faiths resist • requirements to submit to national Convention on Human Rights (2000) the distortions of racism. inspection, eg. OFSTED states cannot fund one particular • requirements about the admission religious faith (i.e. a dominant or Modern forms of faith schooling are of certain categories of children (eg established church) but they can fund a not exclusive in the sense of being for ‘looked-after children’ comprehensive range of religious and members of the faith only. Access to

philosophical positions in education, faith schools is available to those who References (and reading list) in response to the wishes of citizens. wish to commit their children to this

These positions can include schools distinctive form of education, subject to Bryk, A et all (1993): Catholic Schools and the embodying humanist, secular and the availability of places. Common Good, Cambridge MA, Harvard University atheistic educational cultures. From some Press

perspectives these are regarded as other D. Responding to public demand for Catholic Education Service (1997): The Common faiths. faith-based schooling: increasing Good in Education, London, CES provision to increase inclusiveness 2. Chadwick, P (1997): Shifting Alliances: Church and State funds should not be used to State in English Education, London, Cassell support indoctrination of youth 1. At present many faith schools are oversubscribed which demonstrates Dearing, R (2001): The Way Ahead: Church of These arguments had some force in the a demand among parents for their England Schools in the New Millennium, London, Church House Publishing past when faith schools operated with a educational services. The Church

pedagogy of indoctrination in the faith. of England is developing 100 new De Jong, J and Snik, G (2002): ‘Why Should Modern forms of pedagogy in such secondary schools in response to this States Fund Denominational Schools?’, Journal of schools (especially those of the Church of demand. Both the Jewish and the Philosophy of Education, Vol 36 No 4 pp 573-587

England and the Catholic Church) have Islamic communities are increasing their Gardner, R. et al (2005): Faith Schools: Consensus for now moved to a pedagogy of encounter provision at both primary and secondary Conflict? London, Routledge Falmer and of dialogue on faith matters. The level. pedagogy of encounter involves taking Grace, G (2002): Catholic Schools: Mission, Markets and Morality, London, Routledge Falmer the various manifestations of religious 2. As the demand exceeds the supply of belief and of unbelief seriously as a such schools, many parents are unable to Grace, G (2003): ‘Educational Studies and Faith- part of the comprehensive education obtain a place in a faith school. This has based Schooling: Moving from Prejudice to Evidence- based Argument’, British Journal of Educational of children and young people. The resulted in an undesirable competitive Studies Vol 51 No 2 pp 149-167 pedagogy of dialogue involves being situation, with parental frustration and open to the critical questions of children the employment of dubious strategies to Halstead, J & (2001): ‘Are Faith Schools Divisive?’, and youth about the variety of faiths and qualify for a place. chapter 5 in R. McLaughlin, T - Gardner et al, op. cit positions of agnosticism and atheism. 3. In natural justice, faith schools admit first, Humanist Philosophers’ (2001): Religious Schools: The Most faith-based schools are therefore the children and youth of members of the Case Against, London, Group - British Humanist Association engaged in a process of education about faith (who have contributed financially

faith, not indoctrination into the faith. over a long period to the costs of the Judge, H (2001): ‘Faith-based schools and state schools) and then offer the remaining funding: a partial argument’ Oxford Review of Education 27 (4) pp 463-474 3. State funds should not be used to places to others who wish to have access.

support schools which are socially Mason, M (2005): ‘Religion and Schools: a fresh way divisive and exclusive 4. A reasonable case can now be made not forward?’ chapter 6 in R. Gardner et al, op. cit. only for state financial support of faith- This of course prevents private, fee based schools, but also for an increase in Miller, H (2001): ‘Meeting the Challenge: the Jewish schooling phenomenon in the UK’, Oxford Review of paying schools from receiving state the present levels of financial support to Education 27 (4) pp 501-513 funding as a general rule. meet the growing demand from parents for this form of education. Pring, R (2005): ‘Faith schools: can they be justified?’, chapter 4 in R. Gardner et al, op. cit. The charge that faith-based schools are socially divisive exists at the level of This would be a significant realisation assertion only. No empirical evidence of the government’s commitment Note, Professor Richard Pring, Emeritus Professor of exists which shows that faith schools are to increasing choice and access in Education, University of Oxford has recently published ‘The Future of Publicly Funded Faith Schools’, socially divisive. The causes of social education. It would also have the Routledge, 2018 which gives a scholarly review of this divisiveness, as in the much quoted advantage of being an increase in choice issue. Catholic Universities The lesser-known gems of Catholic education in England and why they are brilliant options By Rosa Lewis, Parliamentary Officer, Catholic Education for students and staff alike. Service

Undoubtedly, the time spent at teacher training to women. It is in this spirit further and higher education which have university plays a significant role in a of cooperation that Catholic universities the effect of widening participation. These continue to operate today, working in universities - whilst offering traditional person’s life. When undertaking an partnership with schools up and down the Higher Education courses such as English undergraduate degree, it can feel as country providing high-quality training and Literature, History and so on – offer a though you go in as a child and come CPD for teachers. range of innovative courses. These courses provide inroads into further education and out as a young adult, undeniably Whilst student attainment tends to be the workplace, and foster links between changed. The university environment high, the more holistic approach allows for academia and the world of work. So too is truly unique, it is a place where you education that moves beyond the limited do they facilitate personal and professional parameters of league-tables. Indeed, development for those who are already in are challenged, learn new concepts, students are supported and encouraged employment. learn how to form and express complex to become rounded, lifelong learners. ideas, and make friends for life. Each Because of this, student satisfaction at Leeds Trinity University and Newman these institutions is some of the highest University are currently spearheading university’s atmosphere will feel slightly in the UK. St. Mary’s in Twickenham has, foundation years which help prospective different, and as a place where one is according to The Sunday Times Good students who either do not have the right formed, it stands to reason that the University Guide,“the best [student qualifications for a full degree, or who are choice one makes as to where to go is satisfaction] in London by a distance”, not quite ready for degree-level study to whilst Leeds Trinity is in the Top 15 in the undertake a year of development. With important. UK for student experience.Whilst support is lower and more flexible admission grades a major driver toward student satisfaction, they allow routes into work and education there are several other ways that Catholic which might otherwise be more closed. There are so many factors that will influence universities in the UK are ensuring that their Moreover, in a self-sustaining loop of a person’s choice as to where to study. student cohorts are gaining the most that Catholic education, these universities are However, something which is often under they possibly can from their time in higher supporting people to become the teachers -considered, is the ethos of the institution. education. of the future for Catholic schools, helping Central to the vision of Catholic universities, in turn to educate generations of young and all Catholic education for that matter, At Leeds Trinity, 95% of graduates in work children to come. is the formation of the whole-person, and or further study six months after graduation that each student ought to be cherished as and in 2017 the university were awarded the But that loop doesn’t just confine itself to an individual. This is perhaps why Catholic prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework getting into the teaching profession as our universities are becoming increasingly Gold Award. The university was one out four Catholic universities act as centres for popular with undergraduates and post of only 72 institutions to do so, making its continued professional development and graduates of all faiths and none. teaching some of the highest quality in the training for Catholic school leadership. UK. Our four Catholic universities (Liverpool Catholic universities in the UK have a strong Hope, Leeds Trinity, St Mary’s in London Students at Catholic universities have the framework of nurture and support, and this and Newman in Birmingham) are steeped chance, should they wish, to be formed is a driver of both student satisfaction and in history, often starting as teacher training spiritually as well as academically, with the attainment. Such an environment can only colleges and then growing to encompass opportunity for fellowship and formation at ever be a wellspring of success and the UKs the wide range of specialties that they chaplaincies. Arguably, this fosters a strong Catholic universities are proving this to be now do. The oldest of the four universities sense of collegiate community among the case. So when it comes to choosing is Liverpool Hope, which was founded in students and staff alike. Furthermore, a higher education don’t forget to look at 1844. St Mary’s was founded six years later sense of vocation as the cornerstone for our four excellent Catholic universities and in 1850, and both Newman and Leeds these institutions means that exploration the opportunities they can provide for both Trinity were established in 1966. Perhaps and discovery of talents becomes an students and staff alike. more interesting still is the fact that Our integral part of time spent there. Lady’s Training College, previously run by the sisters of Notre Dame, was one Perhaps unsurprisingly, each of the four of the first institutions in the UK to offer Catholic universities provides routes to

12 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019

Reflections of a

Catholic CEO by Raymond Friel

Raymond Friel is the CEO of Plymouth CAST, a multi academy trust of 36 schools in the Diocese of Plymouth. He was a second- ary headteacher for 14 years, a National Leader of Education, General Secretary of the Catholic Independent Schools’ Confer- On 1 July 2018, I took up my new multi academy trust. The only schools not to ence and has written a number join were the two joint Catholic/Church of of books on Catholic education, challenge in Catholic education. including How to Survive in England schools in Poole and Torquay and Leadership in Catholic Education Having been a secondary the two independent schools. It seemed and Gospel Values for Catholic like a brave and bold move: the creation of Schools, both available from headteacher in the Catholic state Redemptorist Publications. sector for 14 years – including a Catholic local authority in effect. We all wanted this venture to work. So it was with a three-year spell as Executive real sadness and concern that we heard was the headteachers, with about 12 of Headteacher of a Catholic and of the difficulties of CAST when a ‘batch’ them arranged along a table like the last Ofsted inspection of 10 schools in October a Church of England secondary supper). I knew there was a strong sense 2016 left three schools in special measures of mission and a real desire to make rapid school – I left in August 2016 to and three requiring improvement. Then in improvements. I was offered the job and it become the General Secretary the summer of 2017, the Trust referred itself was agreed with CISC that I’d serve out my to the ESFA and was subject to a Financial of the Catholic Independent full notice, so 1 July 2018 was set as my first Notice to Improve. By then, five of the Schools’ Conference. This was day. schools were in Special measures and 12 RI an interesting experience for (requiring improvement). I didn’t come to CAST as an advocate me, since I’d never worked in for academies as such. When I was a the independent sector before. So when the first advert for a CEO for headteacher, my head was turned by the Plymouth CAST appeared, it seemed like It was an education to discover prospect of a windfall for outstanding a daunting task. It was easy not to apply schools in 2010 when the academy the debt we owe to our religious since I’d only started at CISC and was just programme was expanded. As it happened, orders who founded many of establishing myself in that role. The second we couldn’t convert due to land issues our Catholic schools, often long advert appeared in June 2017 and I entered and as the incentives decreased so did into a longer discernment process. In the before the state began to fund our enthusiasm. Nationally, however, end, it still felt too early to leave CISC and many Catholic schools made the leap and them. It was a particular joy to get it still looked like a very risky job under a according to the latest CES census figures to know the work of many of our national spotlight, so I let it go for a second (2018), 26% of Catholic schools are now time. By the time of the third advert in Catholic special schools, most of academies (much lower than the national November 2017, the idea of applying had figure of 47%). In the early days, academies them non-maintained though not taken root. It still looked like a risk, but I were ‘single converters’, but now it is independent, but nevertheless was also aware that much was at stake for expected that on conversion to academy Catholic education if we couldn’t appoint a members of CISC. Their witness status a school will join a trust of other practising Catholic to take on such a high- academies. to the care and education of profile role. I have always been attracted to the most vulnerable members a challenge and I’ve always been motivated CAST was set up from the beginning as of our society is inspirational by a sense of service to Catholic education. a Trust, a legal entity which is subject to In this job, the two came together, so I charity and company law. There are now and in many ways an exemplar applied. 91 Catholic MATs in England and although of our mission which has always the government has stepped back from emphasised the education of the What quickly became obvious and helped forced academisation, the assumption poor as a priority. me get across the finish line was that much is that this number will increase. Every work had already been done in the recovery time a maintained school falls into special process. By the summer of 2017, there was measures, it is subject to an academy order I could have been with CISC to this day, a Director of Education in place – a former and the search begins for a suitable sponsor but the Lord had other ideas. Most people Catholic headteacher and HMI – and a Chief and it joins a multi academy trust. There are in Catholic education were intrigued Finance Officer, who were making a serious currently 159 inadequate maintained schools when Plymouth CAST was formed in 2014 impact. I knew some of the headteachers in the process of converting to academy incorporating all 35 Catholic schools (and already and I met a number of them during status with a sponsor. (Source: Dominic one nursery) in Plymouth Diocese into one the interview process (the scariest panel Herrington, Interim National Schools

Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 13

Commissioner, speaking at the South West given the urgency of the challenge we just Office (essential for the running of any MAT) MAT Leaders Briefing Day, 8 February needed to ‘get on with it’. I held my ground for the operational side of this responsibility. 2019). This has proved a problem for those and I’m glad I did, because having provided But in its essence, the MAT does not fit the Catholic dioceses where there are no or few a framework for the renewal of our vision model of a classic profits-driven business. In academies and no Catholic sponsors. It also and values, every one of our headteachers fact, our moral obligation is to spend the tax highlights for me one of the main benefits of led their school communities through an payers’ money we are given for the year on being in a good MAT: better monitoring of energising vision and values consultation the cohort of pupils we have for that year, educational standards. exercise to determine which of the main while retaining if possible a small surplus for elements of the Church’s teaching on unforseeables. After 14 years of headship in the maintained education should become for us a major sector I was well aware that schools could theme. Our new vision document can be We are dealing with the education and easily drift in terms of standards. Local found at - formation of children – it is a social authorities had diminishing capacity to hold http://www.plymouthcast.org.uk/web/ enterprise with many complex and moving schools to account and dioceses were only plymouth_cast_vision_and_values/276905. parts - and while we have tried relentlessly set up to hold Catholic schools to account to quantify the ‘product’ of that education for RE and Catholic life. With Ofsted not With a strong message of support from in terms of academic outcomes, there is inspecting outstanding schools as matter of Bishop Mark O’Toole in the Foreword, so much more we want our children to course and good schools every three years, the document provides us with a clear leave us ‘with’ – qualifications, yes, but the system was weakening in terms of its sense of purpose based on the teaching also an education in the widest sense ability to hold schools to account. We have of the Church. We are now in the process of human growth and development of subsequently seen a number of maintained of ensuring that the vision and values social and cultural capital, a God-shaped schools drop into special measures due ‘infiltrates’ every aspect of our work, from view of the world and an invitation into a to complacency and lack of awareness strategic planning, to budget-setting, to personal relationship with this God made of current requirements, especially over the curriculum, to appraisal, to how we flesh in Jesus; a sense of service to other safeguarding. hold colleagues to account in difficult people, especially the vulnerable; a sense circumstances in a way which opens up a of responsibility for the earth, our common In a MAT which is working well, monitoring pathway for improvement, based on quality home and a sense that they are gifted and of standards and processes is a central support, high challenge and low threat. In called to a personal mission in the kingdom function and all school leaders will be other words, respecting the dignity of all of God. held to account on a regular basis. There involved. is very little danger of a ‘surprise’ drop in We are dealing with health centres of the Ofsted grade because basic safeguarding In addition to the benefits of being in human spirit embedded in communities, processes are not in place. That has certainly a MAT, some challenges have become not branches of a national company been a feature of our work in Plymouth evident. I would say that one of the biggest which can close a few outlets when they CAST. We have had nine Ofsted inspections challenges we face is from a ‘business become inefficient. This point takes or monitoring visits since September 2018 model’ approach to running a MAT. There centre stage when a MAT is reviewing the and in most cases the school has improved are those who think a MAT is a business pupil numbers in its schools. A cold-eyed or remained good. In the case of a decline and should be run as such. While we have business approach might argue for closure from a historical grade of outstanding (and to be ‘business like’ and responsible in our when numbers and standards decline. A an outstanding grade 10 years ago bears use of public money, I do not believe that Gospel-inspired educational approach no relation to the current framework), we our Catholic MATs are first and foremost will argue for subsidy and support to help anticipated the outcome and had a plan in businesses. The classic business model, in the school improve. Of course, there may place for rapid improvement. which a board is answerable to shareholders, be circumstances when schools ‘close is driven by the need for efficiency and themselves’ if the numbers of pupils coming There are other benefits to being in a profit. While there has been much interest in falls precipitously, but the first thought is MAT which are emerging in our work. in recent years in values-driven and ethical to support the school as part of the mission Already we are seeing how collaborative business practice, the ‘bottom line’ remains of the Church to evangelize society. working in clusters of schools will build profit and dividends for shareholders. leadership capacity and allow schools to For the integrity of Catholic education in this share their strengths and develop solutions Catholic MATs are certainly bound by the country – what Professor Gerald Grace calls for improving areas of weakness. We regulations of charity and company law, as ‘mission integrity’ - it is therefore essential have three cluster pilots up and running well as educational and other legislation. that we bring a renewed articulation of with work underway on curriculum, early As CEO, I am an Accounting Officer (when our vision to bear on the new educational years, metacognition and vision and I first started teaching English in 1990, I structure of multi academy trusts. To ensure values. We have been working to deepen never imagined I’d end up as an Accounting that we do not suffer ‘mission drift’ we need the partnership with local parishes and Officer!) and I’m responsible directly first of all foundation directors or trustees deaneries as part of our common mission to to Parliament and to the ESFA for high on MAT Boards (in Catholic MATs often proclaim the Gospel. standards of probity in the management of referred to as directors) whose primary our funds, especially to ensure “regularity, driver is the vision and mission of the Church When I started at Plymouth CAST I propriety and value for money” (Academies in education. The Governance Handbook suggested that we should re-visit our vision Financial Handbook, 2018). Thankfully, I (DFE, 2017) provides every opportunity for and values. This was resisted by some (not have the assistance of a highly skilled and this. It states that the first “core function” of the schools or the heads) who argued that experienced Chief Financial and Operations governors (or directors) is “ensuring clarity

