WESTMINSTER DIOCESE EDUCATION SERVICE
Registered Charity Number 233699
WDES Bulletin 03/99
To: Chairmen of Governing Bodies of Roman Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Westminster
Cc: Headteachers
NB Items marked * do not apply to independent schools
1. New Handbook for Clerks and Governors *
The CES, with the help of DfEE grant, has prepared a handbook for clerks to governing bodies for VA schools and is to make available one copy, free of charge, to every Catholic VA school. The contents reflect both essential legal requirements and good practice. It is provided in an A4 ring folder with provision for the insertion of Diocesan documents (e.g. the Westminster Diocesan Statement on Equal Opportunities) and school specific documentation (e.g. Instrument of Government). It is intended that as new legal requirements take effect, sections will be updated and replacement pages will be supplied to clerks.
A companion handbook, in ring binder format, for governors of VA schools has also been prepared by the CES, but costs allow for only one copy to be provided free of charge to every school. It is to be hoped that schools will buy a copy for every governor at the start of the new term in September. The cost per handbook is likely to in the order of £7, but it will ensure that every governor is familiar with the legal procedures and provisions required of a governing body.
Further information on this item will be available later this term, but this advance notice may help chairmen and headteachers concerned to support the new governing body which will be in place for 1 September 1999.
(Please contact Joan Leith on 0171 798 9005 for any additional information on this item.)
2. Home School Agreements *
The CES has undertaken to produce a model HAS for use by schools. Discussion with the DfEE is continuing and consequently, the model should be available during the course of the latter part of this term. Schools may wish to defer work on their own HAS until the model is available.
3. WDES Services
As in previous years, schools will be invoiced in the course of this term for services provided by the WDES. As previously the charge will be based on the roll at the time of the census taken in January. This information is yet to be received from the CES.
4. RE Framework for consultation
The draft of the Framework for Religious Education is the Diocese of Westminster is enclosed. It is proposed to take it to the Education Board in July for final approval. If there are any points or issues which you would like raise or make representation about, please contact either the Director of RE and Catechesis or your RE Adviser. The text is also available on the website http://www.westminsterdiocese.org.uk For further details contact Anthony Clark on 0171 798 9006.
5. Freely photocopiable discussion leaflets
The recent WDES publication Times and Seasons: a Collection of Materials for Study, Discussion and Reflection contains short courses of photocopiable leaflets for both adult and children’s groups. It is priced at £4.50, plus £1.00 postage and packing, cheques payable to WRCDT. It is available from Margaret Sheldon, WDES, Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London SW1P 1QN. Tel 0171 798 9006.
6. School Websites
A number of schools have responded to the invitation to send in their website addresses so that we share each others mission statements and histories. Send the address of your website to aclark@westminsterdiocese.org.uk You can look at the website links at http://www.westminsterdiocese.org.uk
7. CCRS Study Day - Jesus Christ
The next study day for the CCRS is on the Church on Saturday 18 September 1999 at Vaughan House. The day begins at 10am, ending 4pm. It costs £15.00 for a module but £6.50 for the day only. Registration is possible on the day but advance booking is preferable. Details about the day, essays and useful CCRS materials are available on the RE and Catechesis website http://www.westminsterdiocese.org.uk
(Contact Moira Wilson on 0171 798 9006 for further details and booking form.)
8. Primary RE Coordinators Study Days
Enclosed are details and application forms of the two Primary RE Coordinators Study days. The topic is Judaism in Primary RE and the identical days are offered at Maria Assumpta on Tuesday 15 June and London Colney on Wednesday 16 June.
(For further details contact Margaret Sheldon on 0171 798 9006.)
9. Secondary Study Day on Judaism
There are still places available at the study day for teachers on Judaism and the Curriculum Directory at the West London Synagogue organised by the Catholic Bishops' Committee for Catholic-Jewish Relations. It is on Thursday 18 May 9.30am to 3.45pm. Speakers include Rabbi Lionel Blue, Sr Margaret Shepherd (Director Council of Christian and Jews) and Bishop Henderson.
(Contact Mary Hardy at 39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX - tel 0171 630 8220.)
10. Recruitment of teachers for China.
Applications are invited for the posts of teachers in Guangzhou, China, in the following subjects:
General English
Business English
Economics and Commerce
Book-keeping
Computers and IT.
A hand-written letter, including CV should be sent to
The Director, Ming-Ai (London) Institute,
Denver House, Cline Road (Off Bounds Green Road, London N11 2NG.
(Tel 0181 361 7161 for further particulars.)
(Ming-Ai Institute is a registered charity with expressed support of the Catholic diocese of Westminster and Hong Kong in developing education programmes for UK and China and in educational exchanges with Hong Kong and mainland China.)
Information on this conference, organised buy the CES and the Bishops’ Conference Committee for Community Relations, is enclosed.