Kindergarten Teachers' Thanksgiving Day

Principals and Teachers from the various kindergartens gathered at St Joseph's Kindergarten in Bukit Timah yesterday for a day of getting together and for some learning experiences.
The event, which was organised by ACCS, started with a briefing and updates on Catholic Preschools followed by a tour around the hosting kindergarten. This was followed by an Art Therapy workshop conducted by Caroline Essame, a creative art therapist with 24 years of experience.
After lunch a talk by was given by Dr Margaret Anne Carter from James Cook University. Dr Carter discussed the difference a teacher could make in the life of a child and then went on to discuss various behavioural patterns.
The day ended with a special Mass celebrated by Msgr Eugene Vaz.

Walking with Jesus - July 2011

The Biblical based programme "Walking with Jesus" was the focus of a workshop conducted on the 6th of July 2011. Teachers and parent volunteers from Catholic High, St Gabriels and SJI junior attended the three hour session.
Ms Wendy Louis, Executive Director and Msgr Eugene Vaz conducted the sessions which was aimed at providing the groundwork for the teachers.
The topics covered were:

1. How a Para Liturgy could be conducted
2. How Scripture is used in Walking by Jesus
3. Music in the programme
4. Preparing to teach the sessions.

Lastly, a presentation of how a session with the children could be conducted  and an evaluation was carried out.

Evaluating a Catholic School

Fr Norbert Menezes continued his series of discussions at the Church of the Risen Christ last night. A group of Catholic School leaders, which included Chairmen of SMCs, Supervisors and ACCS Commisioners,  as well as Msgr Eugene Vaz, gathered to discuss the evaluation of Catholic Ethos within a Catholic school.
The sub topics covered included:

1. A Vision, Mision and Culture
2. Civics and Moral Education/ Religious Education
3. Partnerships/ Communitarian Involvement
4. Holistic Education
5. Spirituality
6. Gospel Witness

Leading a Catholic School

Principals from Catholic schools gathered on the 28th of February at the Church of Christ the king for a discussion on Leading a Catholic School. Facilitating the discussion was Fr Norbert Menezes.
Amongst the topics discussed was the challenges principals faced such as shifting priorities, over-emphasis on the externals, inadequate time for religious education, respect to diverse philosophies and ideologies and lack of Catholic Teachers and students.
The principals also deliberated on the identity and distinctiveness of a Catholic School and covered topics like the inspiration of a supernatural vision, being rooted in Sacramentality and being directed by faith and reason.
The principals represented the Catholic kindergartens, primary, secondary and junior college. Also present were Msgr Eugene Vaz, the vicar general and Ms Wendy Louis, executive director of ACCS.

Walking with Jesus Workshops

ACCS organised 2 workshops, on the 26th of January and the 9th of February for teachers of the "Walking with Jesus" biblical based programme for Primary School Catholic students. The programme compliments the CCC based "Call to Faith" programme taught in the parishes.
The session was divided up into three parts; A Biblical overview by Msgr. Eugene Vaz, Music and the programme structure by ACCS Executive Director, Ms Wendy Louis.
The sessions were attended by forty one teachers over the two days.
The video below is the first of two videos of the Biblical Overview.

CHIJ cluster meeting - "What is Catholic Education"

The second event on the 2nd of June was the cluster meeting amongst the SMC chairperson, Ms Donne Aeria, CHIJ principals and vice-principals and IJ supervisor Sr. Deirdre . It was held at CAEC in Highland Road. His Grace Archbishop Nicholas Chia, Msgr Eugene Vaz and ACCS deputy chairman Mr John Yip were also present. The topic was "What is Catholic Education?". It was facilitated by Christine Kheng.
The agenda for the day consisted of a reflection on articles and questions, common elements of a vision of Catholic education and feedback on future plans and needs.

Common Space in Catholic Schools

On the 23rd of April, 40 Principals, teachers, parents and staff of the Archdiocesan Commission for Catholic Schools gathered in the Training and Development Centre of Catholic Junior College to exchange and explore the meaning of “Common Space” for Catholic Schools in Singapore. The occasion was the 2nd of the ‘Communio’ series organised by ACCS to bring together educators around topics of concern and interest in education today.

The term “Common Space” came into the public eye when it was mentioned by the Prime Minister last year during his National Day Rally Speech. He even used an example of a Catholic School to show how a school with religious affiliation can be a ‘common space’ where all Singaporeans feel they are respected and can thrive.

Read more...http://www.accs.sg/Common Space.html

Walking with Jesus workshop

Holy Innocents' Primary School played host to the second "Walking with Jesus" workshop today.
The facilitators, in sequence, were Msg. Eugene Vaz, who provided the biblical basis for the series,  John Chan who again touched on the WWJ programme itself, Trevor Nerva who spoke on the use of music and Ms Wendy Louis who provided the synthesis.
A total of 20 teachers and parent-volunteers attended the session which included active role play in the form of planning and delivering an actual lesson and enthusiastically took part in the music section.
Additional copies of the WWJ books and complimentary materials were also made available for sale.
Picture shows the participants demonstrating an actual lesson. Watch the videos here http://www.youtube.com/user/accscommunion

Walking with Jesus Refresher Workshop

Twenty Five primary school teachers attended the "Walking with Jesus" refresher workshop on the 11th of March at CHIJ Katong Primary.
Msgr Eugene Vaz shared on Using the Bible, Salvation History and Our image of God, as well as answered some of the difficult Biblical questions that teachers encountered in class.
Ms Wendy Louis shared on Word as Sacrament, Spirituality of the Child and Use of Music in the series as well as revisited the history of this programme.
John Chan, project director, RE (Pri Schools) touched on the WWJ programme itself as well as how one can use Multiple Intelligence & Learning Styles to teach WWJ.