14 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019

of vision, ethos and strategic direction.” In the meantime, at Plymouth CAST, we • Formation of System Leaders. The The first of the six key features of effective have a long way to go, but we feel we are need to support the formation of system governance is “strategic leadership that sets well on the way. Between now and July 2020, leaders in Catholic education, not just and champions vision, ethos and strategy.” we anticipate we will have around 20 Ofsted headteachers, using the framework (Governance Handbook, 2017). Note the inspections or monitoring visits. There are provided by The Priority of Adult words “sets” here. It’s not for directors to some in Catholic education who take the Formation (Bishops’ Conference, 1999), simply approve what is brought before them view that Ofsted is not what we are about, to build on what has been achieved but to provide leadership of the vision and it’s a distraction from our real mission. That already by the National School of ethos. has never been my view. Our state Catholic Formation and the CES. schools, funded by the tax payer, have a For that, the foundation directors especially, double accountability: to the state and the • Induction. The creation of a professional the Bishop’s appointments, must be formed Church. The state has every right to spell out induction process for MAT CEOs. This as ‘practising Catholics’ who are missionary the standards it requires for the education is the responsibility of the MAT Board, disciples, driven by evangelizing zeal. That of children. As it happens, there is much but often they do not have the capacity is what Pope Francis means by a practising convergence between the priorities of the or expertise themselves to put together Catholic: a disciple and an apostle, or a state and Church, especially regarding the the induction that is needed. With the missionary disciple. It is also imperative priority of the disadvantaged. There are growing number of Catholic CEOs, it that the CEO is a ‘practising Catholic’ also signs, in the new Ofsted consultation, would be helpful if the Church took this above and beyond the box ticking of Mass that the next Ofsted framework will focus on as part of its new commitment to attendance or cultural identity. The revised more on the kind of wider and richer formation. There is an induction process edition of Christ at the Centre (2012) did education which Catholic schools have long for Diocesan Schools Commissioners, take us beyond the box-ticking approach to advocated. but not for CEOs. practice. Leadership in Catholic education is • National Network. The creation of a a vocation and a ministry within the Church, So we proceed with hope, aware of the national network of Catholic MATs and which requires that the post-holder strives challenges and determined to meet them, CEOs. Catholic CEOs do not benefit “to model in their lives the values of the for the sake of the children and young from the national network and training Gospel and to adhere, in the substantive life people we serve, to give them the best provided for DSCs, but as MATs grow choices that they make, to the teaching of possible start in life and a rich and hopeful the scale of the job is not dissimilar. the Catholic Church.” The document makes vision of the world and their role in it, A national network of Catholic CEOs it clear that, rather than any judicial test or according to their gifts and calling. would offer a support structure formula, the most important definition of ‘practice’ is “love in action” which “cannot • National Conference. The revival of be reduced to an outward legal conformity Based on my experience to date as the CEO a national conference for Catholic to rules or laws but is a response of love to of a Catholic MAT, I suggest seven priorities headteachers and leaders. When I the God who is Love.” which need to be addressed by the Catholic became a Catholic headteacher in educational community with some urgency: 2002, the annual CATSC conference The formation for this ministry of those who provided me with much needed can fulfil roles with this requirement is an networking, support and the guidance • Renewal of Vision. A renewed urgent priority. The CES, at the behest of articulation of the vision of Catholic of experienced heads. With the demise the Bishops’ Conference, has now made this education from the leadership of of this conference, there is a need for a a national priority. Other programmes are the Church in England in the light of national event for Catholic leaders in the already in place, most notably the National movement towards business model and state sector. School of Formation, run by EducareM (see: wider hegemony of economy as major http://www.educarem.org.uk/national- • Research. The need for the Catholic driver of educational purpose school-of-formation/ for more details). educational research community – especially the Centre of Research for The innovative blend of quality speakers • Mission and Standards. As part of with inspiring and challenging ‘immersion this renewed vision, the need for a Catholic Education, led by Professor visits’ to mission locations (Corrymeela, clear understanding and articulation of Gerald Grace, based at St. Mary’s The Lalley Centre, St. Chad’s Sanctuary, St. the compelling link between Catholic University, Twickenham and the Network Scholastica’s School, Manila) has captured mission in education and a commitment for Researchers in Catholic Education, the imagination of delegates and provided a to high standards – education as formed in 2016, to encourage systematic formation experience very much in tune with transformation of the individual and of research into the impact of multi the teaching of Pope Francis on creating society. academy trusts on the Catholic mission missionary disciples. in education in England.

readers. Please send reports and photographs to Networking [email protected] Articles Let’s hear from you! More detailed accounts of school events or reflections on particular issues are also welcomed; accounts of no more than Celebrating School Achievements 2,000 words, with supporting photographs where possible Brief reports and accounts of events in schools or similar, should be sent to - [email protected] or posted to particularly related to the distinctive nature of the mission of - The Editor, Networking(CET)Ltd, 9 Elston Hall Elston Newark Catholic schools are welcomed, to celebrate and share with our Notts NG23 5NP We look forward to hearing from you

A Catholic Research School: igniting the enquiring minds

Louise McGowan is Headmistress of young people and Christopher Doel is Assistant Headteacher and Director of the Centre for Research in Catholic Louise McGowan and Christopher Doel Education at the Convent of Jesus and Mary Language College, London NW10.

From the moment they are born, So what happens during the early to middle and 2% of no declared faith. What started children have an innate desire years of secondary education? Why have as a professional conversation between we seen so many teenagers appear to colleagues grappling with the question of to learn, an enquiring mind, a gradually switch off and to adopt the view how to inspire and motivate all our students fascination with the world around that learning is now something that is done to work hard at school, to study at home, to them and an extraordinarily rapid to them rather than something they are not allow the multitude of life’s distractions capacity to acquire skills and naturally and existentially programmed to deter them from their goals or take to do for themselves? When did they lose them away from their faith, gradually took develop knowledge, language interest in the world around them and shape, and our own interest and passion for and understanding. retreat from the instinctive inquisitiveness research led us to ponder the what if…? of early childhood? For us at the Convent of Throughout our time as educators in Jesus and Mary Language College in North What if we could use the vehicle of research secondary schools, a source of mystery over London, this became the primary motivation to engage our students in reconnecting with what happens to dampen the enthusiastic behind the establishment of our Research their natural born inquisitiveness? What if appetite for learning, the instinct to question School. we could connect them with researching in a significant number of children as they professionals from university and enable progress through the education system, Situated in a quiet side street, tucked away them to participate in professional has itself become a line of enquiry in our from the noise and bustle of the busy, research studies? What if we provided the own educational research. We visit primary vibrant and ethnically diverse centre of opportunity for our teachers and support schools and cannot fail to be immune to the Brent, the Convent of Jesus and Mary has staff to engage in small scale action air of excitement for learning so often seen been described by many as a tranquil oasis research and impact studies that fed into in the very young; their sheer embracing of in the centre of the city; a haven of peace our school improvement areas? With the new concepts, devouring of the opportunity and where the charism of its Foundress St interest, support and welcomed experience to try something new; their pride in showing Claudine Thevenet is very much alive. and expertise of academics at St Mary’s what they have achieved and explaining how University, Twickenham, notably Dr John they reached the final outcomes. Children The Convent educates just under one Lydon and Dr Caroline Healy, the concept engaged in deep learning, in experiment, in thousand girls from forty four different of our research school unfolded and our enquiry based learning, is nothing less than ethnic backgrounds; 52% are baptised Centre for Research in Catholic Education a joy to behold. Catholic, 46% from other Christian faiths was born.

16 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019

Enmeshing oneself in empirical studies and fundamentalism in modern Britain, the in an age where we and our students are considering epistemological questions and psychological effects of dreams on the surrounded by the conflicting messages of philosophical dilemmas in society that affect person, corruption in sport, feminism secularism. education and the young people we choose today, hostile architecture leading to social to serve creates an exciting and worthwhile exclusion, and coming to terms with a Six months on, what have we noticed? challenge. This, therefore, is where we are; country’s colonial past. The flame of research What impact, if any, has our Research tackling the dilemmas society offers us as a has kindled even our younger students School had on our school community and continual challenge. from year 8, 9 and 10 who are working our students? We have already noticed a on research projects in areas of their own significant change for the better in how our Since we ‘launched’ in September 2018, we interest, such as the cause and effects of students receive and question knowledge; have come a long way. A doctoral thesis obesity, the effects of the environment on how they digest new information and come examining the challenges of authentic the quality of family life and teenage mental back with more questions and how they are faith leadership in an education world health and social media. motivated by participating in both external dominated by the academies programme university and school- based studies. nearing completion, and a doctoral By the end of the year we plan to put proposal on the nature of conscientious together our very first research conference Ultimately we have a school of students who objection and conflict are underway within in Catholic education and to invite the are very much switched on to learning and the leadership team; we have a group of wonderful academics, Doctors and enquiry. teachers engaged in the MA in Catholic Professors that this journey has led us to School Leadership directed by Dr John connect with; the people who can help us The doors to our Research School are very Lydon at St Mary’s University, and other staff to lead and inspire our students to want to much open. Come and see for yourself! research associates working on small scale enquire, to want to make their own unique school focused projects. But it is not only contribution to the academic community. the Convent staff who have awakened their enquiring minds; the passion for research Our research school is different from others has ignited the students. Teams of senior in that it is focused primarily on Catholic student research associates are working education and asks the questions that are on small scale projects which include an relevant to how we as a Catholic community examination of whether Christianity is in of schools can continue to develop in decline and why, the presence of religious excellence and remain faithful to the charism

Christopher Doel - Assistant Headteacher, Director of Research

Academisation of Catholic Schools We are in Danger of losing the Vocation of the by Dr. Ellis Field Catholic Headteacher In addition to serving as a head- teacher in three Catholic primary schools, I have worked as a school improvement partner and a In this age of academisation, high stake salaries, CEOs depend on their diocesan inspector. On retiring young ambitious teachers army of ‘executives’ to ‘hold their schools to from headship, I served Not- account’. tingham Diocese as an assistant are as likely to seek executive director. In July 2018 I stepped down to fulfil another lifetime’s am- headteacher posts as they are Catholic schools do hold their schools to bition, to write. I remain passionate about Catholic education and have school-based headships. The account in terms of their Catholicity, but the recently been appointed onto term executive headteacher is system is such that almost everything hinges the Governing body of a Catholic primary school. itself, arguably, an oxymoron. This on their data. The fact that if the school’s data is good the chances are everything else change in terminology is more will be judged to be good and if the data is than just pedantry – it strikes at poor, the chances are everything else will be Resources’? Is the term compatible with our the heart of our understanding of judged to be poor, regardless of whether it understanding of the dignity of the human education and its leadership. is or not, must be the most open secret in person? the state education sector. Under this market-driven regime, our A good start would be to halt the demotion understanding of what a headteacher is Can we turn the clock back? No, nor should of the role of the Catholic headteacher. has changed almost beyond recognition. we. Even if Labour gain power and, as they Relabelling them ‘head of school’ and Many teachers in this age of academisation have said they will, abolish academies, it awarding them significantly inferior salaries do not see a school-based headship as is unlikely that the way in which schools to their ‘executive’ colleagues sends out a the vocation of their career but a step are held to account will alter drastically wrong message about the importance of the towards reaching lofty executive layer of in the foreseeable future. To ignore the role. Who would the ‘stakeholders’ (another leadership. Furthermore, with the current expectations of the purse-holders would business term that slipped in unnoticed – teacher shortage, the so-minded are able to play into the hands of the many who aren’t we talking about the community?) make these jumps sooner rather than later. object to the right for faith schools to miss first? Who is it who models the Catholic Some even manage to by-pass the school exist at all. Nor should it be forgotten that life and Gospel values for the community? headship role altogether. Others are ‘asked’ not everything in the garden was rosy in to act as an ‘executive headteacher’ for the halcyon pre-OFSTED days. A lack of Although in theory executive ‘headteachers’ another school before they have really had accountability did result in many children are the same as other headteachers, in a chance to prove themselves in their first being failed by schools. As well as being practice they are not. Common sense headship. guardians of the Catholic ethos, the Church dictates that a head who was working 24/7 requires its schools to educate their pupils in one school cannot carry out the same According to Department for Education to a high standard. function in two; inevitably, the executive (DfE) statistics, in 2017 the number of heads headteacher’s role morphs into yet another under the age of 35 had grown by three How can we ensure Catholic headteachers layer of holding schools to account. quarters since 2010 and of these at least remain guardians of Catholic life, in reality If Catholic schools are to retain these 100 were under 30. Having spent relatively as well as on paper? If they are to resolve ‘guardian(s) of the Catholic values within little time teaching in the classroom, their the dichotomy of ‘No one can serve two the Catholic community’, the role needs understanding of leadership is primarily one masters’ (Matthew 6:24) with ‘Render to be held on a par with the executive of using data to holding schools to account’. unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s’ roles. Nor should it be assumed that good How does this understanding marry with (Matthew 22:21), Catholic academies need headteachers automatically progress to their predecessors’ understanding of their to carefully examine the market principles executive roles. role as leaders of a community, guardians of and their compatibility with Catholic values ‘aspirations for a better world; a vocational and principles. In fact, school headship is not always the or ‘service to others’? (Grace, 2000). best path for executive roles. Data analysis, Currently, in the rush to academise them, report writing, holding others to account are (for all sorts of reasons, mainly to do with essential skills for the executive headteacher Academisation is the final victory for the funding), Catholic schools are in danger of – being an excellent teacher, whilst movement over the last two decades unwittingly absorbing the business model desirable, is not essential. A headteacher, on which has sought to turn schools into hook, line and sinker without questioning the other hand, does need to be just that: businesses. This has wide implications for all schools, but especially for faith schools. The if the structures that are put are into place the head ‘teacher’. The best headteachers ‘managerially tight, culturally loose’ systems are compatible with the Catholic values they that I have known have been reluctant to emanating from a market-driven approach purport to uphold. leave the classroom and usually find a way that Sergiovanni (2001) foresaw where to keep their hand in. One would also hope only ‘what gets rewarded gets done’ and This is not a new phenomenon. Over that in a Catholic setting support, as well which can only function through excessive the years Catholic schools have failed to as accountability for the headteacher, is monitoring, are already in evidence. With question seemingly ‘minor’ changes. For given due consideration. The lines between example, why rename ‘Personnel’ as ‘Human holding the school to account and offering

18 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 support have become so blurred that in from fellow colleagues. The reality is, Leadership International Studies in reality, under academisation, there is no real however, that there is no time capacity Catholic Education. 1 (2) 2009 is arguably support for the headteacher. for offering such support under the the most appropriate style for Catholic current system. Under academisation, school headship but is not so easy to adopt That is not to say that the executives are one headteacher for one school is rapidly at an executive level. not kind, caring people – in my experience, becoming a luxury rather than the norm. most of them are. Their role requires, As long as they are funded by the state, however, that if the headteacher pours out Training is also a factor. If school leaders Catholic schools cannot bury their heads a litany of concerns to them it has to appear are to be forced down the business and ignore current expectation; nor would it somewhere in their report to the CEO, leadership route then at least let us ensure be desirable even if it were possible. Unless, to whom they, in turn, are accountable. that our aspiring leaders are aware of the however, Catholic Academies reflect on the Heads are aware of this and are careful as philosophy that underpins the leadership implication of the terminology they adopt to what information they share. Today’s styles (worryingly, philosophy has been and the structures that emanate from it with headteachers receive more visitors to hold airbrushed out of the ‘here’s how you do it’ some urgency, the Catholic headteacher is the school to account than ever before, but courses such as the National Professional in danger of disappearing along with our the reverse is true in terms of the support Qualification for Headteachers [NPQH]). schools’ raison d’être. offered to them. They need to be aware of what the different roles on offer might require. ‘Servant References : Grace, G. (2000) “Research and Surely, in a Catholic system this can be Leadership’, for example, shows the Challenges of Contemporary School Leadership: The rectified? As well as an executive layer, servant-leader is servant first. It begins with Contribution of Critical Scholarship” British Journal of there needs to be support available to the natural feeling that one wants to serve, Educational Studies, 48(3): 231-247. the headteacher from someone who that this is paramount. Then conscious Greenleaf, R.K. (1977) Servant leadership, New York: Paulist. understands and has experience of school choice brings one to aspire to lead. The headship but who is not required to report difference manifests itself in the care taken Sergiovanni, T.J. (2001)Principalship: A Reflective Practice Perspective (Fourth Edition), Boston: Allyn & the nature of that support to the CEO by the servant-first to make sure that other Bacon/Longman. unless, of course, the headteacher wishes it. people’s highest priority needs are being Punnachet. ‘Catholic Servant Leadership International It may be argued that this support comes served. Punnachet. ‘Catholic Servant Studies in Catholic Education. 1 (2) 2009 Catholic Young Writer of 2018 “Congratulations to Cara Treacy from Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School, Upminster, Essex, who has won a nationwide writing competition. Cara was awarded, as ‘Catholic Young Writer of 2018’, £50, a trophy and a selection of books.

Congratulations also to runners-up Erin McCarthy, Karina Hudson and Amelia Johnson.

The girls received their prizes at assembly this morning from Dame Joanna Bogle from the Catholic Union. Well Done Girls!”

Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 19 News from CATSC CATSC Links with the Salesian Schools Network Conference 2019

Prof. John Lydon recently participated Executive and Joanna Oliva, postgraduate in, and supported the planning of, the student from the Philippines on the MA in Catholic School Leadership who travelled to annual Salesian Schools Conference support the Salesian conference by carrying 2019 on the theme of ‘listening’ out essential registration duties of the inspired by the recent Synod on Young participants very cordially. People, the Faith and Vocational Prof. Lydon delivered two very well- Discernment. John is a former senior attended workshops on listening as a leader of Salesian School, Chertsey, Salesian leader. He invited participants to Surrey now Programme Director of return to the thinking and charism of St the MA in Catholic School Leadership John Bosco by focusing on the significance of a holistic approach to education. This at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, was canonised in Bosco’s Preventive System London and a member of the Catholic over 150 years before it became in vogue Rev. Fr John Dickson, SDB with Prof. John Lydon, in contemporary Catholic education. He Association of Teachers, Schools and standing next to a bronze continued to suggest practical ways to Colleges (CATSC) Executive. statue of St John Bosco, achieve this by inviting and including founder of the Salesian young people to engage in extra-curricular Religious Order He was joined by former colleague and activities and being ever-present among current Headteacher of Salesian School them to listen to their concerns and needs. Publications bookstand, where Rev. Fr Chertsey, Mr James Kibble, who gave Prof. Lydon underpinned his presentation David O’Malley’s, SDB latest book was a well-received keynote address on the with research among teachers and being sold - the second edition of his very importance of being a ‘listening school’. headteachers in Salesian schools, which popular School Ethos and Chaplaincy. John was also delighted to meet his former is incorporated in his edited volume Further workshops allowed participants to student, Mrs Jennifer McGuirk, who is Contemporary Perspectives in Catholic discuss aspects of listening to the young: now head teacher of John Henry Newman Education (2018) published by Gracewing, the outcomes of the Synod, with Rev. Fr Catholic College, Birmingham who kindly particularly in his chapter outlining his Dermott Donnelly; listening to disruption hosted the conference! longstanding experience of lay formation. in young people, led by Sr Linda Cameron, FMA; Mary Mazzarello as a listening Senior leaders, teaching, chaplaincy and Participants enjoyed further talks and presence, with Sr Pauline Clark, FMA; support staff spent a day on Saturday 2nd prayers throughout the day. The opening listening to the challenge of transition to February at the 2019 Salesian Schools prayer, was led by Sr Linda Cameron, FMA higher education, with Rev. Fr John Dickson Network Conference. Nearly 150 delegates and Fr Bob Gardner, SDB. Fr Dermott SDB; Retreats residential and in schools with from Salesian Schools of the Province of Donnelly, Chair of the Catholic Youth former Provincial Rev. Fr Martin Coyle SDB Great Britain Trust schools and six other Ministry Federation (CYMFed) and Head and Sr Gill McCambridge FMA and listening schools who are members of the Salesian of Youth services for the Dioceses of to the experience of digital youth, with Rev. Fellowship participated. It was also Hexham and Newcastle spoke about Fr Saju John SDB. Delegates also had the wonderful to welcome some international listening to young people so we can meet opportunity to hear how Salesian Youth visitors Bart Decancq SDB, who leads the them where they are and journey with Ministry and volunteering projects listen to large network of Salesian schools in North them and included a most moving video and involve the young including VIDES and Belgium, and Bart van der Smissen SDB, clip. In addition, Danny Curtin, outlined BOVA with Sr Anne Francis McNamee, FMA Coordinator of RE across the network. some very interesting research findings and Fr Bob Gardener, SDB. Special thanks to Dr Caroline Healy, CATSC on his ‘Complex Catholicism’ study of the attitudes and concerns of young Catholics, The conference concluded with Mass which he worked on through Camino celebrated by Rev. Fr Bob Gardner, Vice- House. This research was presented in a Provincial of the Province of Great Britain most engaging way using stereotypical and Prof. Lydon gave a reading which profiles of the wide-range of young brought to a close what many described as Catholics that exist in contemporary society ‘the best conference yet’. Each participant and schools encounter every day. went home with a beautiful gift of a St John Bosco medal to remind them of founder Conference participants valued the of the Salesians whose work continues opportunity to continue their discussions today in many schools and youth ministries over lunch, and to visit the Don Bosco throughout the UK and the world. Prof. Lydon working at the conference which was attended by nearly 150 people in the Salesian network of schools Background pic: Participants at the Salesian Schools Conference 2019, held in Birmingham 20 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019

Members of CATSC attend the World Union of Catholic Teachers Annual Council in Rome 9-11 November 2018

WUCT LISTENS TO HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS’ EXHORTATION ‘TO EDUCATE AT THE PERIPHERIES’!

The President of the Catholic cordially welcomed some new and young of institutions...that in other areas are educators to the Council. The Prefect of discussed in abstract form. We must Association of Teachers, Schools and the Congregation for Catholic Education always remember, on the basis of the Colleges (CATSC), John Nish, recently (CCE), at the Vatican in Rome, His Eminence acquired conscience, continuing with attended the Council alongside Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi also joined the study, to understand the periphery, the Council. He expressed appreciation what the feelings and the experience Professor John Lydon and Dr Caroline for the activities and results of the work of of young people in the suburbs are, in Healy, fellow members of the CATSC UMEC-WUCT and provided an overview of order to determine effective educational Executive Council. Some postgraduate the current work of the Congregation. He interventions.’’ graciously spoke to all the participants at students on the MA in Catholic School the Council informally about their work. Further papers followed which illustrated Leadership at St Mary’s University also the challenges and good practices of the attended alongside Mrs Marguerite realities in which they operate in their home Lydon who took responsibility for countries including Dr Mary Lappin of the School of Education, Glasgow University, catering and hospitality arrangements Scotland.. She spoke on ‘Education and throughout. The theme of 2018 the suburbs in UK and in the countries conference held in Rome, 9-11 of Western Europe. Problems and good practices’ which was a very well- November 2018 took up Pope Francis’ received paper as delegates shared in the invitation to ‘educate in the peripheries’ Prof. John Lydon and Mrs Marguerite Lydon with commonalities of their own experiences where the Church is needed: H.E. Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, Prefect of the in the Q&A following the lecture. Rev. Dr. Congregation of Catholic Education, The Vatican at Adrian Podar of the Greek-Catholic High the WUCT Council 2018, Rome School Oradea, Romania provided a most The challenge - and I encourage you - interesting talk on “Education and the is to go to the suburbs to make them Academic papers were presented from suburbs in Romania and in the countries grow in humanity, in intelligence, in delegates regarding educating at the of Eastern Europe: problems and good values, in habits, so that they can go on peripheries in their countries and what the practices”. Delegates remarked on how this and lead to other experiences that they challenges and good practices were for paper broadened their knowledge on the do not know. them. Rev. Prof. Don Mario Oscar Llanos, history and geography of Eastern Europe the Dean of the Faculty of Educational and the long lasting impact of Communism. Council delegates were drawn from a wide Sciences of the Salesian Pontifical University, range of countries and continents including in his paper entitled ‘Education Moving Shifting continents, Prof. Jean Claude Ngoy Argentina, Belgium, Burundi, the Republic Towards the Peripheries” chose some from the Université S. de Lubumbashi, of Congo, the Democratic Republic of the social and pedagogical reflections and DR Congo discussed ‘Education and the Congo, England, Germany, Hungary, Italy, recommendations for educating at the suburbs in Congo and in the countries the Netherlands, the Philippines, Romania periphery which he defined as the suburbs. of Africa: problems and good practices’. and Scotland. He invited those present to love the This was followed by Prof. Clarita Carillo suburbs because they are a source of future of the University of Santo Tomas Graduate The Council was led by members of the regeneration. He said: School, The Philippines who provided Executive Guy Bourdeaud’hui, Professor a most informative paper on Education John Lydon and Giovanni Perrone. The ‘‘at the basis of a new educational and the suburbs in Philippines and in the Ecclesiastical Assistant, Archbishop Vincent perspective in these areas is the countries of Asia. These included some Dollmann (Archbishop of Cambrai), was conviction that discovers the greatness moving and inspirational video clips of the also present throughout. He commenced of love for the peripheries and the day-to-day challenges and sacrifices some the Council by inviting all those present consideration of these as a source children experience to pay for a primary to reflect on the witness provided by for the future. The suburbs speak education to live a better life that is not them as Catholic educators in any about the concrete reality of problems impoverished. Finally, Dr. Josè Maria del environment where they work. He also (unemployment, crime, remoteness Corral from Buenos Aires, President of the Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 21

Delegates enjoy an excursion to the Italian President’s Palace as the sun sets on Rome during the WUCT Council 2018, Rome

Pontificia Scholas Occurrentes Foundation, The President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Further information presented on ‘Education and the Suburbs in Mattarella, sent a message of greeting and the Americas’. good wishes to the Council and invited UMEC-WUCT, founded in 1951, is an international Catholic organization recognised by the Holy delegates to visit the Presidential Palace for See with an ever-growing membership. It is a The discussion on education in the a guided tour which enabled delegates of member of the OIC (Organizations Internationales peripheries was enriched by additional the Council to experience the rich history, Catholiques). As an NGO, it has a consultative presentations regarding specific educational culture and delights of Italy. At the close role in the Council of Europe, Ecosoc, Unesco interventions by Rev. Fr. Alberto Kabuge, of the Council, the participants gathered and Unicef. UMEC/WUCT interacts with various institutions, including the OIEC (International Provincial of the Salesians of Don Bosco, the to celebrate Holy Mass led by Archbishop Catholic Schools Organization), with CIEC Congo; Hector Rigaldo, Argentina; Justine Vincent Dollmann and visited St Peter’s (Confederación Interamericana de Educación Ndayisaba of Burundi; Prof. Belen Tangco of Square to participate in the Angelus and Católica), with the Pontifical Scholas Occurrentes the Philippines, Gertrud Rieger of Germany; Benediction led by the His Holiness Pope Foundation, with the BICE (Bureau International Elizabeth Boddens, the Netherlands; John Francis. They cheered loudly with delight Catholique de l’Enfance). Teacher Unions, Nish, the United Kingdom and Peter Bodo, when Pope Francis greeted and addressed universities, schools and teachers who wish to work in institutions and society in the light of the Hungary. the WUCT delegates personally! teachings of the Gospel and the Magisterium may become members of the UMEC/WUCT. If The annual report of the Union was Background image : The WUCT delegation you are interested in becoming a member of the presented by the Secretary-General, was present en masse at the Angelus & Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools and Giovanni Perrone, who, in illustrating the life Benediction where they received a personal Colleges (CATSC) or the World Union of Catholic of the Union, highlighted its characteristics: greeting from His Holiness Pope Francis at Teachers (WUCT) please contact Dr John Lydon: [email protected] at St Mary’s University, ‘the pillars of the UMEC-WUCT are values, St Peter’s Square, The Vatican. Twickenham. skills, relationships, human and professional solidarity, at the service of the integral formation of every person and of the institutions”. Regarding solidarity projects, the secretary detailed the WUCT-supported educational projects carried out in the suburban environments of Argentina, the Congo, the Philippines, Romania, South Sudan, Hungary and Tanzania. This support is made possible thanks to the contribution of the Papal Foundation and some institutions that form part of the UMEC-WUCT. Prof. John Lydon provided a comprehensive financial report to go alongside the annual report. He also gave a presentation on the international projects supported by WUCT together with an outline of the history and purpose of WUCT and a recap for new delegates on recent International participants from 15 countries at the WUCT Council 2018, Rome with H.E. Cardinal Giuseppe Councils held in St Mary’s University London Versaldi, Prefect of the Congregation of Catholic Education, The Vatican and Archbishop Vincent Dollmann, in 2016 and Oradea in 2017. Ecclesiastic Advisor to WUCT and Archbishop of Cambrai, France 22 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019

First International Research Conference on ‘Christian Studies’ Prof. John Lydon, CATSC Treasurer, delivers a keynote address at the First International Research Conference on Christian Studies (IRCCS) 2018 at the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka Inaugural Conference Address by Bishop of Jaffna, Rt Rev. Dr Justin B. Gnanapragasam

The first International Research Conference they could still fulfil their human and social globalisation; to defend the value and on Christian Studies at the University responsibilities of creating a new humanistic dignity of each individual human being as a of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, organised by the ethos amidst the present world beset child of God; thereby contributing to a new Department of Christian Civilisation in by perennial challenges. These include, human culture void of any discrimination; collaboration with the Centre for Performing among others: conflict, violence, poverty, to appraise the theological contribution of Arts, Jaffna, took place on 7th-8th of injustice, corruption, anti-life concepts modern Christianity which has formulated December 2018. The conference theme and practice, individualism, the negative rich conceptual foundations to address was ‘Towards a New Christian Humanistic impact of globalisation and pervasive the issues of gender, cast, political Ethos’. Intended to develop a humanist environmental challenges. Contributing oppression and violation of human rights manifesto to address the many problems to a new humanistic ethos is seen as a and to defend the liberty, equality and that exist in the world today due to inhuman way articulating the social responsibility dignity of the women, children, differently- actions. The conference opened with of Christians. The Conference raised abled, oppressed and marginalised; to the lighting of the traditional old lamp awareness among those who belong to elaborate on the contribution of recent procession and welcome dance for guests. other religions to speak out and work for Christian Theology of Religions based on The inaugural opening addresses were a better society based on shared human the documents of Second Vatican Council given by the Bishop of Jaffna, Rt Rev. Dr. values. The Conference also sought ways in and to rediscover and affirm in a new way Justin B. Gnanapragasam and the Vice which Christians and the followers of other the concept of pluralism, inter-religious Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, Prof. religions can work together to address living, dialogue and collaboration. The final R. Vigneswaran. issues of social responsibility that they have aim was to facilitate researchers, scholars, in common to create a new humanistic resource persons and practitioners to share The conference was organised collab- ethos. their findings about the new trends in oratively by the Department of Christian Christian thought. Civilisation, Faculty of Arts, University of Based on this overall aim, the objectives of Jaffna in collaboration with the Centre for the Research Conference were: to revisit A New Christian Humanism in Education Performing Arts, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. the history of Christianity in local contexts and reflect on its influence and contribution Professor John Lydon, Programme Director The Conference aimed to provide a to create a new human culture by of the MA in Catholic School Leadership, platform to document through empirical documenting them; assess the contribution St Mary’s University London and Treasurer research, the efforts of Christians in local of Christians to safeguarding the values of CATSC was invited to be the keynote and international contexts to create a new of local cultures, art, architecture and speaker by Rev. Dr. N.M. Saveri, Director, culture based on human values. In addition, literature from destruction by the colonial Centre for Performing Arts, Jaffna. His it aimed to propose in an effective way how powers and by the postmodern trend of paper entitled ‘Catholic Education and

Keynote speaker Prof. Lydon with some delegates at the First International Research Conference on Christian Studies (IRCCS) 2018, University of Jaffna Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 23

New Christian Humanism’ addressed Christianity proclaimed its humanistic When not delivering lectures and seminars, CATSCdevelopments aroundattends the concept ACCE’s of a ethos Silver based onJubilee the teachings Conferenceof Jesus John spent 2018 time with the Tamil community new Christian humanism in the context of Christ; however, the declaration of the new in Jaffna, visiting schools, including one in education. It began by articulating a brief humanism is beyond any religious character which Rev. Fr Robinson Joseph, graduate of conspectus of the Vatican’s Congregation or motives. It is universal and it is applicable St Mary’s MA programme, is a Headteacher. of Catholic Education’s latest document to everybody without any differences of This fruitful link has led to further Sri Lankan before seeking to explore the provenance religious, ethnic or nationality. priests on the MA programme including this of the term humanism in a Christian context. year Rev. Fr Elmo Arulnesan and next year It then continued to root the term in a Revisiting the roots of the humanistic Rev. Fr John Rexon. Christological context, emphasising the ethos promoted by Christianity is a need importance of dialogue, before arguing that of the time because the degradation Christian Humanism in Action it is essential to refrain from ‘sloganising’ of human values has greatly affected the term, suggesting that its classical origins human life and society. The theme also Perhaps the most important and certainly are reflected in a modern ‘return to virtues’ ventured further into other areas of the most moving part of the latest as opposed to an over-emphasis on the human concerns. The deviation from the experience involved Professor Lydon, often nebulous use of the term ‘Gospel human values has affected the natural and his wife Marguerite and Dr Fincham values’. The paper concluded strongly environmental patterns and the whole visiting various projects which can only be by suggesting that ‘a new humanism’, human life situations. It has affected the described as ‘Christian humanism in action’. grounded in a sacramental vision, is family life, social life, cultural values, gender They first visited a Salesian project which particularly timely in our contemporary perspectives, religious convictions and engages young people on the peripheries global context. A further address was educational systems; above all the whole in training opportunities resonant with delivered by Dr David Fincham, also of pattern of human history has been affected. St John Bosco’s first trade schools in the St Mary’s University, London, on Christian 19th century. They then visited a home for Humanism as a contested concept. Prof. The multi-disciplinary papers were invited orphaned girls led by the Good Shepherd John Lydon also chaired two parallel from the international and local scholars in Sisters, enabling young girls to take their academic sessions on the topic ‘Christian the field of Christian Studies, particularly place in society empowered by a genuine Thinking and Humanist Ethos’. in the areas of Biblical Studies, History of holistic approach to education. Their visit Christianity, Second Vatican Council and to the home for disadvantaged women The role played by Christianity to create a its Reforms, Christian Art, Architecture animated by the Missionary Sisters of new humanistic ethos cannot be neglected. and Literature, Theology of Peace, Charity was, undoubtedly, the most moving, World history bears witness to the fact that Current Trends in Christianity, Ecumenism made more poignant by the fact that wherever Christianity stretched its roots, it and Interreligious Dialogue and the Marguerite Lydon had met Saint Teresa in toiled hard to eliminate the social evils of Contributions of Tamil Christian scholars. Calcutta and her sister had worked with slavery, discriminations, superstitions and The papers were based on the theme of Mother Teresa for two years. Following other inhuman practices and has ventured the conference reflecting the context of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the in creating a new human culture through the presenters (international or local). The women put on a short concert. They rely its education and social commitments. research papers’ abstracts were published on benefactors who pay the equivalent of Its contribution to bring out a decisive as the proceedings of the Research £50 per day for their daily meals. The photo notion of the new humanism opened up Conference and distributed on the final below shows Professor Lydon signing up for new frontiers to the dignity of the human day of the conference. Full papers will be the contribution made by himself and his race with its values and originality. In this published shortly. wife. milieu, this Research Conference focused on the contributions of Christians in order to assert once more the need to instruct A Welcome Return and International contemporary societies on human values. In Partnerships the midst of individualist, consumerist and pragmatist trends of the present globalised Prof. Lydon was making a welcome return world. Such affirmation is vital in order to to Sri Lanka as he had previously been safeguard the value and dignity of each invited by Tamil Catholic Chaplaincy in individual and to initiate a better society. the UK, following a visit from the then Rt Rev. Bishop Thomas Savundranayagam, Bishop of Jaffna to St Mary’s University in 2010, where he discussed the opportunity for priests from the Diocese to study at St Mary’s on the MA in Catholic School Leadership programme. During that previous visit, Prof. John Lydon delivered a series of lectures and seminars to seminarians and catechists. He also met with key Catholic education figures in Colombo including Very Rev. Dr Pacidus de Silva, Rector of Aquinas University College and Fr Stephen Ashok OMI, Director of the Centre for Society and Religion, to discuss Visits to some Salesian Education Projects at potential collaborations between the St Sebastian Pre-School and Don Bosco English institutions. Academy, Nochchiyagama, situated between Jaffna and Columbo 24 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 News from Scotland Our Daily Bread A new retreat experience for young people hungry for God.

