Workshop: Principles of Religious Education

ACCS has invited Mr. Arthur Goh, Associate Director with the Singapore Pastoral Institute to conduct a series of formation sessions on the Principles of Religious Education in November 2008.

Course Description: Principles of Religious Education explores issues foundational to religious education in the school. The course situates religious education in a historical, social and cultural context. It describes the nature and purpose of religious education and engages the educator in a process of analyzing philosophical, theological and educational assumptions that lead to distinct perspectives.

Participants will explore conceptual frameworks for religious education within which foundational questions are asked. They will be engaged in conversation about the nature, purpose, process, and consequence of educating religiously.

The course provides an opportunity for religious educators to reflect on their role as formators in a diverse community, and acquire deeper appreciation of the importance of religious education in the total formation of every person.

This course is offered to:

• DipRE 2006/07 Graduates
• Teachers teaching the RE/CMECS Programme in Catholic Secondary Schools
• Catechists teaching in parishes

Details of the course:

• 3 Friday sessions: 14 Nov 08 (2 to 5pm), 21 Nov 08 (2 to 5pm), and 28 Nov 08 (1 to 5pm)
• at No 2, Highland Road, Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre, S549102
• a contribution of $75 PER PERSON is appreciated

Closing date for registration is on Fri 31 Oct 2008

For enquiries, please contact Raymond at 68587087 or email raymondlee@catholic.org.sg

CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel - Official Opening of New School Building

CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel celebrated their official opening ceremony on Friday, 5 August 2008 with the theme “OLGC Heart Beat, Be the Light , Be the Hope, Be the Joy”.
In conjunction with the opening ceremony, the school's National Education gallery was opened by Mr S Iswaran, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry prior to the main event. The Guest of Honour, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Senior Minister if State, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Transport, was given a warm welcome by the Grade 1 Ballerinas.

The day began when the school prefects conducted a "tour of the school" for the guests. The blessing service ceremony was celebrated by His Grace, Archbishop Nicholas Chia. They also made arrangements to obtain Papal blessing from Pope Benedict XVI (from Rome) for the school. There were speeches from the school Principal, Mrs Catherine Seah, Sr Celine and Mrs Lim Hwee Hua. Guests were treated to a musical, “The Bee Attitudes”, which was tailored to suit the theme of the Opening Celebrations. It ended with a mass dance by the P3 pupils, "The Celebration of Lights”.

The school management team were delighted and warmed by the support given by the IJ sisters, the board of management, fellow IJ Principals and Vice Principals, cluster Principals and Vice Principals, friends and parents, who turned up to share in the celebrations and joy. With the new building, the school looks forward to providing more and better quality programmes for the pupils.

reported submitted by CHIJ, Our Lady of Good Counsel

You are invited to...

There will be a seminar-dialogue session on "Why Teach in a Catholic School?" on Friday, 10 October at 12.30pm at the National Institute of Education, LT6. This is open to all NIE students and those interested to teach in a Catholic school. For more information on the session, kindly click the poster.

Catholic News: Catholic educators celebrate Teachers' Day

SINGAPORE – The ministry of teaching is prophetic. It professes good news, challenges one to a new life and invites all to mission, said Archbishop Nicholas Chia to 254 Catholic teachers and principals during a Teachersʼ Day celebration held on Saturday Aug 30 at St. Josephʼs Institution (SJI) International..............

To read the full text (Catholic News: September 14 issue), click on the picture, cheers!

Teachers' Day Mass: photos

Photos taken during our recent Teachers' Day Celebrations are now uploaded by our photographer, Henry Seah. You can view them by clicking on the photo on the left. Enjoy!

Happy Teachers' Day

Today, we celebrate Teachers' Day. Happy Teachers' Day to one and all!

At our Archdiocesan Teachers' Day celebrations last Saturday, Archbishop Nicholas Chia ended his homily with "The Beatitudes for Teachers." We would like to share this as a reminder of God's gift of teaching and the call teachers respond to:

Blessed are you who are called to teach
for you walk in the footsteps of the Master.

Blessed are you who sow peace and harmony in the staffroom,
yours is the joy of the Lord.

Blessed are you who plant seeds of hope in youthful hearts,
you will inherit the dawn.

Blessed are you who are sensitive to the cries of youth today,
for they yearn for the coming of my Kingdom.

Blessed are you when you share your faith with others,
your name is written in heaven.

Blessed are you who anguish now when your students are difficult,
for one day they will thank you for your loving concern.

Blessed are you when efficiency is moderated by compassion and empathy,
for the deeper secret of education is yours.

Blessed are you who lead young people in paths of justice and peace,
for you will shine like stars for all eternity.