WESTMINSTER DIOCESE EDUCATION SERVICE
Registered Charity Number 233699
To: Chairmen of Governing
Bodies of Roman Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Westminster
Cc: Headteachers
16 March 2001
1 Patrick O’Connell RIP.
Patrick PJ O’Connell died at the end of March. The funeral was held at Clare Priory on Friday 6th April and he was buried at Cavendish. Patrick was founder headteacher of St Richard of Chichester School, Kentish Town. Following 23 years of headship, Patrick became an adviser to and Deputy Director of the newly formed Westminster Diocese Education Service. A memorial mass is being planned and details will be circulated when available.
(Contact Anthony Clark 020 7798
9006 or aclark@westminsterdiocese.org.uk
)
A draft copy of a service level agreement (SLA) is enclosed with this bulletin. The document is the product of discussions between officials of the WDES and a working party of headteachers. It is hoped that it is now close to a form that is acceptable to the great majority of schools and colleges.
It is equally important to note those services that do not form part of the SLA and which will continue to be delivered without charge by the WDES.
(Comments should be forwarded to J. A. Mackersie, preferably in writing,(letter, e-mail or fax) by Tuesday 8 May.)
A one-day conference entitled “Opportunities and Challenges for Catholic Sixth Form Providers” has been arranged for Wednesday 23 May at London Colney. The course is open to all headteachers and heads of sixth forms in the four dioceses of the Eastern Region (Westminster, Northampton, Brentwood and East Anglia), and will be led by Kate Keefe, Lifelong Learning Officer of the Catholic Education Service. An application form, including a programme, is enclosed for all secondary schools. Places are limited, so early application is advisable. The cost is £18 per head, including lunch.
(For further information, contact Paul Barber on 020 7798 9005 or pbarber@westminsterdiocese.org.uk).
4 Opportunities for In Service Training.
The following popular courses are being offered once again;
A. For Aspiring Headteachers:
A four-day residential course at All Saints Pastoral Centre London Colney, from Tuesday 20 November to Friday 23 November inclusive.
Cost (Full Board) £200
An application form (green) is enclosed.
B. For Aspiring Deputy Headteachers:
A four-day residential course at All Saints Pastoral Centre London Colney, from Tuesday 15 January to Friday 18 January inclusive.
Cost (Full Board) £200
An application form (pink) is enclosed.
A poster advertising both courses (yellow) is also enclosed.
The dioceses of Brentwood, East Anglia, Northampton and Westminster arrange these courses jointly. The financial and administrative arrangements are made by Brentwood on behalf of all four dioceses.
C For all potential Leaders of Catholic Schools.
A course comprising six evening sessions from 5.00 until 7.30 beginning on Tuesday 18 September and each Tuesday thereafter (excluding half term).
Cost £50.00 (including light refreshments).
An application form (yellow) is enclosed.
(For administrative arrangements, please contact Brentwood Diocese as indicated on the forms. The WDES contact for these courses is Ian Beck on 0207798 9005 or ibeck@westminsterdiocese.org.uk )
5 Headteacher Vacancies.
There are currently 14 headteacher vacancies in schools in the diocese. This number of vacancies is not unusual and represents a turnover rate of less than 10%. The current problem, as many will realise, is that some of these vacancies have been advertised repeatedly, with little or no response.
WDES is working with the TTA, the London Leadership Centre and St Mary’s College to enhance provision for preparation for those interested in promotion to headship. At the moment, however, the best prospect of filling senior positions is by identifying potential candidates early enough, and ensuring that school CPD programmes sufficiently meet their needs. If there are more initiatives which colleagues think the WDES should be taking, we would be pleased to hear of them.
One promising avenue has been the prospect of providing housing for key workers. Substantial funds are available to provide good quality, subsidised accommodation. There have been two particularly interesting developments, one in Nottingham and one in Bristol. The problem in London is identifying suitable property.
If anyone knows of a substantial available property, such as a religious house, which might convert into 50+ apartments in a convenient location, please let us know.
(Contact Ian Beck on 0207798
9005 or ibeck@westminsterdiocese.org.uk
6 CCRS Study Day: Jesus
Christ.
The next CCRS study day is on Saturday 12 May 2001 at Vaughan House. The topic is Jesus Christ, and the day will begin at 10am. The speaker for the morning sessions is Fr John McDade SJ, principal of Heythrop College. Prior registration is preferable, but registrations - from 9.30 a.m. - are welcome on the day. The module fee is £15 (£6.50 study day only).
(Contact Moira Wilson on 020 7798 9006 or mwilson@westminsterdiocese.org.uk
)
The dates of the Study Days for RE coordinators are Thursday 21 June at Maria Assumpta and Tuesday 26 June at All Saints, London Colney. The theme of the identical days is The Use of Story in Primary RE and will be led by Maurice Lynch. A poster and application forms have been circulated to RE Coordinators. A duplicate application form is enclosed.
(Contact Margaret Sheldon 020
7798 9006 msheldon@westminsterdiocese.org.uk
)
The Secondary Headteachers’ conference is scheduled from after lunch on Thursday 27 September 2001 until mid-afternoon on Friday 28 September at the Britannia Hotel. Canary Wharf. The planning group meets on Monday 30 April and further details will be circulated shortly.
(Contact Anthony Clark 020
7798 9006 aclark@westminsterdiocese.org.uk
)
Without any claim to prescience as to dates, schools are urged to use the coming general election as an opportunity for education in Christian social values and citizenship. The Bishops of England and Wales have issued a document called Vote for the Common Good. It is a 16 page booklet which will be distributed to parishes and which is available without charge from their website at
http://www.tasc.ac.uk/cc/resource/vcg/vcg.htm
The Dulwich Residential Centre, which is under Catholic management, now offers a new service for schools, a catering service as well as a self-catering facility, max 35. It costs £16 full board per person per night including cooked breakfast, packed lunch, evening meal. The address is 2 High St, Dulverton, Somerset TA22 9HB tel/fax 01398 324 217.
(Contact Moira Wilson on 020 7798 9006 or mwilson@westminsterdiocese.org.uk
)
A new telephone system has been installed at Vaughan House. The teething problems seem to have been sorted out but if any remain that you experience, do let us know. On the new system, if a secretary is engaged with a call, any further calls are immediately transferred through to voicemail. Do leave a message, including the usual details of name, time, date and return number and somebody will get back to you promptly.
(Contact Anthony Clark 020
7798 9006 aclark@westminsterdiocese.org.uk
)