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

Scottish charity Mary’s Meals is internationally acclaimed for providing over 1.3 million children with daily meals in school. It has grown from very humble beginnings; what was supposed to be a simple one-off good deed has, over time, become an effective way of helping some of the world’s poorest children. Like the loaves and the fishes, God in his goodness has taken our little offerings and multiplied them. One very special feature of the work of Mary’s Meals is that it attracts the support of children. Amazing young people give their time and share their ideas on how to raise money to buy the food needed for children in another part of the world. Schools are often places which take Mary’s Meals to their hearts, with teachers and students working together to find ways of helping the charity. Their compassionate response to the needs of others is such a beautiful example to the rest of us.

However, there is another kind of hunger that children are suffering from in countries like our own – a spiritual hunger. For all the reasons we know only too well – family breakdown, church scandal, the confusion of our times – our children’s faith has been plundered. The sad truth is that they are not just hungry for God, they are starving for his love. As Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, Mary’s Meals founder explains,” Many young people in Scotland humble me with their commitment to feeding the hungry. But many of them are hungry too – hungry for the truth, hungry for meaning”. This spiritual famine has inspired an initiative we call, Our Daily Bread. It is another very simple idea. Our Daily Bread invites secondary schools to bring students, familiar with Mary’s Meals, to the place where the charity began, Craig Lodge, for a retreat experience. Craig Lodge Community accompanies the young people and their teachers through the 3-day retreat that includes the chance to visit the famous ‘shed that fed a million children’ and to hear Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, speak about his experiences. Through engaging talks, faith stories, prayer, adoration of the Eucharist, the sacrament of reconciliation, music, the way of the cross hill climb, and plenty of fun and games too, the retreat offers our children opportunities to draw close to Jesus, to open their hearts to him and to receive his love. As one pupil told us, “I especially enjoyed Adoration and Stations of the Cross. I was afraid to go to confession at first but after hearing how other people felt I tried it.”

We hope that Our Daily Bread can help us all to meet Jesus as the bread of life and the only bread that will satisfy us. We are excited about what the Lord will do in our lives through these little retreats. One teacher was surprised at the effect To find out how your school can participate in the Our Daily Bread retreat experience please on his students once back in school, “The group contact Paul Kidd, Craig Lodge Community. E: [email protected] T: 01838 200216 met again today to plan their prayer services. I truly am amazed at this and have had no input Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 25

St Cuthbert’s Primary School Hamilton – Celebrate 125 years by Julie McGinness

The school community of St The log books of the school tell of very Cuthbert’s Primary joined together challenging times for our community with families having to endure two world wars with families, friends, former and many very problematic health issues. We colleagues and former pupils to must admire and applaud the courage of early celebrate the 125th Anniversary families who valued education and fought to of their school. The school were keep St Cuthbert’s school as a vital part of the honoured that Bishop Toal was community.

the main celebrant of mass. Father The school has been located in three different Dornan, current Parish Priest and buildings with the building here today opening Father Bogan, previous Parish Priest in 2007 as part of South Lanarkshire Council concelebrated mass. schools’ modernisation programme and fittingly this summer we undertook major renovations, enabling us to have use of the whole building. Mrs Martina Hendry, Head Teacher, gave a vote of thanks saying: Our rich history tells of a school that was highly ‘It is indeed an honour and pleasure to be Head valued by the people of Burnbank. Today in Teacher as we gather to celebrate 125 years of 2018 much has changed within the education whatsoever.” We are confident that another fruit the school community of St. Cuthbert’s Primary system. However, we continue to have a strong, of these retreats will be a deeper understanding of School. In this year when we mark 100 years of Catholic, welcoming ethos in our present school the origins of Mary’s Meals and an even stronger state funded Catholic education it is testament as was recorded in years gone by. desire to reach out to our brothers and sisters living to the strength of faith in our community that 25 in poverty. Bishop John Keenan who has been years prior, our school began. Finally, a special thank you to our current involved in developing this outreach is enthusiastic school community: all pupils, staff and families about its potential, “I was amazed at how open We have the original log book from that very who continue to work together to ensure St our young people were for the spiritual food of first day when Miss Ada Callaghan, the first Cuthbert’s Primary remains a place of faith and meaning and hope. Our Daily Bread Retreats ‘certified mistress’ recorded the opening of the learning within the community of Burnbank, might just be the answer to the hunger for God school with 250 pupils. In 1907 it was recorded Hamilton. We look forward to a bright future that is advancing rapidly in our youth all over that the school delivered Catholic education to together. ‘ Scotland.” 700 pupils in the Burnbank. 26 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 CISC NEWS by Dr Maureen Glackin

Music and Mindfulness: School’s Staff Music Lesson Scheme by Rachel Milestone, Director of Music, Leweston School

At this present time, the promotion of good and harmony permeate the inner part of the mental health in schools is a hot topic. soul more than anything else, affecting it most strongly and bringing it grace’ (Republic III Numerous PSHE lessons, staff meetings, 401d-e). William Congreve’s oft quoted ‘music insets and CPD courses focus on the hath charms to sooth a savage breast, to soften growing mental health issues in pupils, rocks, or bend a knotted oak’ (The Mourning Bride, 1697) also seems particularly pertinent and the need for mental health education here. More recently, there have been a number of to build resilience when coping with the articles in educational and psychological journals increasing demands of academic life. advocating music as an invaluable resource when it comes to good mental health. In one of However, is it only the resilience of pupils them, Dr Robert Myers, Assistant Professor of that we need to be building? With headlines Psychiatry and Human Behaviour at the Irvine such as ‘More than half of teachers have School of Medicine is quoted as stating: ‘Having a little bit of music in your life every day can be been diagnosed with mental health issues’ good for reducing stress and anxiety. Research (Independent, 23/1/2018) and the NASUWT and experience have shown that calming music Teachers’ Union describing the neglect of can provide stress relief for children and adults’ teachers’ mental and physical health as a (Sarker, TES, 5/2/2018). ‘national scandal’ (4/7/2018), surely we need Armed with the above evidence, I approached to focus as much on the well-being of the the Senior Management Team at Leweston staff in schools as the pupils? School with the outline of my proposed scheme. The overall vision was to offer music lessons to staff – both academic and support – as a way of With this at the forefront of my mind, I set about promoting wellbeing, mindfulness and CPD. My establishing Leweston School’s Staff Music emphasis was primarily pastoral, focusing on the Lesson Scheme. The link between music and mental health care of the staff body. My hope was good mental health has long been identified. that it would also promote social relationships Plato, for example, said of music: ‘Education within the school and improve staff output and in music…is most important…because rhythm

Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference 17 Rossiters Hill, Frome, Somerset BA11 4AL T: 07949 394925 engagement and therefore, ultimately, pupil places. The staff music ‘pupils’ were being, many of the staff on the scheme refer outcomes. The senior management were apprehensive, excited, but ultimately full of to it as valuable ‘me time’. Others talk about immediately supportive and a plan was joy at the prospect of their first lesson, with rediscovering the joy of learning and the devised whereby staff would be offered five one of them stating ‘I need to do this before positive effects their lessons have on their free instrumental/singing lessons, funded I die’! morale, confidence and ability to relax. From through a CPD budget, with the option to my perspective as Director of Music, to see then sign up for regular lessons on a long- So, has it worked? Has music brought such excitement and joy on the faces of my term basis at a reduced rate. mindfulness to the staff of Leweston School? colleagues as they leave their music lessons It is obviously early days but already the is incredibly heart-warming, and brings me The scheme was met with great enthusiasm feedback has been incredibly positive. From hope that the Staff Music Lesson Scheme by the staff body. Almost immediately a CPD perspective, staff on the scheme have may indeed have soothed any ‘savage aspiring oboists, singers, flautists, indicated how it has allowed them an insight breasts’ or bent any ‘knotted oaks’ that were saxophonists, recordists, guitarists, harpists, into how difficult it is to learn a new skill and brave enough to sign up for it. clarinettists, violinists, pianists and double has therefore given them more empathy bassists, filled the available twenty free with struggling students. In terms of well-

Congratulations to Catholic Liberal Arts students at Chavagnes

Congratulations to Marya, Daniel, Drew, Jake and Benjamin, studying in the intensive “Catholic Liberal Arts with French BA” at Chavagnes, pictured with CISC member Ferdi McDermott (far right), Head Master at Chavagnes International College. These young people passed their first term with flying colours. More informationwww.chavagnes.org/studium 28 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019

CISC Conference 2019 Faith-Full Leadership CISC Conference 2019, Faith-Full headline sponsors Stone King and Kingston Leadership was certainly full of faith and full Smith shared their wisdom on a significant of leaders but it was also full of life, humour, contemporary challenge facing the sector generosity, challenge and friendship. I – Teacher’s Pension Scheme (TPS). Each knew that CISC was known as the friendly theme was elucidated with honesty and a conference but nothing quite prepared high level of professional skill that ensured me for the warmth of the welcome that that everyone of us left a little wiser if not, in I received and the sense of genuine the case of TPS, completely reassured. camaraderie that exists between you all. This is something to be proud of and However, what was assured was the glorious celebrated…and it was…in the bar…until celebration of Mass, celebrated by His the wee small hours of the morning! Excellency the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Adams and accompanied by his These informal interactions of Conference private secretary Mgr Vincent Brady both are always as important as the more formal of whom set everyone at ease through their aspects of the Conference programme; warm and friendly manner. This warmth was however, it’s fair to say that the keynotes also shared by Neil McLaughlan and staff and presentations set a tone and invited and pupils from Westminster Cathedral an ineluctable engagement. The Right Choir School. My personal thanks to Neil, Hon Lord Patten of Barnes opened the Nick, Josh and all the boys – choristers and conference with a personal and moving servers – for playing such an enormous part keynote which was remarkable in its in bringing Conference 2019 to such a full- candour and the simplicity through which voiced, reflective and rousing close. he communicated his experience as a political leader. This was ‘bookended’ Conference wouldn’t be conference without by the closing keynote from a former the conversations it gives us the time to fellow politician, the Right Hon Ruth Kelly. have. This dialogue was powerfully realised Her focus on the challenges to and the in the screening of ‘Pope Francis: A Man of distinctive nature of Catholic independent His Word’, where it was as if he was education indicated an understanding of speaking directly to each one of us the sector that was all the more impressive individually. And whilst this conversation when articulated through a personal was not actualised, the inner dialogue that vocation to leadership. it engendered left a powerful impression on many of us both professionally and One element of this distinctiveness is the personally. breadth of offer across our sector and this was ably realised by the remaining And the conversation doesn’t end at presentations where we experienced conference. For me, it is just beginning as the moving power and witness of Steve I engage in dialogue with you to ensure Hanson/Murray’s Christian mime, which was that CISC supports your needs and aids beautifully counterpointed by Westminster the development of your schools in the Cathedral Choir School’s Josh Cleary and year ahead. So, keep talking to each other Nick Morrell who explored the use of and to me and I look forward to seeing you traditional music in liturgy. Rise Theatre all again at CISC’s 30th annual conference highlighted how they use drama to engage on 16th – 17th January 2020 (venue to be pupils with the message of the gospels and announced) to continue the conversation. the challenges that contemporary life can Dr Maureen Glackin offer in trying to follow it and finally, our General Secretary Take care – changes are on the horizon for RE in Catholic by Dr Sean Whittle Research Associate at the CRDCE, schools St Mary’s University

It looks like times are a changing plenty of Heads of RE in our secondary revised in 2012. The revised 2012 RECD for RE in Catholic schools. Here schools have lobbied for the subject to is 81 pages long, divided into three parts be called something like Philosophy and with a further four appendices. Part 1 Dr Sean Whittle, Research Ethics, especially at A Level. This name has (the Introduction) begins by recognising Associate at the CRDCE (at St been considered to be a more apt way to the contemporary challenges facing RE Mary’s University), raises some market the subject to our students. It has from the perspective of Catholic schools. proved far more appealing than the official Part II of the RECD is titled ‘Application of concerns over the plans currently name of ‘Religious Studies’ A level. If the General Principles’ begins by listing eight underway by the CES to revise recommendations of the Commission on RE aims of RE in Catholic schools. Part II also the document which stipulates are accepted nationally across all schools, includes a section on the methodology the content of RE in all Catholic there will be an inevitable momentum for of Religious Education and the levels of Catholic schools to follow their example and attainment for it in Catholic schools. The schools, including academies and start renaming the subject as RWE. most extensive section of the RECD is independent ones. found in Part III which focuses on the areas However, beyond this more superficial of study. This part specifies the content of On the CES Website RE is described as the change there is the spectre of more religion lessons, from nursery through to ‘core of the core curriculum’. This makes fundamental ones. These are linked Sixth Form level. The content of Religious RE in Catholic schools a high status subject, with the moves underway to complete Education is organised into sections which even if it remains ineligible to be considered a substantive revision of the ‘Religious correspond to four of the central documents an ‘Ebac’ subject and the numbers at A Education Curriculum Directory’ (RECD). promulgated at the Second Vatican Council Level are beginning to decline. As a result Already in the opening weeks of 2019 the (1962 - 1965). This organisational structure any change to RE is an important and CES has convened a two-day meeting is used to present the content of Religious potentially worrying issue for Catholic of academics to kick start the process of Education lessons. Throughout these schools. However, changes are approaching revising the current version of the RECD. four sections a sequence of summary on the horizon. Some of these changes may Later in the year there are tentative plans statements, of five or six sentences in well be cosmetic, but others might have for two or three days for consultation with length, is followed by a number of single a longer and a potentially more sustained serving RE teachers. In the light of these sentence statements drawn from Catholic impact on the shape of RE in Catholic planning meetings and consultation days doctrine, for example about ‘revelation’). schools in the very near future. a reworked RECD will be prepared and Each of these statements is numbered and then imposed on all Catholic schools by then preceded by a list of other ones drawn At the cosmetic level one possible change the Bishops Conference of England and from Catholic belief and doctrines. Typically is around how we might be naming the Wales. Obviously, when the new version these lists contain five or six statements. subject over the next few years. Back does eventually appear this will generate These supporting statements contain in September 2018 a major commission plenty of additional work for Heads of RE references to the Catechism of the Catholic on Religious Education in England and and RE coordinators. This is because they Church (1992). In total there are over 1,300 Wales issued its Final Report and one of will need to check and map that what they statements which form the content of the headline recommendations made is a are currently teaching coheres with the new Religious Education lessons in Catholic name change for the subject. The call is for RECD. It goes without saying that Section schools. After Part III there are a number RE to be renamed as ‘RWE’, which stands 48 inspections will need to check that the of appended supplements, including for Religion and World View Education. revised Curriculum Directory has been one listing statements about the Old and This is to reflect that alongside ‘religions’ implemented. However, beyond the burden New Testament and this contains over young people need to be educated about of increased workload, the new RECD has 129 statements of content to be covered. a spectrum of beliefs and ways of looking at the potential to unsettle and reshape what Another supplement describes how these life that have nothing to do with religion or is going on in RE. In issuing new guidance extensive lists of content could be related to belief in God. Although this is something about what is to be taught in RE in our the different age groups at school. Whilst it most of us would instinctively agree with, Catholic schools there will inevitably be is not an exciting document the 2012 RECD the official CES response has been rather close connections with both how RE is to be serves its function. muted and it is certainly not keen on any assessed and as consequence how it is to name change. be taught. So why does the RECD really need to be revised? Of course, name changes for RE in Catholic But what is actually wrong with the schools are nothing new. In living memory current RECD? Given that it is just seven years since the it is possible to recall that we used to RECD was substantially revised the big routinely call the subject ‘RI’, standing for The first ever version of the RECD appeared question is about why the CES are currently Religious Instruction. In more recent years in 1996 and it was then substantially so busy constructing a new version. 30 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019

