3rd Communio - Common vision and mission

The 3rd Communio of 2010 was held today, the 30th of July at CHIJ Our Lady of Good Counsel. The objective was to discuss the possibility of a common vision and mission for our Catholic Schools.
The occasion was graced by Archbishop Nicholas Chia who, in his address said that "As a family of Catholic schools within the education system in Singapore we have a common context and share in the Mission of Christ and the Church. It is very important that we see what is common in our mission and purpose and highlight that especially when we gather as a group of schools." His Grace went on to mention that the search today is for what binds us together and gives a stronger common purpose.
Christine Kheng led the day's activities which consisted of two group discussions focussing on a particular school's charisms and "What makes a Catholic School Catholic?" and summing it up with a plenary.
ACCS executive director, Wendy Louis wrapped up the day's proceedings with a synthesis.
ACCS would like to thank the principal Mrs Catherine Seah for the usage of the school's facilities as well as refreshments for tea break.

Timothy Radcliffe OP - 4th Communio of 2009

In yesterday's last Communio gathering for the year, a crowd of some one hundred educators attended a talk by Fr Timothy Radcliffe at St Patrick's School.
He spoke on  "How Can We Share Our Faith with the Young". Fr Radcliffe has a width and depth of experience in Asia, Africa and Latin America and the author of four books. His talk was thought provoking and enlightening and he peppered it with just enough anecdotes.
After the talk and a break, a question and answer session followed.
We would like to extend our thanks to the Principal, teachers, staff and students of St Patrick's for their hospitality.
More pictures at our web site.

3rd Communio

The 3rd Communio of the year was held in the library of Marymount Convent School today. Entitled "Innovative Designs for Enhancing Achievements in Schools (IDEAS)" it was delivered by Stella Fernandez and Marilyn Joseph.
The Living Values or LVEP is an educational programme for establishing a values-based atmosphere for more effective integration and inculcation of values to better prepare their students for lifelong learning. The two teachers shared their programme with 40 other educators who came from kindergartens, primary and secondary schools.
It was a lively session punctuated with group discussions and role play as well as a question and answer session. The principal, Mrs Angela Tan was also present to lend to the hospitable atmosphere.
Pictured is Stella Fernandez delivering the second part of the talk.

Communio - 4th Gathering 2009

Teaching as a Spirituality of Dialogue & Communion - is the theme to be presented by Fr Timothy Radcliffe, OP an internationally renown spiritual writer & speaker.
Life for teachers and school staff is full  of of competing demands and many feel under increasing pressure in their professional lives. Yet, the very vocation of teaching proposes dialogue and friendship as ways of finding one's identity and purpose in life.
Come and explore teaching as a spirituality of dialogue and friendship in every intersection with students and colleagues, and in this way, how you can nurture each person and build community.
This programme of storytelling, personal reflection and eucharistic celebration will be from 3pm to 5.30pm.
Please register with Louis Oo at 68587085 or louis_oo@catholic.org.sg by 10 November 2009.

Short video clip of Fr Radcliffe at a talk he delivered in the United States in July this year.

Communio - 3rd gathering 2009

ACCS invites teachers, educators to come together for the the 3rd Communio, which is focused on the on-going formation of Catholic educators in Catholic schools.

The presentation and fellowship is now on Friday 9 October 2009, from 2 to 5pm at Marymount Convent School (29 Marymount Road S299754) and the topic is on “Marymount Convent School’s IDEAS and LIVING VALUES Journey” facilitated by Ms Marilyn Joesph & Ms Stella Fernandez.


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Please register your attendance with Mr Louis Oo at 68587085 or louis_oo@catholic.org.sg by 2 October at the latest.

The programme for the afternoon will be as follows:

2:00pm Registration

2:15pm Opening Prayer

2:30pm Introduction and Presentation

4:00pm Tea Break

4:30pm Reflection and Small Group Discussion

5:00pm Closing Prayer

Review: Recollection: "called to teach & build"

13 Catholic teachers from various schools attended the Recollection: "Called to Teach & Build" over the weekend (5 - 6 Jun 2009) held at the Ignatian Spirituality and Counseling Centre. Br Dominic Yeo-Koh facilitated the 5 sessions throughout the retreat, during which he guided the teachers to reflect on their spiritual wellness and invited them to renew their commitment as Christian educators.

