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CISC Newsletter July 2017 | Issue 81

To Martin Luther, who reproached him for remaining in the Catholic Church in spite of its corruption, Erasmus of Rotterdam answered in a letter: “I bear with this Church in the hope that it will improve, just as it is obliged to bear with me in the hope that I will improve. Raniero Cantalamessa, Talk to “Nothing More Beautiful” Conference, May 2011

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Farewells At the end of this term we bid farewell to a number of colleagues who are either retiring or any moving on to pastures new. We thank them for the leadership they have provided for their schools and pray for them as they embark on a new chapter: Chris Mc Grath, leaving Donhead School in Wimbledon after twenty years at the helm; Anne Daniels leaving Carelton House in Liverpool after six years in charge but with a 25-year association with the school; Gareth Lloyd, former CISC committee member, who left Ratcliffe College at Christmas after seven years in charge; Sarah Gallagher, another former CISC committee member, leaving Marymount International School after seven years; Mark Pearce, leaving Prior Park Prep after almost seven years; Anne Farnish leaving the Ursuline Prep School in Wimbledon after six years; John Slingsby, leaving the Junior School at Austin Friars, Carlisle; Peter Fisher, leaving Grace Dieu after three years in charge; Simon Detre, who left St. Teresa’s School in Princes Risborough in June; Teresa Dunbar, who left the Cavendish School in London at the end of the spring term; Annie Lee, who left All Hallows schools in the spring term. We wish them all every blessing for the future. If I have left anyone out, please let me know and I will rectify that in the first newsletter of next term.

Mentors for new heads We will welcome the new heads taking up post in September in the first newsletter of next term. At this stage, it would be helpful to know of any colleagues who would be willing to be a mentor for a new head. This is a largely informal scheme which has run for a number of years. The mentor is asked to make early contact with the new head and arrange to visit them if possible and for them to visit the mentor’s school. This year, some mentors drew up helpful reports after their visits and signposted CPD opportunities for the new head. There is also an opportunity for mentor and mentee to meet up at the national conference. The mentor’s school will have to cover any expenses. If you are interested in this opportunity to add to your CV, please contact me at [email protected] before the end of term if possible.

CISC contact updates Before the beginning of next term, I will be emailing all heads and their PAs with a proforma to update the contact details of key members of staff in your school, such as the bursar, deputy head, chaplain and so on. This will help me to make contact with key groups in order to promote day conferences and to distribute resources and updates. Please look out for this in late August and try to get it back to me at the beginning of next term.

Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference 17 Rossiters Hill, Frome, Somerset BA11 4AL T: 07949 394925 W: www.catholicindependentschools.com  @CISCSchools

New CISC Website www.catholicindependentschools.com The new website has been well received and our first website traffic report indicates a lot of website visits. We hope to have the Members’ Area up and running soon. Paula Hawkins will be contacting each of the heads with their username and password via. The Members’ Area will contain all the resources and materials from the annual conference, including the AGM documentation, the trustees’ report and financial statements and conference presentations. The committee discussed the possibility of setting up a discussion forum but we decided in the end that they were often more trouble than they are worth and there are often not very well used. If there is an appetite for a closed discussion forum for heads only then please let me know and we could re-visit this. I’d also like to draw your attention to the free vacancies posting on the website. The Vacancies section of the CISC website is a self-service area which all CISC members and their colleagues can access without a login. Schools can fill in the form for their vacancy as required. All vacancies submitted by Thursday 12 noon will be published on Friday morning. Look out for Friday as the day for new vacancies. The direct link for the Vacancies are as follows: Details about Vacancy Listings: www.catholicindependentschools.com/careers/list-your-vacancies/ To post a job, the direct link is www.catholicindependentschools.com/post-a-job/

Leadership Reflections I’m delighted to publish a new Leadership Reflection by Dr. James Whitehead, Headmaster of Downside School. James reflects on servant leadership in the Benedictine tradition, with some very helpful pointers and references to more modern publications. I would like to develop this resource, so please consider sending me a 1000-word reflection on any aspect of leading a Catholic school which inspires you. These reflections will build up into a resource for our colleagues, but especially perhaps for our aspiring leaders who are on the journey towards Catholic headship.

Member school profile pages The Find a School section is proving very popular, with an attractive mini-prospectus for each school. Please note that if any of your school details need changing you cannot do that yourself but you need to contact paula.hawkins@catholicindependentschools. com who will make the necessary changes for you. The only person who will be given a login is the head and that is only for the Members’ Area. If you have not already done so, please consider emailing or sending via an online file sharing service, such as WeTransfer, a selection of promotional photographs from your school to be added to your school’s profile page and enhance your listing.

