Statement on the re-opening of Catholic Schools
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service commented: “Catholic schools have a particular care for the poorest and most vulnerable in society, and are rightly concerned about the effects of a prolonged absence from school for these and other children. Many Catholic schools are therefore already planning for opening in a safe and sustainable manner as soon as conditions allow it.
“The COVID-19 crisis has presented schools with an unprecedented challenge and in Catholic schools, school leaders, teachers and support staff have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Any phased reopening must place the safety, health and well-being of pupils and staff as its number one priority and should be done in close collaboration with dioceses and local authorities.
“In this respect, schools must be provided with clear information, proper support and enough time to plan and make thorough risk assessments, before they make the final decision to re-open. The CES remains committed to working with the Government to ensure that these key elements of support are put in place for dioceses and governing bodies.
“With pupils having missed a significant part of the school year, parents need to know that, as we slowly return to some semblance of normality, Catholic schools will be able to provide the pastoral, educational and spiritual support that are so needed in these challenging times.”
ENDS
Message from the Rt Rev Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds and Chairman of the Catholic Education Service
To all teachers, parents, support staff, governors and pupils in Catholic schools
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In what has been arguably one of the most challenging periods of time in a generation, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all who are working in Catholic education.
True to their vocation, the leaders, teachers and support staff in our Catholic schools and colleges have worked selflessly and outstandingly, often at great personal cost and with potential risks to themselves and their families. By keeping schools and colleges open for vulnerable pupils and children of key workers, providing home-learning resources, teaching lessons remotely, maintaining the spiritual and pastoral care of pupils, keeping in touch with families and so much more, our education workforce have rendered a great service both to the nation and to their communities in this time of need.
We should pay tribute also to the parents of pupils who, along with all of the day to day challenges they have had to face during this pandemic crisis, have exercised their role as the first educators of their children within their homes. Nevertheless, many parents are worried about the amount of school-time their children have missed and how this will impact on their development and their future.
We know too, that this crisis is disproportionately affecting the disadvantaged. Our Catholic schools have a special mission to care for the poorest and most vulnerable children and young people in society, and they have significantly more pupils from the most deprived backgrounds than other schools. It is critical therefore that every effort is made to enable more pupils to resume their education in school as soon as it is safe to do so.
Recently, the Government announced that it has commenced the very slow process of gradually lifting the restrictions which were implemented to protect the lives of all of our country’s citizens. To assist headteachers and governing bodies with their planning on how to re-admit more of their pupils back to the school premises once conditions allow, the Catholic Education Service has sought to work closely with the Government to ensure that proper support and clear information is given to dioceses, religious orders, multi-academy trusts and schools. Ultimately though, the safety, health and wellbeing of both pupils and staff must be our foremost priority.
Our society will have to live with the legacy of this crisis for many months and years to come but the fortitude and resolve demonstrated by our Catholic schools’ sector during this emergency has been extraordinary and is something of which we can be rightly proud.
As we face the challenges ahead of us, please do continue to pray for our schools and colleges, their leaders, teachers, parents and pupils.
With the assurance of my prayers and every blessing, I remain
Yours in the Lord
+ Marcus
The Right Reverend Marcus Stock
Chairman of the Catholic Education Service
Bishop of Leeds
21st May 2020
Lent Resources
Lent Resources
Catholic Education Service
Suggested reflections for Lent
The God Who Speaks
CAFOD
Lent calendar for children - https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/47780/577402/version/3/CAFOD%20Primary%20Lent%20calendar%202020.pptx
Lent calendar for young people - https://cafod.org.uk/content/download/50643/640647/version/1/Lent%2020%20Calendar%20YP.pptx
Lent 2020 fundraising and prayer resources for primary schools - https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Primary-teaching-resources/Lent
Lent 2020 fundraising and prayer resources for young people - https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Secondary-and-youth-resources/Lent
Missio
Lent resources (secondary) - https://missio.org.uk/lent-and-eastertide/
Lent resources (primary through Mission Together) - https://missiontogether.org.uk/lent/
Loyola Press
Lenten resources for children https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/liturgical-year/lent/activities-and-resources
Aid to the Church in Need
https://acnuk.org/resource/lent-hero-countdown/
Wednesday Word
http://wednesdayword.org/school/index.htm
Pax Christi
http://paxchristi.org.uk/product-category/lent-and-easter/
Youtube video interviewing children from a Catholic school in America on what Lent means to them
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mAYIFMK8Kw
Liturgy Office
Catholic Education Service Criticises Welsh Government RSE Announcement
The Catholic Education Service has today criticised the Welsh Government’s decision to remove the parental right of withdrawal for Religious Education and Relationships and Sexuality Education, as well as the proposed name change of Religious Education.
The CES expressed dismay with the decision referring to is as a ‘regressive step’ which would undermine ‘parent’s fundamental and inalienable role as the primary educators of their children’.
Hundreds of Catholics parents and teachers responded to the consultation as well as contacted their local Assembly Member about this issue. For the CES, today’s decision represents a complete disregard for the opinions of the Catholic community in Wales.
Full statement below.
Paul Barber, Director of the Catholic Education Service commented: “Today’s announcement from the Welsh Government represents a regressive step in the relationship between parents, schools and the State.
“By removing the parental right of withdrawal, these proposals risk undermining parents’ fundamental and inalienable role as the primary educators of their children.
“Many hundreds of Catholics made representations during the consultation. However, it is clear from today’s announcement that the Welsh Government is content with ignoring the views of the Catholic community.
“The proposed name change of Religious Education is also a step in the wrong direction. It is an unnecessary change which does nothing to improve the academic integrity of RE, but represents a dumbing down of the subject and a weakening of the whole school’s responsibility for instilling values and ethics in its pupils.”
ENDS