Br Dominic quoted from Parker Palmer, Martha Finney, Deborah Dasch, Steve Jobs, etc. They listened and contemplated on the call of Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Jeremiah and Mary in Scripture, and were invited to look at their own vocation and personal call by God.

Here are some of the feedback recieved:

"Sharing was great. Time for prayer and reflection was well spread. Good to have time for this."

"Sharing from other participants was inspiring. It was enriching - nice environment & able to relate closely to God."

"Recollection invited us to focus on the objectives of teaching."

"Those who did not want to stay overnight were also welcome. Sharing and intereaction between teachers are the most valuable."

"Br Dominic's rich and helpful insights, together with all the great & meaningful sharing of all the teachers are valuable."

Recollection: called to teach & build

ACCS invites Catholic educators to a recollection with the theme,

'Called to Teach & Build'

Date: Fri 5 June (check-in at 7pm) / Sat 6 June (check-out at 6pm)

Where: Centre for Ignatian Spirituality & Counselling (8 Victoria Park road, S266492)

Fees: $35 per person (Non air-con) / $55 per person (air-con)

Remarks: Meals included

Facilitator: Bro Dominic Yeo Koh

The retreat will focuss on helping teachers reflect on the role they play in building up a school community, that is centered on and celebrating the Good News.

Please register with Louis at tel 68587085 or email: louis_oo@catholic.org.sg

Communio - 2nd gathering 2009

ACCS warmly invites Teachers, Educators to:

The 2nd session of Communio 2009 on Friday, 24 April at St. Stephen’s School (20, Siglap View S455789).

The afternoon’s presentation, discussion and fellowship begins at 2pm and will end by 5pm.

The speaker for this session is Bro Michael Broughton. He will speak on a topic many us have asked questions about --“The Relevance of Catholic Education Today.”

Bro Michael’s many years in Catholic education, as a teacher and school leader, have led him to reflect on this topic deeply. His insights and views can offer us food for thought as we go about providing relevant and meaningful Catholic education. Bro Michael is presently the Brother President of SJI-Independent and SJI-International

Please register your attendance with Mr Louis Oo at 68587086 or louis_oo@catholic.org.sg by 21 April at the latest


*picture: dlibrary.acu.edu.au

Communio: 1st gathering for 2009

ACCS will launch the 2009 Communio series on Friday, 20 February with a presentation on "Character Education in Catholic Schools."

It is timely for schools to reflect on this theme. The present realities challenge Catholic educators, and the larger Catholic community, to reflect on the quality of the character education we provide to help our students live and work better in today's world.

This is open to all school leaders and educators in Catholic schools and Catholic teachers in government schools.

The presenters will be Mrs Regina Lee, Principal, CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) and Mr Charles Surin, Principal, Hai Sing Catholic, and their staff.

The venue will be at CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh). The presentation and discussion will be from 2 to 5pm.

Kindly contact Mr Louis Oo at louis_tin_maung_oo@catholic.org.sg or 68587085 to confirm your attendance.

Picture courtesy of CHIJ OLN

Communio: a report on the 3rd gathering

50 educators from our primary and secondary schools gathered at our 3^rd Communio session to learn about the social teaching of the Catholic school. Also present were some NIE students.

This session entitled The Catholic Church’s Social Teachings: a foundation for Catholic Schools? was facilitated by Fr David Garcia, Sr Maria Lau and Mr Henry Tzen from Caritas Singapore Community Council.

Fr David began by sharing with us the history of the social teaching of the Church. He then introduced the various principles of Catholic social teaching. He illustrated these with everyday examples. Participants appreciated this as it helped them to see how the various principles are very much part of the way we live and work.