Events & Training There is a new heading under Events & Training > Day Conference Resources, where you will find the presentations from the Day Conferences this year for the Chaplains, Heads of RS and Heads and Governors.

Contact us Please also note, as previously advised, that my new email address is [email protected]. The old one will run for a while longer and I will give notice when it will cease to operate. Can you please remind your marketing and PR managers to send short articles and photos in the summer about the GCSE and A-Level results. I will produce a composite article for the website. As always, we are delighted to hear of news from your schools and will promote as many of these as possible through our Latest News page and Twitter feed.

Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference 17 Rossiters Hill, Frome, Somerset BA11 4AL T: 07949 394925 W: www.catholicindependentschools.com  @CISCSchools

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The next generation of leaders are growing up in a complex world. We who are seeking to guide them on their journey believe that to discover the solutions to the challenges society faces we must listen to the students themselves.

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Dr. Nicholas Cuddihy, Headmaster, Mount St. Mary’s

INSET training for CISC Schools As mentioned in previous communications, CISC now offers free INSET training on Catholic ethos and mission for member schools. The training will be led by me, or I will try and facilitate speakers for you. Please visit www.catholicindependentschools. com/events-and-training/inset-training-and-cpd/ for more details of the kind of sessions on offer and to view my current commitments. I will work with schools to offer bespoke sessions, which will depend very much on the context of the school.

CISC Day Conference for Chaplains, 4 May As part of the CISC strategy to support groups in school who are central to our Catholic mission, a day conference for school chaplains was held at Farnborough Hill on 4 May. After a warm welcome from Alex Neil, headmistress of Farnborough Hill and a beautiful morning prayer led by Sheila Farmer, the school’s lay chaplain, delegates enjoyed three highly stimulating sessions. Sarah Young from Stonyhurst College presented the framework for school chaplaincy developed by the Jesuit Institute. The chaplains found the framework a very helpful guide to understanding the key elements of chaplaincy. Maria Neal, the lay chaplain at Barlborough Hall School, led a compelling session on Godly Play, an approach to engaging young people with scripture. Maria’s demonstration of the Jewish exile using wooden figures and sand mesmerised the group and convinced them of the value of this innovative approach based on the ancient skill of storytelling. For more information, visit: www.godlyplay. uk/. In the final session, Consuelo Verdugo, from the Manquehue Lay Benedictine community based at Downside School, along with her colleagues Catalina and Belen, told the delegates the story of her community’s journey from Santiago in Chile to Strattonon-the Fosse in Somerset. At Downside, they have revived the ancient Benedictine practice of Lectio Divina. What makes their approach so powerful is that the Lectio groups are led by older pupils who act as mentors and spiritual friends to the younger pupils. There followed a discussion with the delegates on the challenges and opportunities facing chaplains in our schools. While colleagues appreciated the support which is often available in their own dioceses, it was felt that a network for the chaplains in Catholic independent schools was needed. The intention is to meet at least annually and I’m delighted to announce that the next CISC day conference for chaplains has been confirmed for 17 May 2018 at Worth School.

Manquehue Community at the Chaplains’ Day Conference, Farnborough Hill

Maria Neal and Sarah Young at the Chaplains’ Day Conference, Farnborough Hill

Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference 17 Rossiters Hill, Frome, Somerset BA11 4AL T: 07949 394925 W: www.catholicindependentschools.com  @CISCSchools

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We have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.

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St. Paul, Second Letter to the Corinthians 4: 7-9 (New Revised Standard Version)

CISC Day Conference for Heads and Governors, 18 May On Thursday 18 May, a gathering of heads, governors and senior staff were warmly welcomed to St. George’s College in Weybridge by Mrs Rachel Jones, the Headmistress. Morning prayer was led by Fr. Martin Ashcroft, a member of the Josephite community at St. George’s and a founding member of CISC. In the first session, I provided an overview of the 1977 document from the Congregation for Catholic Education, The Catholic School, and then shared some of my recent work on Gospel values. Dr. Clare Watkins, lecturer in ministerial theology at Roehampton University provided a fascinating summary of the Visions for Leadership project which was run from Heythrop and offered stimulating insights into the concept of vocation, which can be double-edged and lead some to assume that heads will give beyond their endurance ‘because it’s a vocation’ which is not always helpful. Dr Sean Whittle, Visiting Research Fellow at Heythrop College and St. Mary’s University, provided a very helpful overview of the history of research in Catholic education in the last thirty or so years, paying tribute in particular to Professors Gerald Grace and John Sullivan for their pioneering work. Sean reminded us of the recent developments in the Catholic educational research community, including the new Network for Research in Catholic Education (see below for details of the next conference). Our speakers were then joined for a panel discussion in the afternoon by Antonia Beary, Chair of CISC and Headmistress of Mayfield School, and Sharon Wallin, Director of Education at St. Elizabeth’s Centre in Much Hadham. The conversation on the role of Catholic independent schools was candid and wide-ranging and included an update from Professor Grace on the work of the International Studies in Catholic Education, which since 2009 has brought together the best thinking in Catholic education from all over the world. I am also delighted to announce that next year’s day conference for CISC heads and governors will be held at Woldingham School on Thursday 10 May. This very special event will mark the 175th anniversary of the founding of the school by The Society of the Sacred Heart. More details of a very special day to follow but in the meantime please save the date.