Obviously, nothing in the Catechism of because in our Catholic secondary schools pedogogically sound and theologically the Catholic Church has changed in recent practically all students take the RS GCSE. rich RE programme known as Weaving years! Up until a few years ago there the Web became a victim to the demand was really no need to even contemplate Ultimately the reason why the RECD now to increase the doctrinal content of the changing the RECD. Almost every RE needs to be revised is in order to mask the subject. There has been a naïve assumption department has mapped their schemes of loss of episcopal control over an important that if children and young people can be work to it and on the day-to-day basis it part of the RE curriculum. Thus if the given a knowledge heavy diet in RE this will has a benign impact on the teaching and RECD is rewritten, combining the shifts in make the subject ‘academic’ and thus more learning in RE. It serves as a framework government policy that introduced the study appealing or relevant. The recent reforms document that primarily helps the work of an additional religion, it can be reissued to the GCSE specifications have already of Section 48 Inspections. However, the by our Bishops. Through reconfiguring resulted in Religious Education that is changes to the exam system triggered off the RECD to reflect the new RS GCSE overly content heavy. There is a danger that whilst Michael Gove was Secretary of State specifications it becomes possible to restore revising the RECD will lead to a proliferation for Education, have resulted in profound the oversight of the Bishops over the of the drive to teach children ever increasing changes to the specifications for the RS content of RE in our Catholic schools. chunks of Catholic doctrine in all of their RE GCSE. The attempt to make all GCSEs lessons. This is very different from seeing (including RS) more academically rigorous However, the changes being worked on RE in Catholic schools as primarily about the became embroiled with the social cohesion by CES are for a much more substantive formation of children and young people (to concerns aimed at ensuring all students review of the RECD. It is not simply a way of be loving human beings). It is also a long extend their religious knowledge beyond regaining the illusion of a balance of power way off helping young people mature into Christianity. It has been a requirement in favour of the bishops over government members of the church who are able to have since 2016 for the RS GCSE specification policy. The latter could be achieved through informed debates about the ways in which to ensure that all students are examined merely issuing an addendum or clarification the Church needs be reformed now and in on at least two religions. The significance to the 2012 RECD. What is significant is the future. of this is that this stipulation came from that the CES are pushing for a fundamental Government policy rather than from the revision of the RECD. It is this which triggers There is a real risk that in the very near directives of the Bishops of England and the risk of more damaging change to the future RE in Catholic schools might begin Wales. The strengths of both the 1944 and nature of RE in our Catholic schools. The to change in some very significant and 1988 Education Acts are that they allowed real worry is that the CES led revision uncertain ways. We might discover that we the Bishops to determine the content of will escalate further the drive to make RE quickly alienate many of our students from RE in Catholic schools. However, with primarily about acquiring large chunks of the subject which up until now they have the changes to the RS GCSE, central knowledge and information about Catholic largely enjoyed and found a positive part government has taken on responsibility Christianity. Since the mid 1990s there has of their learning and life at school. Sadly, for determining what is to be taught in been a rumbling debate about whether or there appears to be little in the pipeline for RE rather than our bishops - who have no not Catholicity is ebbing out of Catholic formal consultation between the CES and alternative to accepting government policy. schools (see Arthur 1995). The response those who teach RE in Catholic schools, let The 2012 RECD no longer reflects what is has been to put more and more emphasis alone all those who have a stake in Catholic being taught to older children in Catholic on the specifically Catholic content of RE. education in England in Wales. secondary schools. This is a problem One has only to recall the way that the Catholic Schools or Schools for Catholics? by Peter Boylan by Peter Boylan

Governmental uncertainty over ‘to cap from the body of the nation or its spirit, but convent in York, on at least two occasions, to educate them in a perfect manner most was threatened by an unruly mob. As early or not to cap’ faith-based admissions conducive to the prosperity of the nation.’ as 1696 the nun’s existence was threatened to religious schools brings to the by such a gathering and was saved by ‘many fore once more the debate about Given the rising importance of schooling kind friends outside the pale of the Church’ from the early nineteenth century in and by an appeal to ‘the chief rulers of the admissions to Catholic schools. This in industrialised nations, and the developing town,’ who provided a guard. turn begs an answer to the question; role of the state in provision, this lack of are Catholic schools in this country direction on the part of the universal Church As a consequence of the first Relief Act of is surprising. However it means that a study 1778, and the subsequent Gordon riots, confessional or missionary? The replies of the traditions of such Catholic schools as the Convent was further threatened. A to this question may be related to did exist, might give a better approach to bill brought before Parliament with the the question of who is paying and will the reality of the circumstances of provision intention of ‘affording security for the and enrolment and draw a distinction Protestant religion from the encroachments be coloured by the outcomes from between the nature of the Catholic schools of popery by more effectually restraining particular schools. Related questions and the nature of their pupils. papists from taking upon themselves the education of Protestant children.’ That the swiftly follow such as ‘does the Catholic Schools in Recusant and post- convent was seriously concerned for its Religious Education programme lead Recusant times activity is indicated in the advice it received to conforming Catholics or an increase from a Jesuit chaplain to declare as Roman In this regard, the history of Catholic Catholics all students in the boarding school in lapsation rates?’ or ‘do those schools Britain, though not unique, bears distinctive and the day school pupils for the Catholic educate their pupils to be active characteristics. The suppressions of the poor. The advice contains the enigmatic citizens of the world with an informed penal period, with regard to Catholic statement ‘You need be in no pain about schools at home and Catholic education the truth of your depose; it is purely to serve Christian conscience?’ abroad, were severe. While these the common cause.’ restrictions were lifted in phases from 1778 Church guidance on Catholic Education it was not until 1829 that a clear legality was No doubt circumstantial evidence points established but even then with restrictions to there being such Protestant girls in the It was the Second towards Catholic schools and teachers. school given the knowledge of its existence Vatican Council that Though Governmental concerns and and the high regard it held among gentry clearly expressed legislation were one thing, local regard and of York and the surrounding area, as well as the duty of Catholic practices were another. the quality of education and care provided. schools when it The list of girls who had attended the exhorted ‘the Pastors The mixture of suspicion and respect for the school, included in the appendix, shows a of the Church and all works of religious orders for women runs recruitment from various parts of England the faithful to spare deep through the recusant period up to and Ireland as well as such places as no sacrifice in order the growth of poor school provision in the Trinidad and India. While it is not surprising to help Catholic mid-nineteenth century and beyond. The that religious affiliation of these individual schools fulfil their duty annals of the Bar Convent in York, which pupils is not shown, the preponderance perfectly; above all provided an education for both better class from the Yorkshire area might well exceed Pope Pius XI ‘Catholic the duty to care for Education in Catholic boarding girls and for the poor children of the number of known Catholic families in the needs of the Schools for Catholic Youth’ the town, are revealing in this respect. The the county. poor, those deprived of the help and affection of a family and strangers to the gift of faith.’

In the evolution of a theology of Christian Education this was only the second universal statement on education from the Vatican following the papal encyclical of 1929 on the ‘Christian Education of Youth.’ While this encyclical used the phrase ‘Catholic education in Catholic schools for Catholic youth’ in no way did it promote an insular attitude but suggested that ‘they do not intend to separate their children either

The Bar Convent York, now a Heritage Centre

32 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019

In the north of the county of Yorkshire, a establish and maintain elementary schools to re-enforce an establishment picture for small village school in Ugthorpe some ten nearby, a pattern that was maintained to the upper and middle classes while providing a miles inland from Whitby, also indicates mid-twentieth century. basic elementary education for lower classes some of this ambivalent tradition. The small by way of School Board school provision Catholic community had existed through H.M.I. Marshall’s first general report to in areas where the Churches had been the recusant times served by resident the Committee of Council for 1848-49 unable to provide places. Given doctrinal or itinerant priests notably by Nicholas considered it important to draw attention differences on all sides the Catholic Postgate one of the last English martyrs. In to the committee writing that ‘the last Church’s efforts became one to provide the 1806 a sum of money was left to Ugthorpe point which remains to be noticed is the missing places for their flocks. The severe for the benefit of the priest, a Rev Haydock admission of Protestant children into financial requirements meant that places who decided to establish a ‘free school’ Catholic schools, and the conditions upon in new schools could only be planned and and employ a school master who was ‘to which it is regulated. It very frequently afforded for that Catholic clientele and that teach all the children of poor Catholic happens, and especially in the midland and only with the greatest difficulty. While this and Protestants who in the judgement of northern counties, that for various reasons, concentration addressed the needs of the the priest were unable to pay.’’ It was this sometimes from a notion that greater urban areas parishes, it could do little for school subsequently inspected by T W advantages are to be obtained, sometimes the small rural parish communities where Marshall in his first year who wrote in 1849. as a matter of convenience, and perhaps school places were required. ‘The knowledge of the children in religious not infrequently from mere caprice, the subjects is quite wonderful.’ parents of Protestant children are desirous It was these powerful interventions that that they should be instructed in a Catholic permeated the Catholic world for the next This openness of Catholic schools to the school.’ sixty years and added a clutch of slogans community, and particularly to those in that are still remembered. While ‘Schools need, would appear to be an instinctive In giving evidence to the Newcastle before Churches’ came from the initial 1852 response, reciprocated by the respect built Commission Marshall is further drawn synod ‘Catholic schools for Catholic children on reputation towards the ‘religious ladies’ into this topic when asked, ‘Do you find taught by Catholic teachers’ was the basis who fulfilled many of the school duties. that in all good Roman Catholic schools of policy. ‘A penny from every Catholic’ Such was this respect that included in the Protestants are drawn in?’ He speaks of was the source of the weekly parish Roman Catholic Relief Act of 1829 which, Catholic schools that ‘have been largely ‘outdoor collection.’ Catholic ratepayers despite offering penalties towards religious composed of Protestant children’ while not paying twice, for Council schools and Orders, was the clause: ‘that nothing herein a phenomenon in London, he states that he for Catholic schools; the cost of building contained shall extend or be construed knows many country schools where ‘perhaps Catholic schools to meet new legislative to extend in any manner to affect any half the children are Protestants entirely requirements; equal pay and conditions for religious order, community, or establishment owing to the good character of the school.’ Catholic teachers were the messages that consisting of females bound by religious or Religious instruction is left to the discretion were the core of the ‘justice campaigns’ up monastic vows.’ of the managers with little concern shown to and beyond the 1944 Education Act. by parents. Speaking of one Yorkshire Observations and reports elementary school in a manufacturing As the sixties and the Vatican Council took town, some two thirds of the children are centre stage in Catholic life, more voices The recognition of the ‘Religious ladies’ in Protestants and their parents are willing to were beginning to be heard pressing for education provision came from their work pay ‘sixpence or a shilling a week’ when a reappraisal of the basics of Catholic on continental Europe. With the revolution they could choose to attend a closer school education and Catholic schools. However in France and subsequent terror, established and pay nothing. the entrenched attitudes over the preceding religious communities fled to England and century have been difficult to break down gained some government help required to By the time that Marshall was giving this and only slowly has a new realisation come continue their educational work, at least to evidence, he had been an Inspector for about. Catholic schools in more recent provide an income for their communities. over ten years and responsible at first, for times have perforce admitted pupils from The quality of their provision was widely all Catholic schools in receipt of a grant other backgrounds as a way of maintaining recognised and reported. Joseph Kay, and subsequently responsible for southern numbers and therefore budgets. In doing so brother of the more illustrious educator Catholic schools, a district south of a line they may have rediscovered that missionary Kay-Shuttleworth, was commissioned by from London to Bristol, in addition to his purpose to a wider community which was a Cambridge University to write a report duties for inspecting the Catholic teacher common feature in pre 1870 days.. entitled ‘The Education of the Poor in training colleges and, ‘as such’ was the lead England and Europe’ where he summed Catholic inspector. Marshall’s testimony up the effectiveness of their contribution, drawn from this extensive experience and 1. Declaration on Christian Education, October 1965, para. 9 writing ‘had we institutions where females annual reports, illustrates the reality of 2. Encyclical ‘Christian Education of Youth’ Pius XI December 1929 desirous of devoting themselves to a Catholic elementary schools at the time. 3. Ibid: see section entitled ‘Catholic action through the religious life and to the education of school.’ 4. St Mary’s Convent, Micklegate Bar, York, 1686- 1887 H T the poor, could be educated, we should The Change Coleridge 1887 reprint 5. Ibid page 84 -87. The annals also describe the intervention soon have them filled and should thus of an apparition of St Michael above the convent on that secure to the country a body of religious, It was the crisis brought about by the 1870 day. 6. The nature of these riots are well described in Dickens’ zealous and enlightened teachers of poor ‘Forster’ Education Act, that changed the novel ‘Barnaby Rudge’ girls.’ Such schools for girls from the perspective for the Catholic community 7. Ibid p 223-6 8. The history of Ugthorpe’ M. McAniff, Centenary of the gentry and emerging middle class families and brought about a sharp focus on what Church of St Anne, 1955. parish publication. were particularly attractive irrespective of was needed, what could be provided and 9. T. W. Marshall. Report to the Committee of Council, 1849. 10. Roman Catholic Relief Act, 1829, clause 37. denomination. As this pattern developed, at what cost. Since then finance rather than 11. J Kay, ‘The Education of the Poor in England and Europe’ Hatchard & Son, London 1846 many religious orders used the fee paying exhortations and ideals have dictated the 12. The Royal Commission on the State of Popular Education schools to provide financial support to picture. The 1870 Acts basically intended in England 1858-1861

Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 33 Student Investor Challenge: Farnborough Hill reaches semi-final Congratulations on reaching the 2019 Student Investor Challenge semi-finals

Farnborough Hill reach the semi- diversified portfolio.” in the real-life stock market, gain team-work finals in stock market challenge skills and strengthen their maths knowledge. to be in the running for a trip to Alison Pask, Managing Director of Financial Capability and Community How it works: New York. Outreach at The London Institute of • Teams from schools around the UK Banking & Finance, says: compete against each other by trading A team of Year 12 and 13 Economists have two virtual portfolios worth £100,000 battled their way into the Student Investor “This competition is a powerful way of in the stock market over a four month Challenge semi-finals, beating over 5,000 engaging young people with how the period. They trade their shares, trying to teams from schools around the UK and finance sector works and relating it to predict how share prices might move, abroad. everyday life. The movement of stocks and bearing in mind market and economic shares, currency fluctuations and central conditions, to make the most profit. The Student Investor Challenge, run by bank activities can feel quite remote and • Trading replicates reality, with feeds from The London Institute of Banking & Finance, difficult to get to grips with. By bringing Bloomberg and the real costs of trading challenges teams to invest virtual money it to life through a trading game, young included. Students are challenged to on the London Stock Exchange and trade people have proved they can grasp make both long and short term trades, stocks and shares to make a profit. how economies work and the basics of encouraging both day-to-day and investment. So, congratulations to the strategic thinking. LEKH Ltd. consisting of 4 team members semi-finalists for making the top 500, it’s a • The top 500 teams progress to the semi- (Hannah, Eryl, Katherine & Jessica) great achievement!” final. successfully invested virtual money and were • The semi-finalists battle to reach the final positioned 118th in their strategic portfolio About the Student Investor Challenge in London. Only 8 teams will go through (top 2%) after the first round of trading. to the final stage. Only the top 500 teams progress to the The Student Investor Challenge is an online semi-finals. They’ll now go on to battle the investment simulation for students aged 1st prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to New remaining 499 teams to try and reach the 14-19 years old. It helps students increase York, including a trip to the New York Stock final in London. their understanding of how stock markets Exchange, hosted by Asset TV. work and hone their investment skills by Dr Tytko, Teacher in charge, says: investing virtual money on the London Stock Competition statistics: “The valuable lessons the students have Exchange. • 23,540 students traded in 5,885 teams of gained from participating is the insight that four (22,276 UK students in 5,569 teams, risks must be managed and not ignored. It aims to improve financial capability, and 1,264 international students in 316 They have shown that as a team they encourage engagement with the finance teams) can set risk objectives and manage those sector. It gives students a positive and • 856 schools are taking part (800 UK, 56 risks through purchasing an appropriately practical experience of what it’s like to invest international) News Roundup

• Develop specialist qualifications for seasoned Norfolk: Consultation professionals who want to excel in the By Willie Slavin classroom begins on plan for • Introduce a new online platform to make it easier to apply for Initial Teacher Training new Catholic primary • Launch an initiative to allow more people to school give teaching a try

