Registered Charity Number 233699

WDES Bulletin 05/99

7 September 1999

Our prayers and good wishes are extended to the following who commence headships this term.

St Ignatius, Sunbury: Mr John Allodi

St Anne, Underwood Road: Mrs Janet Sheehan

St John Fisher, Perivale: Mrs Renata Cooke

St Mary's Priory Junior, Stamford Hill: Mrs Florence Collins

St Paul, Wood Green: Mrs Rita Pini

St John, Mill End: Mr Alexander Szwagrzak

St Margaret Clitherow, Stevenage: Mrs Geraldine Cartwright

St Thomas More, Berkhamsted: Mrs Catherine Murphy

Salvatorian College, Harrow: Mr Andrew Graham

Cardinal Hinsley, Brent: Mr George Benham

Finchley Catholic High, Barnet: Mr Kevin Hoare

Pope Paul, Potters Bar Mrs Helen Woodhouse (Secondment)

Holy Rood Infant, Watford Miss Susan Pitt (Deputy)

St Paul: Cheshunt, * Mr. Alan Dewhurst (Secondment)

Sacred Heart: Ware Mrs Margaret Smith (Secondment)

St Thomas of Canterbury, Puckeridge* Mr Charles Hardingham (Secondment)

Sacred Heart, Bushey* Mrs Rita Cooper (Deputy)

St Joseph, South Oxhey* Mrs Sue 0’Connor (Deputy)

Blessed Sacrament, Copenhagen Street* Miss Helen Newman (Deputy)

Christ the King, Tollington Park Mr Gerard Thompson (Secondment)

St Dominic, Haverstock Hill Miss Helen Bell (Deputy)

St Scholastica Clapton* Miss Elizabeth Stubbs (Secondment)

St Joan of Arc, Highbury* Mr Tony Elfer

St Joseph, Wealdstone* Mr. Philip Sutton (Secondment)

Sacred Heart, Hillingdon Mrs Jennifer Mordy (Deputy)

Douay Martyrs, Hillingdon* Mr Sean. Devlin (Deputy

St Dominic Junior Homerton Mrs Marie Hogg (Secondment)

St Elizabeth's, Much Hadham* Sr. Pat Ainsworth (Deputy)

New regulations with regard to the vetting of all persons appointed or elected to serve on governing bodies came into force on 1 September 1999. Several schools have already received offers from their LEA to carry out this procedure for a fee. The responsibility for vetting potential foundation governors lies with the person appointing them i.e. either the diocesan bishop or religious superior (for schools not in diocesan trusteeship). In future, all necessary vetting procedures will be undertaken by the WDES on behalf of the Archbishop for schools in diocesan trusteeship.

In the light of the above there is now a new application form dated 12/8/99 to be used by anyone offering service as a foundation governor to a school in diocesan trusteeship. This new form includes a request for the DfEE or DES number to be provided of any applicant who has ever been employed as a teacher in this country.

Given the importance of this information, future applications on outdated forms will be returned to the applicant for presentation on the new form.

The new form has, beneath the title, the designation of the diocesan area e.g. Herts, North, etc and is a five-page document, which includes the criteria for appointment and the philosophy of Catholic education. Headteachers are advised to obtain a copy of the new form from their local area office or from the WDES.

Enclosed with the mailing to headteachers is a list, on cream coloured paper, of the governors in place at the start of the new school year. This list has also been sent to the clerk to the governing body

Corrections, if any, should be noted on the sheet and returned to Joan Leith. Please note that no foundation governors may be added to the list. Clerks have received clear instructions on how to proceed in the event that a foundation governor appears to have been left off the list.

Headteachers’ attention is drawn to the information at the end of the list. Vacancies for foundation governors are indicated with the number of parents required to be included amongst them. Where the number of parents foundation governors to be appointed is equal to, or larger than, the total vacancies for foundation governors the diocesan bishop is required to appoint parent foundation governors as soon as vacancies occurs. Such governors must be identified within the school’s parent body and the application form and criteria for appointment referred to above must made available to those offering to serve as parent foundation governors.

The enclosed white sheet provides additional information on the appointment and terms of office of foundation governors to schools in diocesan trusteeship. It is recommended that it be kept with the school’s instrument of government. A copy headed Appendix to the Instrument of Government has already been sent to clerks.