Special Schools Working Group On 24 May, the CES in London hosted the second meeting of the Catholic special schools working group. The group received an update from Christine Fischer, Assistant Director of the CES. Christine had held talks with the DFE on the possibility of our non-maintained special schools applying for free school/academy status. Since maintained/academy special schools are not allowed to have a religious designation this route appears to be closed off. In the afternoon, the CISC special school heads met by themselves and shared their current challenges and opportunities, which included a very informative talk by Wendy Killilea, Headteacher of St. John’s RC School in Woodford. Wendy explained the curriculum changes at St. John’s and the move to using BTEC courses which used the expertise of her support staff. We also discussed the possibility of organizing a national SEN conference for Catholic schools. We will come back to this in the autumn and keep you informed.

Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference 17 Rossiters Hill, Frome, Somerset BA11 4AL T: 07949 394925 W: www.catholicindependentschools.com  @CISCSchools

An Introduction to the Leadership of a Catholic School, 8 and 9 June Cohort A of the CISC leadership programme, An Introduction to the Leadership of a Catholic School, completed their course at a final residential at The Oxford Spires on 8 and 9 June. Delegates considered how Gospel values might be applied in a Catholic school and examined the characteristics of Gospel-inspired leadership. Alexandra Neil, Headmistress of Farnborough Hill, and Alex Hutchinson, Headmistress of Woldingham School, provided an inspiring insight into the first year in headship. Sheila Farmer, the Lay Chaplain at Farnborough Hill, led our prayers and provided delegates with much practical advice on the spiritual life for busy people. Five of the delegates opted for a powerpoint presentation on their understanding of the mission of a Catholic school for their final task. The presentations were of a very high quality and provided much assurance that the future of Catholic education is in good hands. On the afternoon of the second day, Friday 9 June, some of us took the riverside walk into Oxford and were made very welcome at St. Benet’s Hall, where Fr Oswald spoke to us in the chapel about the history of the Hall, followed by tea with the Master, Professor Werner Jeanrond, who spoke to us in more detail about the life of the Hall. From there we were warmly welcomed by Fr Richard Ounsworth OP to Blackfriars Priory, just a few doors away on St. Giles. Many of you will remember that Fr. Richard was one of our keynote speakers at this year’s annual conference at The Oxford Belfry. Fr Richard took us on a fascinating tour of the priory, which included the very seat in the chapel occupied by JRR Tolkien for years, directly underneath the first station of the cross in which Pontius Pilate looks distinctly troll-like. Fr Richard Finn OP then spoke to us about the inspiring work of Las Casas Institute for social justice. For the next generation of Catholic headteachers the visits provided a fascinating glimpse into the wider Church community and its apostolate in education.

Delegates from the CISC Leadership Course at Blackfriars Priory

Delegates from the CISC Leadership Course at St. Benet’s Hall

Applications have now closed for Cohort B of the programme and at the time of writing it looks as if we will have another very strong group for 2017/18.

Sixth National Retreat for Catholic Headteachers at Coombe Abbey On 8 and 9 June over 130 delegates gathered in the glorious surrounds of Coombe Abbey Hotel near Coventry for the sixth annual retreat for Catholic heads and governors. The retreat was led by Fr. Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R., the Superior General of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (The Redemptorists). A native of Canada, Fr. Mike has travelled far and wide in his current role and brought a great deal of wit and wisdom to the retreat. Hs main theme was encounter with Jesus Christ and our neighbour, using scripture and stories from his own experience. The liturgies at the retreat, including reconciliation and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, were profoundly moving and greatly enhanced by the music of Jo and Andrew from CJM Music. CISC was well represented but

Archbishop Malcolm McMahon joined the national retreat on Friday 9 June to lead our Mass. Here he is joined by Brendan Duffy, Dominic Mulcahy, retreat leader Fr. Michael Brehl, Raymond Friel, Sister Judith Russi and Jo Boyce

Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference 17 Rossiters Hill, Frome, Somerset BA11 4AL T: 07949 394925 W: www.catholicindependentschools.com  @CISCSchools

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A spirituality of communion indicates above all the heart’s contemplation of the mystery of the Trinity dwelling in us, and whose light we must also be able to see shining on the face of the brothers and sisters around us. This makes us able to share their joys and sufferings, to sense their desires and attend to their needs, to offer them deep and genuine friendship. A spirituality of communion implies also the ability to see what is positive in others, to welcome it and prize it as a gift from God: not only as a gift for the brother or sister who has received it directly, but also as a “gift for me”.