After his presentation, Sr Maria invited participants to reflect on their schools to see how and to what extent these principles are part of the school community. Some participants shared about various programmes that involved student and staff participation. They felt this highlighted the principle of participation. Others pointed how the philosophy of Catholic schools – focused as it is on the child – was evidenced in the efforts schools make to reach out to the lost, least and forgotten among their students. And this, they recognize demonstrated the principle of human dignity. Others spoke about respecting the different levels of administration and work in school, where with respect and support each was enabled to carry out his responsibilities. Here the principle of subsidiarity was at work, they acknowledged. The sharing enriched the participants. It also provided them with new ideas for the classroom and school.

Some responses from participants at the end of the afternoon included:

• “We are now more aware of how to communicate to our students the Church’s Social teachings. We can better integrate them into our school programmes.”


• “The session is relevant to our schools – they offer good Catholic ways to live, teach and learn as a school.”


• “Much of what we do as a school community is in line with the various principles of the Catholic social teachings. Good to know!”


• “The session was informative and educational.”


• “Useful. Helped us to establish and nurture ethos of the Catholic school.”

_______________________________________________

With this session, Communio comes to an end for 2008.

Next year, 4 talks are scheduled, one per term, as part of the 2009 Communio series. Watch out for the calendar of these talks that will be posted online shortly.




photos: courtesy of CSCC

Communio: 3rd gathering for 2008

All Catholic educators and educators in Catholic schools are warmly invited to this month's COMMUNIO.

The theme for this month's session is "The Catholic Church’s Social Teachings: a foundation for Catholic Schools?"

This will be held on Friday, 31 October 2008 @CHIJ Kellock.

It will be facilitated by Fr David Garcia, OP, Sr Maria Lau, IJ and members from Caritas Singapore Community Council (CSCC).

The aim of the workshop is to help educators understand the Catholic Church’s Social Teachings and their relevance to the Catholic education enterprise of forming students to be men and women for others.

It also invites educators to look into ways to incorporate these teachings into the school and classroom.

The Programme will begin at 2.00 and end at 5.30pm. It will include presentations, sharing and time for reflection and prayer.

Those interested to participate should contact Shirley at 6858-7080 or accs@catholic.org.sg.

This gathering is jointly hosted by CHIJ Kellock & Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools (ACCS).

artwork by speakingoffaith

Communio: a report on the second gathering

Approximately 50 participants made of school leaders, HODs and SMC Chairpersons attended the second gathering of Communio last Friday afternoon. Montfort Secondary was our gracious host.

Michael de Silva, our guest speaker, facilitated the afternoon’s reflection and discussion on “Leader-educators in Catholic Schools & Catholic leader-educators: living the values and culture.”

Working with the participants, he identified four areas of concern that school leaders of Catholic schools face:

• the situation of increasing secularism in our schools
• the need to rethink the policy of affiliation between primary and secondary schools
• the question of “what do our schools exists for?"
• the involvement and quality of Catholics as teachers and leaders in our schools

In raising these concerns, Michael challenged participants to think beyond management. School leaders, he pointed out, are leaders when they are willing to grapple with tensions and problems faced and to find creative ways to respond to them. Leaders lead, not manage. He also singled out the need for Catholic school leaders to be clear about the rationale for Catholic schools. A school leader who clearly understands this will be able to lead the school better.

Throughout the afternoon, there was a healthy exchange of views, as there was a sense of a community sharing and seeking ways to better lead our schools.

Communio: second gathering

The second gathering of Communio will take place on Friday, 27 June. It will begin at 2.30pm at Montfort Secondary School.

The topic for the afternoon is "Leader-educators in Catholic Schools and Catholic leader-educators: Living the Values and Cultures."

Our guest speaker is Mr Michael de Silva. Drawing on his years as an educator, school leader and someone who is presently working in the fields of educational leadership, Michael will share with us his thoughts on the topic. He will be speaking in his personal capacity.

Besides Michael's presentation, the afternoon will include small group sharing and a learning journey to the Church of Nativity, where we will end the afternoon with Mass. Our hosts are Montfort Secondary School.

You are most welcome to attend. Kindly contact Ms Shirley Louis if you wish to participate. She may be contacted at the telephone number listed on this page.

Communio: where school leaders and educators in Singapore Catholic education gather to share and learn, to grow as persons and educators, to build comunity together. We meet once a school term.

photo: jump, like this by byron realey