Although clerks have already been advised of the requirement under the new regulations that nominations for election to the office of chair must be included in the agenda sent out in advance of the first meeting, we are now informed that implementation of same is not now required until April 2000

The programme of sessions is enclosed and a copy has already been sent to clerks and foundation governors of schools in diocesan trusteeship. Headteachers are asked to ensure that the programme is made available, as early as possible, to their elected and representative governors.

There are still a few places available on the Diocesan Twilight Course on Leadership, which begins on Monday 14 September and the East Region Course for Aspiring Headteachers in November. Details of both courses have previously been circulated to schools

Headteachers and governing bodies are reminded that in the appointment of a deputy headteacher or head/ co-ordinator of RE the diocesan bishop must be represented. For such appointments the headteacher must therefore make early contact, as indicated below, to negotiate dates for shortlisting and interview.

For the post of RE co-ordinator or head of RE department with the area RE adviser

For deputy headship posts in primary schools in Hertfordshire with Sister Judith Russi, in East or Central Area with Sr Victoria Hummel.

For deputy Headship posts in primary schools in West or North areas and for deputy headships in secondary schools in all five areas please make early contact with Joan Leith on 020 7798 9005

It is a requirement of the Bishop that the Diocesan Job Description for a Deputy Headteacher is used for such appointments. (Copies are obtainable from WDES on 020 7798 9005)

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 The subsequent study day is on The Sacraments on Saturday 15 January 2000.

The diocesan website at http://www.westminsterdiocese.org.uk has been expanded and now includes links to many schools, some parishes, and catechetical and educational resources. Do look at the Parish Learning Project in the RE and Catechesis page. If you set up a website for a school or parish, email its address to aclark@westminsterdiocese.org.uk and it will be included on the diocesan site.

Each school has been invited to be represented at the Schools Memorial Mass for Cardinal Hume OSB OM. Bishop Nichols is celebrating the Mass at 2.15 on Wednesday 22 September in Westminster Cathedral. Entry is by ticket only - tickets have already been sent to each headteacher.

Education Sunday falls on Sunday 20 February 2000. We have not yet received details of its theme from the CES. There will be suggestions for special events in schools and parishes in the week leading up to it. There will also be suggestions for special prayers on the Sunday.

Enclosed are details of a video produced by the Columban Fathers together with CAFOD entitled The Jubilee Challenge of God, The Source of Life. Other materials for the Holy Year are listed on the diocesan website at http://www.westminsterdiocese.org.uk.

You will have noticed that the Cardinal's Arms have been removed from current Diocesan documentation. The arms have been replaced by the diocesan seal, which will remain in use at least until the appointment of a new Archbishop. There is, of course, no need to remove arms from notice boards that were erected or painted during the tenure of Cardinal Hume.

The Education Board approved the diocesan paper Framework for Religious Education in July. The final text is available on the diocesan website in the RE and Catechesis page. Schools especially RE Coordinators and Heads of RE are encouraged to print out their copy.

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, including specific sets for Advent and Christmas. It is priced at £4.50, plus £1.00 postage and packing, cheques payable to WRCDT.

A double-sided fold-over leaflet giving the names and roles of all officers and staff of the Education Service is enclosed. It is aimed at assisting staff and governors of schools to identify whom to approach for help and information.

The co-ordinating body preparing for the millennium for Churches Together in England is called the Churches Millennium Group. They have prepared a number of materials which are both for use at home but which lend themselves to classroom and assembly use, in particular the Millennium Moment Candle Packs and the Millennium Resolution. If you contact them they will send you a free guidance pack and some samples.

Please note that the Holy Ghost and St Stephen School in Hammersmith, is now called The Good Shepherd RC Primary School and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Holloway, is now called Sacred Heart RC Primary School. Other (minor) changes will be recorded in the forthcoming Westminster Year Book.

21. CES Publications.

Please note two important new CES publications, dealing with aspects of the work of governing bodies in the light of the School Standards and Framework Act, 1998:

• Admissions to Catholic Schools, priced at £3.50 per copy (plus p&p)
• Appointment of Staff in Catholic Schools (£3.00)