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Saint John Paul II, Novo Millennio Ineunte

I would encourage more of our heads and governors to consider coming to the retreat next year on 14 and 15 June at the same venue, when the retreat will be led by Fr. Simon Bishop SJ. Many colleagues who were there this year have already booked for next year so I would advise you to book early. Please note that this event is organised by EducareM, not CISC. For more details please go to www.educarem.org.uk/headteachers-national-retreat/.

Junior and Prep Athletics Championships, 25 June 2017 On Sunday 25 June, thirteen of our schools took part in the CISC Junior and Prep School Athletics Championships, hosted by St. Columba’s College in St. Alban’s. A big thanks to David Buxton, Headmaster, for the warm welcome to our schools and in particular to Ed Lowe, Director of Sport at St. Alban’s, who organised the event with great skill. The results of the events are listed below and as you will see from the photographs the pupils clearly applied maximum effort. CISC was represented by our Chair, Antonia Beary. Thanks to Antonia for her support for our schools.

Maximum effort from the pupils at the CISC Junior and Prep Athletics Championships at St. Columba’s College, St. Alban’s

Many of the events were hotly contested and a number of impressive performances were recorded including a number of records. T. Werret (Prior Park) set a new best in the Long Jump of 4.65m as well as equaling the 100m record (13.6) which was set in 1989 in the U12 Girls competition. H. Lewington (Prior Park) threw 30.72m in the U14 Girls Javelin competition to set a new record whilst E. Henderson (St George’s) took over 10 seconds off the U14 Boys 1500m record to finish in 4:31.7. In terms of team competitions, Notre Dame were victorious in the U12 Girls competition whilst St George’s finished on top in the U14 Girls competition. Both boys age group titles were claimed by the hosts with St Columba’s beating Cranmore into second in both competitions. Aside of the results, all competitors should be congratulated on their efforts and achievements as well as the teachers who should be complimented on their efforts on the day and their coaching beforehand!

Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference 17 Rossiters Hill, Frome, Somerset BA11 4AL T: 07949 394925 W: www.catholicindependentschools.com  @CISCSchools

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A thought transfixed me: for the first time in my life, I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth – that love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love. I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world still may know bliss, be it only for a brief moment, in the Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning (London: Random House, 2004) contemplation of his beloved. CES Annual Report

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I have attached with this mailing a copy of the Catholic Education Service’s Annual report 2016. A copy can also be found at www.catholiceducation.org.uk/about-us/publications. Please share this report with your governors and colleagues. We have a close relationship with the CES and it is good for our schools to appreciate the bigger picture in Catholic education. You will see that our special schools have benefitted from the CES-convened working party this year and CISC is named as a key partner. There is also a very welcome focus on leadership and we will continue to work with the CES on developing leadership programmes. CISC’s Introduction to the Leadership of a Catholic School has been endorsed by the CES, which greatly enhances its credibility and demonstrates the faith they have in us to deliver a high quality programme.

Leadership Briefing with Headline Sponsors Kingston Smith and Stone King, 21 September 2017 I am pleased to announce a new event for the calendar, a leadership briefing aimed primarily at bursars, with heads and governors very welcome, led by our headline sponsors Kingston Smith and Stone King. The briefing will take place on Thursday 21 September at the London offices of Kingston Smith in Devonshire House, Goswell Road, EC1M 7AD, with easy access by public transport. The day will begin at 12 noon to allow colleagues travelling time and we will finish with drinks at 5.30 pm. Booking details will be posted on the events calendar on the website. Neil Finlayson and Anjali Kothari of Kingston Smith will provide you with a sector update which include the Higher Education Green Paper and the latest in Governance. You will also hear from James Newell from Kingston Smith Fundraising and Management who will cover the principles-based method of Social Return on Investment and Fundraising. Stephen Ravenscroft, Helen Tucker and Harriet Broughton from Stone King will provide a legal update session covering topics such as the General Data Protection Regulations and changes in employment law, and a practical safeguarding session on dealing with allegations of historic and current abuse.