In May 2018 the DfE said that it would consult The Diocese of East Anglia has begun a consultation this week to open a new Catholic on replacing floor and coasting standards with primary school in Swaffham on the site of the a single measure. The strategy has clarified that current Sacred Heart School, a fee-paying school the consultation will be on making ‘requires that is due to close at the end of the summer improvement’ the sole trigger for an offer of term 2019. support. The hope is that this’ll help to reduce workload and create a more supportive school The consultation will run until February 15 and culture. asks parents, staff and the local community for their views about opening a new Catholic primary school. Unions demand 5% Helen Bates, Assistant Director for Schools, said: pay rise for teachers “The possibility of opening a non-fee paying Catholic primary school in Swaffham is extremely and heads exciting and a very rare opportunity. We have not opened any new Catholic schools in Norfolk ASCL, NAHT, NEU and Voice unions publish a in decades. The nearest Catholic schools to joint submission to the STRB teacher pay body. Swaffham are in King’s Lynn and Costessey in Norwich, which many parents feel is too far for Teachers should have a fully-funded 5 per cent primary-aged children to travel. pay increase in September 2019 in order to “address the fundamental problems of teacher “If successful, this new school will build on supply”, say unions. the long tradition of excellent education and community service at Sacred Heart School. We The call comes in a joint submission to need to hear from as many people as possible the School Teachers’ Review Body, which during this consultation to understand if there is recommends pay awards to the government, by widespread support for the new primary school.” the Association of School and College Leaders, Drop-in sessions and an open day are being the NAHT headteachers’ union, the NEU held at Sacred Heart School where Diocesan teaching union and the Voice teaching union. officers will be available to answer questions and provide further information. They say that it was “deeply damaging” of the education secretary to depart from the review The final decision on whether to open the new body’s recommendation for a pay rise of 3.5 per Catholic primary school will be made by Norfolk cent for all salaries in the current year. County Council and is expected by the end of April 2019. The pay award this year was differentiated with a 3.5 per cent rise for those on the main pay scale, Recruitment and retention strategy by DfE 2 per cent for those on the upper pay range and 1.5 per cent for leaders. The DfE has released a new strategy to help combat the recruitment and retention crisis. The unions’ letter to the STRB states: “Most of It promises to: the profession experienced another significant real-terms cut in pay, despite the overwhelming • Develop a jobshare match-up site, which’ll evidence of the need for a restorative pay allow teachers to team up with other sharers increase. • Provide a fully-funded 2-year training package for all early career teachers through the Early “The damage was compounded by the Careers Framework - national roll-out is set government’s refusal to fully fund even the lower for autumn 2021 pay increases it implemented.” Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 35

It adds that differentiated pay awards are Downside and Ampleforth Abbeys. Frankie said: “Each year over 19,000 “hugely unhelpful” and “damage morale”. students across London and Essex take part In the area of ecumenism, in 1993 Fr in Jack Petchey’s ‘Speak Out’ Challenge! the “The STRB must move beyond asking Dominic was appointed Cathedral Prior world’s largest public speaking competition. News Roundup schools to manage the damage. To address of Chester Cathedral, a title dating from the fundamental problems of teacher supply, pre-Reformation times, when Benedictines “There are 37 different Regional Champions the STRB must recommend an increase in formed the chapters of nine of the and these speakers these are among the teacher pay significantly above inflation,” the cathedrals of England. Although today top 0.2% of young speakers in London and letter states. such titles carry no jurisdiction, they have Essex. We are always blown away by the been traditionally bestowed on Benedictine talent and ability of these young speakers. monks since 1633. On behalf of Speakers Trust and the Jack Ampleforth: Fr Petchey Foundation we congratulate you on Fr Dominic was a popular retreat giver both this outstanding achievement.” Dominic Milroy to other religious houses around the world, and to dioceses in the United Kingdom. Fr Dominic Milroy OSB, Benedictine monk He also wrote numerous articles and Fr Daniel O’Leary RIP of Ampleforth Abbey, died peacefully in York contributions for a wide variety of books, Hospital on 1 January 2019, at the age of and from 2009-2017 was editor of The Tributes have been pouring in to Fr 86. He had been a monk for nearly seventy Ampleforth Journal. Daniel O’Leary who died on Monday, years, and had served as Headmaster of 21 January. He is survived by his brother Ampleforth College from 1980-1992. Fr Dominic’s health declined in recent years Michael and sister Maureen. In a note, the and he resided in the Monastery Infirmary Association of Catholic Priests, in Ireland, He was born in Swanage in April 1932 and at Ampleforth. He died peacefully in York said Fr Daniel had been ill since June last educated at Ampleforth College. He then Hospital on 1 January 2019. year. “He has approached his journey joined the monastic community in October with cancer with deep faith and immense 1950 and attended St Benet’s Hall in the courage” they wrote. “The end came University of Oxford (1953-1957), where he London: St Gregory’s more suddenly than expected, leaving us read Modern Languages. His initial work in shocked and saddened. Ampleforth College spanned the years from pupil wins major 1957-1974, and encompassed a variety of “He was a very gracious and gifted roles, including: Director of Theatre, Head of public speaking person and we will all have special Modern Languages, and Housemaster of St memories of him and treasure them. Wilfrid’s House. Fr Dominic returned to work competition We are the better for his kindness, his

in the school on 1 January 1980, when he humour, his wisdom and his undying was appointed Headmaster of Ampleforth belief in an incarnate God whose name College, a post he held until 31 December is Love. We give thanks for the many 1992. While Headmaster, he was elected ways he has touched our lives. Please Chairman of the Conference of Catholic remember him and his family in your Secondary Schools and Colleges; he was prayers.” also a member of the National Forum of the Catholic Education Service, and Chairman A priest of the Diocese of Leeds, Fr and then Vice-Chairman of the Headmasters’ Daniel was also an author and teacher. and Headmistresses’ Conference. From Born in 1937, in Rathmore, Co Kerry, he 1997-2010 he was Chairman of Governors studied at All Hallows College, Dublin. at St Benedict’s Roman Catholic Primary Mayor of Brent Cllr Arshad Mahmood He worked in parishes for almost 30 years School, Ampleforth. From 2008-2012 he also presents Princilla with her prize as a Curate and then Parish Priest. For undertook the role of chaplain to St Aidan’s another 20 years he taught Theology House. Princilla Agyemang, age 14, from St and Religious Education at St Mary’s Gregory’s Catholic Science College in University College in London, and In 1981, Fr Dominic as Headmaster Kenton, Harrow, beat 740 pupils across Brent became chair of its Religious Studies welcomed to Ampleforth José Manuel to win the regional final of the Jack Petchey department, before being appointed Eguiguren, a married layman and founder Speak Out! Challenge on Wednesday, 23 Episcopal Vicar for Christian Formation in of a lay movement in Chile, the Manquehue January Leeds until 2000. Apostolic Movement (Fr Dominic’s own Fr Daniel held Masters degrees in grandmother was Chilean). He was visiting Princilla impressed a large and distinguished theology, spirituality and religious Ampleforth to learn about Benedictine line-up of judges with her speech which education. An award-winning author of education. In the Rule of St Benedict tackled homophobia and discrimination 12 books, he was a regular contributor and in the monastic community he found around the world. to the Tablet, the Irish Furrow and other inspiration not only for his new school in publications, He also gave conferences Chile, but for the whole lay community. Asked about her success, Princilla said: “I’m and retreats to parishioners, teachers, This link with the Manquehue Apostolic changing the world one speech at a time.” catechists, head-teachers, priests and Movement has resulted in more than 100 Frankie Rushton, Programme Director for the Diocesan RE Advisers around the country Ampleforth students spending a gap Speak Out! Challenge, wrote to St Gregory’s and internationally. year working in Chile, and, more recently, to congratulate the school and Princilla on members of the lay movement working in her achievement.

36 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019

made at the end of the closing WYD Mass young people themselves: “We are on a CSAN and St Mary’s which Pope Francis celebrated in Panama journey”, he reminded them. “Keep walking, City’s Metro Park on Sunday morning before keep living the faith and sharing it”. And University launch 700,000 people. do not forget, said Pope Francis, that “you are not the tomorrow, you are not the new booklet on “With Mary, keep saying “yes” to the dream ‘meantime’, you are the Now of God”. that God has sown in you”, he told them. housing crisis But the Pope’s concluding message to the “The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed hundreds of thousands of World Youth on him. And he began to say to them: ‘Today Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) Day participants and pilgrims from all over this Scripture has been fulfilled in your and the Benedict XVI Centre of St Mary’s the world can be summarized in one word: hearing’” (Lk 4:20-21). University, Twickenham, launched a new “Now”. booklet: ‘Perspectives on political, social and With these words, the Gospel presents human aspects of the housing crisis’ in the Not today but Now the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. It Houses of Parliament on 23 January. “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled started in the synagogue that saw him grow in your hearing”. Taking his cue from the up; he was in the midst of neighbours and The main essay, contributed by Professor Gospel of Luke, the Pope interpreted that people he knew, and perhaps even some of Philip Booth of St Mary’s University, calls on “today” as “now”. “Jesus”, he began, his childhood “catechists” who had taught the Government to make it easier to build “reveals the now of God”. “In Jesus, the him the Law. It was an important moment houses, including on the Green Belt. promised future begins and becomes life”. in the life of the Master: the child who was “Unfortunately”, continued the Pope, “we educated and grew up in that community, Panellists at the launch event included do not always believe that God can be that stood up and took the floor to proclaim Parliamentarians Siobhain McDonagh concrete and commonplace, that close and and put into action God’s dream. A word (Labour), Jacob Rees-Mogg (Conservative) real”. Because “a close and everyday God, previously proclaimed only as a future and Lord Shipley (Liberal Democrat), all a friend and brother, demands that we be promise, but now, on the lips of Jesus alone, of whom also provided forewords for the concerned with our surroundings”. “God is could be spoken in the present tense, as booklet. real because love is real”, he said. it became a reality: “Today it has been Not tomorrow but Now. fulfilled”. Other speakers included the eminent philosopher Sir Roger Scruton, Edward The Pope described the danger of living Davies from the Centre for Social Justice, in “a kind of waiting room, sitting around Nominations open for and Gareth Wallace from the Conservative until we are called”. Both adults and young Celebrating Young Christian Fellowship. people risk thinking “your Now has not yet come”, he said, “that you are too young to People Awards Professor Booth said: “Perhaps the most be involved in dreaming about and working pressing domestic policy issue of our time for the future”. Pope Francis referenced is the price of housing. It is a major driver last year’s Synod of Bishops on Youth, of inequality, poverty and disengagement saying it helped us realize that “we need and has become increasingly important as a one another”, that we have to “encourage cause of homelessness.” dreaming of and working for tomorrow, starting today”. “Not tomorrow but now”, The new booklet, produced in collaboration he said. “Realize that you have a mission and between CSAN and the Benedict XVI Centre, fall in love”, said the Pope. “We may possess follows the release in November 2018 of everything, but if we lack the passion of love, ‘Abide in Me’, a major report on housing we will have nothing”. developed jointly by CSAN and the Centre for Theology and Community. In response Not meantime but Now Archbishop McMahon with Aaron Omotosho to ‘Abide in Me’, the Catholic bishops of For Jesus there is no “meantime”, Pope England and Wales resolved to encourage Francis continued. “He is not an interval Nominations are now open for the fourth the leaders of Catholic organisations to in life or a passing fad. He is generous Celebrating Young People Awards. The prioritise work on the availability of housing love that invites us to entrust ourselves”. awards - powered by Catholic charity Million until 2030, aligned with the timescale for the The Pope invited all young people not to Minutes - honour the achievements of young UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and in be “paralyzed” by “fear and exclusion, people across the country who make our recognition of the scale of the housing crisis. speculation and manipulation”. But rather, communities a better place. There are eight to recognise the “concrete, close, real love” award categories, which take their names of Jesus. The Lord and His mission are not from Catholic social teaching and recognise Panama: Pope tells “something temporary”, said Pope Francis, the enormous, often unseen, social action of “they are our life”. young people ‘you young people. are the Now of God’ The Now of God Parishes, schools and individuals are being At the conclusion of Mass, the Pope thanked invited to nominate young people. If you The secret is out: everyone knows that the all those who have contributed to making know an unsung hero or heroine or a group next World Youth Day will be held in Lisbon, this “World Youth Day dream come true” that have worked together to help their Portugal, in 2022. The announcement was in Panama. But his last words were for the community, put them forward for an award

Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 37

now. The award nominees will be invited During the Mass, Bishop John also blessed remember Rio de Janeiro where most of to attend a special ceremony in London’s the new altar and the new stained glass us slept on Copacabana Beach for the West End in July. Cardinal Vincent Nichols window that had been commissioned final Saturday night before Mass for three will be the guest of honour and present through the generous fundraising of the million people was celebrated by Pope the Pope Francis Award to one lucky young parents. Francis. Language barriers break down in person. the swapping of scarves or T-shirts, rosaries The stained glass window depicts the or crucifixes, with other people from all The 2017 Pope Francis recipient was presentation of baby Jesus at the temple, over the world. First world countries pay Aaron Omotosho (aged 18) from Loreto and that event was the focus of the Gospel a premium to enable young from the College, Manchester. Aaron founded passage read by Fr Stephen. Bishop John developing world to visit lands they would the Help Manchester project which spoke about the scene in the window never otherwise dream of going to.” encourages young people locally to representing two important things. support day centres that feed and shelter The other special member is a replica of homeless people each day. He also set up The first is that it reminds Christians about the statue of Our Lady of Walsingham, a computing project, Console Code, for their Baptism when their parents presented which will be making its very first visit underprivileged young people in North them to the Church. The second thing is to a WYD. It’s particularly appropriate, Manchester. Aaron has an extraordinary that the light comes streaming through the explained youth director Hamish and generous approach to life. For window and the school goes out carrying MacQueen, as the theme for this WYD is ‘I example, he personally helped a refugee the light of their faith into the wider am the servant of the Lord. May it be done with no friends or family in the UK, whom community. to me according to your word’. Aaron met in the library. Acting as a friend, Some very special guests were in Aaron has given the man invaluable A prayer vigil in Peterborough is being attendance including Ms Tolley (Brent physical and emotional support. planned to coincide with the WYD evening Strategic Director for Children and vigil in Panama with Pope Francis on His college chaplain said: “Aaron is Young People) and the Mayor of Brent, Saturday January 26. It will take place at St quite unique, as all of this is entirely his Cllr Arshad Mahmood. The school also Oswald’s Catholic Church, from 7.30pm to own initiative, and he has truly changed welcomed Mr Coyle (Headteacher of midnight with people welcome to come people’s lives. Aaron really genuinely cares Newman Catholic College) who provided and go throughout the evening. about those living in poverty and making learning areas at his school for six weeks so their voices heard.” Most people will never the education of the St Joseph’s children know how generous, compassionate and could continue while temporary classrooms Education liberating loving Aaron is and has been, but receiving were being installed on their own site. the Pope Francis award shed some light on St Joseph’s now looks forward to a bright Pakistan’s Christians his fantastic work. and hopeful future for the whole school from poverty ‘Celebrating Young People Awards’ was community. launched in 2015, inviting nominations for With illiteracy forcing thousands of six award categories based on Catholic Christians to work in slave-like conditions Social Teaching: promoting dignity of East Anglia: Young across Pakistan, a leading Catholic charity the human person, community and pilgrims set out for is helping them escape the poverty trap participation, the dignity of workers, through education. solidarity and peace, the option for the WYD Panama poor, and the care of creation. There is also Aid to the Church in Need is providing an award for inspiring youth minister and A group of young people from the Diocese Christian education resources, including the main youth award, the Pope Francis of East Anglia will today be joining Pope its Child’s Bible, as part of a drive led by Award, selected and presented by Cardinal Francis and up to half-a-million other bishops to tackle illiteracy. Vincent Nichols. Nominations close on 24 young pilgrims at World Youth Day (WYD) May 2019. in Panama at the end of January (22-27). Archbishop Joseph Arshad of Islamabad- For more information see: www.millionminutes.org As well as a handful of young people, the Rawalpindi, the president of Pakistan’s To nominate someone visit: https://millionminutes. East Anglia group will also include two very Catholic Bishops’ Conference, told ACN org/awards special members. that illiteracy was rife among Christians, adding: “Education is of prime importance. Special Mass at St Fr Michael Johnstone (aged 85) from Many people cannot continue their Joseph’s Primary Norwich, who has attended eight previous education, either because there are no WYDs since 1981 across Europe, Australia schools or no money.” School - re-opening and North and South America, will be one of the oldest pilgrims. He added: “Our community has to have after fire access to education. When Christians Fr Michael said: “For young Catholics it is are educated and have had professional Yesterday, 23 January, St Joseph’s Roman an eye-opener for them to be with a vast training, then the image of our community Catholic Primary School in Harlesden, number of enthusiastic fellow Christians will change.” northwest London, enjoyed a very special and be led by Pope Francis, reminding us Mass in which Bishop John Sherrington of our unity in Christ. Father Sylvester Joseph, a parish priest in officially reopened the school following the Islamabad-Rawalpindi Diocese, told ACN: devastating fire of September 2015. “The crowd is always joyous and I “Most of our people are illiterate”. 38 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 Book&Media

By Willie Slavin

loving heart as to his inquisitive mind. interest in the work of De Chardin and its influence An Astonishing Secret While the magnum opus would be a fitting tribute on the work of the Franciscan Sister Ilea Delio, to the inquisitive and well informed mind’s journey prominent and prolific Scientist/Theologian who The Love Story of over eight decades, today’s gospel propels it into sets out her stall: ‘the whole Creation, beginning Creation and the the realm of a Nunc Dimittis formed in a faith with the big bang, is Incarnation. Evolution is the developed from its beginnings in the family rosary process of unfolding life, from matter to spirit. He Wonder of You, Daniel of a Kerry household nurtured by a mother who, re-visits Rahner’s insight, ‘Creation and Incarnation O’Leary, Columba Press, 2018, in his words, was possessed by a ‘fierce faith’. As a are two moments and two phases of the one priest, whose mission was set on fire by the promise process of God’s self-giving and self-expression. of Vatican II and subsequently challenged by the This path of theological thinking influenced by failure of the Church to live out the heightened evolution and cosmology, which no longer sees expectations of that generation, his unrelenting God as other to the world but as the inner dynamic pursuit of an enlightened responsiveness to the of the world, calls for a reassessment of original sin compelling fire in a heart bursting to find an which is predicated upon, in the words of Ilia Delio, engaging response, almost seemed destined ‘an original perfection from which humans fall into to end in disappointment. Not so, as this book‘s sin. Rather it is a wild, unpredictable and unruly relishing in the reign and writings that Pope Francis universe in which God emerges into human person, glories in. Jesus of Nazareth.’

