From the Scottish Catholic Observer, 11/10/19 ‘Our schools are inclusive, not divisive,’ say headteachers Catholic Primary headteachers reject secular arguments as they gather for annual CHAPS conference. “Fan into a flame the gift of God that you possess. At St Mary’s we think love means sharing and caring for others. Help us to support a learning environment that enables everyone to achieve their full potential and develop their natural talents. We show unity by gathering together regularly throughout the week in class, the playground and around the school. These gospel values define its educational ethos. • Provides opportunities for prayer, the celebration of liturgy and the sacraments “uphold, and be accountable to the patron for so upholding, the characteristic spirit of the school”. If we love others, we receive love. In the case of Catholic schools, we know what this means. The latest proposal from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) will make it very difficult for patrons and boards of management of Catholic primary schools to fulfill their legal and statutory obligation to uphold their schools’ ethos. The culture of the Catholic school is the lived expression of its ethos. The Schedule provides the legal definition of ‘Catholic ethos.’ Another way to defining ethos is to ask two related questions: ‘What is a catholic school?’ and ‘Who is it for?’ The Catholic school is a faith school that expresses a set of core values that can be described as human, religious, Christian and Catholic. Favourite answer Central to the Catholic ethos is the presence of the risen Christ at the heart of the school community. The distinctive nature of Cardinal Hume Catholic School is illustrated through its Catholic ethos which is placed at the very heart of the school. Helping students to understand and value what it means to be a Catholic Christian. We believe that love is something that we can all be proud of, is very strong and never lets you down. Our school Masses, liturgies and daily prayer are an important part of this programme. 3 Some ideas for schools How to help the governing body take a more active role in the school community Have a governor of the month in the school newsletter or on the website, including a photo and a short (interesting) article about themselves written by the governor in question. The school ethos should be recognisable as we entering the school setting as it is a part and parcel of the environment of the school and it’s a daily practice of the staff and the children there. Continue developing in students a sense of justice and reconciliation with those people and groups who are marginalised. The educational vision which flows from these values is one which promotes the dignity, self-esteem and full development of each pupil as a human person. All visits are correctly planned, managed and conducted whilst having minimum disruption to learning. • Seeks to form pupils who will unselfishly use their gifts for the common good and are committed to work for a more just and caring society. Understand the integral connection between their school, and their local parish and Diocese and the Catholic Schools in the Edmund Rice Tradition. Committed to the development of the whole person, they hand on Christian values and a shared Irish culture to the next generation. Be sympathetic to the ethos & understanding that it is different to working in a maintained school. Ethos underpins it and the culture that grows reflects it. At St. John’s Catholic Primary School we pride ourselves on our welcoming Christian ethos, founded on the teachings of Jesus. Such things as family values, work ethic, responsibility and recognising ambition are all part of the school ethos. Acknowledge that Catholic … Does the Ethos Statement of your school reflect these six statements? Creating opportunities for students and teachers to put into … The school strives to build on the foundations of faith started from the home and seeks to provide an environment where beliefs and values of the Catholic faith are taught, explained, developed and nurtured. • Reflections on Ethos for the Teaching Staff and the Board of Management. The Catholic school is primarily for those who value an education for their child in a faith school with a Catholic educational tradition. Develop an understanding of, and commitment to, the teachings of the Catholic Church. Catholic schools are inclusive, not divisive, headteachers emphasised this week as the Archbishop of Glasgow urged them not to shy away from their Catholic ethos. We uphold the universally held … What is a Catholic School? Holy Spirit guide us as we strive to be people of faith, understanding and kindness in our school. Diocese of Kerry. We uphold the universally held … In the case of Catholic schools, we know what this means. The mission statement of the school usually in motto form and at Offley this is “Joy in Learning “ is reflected in the ethos of the school. As a teacher l uphold and model values and beliefs in the Catholic tradition by constructing a ‘just ‘classroom environment and by implementing Catholic values and beliefs in all … You have been trusted to look after something precious, guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in you.” (Letter of St. Paul to Timothy). May our words and deeds reflect these Christian values. It describes the character of a community and what its shared beliefs are. St Patrick’s School is a Lasallian school of the Catholic tradition under the care of the De La Salle Brothers (Brothers of the Christian Schools). If you have queries or want to join our UPDATE network please, use this link: © 2020. • Offers a distinctive vision of life, and corresponding philosophy of education; based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A fourth distinctive characteristic of … What one thing can you as a staff agree to do in the coming year to make the Ethos Statement a living reality? We recognise that educational visits play a significant part in the development of young people, adding to many aspects of the curriculum and broadening their experiences. At St Mary’s we try to be courageous in all that we do, following the example of Jesus. The Catholic school is a faith school that expresses a set of core values that can be described as human, religious, Christian and Catholic. At St Winifred’s Catholic Primary School we follow in the footsteps of Jesus promoting the Gospel values to the school community: Respect – Respect for others, respect for the school building, respect for the values and beliefs of others, respect for ourselves, respect for our Catholic community, respect for other religions, countries and cultures. Our School is a place where each child believes in their own potential, in an environment where they can succeed and achieve. I went to a Catholic school so I can tell you exactly what the Catholic ethos is. Underlying our teaching and our relationships are the Gospel Values of Unity, Respect, Joy, Love and Courage. important for the school to uphold a holistic approach to teaching (O’Kefee 1999:22-4) which cultivates respect for others while it creates independent beings (Brick 1999:102). This requires that they: a) Acknowledge and accept that their work in schools is part of the mission of the Catholic Church. Our aim, within this context, is that all members of our community show respect and care for one another and extend their concern to the needy by prayer and charitable service. We follow the example Jesus taught us by loving our neighbours. A Catholic school is a school that provides an education based on a living faith together tradition. St Patrick’s School is a Lasallian school of the Catholic tradition under the care of the De La Salle Brothers (Brothers of the Christian Schools). Our aim, within this context, is that all members of our community show respect and care for one another and extend their concern to the needy by prayer and charitable service. The Catholic School How does someone who walks through the door of your school know that they are in a Catholic School? We aim through our curriculum, our policies and procedures, and through our day to day witness, to strive to uphold the greatest of Christ’s commandments: Be ... Read More, Join us for our first Diocesan Mission, beginning ... Read More, Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy | Secure Area. We place a great emphasis on home, school and parish links. Together, the Board, the principal and the staff, working with the Patron, the parents and the local parish, model a living human-religious-Christian educational tradition, to nurture the faith of Catholic pupils in a manner that is welcoming to and inclusive of the presence in that Catholic school, of pupils committed to other religious traditions. This poses an obstacle in elementary and middle schools, in the child’s formative years, when you have someone who is non-Catholic fill a position which, by it’s nature, requires them to be Catholic. First and foremost, instill fear into the fragile minds of the little kiddies in your classroom. 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