St. Vincent’s Becomes MQTVI School Congratulations to St. Vincent’s Special School in Liverpool which has won the right to deliver a school based model of the mandatory qualification for teachers of the visually impaired (MQTVI) in collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University from September 2017. If you know of any colleagues who might be interested in this, either in your school or in your wider community, please contact the principal, Dr. John Paterson, at [email protected].

Network for Researchers in Catholic Education: Heythrop Conference, 19-20 September 2017 This conference will provide an exceptional opportunity to explore a range of contemporary perspectives in Catholic education. It will provide a forum for advocates of Catholic education to engage with those currently researching in this increasingly important field of studies. This year the keynote speakers will be: Dr Ros Stuart-Buttle (Liverpool Hope University); Dr Ann Casson (Canterbury Christchurch University); Dr Sandra Cullen (Dublin City University). Registration: The full conference is £120 and a single day rate of £65 is available. Details of how to register and CALL FOR PAPERS can be found at www.heythrop.ac.uk/events/contemporary-catholic-education. We invite submissions from masters students and doctoral candidates as well as established academics. Lunch and refreshments provided. Conference organiser: Dr Sean Whittle [email protected].

Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference 17 Rossiters Hill, Frome, Somerset BA11 4AL T: 07949 394925 W: www.catholicindependentschools.com  @CISCSchools

Research Request I have been asked by one of our members to bring to your attention a research project being undertaken by a friend into strategic leadership in independent schools. They have asked if you would consider completing an online survey. I have had a look at the questions and I would say it should take no more than 10-15 minutes to complete. I’m sure you will find the questions stimulating and a helpful reminder of some of the key things to keep in mind for strategic leadership. The survey can be found at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/F56B57F

Improving Mental Health in Schools – What the Evidence Tells Us? Reading University, 12 September I have been asked to bring to your attention a major conference on mental health in schools taking place at the University of Reading on 12 September. For more information please visit, www.reading.ac.uk/Psychology/NewsandEvents/Mental-HealthEvent.aspx. This is not an endorsement, since I am not familiar with the speakers or their work, but on the face of it this seems to be a significant conference and well worth looking into.

2017/18 Summary of Events Please see below the dairy to date for 2017/18. There are a number of other ideas in the pipeline which hopefully can be confirmed early next term. 13 September CISC Committee at Mayfield School 19 and 20 September Network for Researchers in Catholic Education, Heythrop College 21 September Leadership Briefing for Bursars at Kingston Smith Offices, London 12 and 13 October Introduction to Leadership (Cohort B) - booking closed 17 October Heads of RS at New Hall School 19 October Special Schools working group meeting and heads’ meeting at CES 17 January CISC Committee at Liverpool Hilton 18 and 19 January CISC annual conference at Liverpool Hilton 13-15 April Young Leaders Conference at Mount St. Mary’s (see below) 10 May Day Conference for Heads and Governors at Woldingham 17 May Chaplains’ Day Conference at Worth School 7 and 8 June Introduction to Leadership, second residential – booking closed 14 and 15 June National Retreat for Catholic Headteachers led by Fr Simon Bishop SJ at Combe Abbey (Please note this is not a CISC event, see www.educarem.org.uk/headteachers-national-retreat/ for more details) Sunday 24 June Junior and Prep Athletics, to be confirmed

Student Competitions and Opportunities This year we have had three very popular competitions for pupils: the Christmas card competition, the poetry competition and the junior and prep athletics at St. Columba’s. The intention is to run the same three next year, but we haven’t confirmed a date and venue for the athletics. I am hoping to include details of all three competitions in the September newsletter so that your colleagues and pupils can plan ahead. Please also note that Mount St. Mary’s College, near Sheffield, is planning a Young Leaders Conference from 13-15 April 2018. Who should attend? Young leaders aged between 16 and 19, those who aspire to leadership and the teachers who support them. It could be the head boy, head girl, school councillors, prefects, captains. A maximum of four delegates per school. For booking details please visit www.eventbrite.co.uk and search for “Young Leaders Conference 2018.”

Happy Holiday On behalf of the committee, I would like to wish you all a very well-earned and restful summer break with your family and friends. I do hope you will all ‘visit the wells’ that will restore your bodies and spirits, whether that is up a mountain or in a garden, at home or on the other side of the world. On a personal note, I would like to thank you for all your support in my first year at CISC. It has been a great pleasure to visit some 75 schools and I hope very much to visit the rest of you next year!

Catholic Independent Schools’ Conference 17 Rossiters Hill, Frome, Somerset BA11 4AL T: 07949 394925 W: www.catholicindependentschools.com  @CISCSchools