The book offers a series, 49 in all, of reflections on Pope Francis remains however in no doubt about extracts from Pope Francis’ creative writings that the presence of the ‘Power of Darkness’. He speaks brilliantly opens up and unpacks the Pope’s own of ‘The Evil One who (infiltrates), lives with a person influences, formation and journey in a chronological and drop by drop anaesthetises his conscience.’ parallel to the author. One can almost hear the Richard Rohr speaks of ‘an utterly free God who echo of Gaudium et Spes’, ‘The joys and the hopes, invites our co-operation and participation (who) the griefs and the anxieties of the people of this can also allow us to resist, oppose or deny love. We age’ in this promise of a realisation of that enticing are free to cling to our own egotistical resources, vision. This is a dawning of the longed for renewal to climb proudly instead of descending humbly.’ of the Church that fully embraces evolution, the Rohr goes on: ‘I think the one and single purpose ISBN 9781782183242. insights of science and cosmology and, re-visits our of religion is to lead you to an experience of your understanding of Genesis as outlined in ‘Laudato true self. “Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace Si - On Care of Our Common Home’. Just as you promised; because my eyes have seen Brian Swimme, a cosmologist heavily influenced by the salvation In his introduction O’Leary witnesses to ‘A new the work of De Chardin berates scientists who are which you have prepared for all the nations to see, mind-set and a new heart-set emerging. A new only interested in science from a quantitive mode a light to enlighten the pagans opportunity for struggling believers to find their and fail to appreciate its full significance (because) and the glory of your people Israel”. Luke 2:29-32 way once again: a radically different understanding ‘you fail to hear its music…that spiritual traditions of central dimensions of the Christian faith is now can provide. Tell the story but tell it with a feel for The American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr being offered… a profoundly moving way of seeing its music.’ Those privileged to have known Donal exhorts those who would quote scripture to have old teachings in a new and exciting light – a way O’Leary in life, will have known a born storyteller as much regard to the context as the text. The that was impossible before recent theological who, true to his Celtic roots, revelled and luxuriated context in which I set out to review Daniel (Donal renewal and startling scientific discoveries. Drawing in the inherent musicality of every word, nurtured to friends and colleagues) O’Leary’s latest book is upon a wealth of scientific and sociological sources in his fertile imagination, that cascaded from his profoundly influenced by my writing on the feast he adds shade and colour to the carefully chosen mouth. of the Purification with the knowledge that Donal and insightful extracts from the Pope’s writings, all O’Leary died just over a week ago after a lengthy the time highlighting the synthesis between faith The penultimate reflection is based upon Pope battle with cancer. While the writing of this book and lived experience gaining enlightened and Francis’ take on resurrection in ‘Evangelii Gaudium’ was completed prior to the onset of his illness, its engaging understanding from the synthesis of all (276) ‘Each day in our world, beauty is born anew; extensive but lightly worn scholarship has the ring these disciplines by cutting edge theological and it rises, transformed, through the storms of history. of a magnum opus about it, the fruit of a life spent spiritual thinking. Where all seems to be dead, signs of resurrection on seeking an understanding of the great mystery suddenly spring up. It is an irresistible force. ’ of life and faith that spoke as profoundly to his He makes extensive use of the reemergence of Thoughts that draw the author’s thinking rather Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 39

presciently towards a consideration of death: ‘In In chronicling the years leading up to the passing government, the Duke of Wellington (Prime this relentless movement death is revealed not as of the Act for the Relief of His Majesty’s Roman Minister) and Robert Peel (Home Secretary.) the end, but a transformative stage in the ongoing Catholic Subjects” (1829) the Gordon Riots of 1780 Both ministers eventually championed Catholic emergence of the universe, the painful journey offers the author a starting point which provides an Emancipation out of a pragmatic fear that if they towards harmony and unity.’ obvious measure of the near 50 years of political did not, “we must look to civil war in Ireland sooner progress and unimaginable achievement that or later” (as the Duke wrote to Peel in 1824). While he had no idea, at that time, of how culminated in the Royal Assent and stands as a imminent his own death was, his absolute testament to the power of leadership. O’Connell’s restrained, controlled and persistent conviction, and lifelong affective engagement campaign convinced the British government that it with an immanent, loving God was his guarantee The Gordon riots of 1780, the worst urban riots in had no alternative but to concede emancipation, of a welcome into the next stage of his being, in British history, were sparked off by the passing of and persuade King George IV to relent on what harmony and unity. the modest Catholic Relief Act which permitted was a profound issue of conscience for him. In Catholics a relaxation of the laws that repressed 1824 Wellington believed that unless something The concluding words of this remarkable book, them. The riots, stoked by the rabidly anti- was done to curb O’Connell’s mobilisation of the poetically and prayerfully written by Donal O’Leary Catholic Lord George Gordon, reflected a fear of masses there would “be civil war in Ireland sooner as a marriage blessing, are as poignantly relevant at Catholicism, or more accurately “popery” that had rather than later”. Wellington and Peel persuaded a this time as in their intended setting. deep roots. Some improbably believed the rumour very reluctant king of the necessity of emancipation, that there were 20,000 gunpowder hoarding Jesuits with Peel forced to accept that it was the only way I vow to set you free to be your truest self. skulking in tunnels under the Thames. of averting “political calamity”. The strength of I vow to bestow upon you, the gift of your deepest royal opposition to the cause of emancipation was being. 60,000 people assembled on what is now the site only overcome by these politicians possessing I vow to reveal to you the wonder of your beauty. of Waterloo Station with “the drunken merging extraordinary qualities of foresight, political acumen And may the holy heart of the universe bless and happily with the zealots”. Whatever the mixture, and strength of leadership. complete us this moment; about 1,000 people died, and “the physical may its holy energy grace our every breath and damage to the structure of the city would not be In many ways this is a book for our Brexit times, heart beat; surpassed until the Blitz in the Second World War.” a cautionary tale of how a spirit of courage and and, beyond our wildest dreams, may our human compromise is necessary when dealing with the love Although Catholics were seen by many as the political challenge of a generation. To Fraser’s credit bring to birth a fragile and eternal beauty. enemy, over time social developments began she makes no effort to invoke Brexit but trusts her subtly changing perceptions. Not least among readers to draw their own conclusions about the these, a growing acknowledgement that many power of history to inform. That said, the parallel Review by Willie Slavin Catholics, from England, Scotland and most is staggeringly evocative and compelling with its notably Ireland, had fought for king and country, mirroring of the intolerance, xenophobia, rising despite official proscription. Aristocratic Catholics populism and divisiveness of post referendum seeking asylum in Britain after the French England with its own version of the Irish question Revolution were welcomed alongside Nuns, who thrown in for good measure. There is sufficient attracted none of the natural hostility reserved for evidence available to suggest that a referendum The King and the the priesthood. These incomers appear to have on Catholic emancipation would have fallen by been readily welcomed and assimilated into a a considerable margin and yet Wellington and Catholics surviving Catholic nobility for whom the Mass might Peel had the courage to first allow a parliamentary The Fight for Rights 1829 be described as “prayers” and a private chapel as majority to emerge and then, against George IV’s Antonia Fraser, Weidenfeld and a “mausoleum” as part of a comfortable historical better nature, to acquire a reluctant Royal Assent. accommodation for the best connected. Nicolson, ISBN978-1-4746-0193-1 While one would happily commend this very English Catholics desired increased freedoms and readable historical account of an immensely standing, but (at a time when “The Irish Question” important period in the restoration of the Church remained intractable, and with the memory of the in these isles, the suspicion remains that this 1798 Rebellion of the United Irishmen still fresh in is an author who, even with one foot in the political minds) being associated with Irish Catholics historical camp, remains a story teller at heart. seeking the same freedoms exposed divisions The consequence is that the reader is left with a along class and lay and clerical lines. Lining that up range of unanswered questions, most prominently, with the religious intolerance, xenophobia, rising the lack of detail about the role of the Catholic populism of “a people strangely fond of royalty” hierarchy and the reputed 80,000 lower order on the other side, it is little wonder that it took fifty Catholics. There is reference to Vatican diplomacy years to settle. and a triumphant outburst at the English College in Rome where the future Cardinal Wiseman In an account of bewildering complexity tangled proclaimed that the Act was “to us what the egress in these conflicting interests, the real message from the catacombs was to the Christians.” There of this particular period of our history lies in the is further reference to Bishop John Milner, son outstanding leadership of three men : The Irish of a Lancashire tailor, who had little time for the Catholic activist Daniel O’Connell (an admirer influence of the Catholic aristocracy but who, by of Venezuela’s liberator Simón Bolívar) and, in implication, had a critical role in building up the 40 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019

body of the Church in England, but is presented his seminary days in Malta and then in Australia. He I have not previously come across an author with almost as an inconvenience in the greater order of was ordained in 2010. the courage to revisit a previous bestselling book matters political. after 25 years and be so brutally frank in describing By this time his music-making drew crowds, it as being “coloured by the naïve zeal of the On the simple grounds that this work has kindled sometimes of 200,000, all over the world. He new convert.” The in between years have not such curiosity in this reader by confirming the writes in a very straightforward and honest way. been wasted and this work stands testament to a true value of political leadership, then perhaps He is always scared. “I still perform. I do it scared,” rigorous academic work of depth and substance, Edmund Burke’s cautionary aphorism about those he says. Music was now his principal means of displaying a contextual breadth that allows for an who don’t know history being bound to repeat communication. “We have the greatest influence appraisal of the wide range of influences on the itself, begs a corollary which acknowledges that an on people when we are present in their lives.” Celtic Church understanding of the acute lessons of history might P.170. “In collaborating with pop stars I got to or, more well bear repetition. preach about “surrendering to Jesus” to people precisely, on on their way to work and in their home, on secular its monastic radio stations, on televisions across Europe and in pilgrims. Review by Willie Slavin Australia through reality television”. P.167. What is Fr Galea is in a great tradition of guitar playing evident is and singing nuns and priests. Their names are in that Celtic the acknowledgements of all rcent catholic hymn monks had books. Since the second Vatican Council, adapted a profound Breakthrough – folk music and original but simplified hymns have influence filled our parish churches and schools. It was right across a journey from at the time. The Liverpool Congress of 1980 was full Europe as desperation to hope of enthusiasm, new ideas and hope. But that has peregrinatio now become stale. 40 years later, it is the norm that pro Christo Fr Rob Galea, Ave Maria Press, the priest going to Sunday Mass and the teacher and could 2018 ISBN13978-1-59471-837-3. going to assembly thumb the hymn book and say well claim “Yes, we’ll sing this and this, but I don’t like that to have been the original Christian pilgrims one!” We now have a musically illiterate catholic long before such activity became fashionable in people with naïve ideas of what to have at funerals mediaeval times. Indeed, Bradley himself has done and weddings, and cliché words in the four hymn much to re-establish ancient pilgrimage routes sandwich at Mass, Gifts of bread and wine, My God in Scotland and has undoubtedly contributed to loves me…! the renewed interest in modern pilgrimage. This prevailing interest sits within his perception that Fr Galea throws us into the deep end. All praise to what we have come to know as Celtic Christianity him. He is posing questions to the hoary heads and had “a provisionality and flexibility with its sense pushing ahead with technology. Read his book. It of impermanence and temporariness of all human touches on every problem the church and modern structures and its understanding of church as life encounter, vocation, abuse, clericalism, popular a movement and journey rather than a static theology, hierarchy, sin, the Trinity, redemption, but institution.” A model which he suggests has much from a young point of view. Lots of stories, lively, in to offer a disordered world and indeed one that youth-speak, but there’s something not right. is a more authentic fit for its time than the more romantic view in the original work whose naivety Is it his clerical collar, in the age of the laity? Is it owed much to the overly optimistic times of its his simplistic evangelical theology? Is it a certain conception. This book is a challenge. While sages nod their egocentricity in spite of his constant denials? heads over the youth culture of today, Fr Galea One interesting strand that emerges from leaps in! He describes vividly his days of drinking, this impressively detailed exploration is how a addiction, stealing, lying, fighting. Through a By John Baron movement from the early mediaeval period, far local church club, he has a “conversion to Jesus”. from being geographically confined to these He took up music to help the worship band in a islands, drew from the experience and teaching of Covenant Catholic Community called Marana Tha. the Desert Fathers, among others, and contributed He learned to play the guitar, he wrote songs about to the setting up of monasteries all over Europe. his relationship to Jesus – and here is a technical While it bore many of the characteristics of what feature of the book. You can download an app Following the we would recognise as the Celtic fringes of these to your smart phone, and, as you read the page, Celtic Way - A New islands, in its focus on ”teaching, praying and you can scan a code printed there and listen to caring for a host of orphans, wards, widows, the his songs as you read. The songs carry a depth of Assessment of Celtic sick, the weak and pilgrims” it differed little from feeling and conviction which the words on their other models of monastic settlement across own do not convey. Christianity Europe. One philosophical difference does seem to Ian Bradley, Darton Longman have been around it having “little time for endless Against his will the seed was sown to become a speculation about God in what would nowadays be priest. He gradually accepted this, and describes Todd ISBN: 978-0-232-53341-5 called systematictheology. Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 41

If it lacked curiosity about God, it was in no doubt of the wretchedness of the human condition exemplified in a “genuine and heartfelt penitence”, Two Saint Benedict CVA expressed in Irish monasticism, as involving a life of “purgation and penitence based on obedience, students selected for World abstinence, fasting and prayer.” Viewed alongside the position of the soul friend or “Anamchara” it is described as “combining the roles of mentor, Challenge trip of a lifetime confessor, spiritual guide, buddy and companion in adversity” offering a holistic approach to spiritual accompaniment much lauded and mirrored today. Two students at Saint Benedict Kyi said they were both happy to have It is commended by one commentator as“(by been offered a place on the trip. engaging) in the practice of therapeutic sacrifice, Catholic Voluntary Academy in one re-discovered in one’s heart God’s call to Derby have been selected to forgiveness.” take part in a trip of a lifetime to He said: “We had an email to say Morocco with World Challenge. we’d been selected and we were In a sense, the acceptance of a God beyond really pleased. It’s an opportunity understanding sits comfortably with the prevailing Kyi Asumang and Blaine Crawford are to do something different. We have acknowledgment of effusive praise in prayer and among 20 students from across the city already had a training weekend and worship and the use of the poetic as opposed who have been chosen. we made friends with students from to functional speech. The divine was not to be other schools who are going on contained but somehow evoked in imagery that The trip is being organised by World the trip. We learnt about cooking stirred the imagination. Bradley, interestingly points Challenge in partnership with DANCOP outside and health and safety to the pre-Christian Celtic oral tradition in which and it will take place during the 2019 outdoors.” “the act of writing down a word destroyed its Easter break. potency and effectiveness” as a prevailing influence incommunicating the gospel. The preserved DANCOP is the Derbyshire and Aofie Galletly, assistant headteacher at tradition bears fulsome testimony to praising God Nottinghamshire Collaborative Outreach Saint Benedict CVA, congratulated the and emphasises, as noted by one observer, “the Programme, a partnership between boys on being selected. close relationship between the roles of priest and the local Higher Education providers poet in the Welsh tradition provides a language including universities and colleges. (that)….. speaks of the goodness latent in the world She said: “We are immensely proud around us (and) is seen as the world of God.” Students will spend 10 nights in of the two boys for the work that Morocco and during the trip they will they did to apply and be accepted I am inclined to leave the last word with the author complete a community volunteering onto the World Challenge and for of this challenging but rewarding read as he reflects project in a school as well as a trek the way that they have seized the on the effect of his intensive study and reappraisal through the Atlas Mountains and a trip once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that upon his own faith and understanding offering this to Marrakesh. has been presented to them.” suggestion as its most cogent message for people o the times in which we live. “Perhaps we would do better to use the Celtic term ‘peregrination’ rather than pilgrimage with its connotations of destinations. Following the Celtic way of peregrinatio means going out of our comfort zones, being prepared to go places and experience situations which may make us uneasy and uncomfortable, taking the risk of wasting time, getting lost, letting go and nor being in control. That is what will make us people on the Way followers of the Son of man who has nowhere to lay his head.”

Ian Bradley is Emeritus Professor of Cultural and Spiritual History at St Andrews University. He has written over 40 books, five of them on Celtic Christianity, and is a regular journalist and broadcaster on BBC radio and television. He is currently deeply involved in the promotion of pilgrimage across Scotland and specifically with the development of the Fife Pilgrim Way which is due to be officially open in Spring 2019.

Review by Willie Slavin 42 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019

John Shoreland - A Tribute

John Shoreland, who was an important Co-ordinating Committee For In-service not only with his member of the founding team that Evaluation and Appraisal in Catholic Schools previous publication established ‘Networking, Catholic Education which he ultimately chaired. It was this experience but with Today’ in 1999, has died in Northampton at body established by the Catholic Education a wide range of the age of 83 after a long illness. Council, that produced the essential guide contacts from whom he could elicit relevant ‘Evaluating the Distinctive Nature of a articles and reports as well as contributing to John brought his considerable skills and Catholic School,’ the first such working book reviews and news items. An invaluable experience to the enterprise and edited document of its type. He also co-edited with member of the team John’s contributions the sections of ‘Book Reviews’ and ‘News Louisa Pool ‘3 to 5 minutes of Classroom also included the valuable ability to proof Round-up’ over the twenty years of the Morning Prayer’ again an essential support read prior to publication. Without this journal’s publication as well as being an for the classroom teacher who might be background contribution, Networking would important member of the editorial board uncertain of leading classroom assemblies. be a diminished publication. over that period. Only more recently had illness caused him to reduce that role. With the establishment of the Catholic For those of us privileged to know and Education Service succeeding the former work with John and to be entertained by Described as ‘a great servant of Catholic Catholic Education Council, John became Carole and his family, has been a treasured Education, John had served as Deputy a member of the Forum for Schools and experience. Born in Bristol and evacuated Headteacher of Christ the King High Colleges in supporting the new service. to Somerset during wartime, at the age of School in Arnold, Nottingham before being fourteen he joined the Christian brothers appointed to lead the ‘The Thomas Becket None of this prevented other activities school as a boarder and later novice. Upper School’ in Northampton in 1980. Prior and commitments that John voluntarily Remaining with the Order for ten years, to that his experience in Catholic secondary undertook while headteacher and dealing training and working as a teacher, and in education had included teaching physics with local re-organisations, introduction the spirit of obedience, he studied and and religious education in Birkenhead and of various education initiatives such as the filled vacancies as directed. On leaving Stoke-on-Trent as well as in Nottingham. National Curriculum, the managing of a he was required to complete his National The Becket school was a very new Upper delegated budget, and the beginning of Service where he became a sergeant in the School and John had the task of successfully OFSTED as an inspection body. With the Education corps adding to the extent of his establishing this as a major comprehensive changes in eastern Europe following the teaching formation. Carole and John have provider for the Catholic pupils of fall of the Soviet Union, John was a part been blessed with four children, all now well Northampton and the wider county, with of the establishment, and foundational into their own professional careers and with a range of innovative courses, particularly Chairman of the British-Romanian Cultural their own families to extend John’s influence in the sixth form, to suit all abilities and and Education Committee in 1990. This to further generations of his own family as aspirations. He retired from headship in enabled some of the students from Romania well as to the many young people who have 1995. to spend a term in the Northampton school. benefited by his wisdom and judgement At moments of relaxation, John would tell over the years, alongside his many friends Alongside this achievement in a school- of travelling Romania in Ceausescu’s, the and colleagues. led initiative, the Becket Press was formed. former dictator’s private luxury train or flying This enabled the publication of documents in rather dubiously airworthy planes. The extent of John’s quiet work was to be relevant to Catholic education so making marked by papal recognition. He received them available to a wider readership. Contributing to the position of Religious the accolade of induction as a Knight of St Education in the curriculum, John was a Gregory in 1995, the highest recognition by John was a great servant to Catholic member of the Religious Education Council the Church for a lay contribution. He was educators as a member of Catholic of England and Wales. Established in also a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre and as Teachers’ Associations locally and in due 1973 the Council represents the collective an active member rose to the rank of Knight course became a member of the Council interests of a wide variety of professional Commander with Star as recognition of and subsequently carried a senior role associations and faith communities in further service in the Holy Land and for work becoming President of the Catholic deepening and strengthening provision for Palestine. Teachers Federation for England and for religious education. As such, it Wales in 1987-88. As a headteacher he provides a multi-faith forum where national The word most commonly used to describe was also a prominent committee member organisations with an interest in supporting John, has been a true ‘gentleman.’ Never of the Conference of Catholic Secondary and promoting religious education in self-seeking, his long and voluntary Schools. He perceived the need for the schools and colleges can share matters of contributions to the Church and to the good two organisations to draw closer together, common concern. With John’s experience of others, and in particular to the cause of playing an important part of the CTF and interests he proved to be an ideal Catholic education has been invaluable. He proposed new structure ‘Towards 2001’ as representative of the Catholic teachers accepted the challenge of circumstances a proposal for such a development. In due viewpoint and interests in the forum. and responded no doubt in the same course, following the protracted merger way that he has learned in his Christian of the two bodies in 1996, as a now retired When discussions leading to the formation Brothers’ formation. For all the difficulties headteacher, he was appointed the first of CATSC took place during the nineties, the that he faced, and his medical challenges Professional Officer of the newly formed idea of a professional journal for Catholic particularly in later years were demanding, ‘Catholic Association of Teachers, Schools educators was accepted. As opposed to a he never lost a cheerful disposition. His final and Colleges’ a post that he carried for simple newsletter, such a journal would bring admonition on any parting was always ‘be three years. together, in celebration, news, comment and cheerful.’ research as well as book reviews and media He served the wider Catholic education updates. Launched in September 1999, enterprise through his work with the ad-hoc John was an ideal partner for the enterprise Peter Boylan - January 2019 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 43 Inspired students raise £16k for cancer charity

Kind-hearted Sacred Heart students, Whilst the College managed to raise almost Isabel is trying to raise money for potentially along with pupils from our partner £15,000 from that event, the ripple effect lifesaving treatment in the US. Anyone their fundraising has inspired the local who would like to donate can do so schools, have raised more than community. though http://www.gofundme.com/isabel- £16,000 for the cancer charity treatment-fund Macmillan. Their efforts prompted local opera society, Una Voce, to hold an event at the school Students have held a number of events, in October, from which they donated the If you are interested in raising funds including a fun day and 5k fun run to raise proceeds from their raffle. for Macmillan Cancer Support, contact money for the charity, after Music teacher, Nicole McIlveen, Fundraising Manager Isabel Morison, was diagnosed with brain Meanwhile, the pupils at Valewood Primary for Liverpool, on 07738 455194 or email cancer. School held a sponsored ‘water gun fun [email protected] run’ and ‘smile week’, which raised a further Staff, students and the wider community £792, as they too were inspired to show their Or if you have questions about cancer, have also rallied to help and wanted to support. visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call say thank you to Macmillan for the support Macmillan free on 0808 808 00 00 Isabel has received from the charity following Nicole McIlveen, fundraising manager for (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm). her diagnosis. Macmillan, said: “I loved working with Sacred Heart last You can also find out about Macmillan Last year, students helped organise a 5k year to support them in raising as much services near you at: run around Crosby, which was kicked off by as they could for Macmillan. They were www.macmillan.org.uk/inyourarea former LFC player and TV pundit, Jamie determined to show their love for Isabel Carragher, and broadcaster and compare on and did so in the most generous of ways. the day, Debi Jones. They did not anticipate the ripple effect they would have on their local community, Pictured are: Front row, from left: Supported who have been inspired by their amazing Harrison Long, Sebastian McIlveen, James efforts – as have we.“ Williams (from Valewood Primary School, Crosby) Macmillan’s Crosby fundraising committee also supported the event alongside local “They should be proud, not only of the Back row, from left: Lillian Lee, Charlie Rannard businesses, who were invited to run stalls on money they have raised, but also the (Head Boy), Nicole McIlveen (Fundraising the day in exchange for a donation. impact they have had on their community.” Manager) Niamh Foy (Head Girl), Mr Walker 44 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 The Towers’ Amazing Sister Act 2

On the 22nd and 23rd November 2018, The The resulting performance was joyful to Complete with stained glass windows and Towers, Upper Beeding, staged its most behold, with uplifting songs alongside a giant flashing neon cross, this truly was a ambitious production to date; ‘Sister Act 2’. the transformation of badly behaved, spectacular night out. The cast and Mrs Nixon adapted the movie disengaged pupils, who were whipped for the stage, using the original story line into a winning competition choir by the Sincere thanks go to Mrs Gray and Mrs whilst changing the location and using lots fabulous lounge singer Delores Van Cartier Nixon for another outstanding musical. of character improvisation. (the heroine) played by the extremely talented Maisie O. Eva The play tells the story of how the N, as Sister Mary Lazarus, manipulative Mr Crisp uses his position, as with her superb comedy the school’s Business Manager, to forward his timing, gave the audience own career. He tries to sell off the building some hilarious moments for financial gain regardless of the effect on too. Superb vocal the school and the community. However, the performances came from staff and pupils win through by becoming a Alana F-B as the divisively winning choir in a national competition and forthright Rita and Amy ultimately saving the school. D with her amazing vocal range, showcased as Amy Every scene had a punchline so we were Kako. Many others deserve entertained with comedy, stunning vocal a mention but safe to performances as well as a fast-paced, say there was not a weak gripping storyline, which kept us on the performer on the stage. edge of our seats.

Inspirational Music Composition

As part of their Composition project, The second part of the project was the visit Mr Alex Hren, Headteacher, said: “We are students from Saint Paul’s Catholic to the lunchtime concert at the RNCM. developing listening, composition and High School in Wythenshawe, Greater performance skills. The project has enabled Manchester, visited the Royal Northern The RNCM Strings performed Sally our students to experience many wonderful College of Music (RNCM) for a free fantastic Beamish’s The Day Dawn and Antonio and different kinds of music. They are finding lunchtime concert. Vivaldi’s Concerto in G Major RV 151 ‘Alla it a fascinating experience which they are rustica’. The Wind Orchestra performed thoroughly enjoying. I’m looking forward to The project involves the students working Kenneth Hesketh’s Vranjanka and Torstein seeing how what they have learnt transfers closely with the Northern Chamber Aagaard-Nilsen’s Dirty Dancing. into their production, their music and their Orchestra and the Royal Northern College of “It was a varied and exciting programme studies.” Music funded by Greater Manchester Higher. that was both emotive and impressive,” commented Mr Tim Jackson, Head of Music In the first part of the project, the students at Saint Paul’s. “Our music students were created a composition alongside members impressed with what they heard and saw and of the Northern Chamber Orchestra. This appreciated the hard work and dedication composition will be performed with the that went into producing music of this high Northern Chamber Orchestra in a concert standard.” at the RNCM in January and this forms the third part. Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 45 Feeding children during school holidays

What started out as a good The need idea fast became a reality when The End Child Poverty coalition published a project to feed children, of a new Child Poverty map of the UK in primary school age, took off January 2018, using data compiled by during Summer 2018 as St Mary’s Loughborough University. The figures reveal that there are constituencies in the Grub Club opened its doors at UK where more than half of children are St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary growing up in poverty - compared to one in Academy, Loughborough. The ten in the areas with the lowest child poverty parish initiative grew from a rates. They also show that some of the most deprived areas of the UK have seen we did not expect him to have any practical conversation at a Catholic Social the biggest increases in child poverty since involvement. We worked with the head Action meeting and engaged December 2015. Our town includes two of teacher of St Mary’s primary school and, parishioners in a way that parish the most deprived areas, where these cuts with Leicestershire County Council, who manage the school kitchen, and were given activities often fail to do. What’s have hit hardest with 4,302 children living in poverty (after housing costs), equating permission to use their kitchen and dining more it was a team effort involving to 22.94 per cent.(Loughborough Echo, 31 areas, adjacent to St Mary’s parish hall. schools, parents, parishioners January 2018). Critically, we held conversations with the and volunteers that proved to be parish safeguarding representative and Our response treasurer of the finance committee to check successful and great fun. on the legal boundaries of what we were You could be forgiven for not recognising attempting to do. And to confirm insurance the signs of poverty in what seems to be provision. The facts an affluent university town. Learning of the problems from a parishioner who works with As it was the first venture of this kind for • We held 11 two hour lunchtime sessions disadvantaged families. a few of us decided all of us we registered with a charity called during a six week period. we had to do something. Why? Because our Make Lunch (now part of TLG) who trained • Children were served a hot and nutritious faith compels us to act. As one parishioner and supported us during the early stages. three course meal. said ‘Why do it? Because we can’. They provided a framework we could build • Crafts, games, reading, football coaching upon. Our intention was always to reach and other activities were offered. We did our research and quickly realised beyond our Catholic community but to • We served approximately 380 meals to the size of the undertaking. We put a team start we wanted a manageable number everyone who came, including parents together: chair, treasurer, communications of children. Four primary schools were and volunteers. link, schools link and volunteer coordinator. approached: St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary • 43 children came from nine schools. The next step was to draw up a constitution, Academy, Sacred Heart Catholic Voluntary • The average cost of the lunch was £1.39. critical for any funding bids, but also to Academy, Loughborough CofE and Cobden • The time from conception to opening focus our efforts. We secured the permission Street School. Once we were open word got was about 4 months. and support of our parish priest, although round and we received children from nine 46 Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 schools. We initially tried to attract children critical for building relationships. There was poorest in society. There’s so much we can whose parents receive pupil premium but, always a great buzz in the room. do. In a way we feel that this is just the start. in discussion with head teachers, realised that there would be other families who need Before and after lunch a variety of activities What we learned help during the school holidays so it was left were offered: crafts, painting, games, a to the discretion of the heads whom they reading corner. There was always a colourful • What we are doing is more than approached. Children were registered, and gallery of artwork on display. Outdoor sports feeding children: we are using people’s their details taken, including any dietary were particularly popular during a very warm talents and gifts and bringing people restrictions. summer. A young professional football together to foster the common good. coach was one of our early volunteers. • Feeding children is a big undertaking We realised that to be successful we had but it such an obvious need for Catholic to publicise the initiative and engage Each child was greeted with a smile and a parishes to address when we have the parishioners. Two of us spoke from the Grub Club badge. Although some of the people, the skills and the resources. pulpit at the end of Mass and immediately children were a little shy at first they soon • As with all major projects money started to pour in. With an initial got stuck in with the activities on offer, communication is critical. Use all the boost from the parish account and with team activities outside with the sports means at your disposal to engage and donations from many generous parishioners, coach, to playing Scalextric and making encourage people. including an initial £2000 from a local friendship bracelets inside. Every child that • Try to attract a diversity of volunteers: private school, funding proved not to be the came to Grub Club took part in designing the young, retired, local colleges/ problem we thought it might have been. bunting which incorporated their name, university, people who would not we tied these together and hung them normally get involved. And look after An open evening for volunteers attracted around the room. Every painting that was them, feed them, thank them. about 50 people of all ages, all wanting to produced was put up in our very own Grub • Believe in what you are doing and contribute in some way. Volunteers were Club Art Gallery, which seemed to grow support one another. We all ‘wobbled’ needed for shopping, cooking, running by the minute. There was something for at different times but we always children’s activities, meeting and greeting, everyone, even the parents that stayed got believed that the Spirit was driving us. washing up and a host of other tasks, large involved. All the children seemed to enjoy Every time we met an obstacle we got and small. There were volunteers from the themselves, the atmosphere was friendly round it. De Lisle Catholic Voluntary Academy, 18 and relaxed. At times maybe a little chaotic years of age, who wanted to get involved but this just added to the fun and laughter. Pope Francis Apostolic Exhortation, during the holiday period after leaving Gaudete et Exsultate. school. We had rotas for each session but The future some volunteers were so keen they turned ‘Let everything be open to God; turn to Him up more frequently. Teacher volunteers, We will carry on feeding children during in every situation. Do not be dismayed for including St Mary’s head teacher, gave up holiday times. What’s more we want to the power of the Holy Spirit enables you to some of their break to come along and expand the number of schools we are do this…’ (15) run activities. Four of our volunteers are working with in order to feed more children. Foundation governors at local Catholic We are also looking for ways of involving schools, others have links with other schools. parents in running Grub Club. And we have If you would like to do something similar joined forces with the local Charnwood and don’t know where to start please get An early task had to be to start the DBS Poverty Action Group in order to ensure in touch with Catherine Brady, Grub Club safeguarding process and more than 40 that we are working together with our Chair at people were checked and accepted. At an neighbours to help meet the needs of the [email protected] early stage we had to register the kitchen with the local council. Eight people trained in Food Safety and took the exam, essential for working in a kitchen. We were inspected on the second day of opening by the local environmental health officer. Fortunately we passed and were awarded the maximum five stars. Other training included first aid and safeguarding.

Opening

At the start there were few children but with each session the numbers increased. We never knew how many children to expect – a text service was never really used – but like the feeding of the 5000 we always had enough food. Macaroni cheese and veggie chilli were always popular. We felt it was important to always provide a hot main course. As starter we served raw fruit and vegetables. Children were so hungry that they scoffed the lot. Dessert was usually more fruit, yogurt and ice cream. Volunteers sat with the children and their parents, Networking Volume 20, Issue 2, Spring Term 2019 47

St Dominic: Preacher and Contemplative

DOMINIC De Guzman (1172-1221) Those who joined him set out to follow Christ in was the founder of a distinctive their lives, preaching and teaching and looking always to extend their mission. Dominic’s religious order, originally named the insistence on the combination and interplay of Order of Preachers, and today best action and prayer much influenced his followers known as the Dominicans. Dominic’s who experienced his teaching directly through the longing was to reveal and preach the example of his life more than through his writing.

profound message, as he understood Dominic’s person was said to radiate the presence By David Mahon, Founder it, of Christ’s gospel. of God. He was a charismatic leader and a of the Tumble Trust gracious and affable preacher. He was confident Born into a wealthy family in Caleruega, Spain, in his ideals and his radiance and leadership drew Dominic was well educated in the liberal arts and people to revere him deeply. His actions flowed theology. In his 20’s he was ordained as a priest from a profound personal union with God through under the rule of St. Augustine. He was privileged Christ. To this day the Dominican dynamism to accompany his Bishop on several European remains directly at preaching the good news of explorations and these greatly influenced his own salvation. future mission. Dominic came to the conviction that in order to effectively preach the good news Dominic’s personal lifestyle, and those of his of Christ to the poor it was necessary for him to followers today, set out to mirror the dynamism share in their poverty. that ensues from their being at one with God — action flowing from contemplation. He inevitably Dominic eventually felt himself called to set up a attracted a large number of supporters and by new Order of Preachers. He wanted those who 1256 he had some13,000 followers. The Order still joined his order to be rooted in the study of flourishes today. Scripture and theology and in the daily practice of prayer.

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