Governor Conference 2008
FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE
A conference for Foundation Governors was held on Saturday 27 September 2008 at the Lancastrian Conference and Banqueting Suite, Gateshead.
Around 300 governors from all over the Diocese attended the event.
Dr Harry O’Neill welcomes the governors to the conference
After a welcome and opening prayer from Dr Harry O’Neill, Director of the Diocesan Education Service, a presentation was given by Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Chairman of the Bishops’ Conference Department for Education.
Archbishop Nichols talked about the role of governors and the aspects of faith which are the foundations of daily life in school. He urged governors to be ‘Clear, Confident and Charitable’ about their schools, their distinctive roles and what they offer.
Archbishop Vincent Nichols, Chairman of the Bishops’ Conference Department for Education.
He picked three themes to talk about in more detail, these were:
Admissions: He talked about the Secretary of State calling for a thorough examination of the practice of school admissions in the light of the new Schools' Admissions code. He asked governors to be clear in the following of their school’s Admissions Code and that it was important to follow legal requirements as this was the best way of defending the rights of and maintaining the proper areas of discretion which Catholic schools have in law. Archbishop Nichols talked about discrimination and the new Equality Bill which is to be discussed in the near future. He stressed that discrimination itself was not the issue but that unjust discrimination was and that it was not discrimination to respect the fundamental rights of parents (enshrined in the European Convention of Human Rights) with regard to their religious beliefs and the education of their children.
Community Cohesion: He praised Hexham & Newcastle Diocese for their important contributions in helping in the development of national guidelines for ways in which schools can assess their contribution to “community cohesion.” He asked that all schools continue to provide a key role in fostering integration and cohesion, as evidence shows that Catholic schools are making a positive contribution to our society. Indeed the vision of Catholic schools is inherently geared towards Community Cohesion in a practical and positive way.
Sex Education: Archbishop Nichols asked that governors be aware of the Government’s review of Sex Education in schools and to ensure that their own school’s Sex Education Policy is observed. He welcomed the fact that part of the purpose of this review is to make sure that more emphasis is given to the relationship aspect of this education and to the emotional aspect of our sexuality and asked that governors make clear that in a Catholic school sex and relationship education will always be designed and delivered according to the teaching of the Church.
Canon Seamus Cunningham, Archbishop Nichols, Dr Harry O’Neill and Jenny Pate
Read the full text of the speech by Archbishop Nichols
After a question and answer session governors split into nine different workshops, designed to focus on governor responsibilities. These were:
• Pupil Admission Procedures
• Attracting Potential School Leaders
• Buildings
• Collective Worship
• Curriculum Religious Education
• Responsibilities as Employers
• Inspection (Section 48 & Section 5)
• Community Cohesion
• Sex Education
After a closing liturgy governors were then given an opportunity, over lunch, to network with each other. They were given literature to take away that had been specifically produced for Foundation Govemors.
Download Foundation Governors Booklet (1Mb
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Discussion in one of the nine workshops
Feedback about the conference was positive, governors said:
‘I felt appreciated’
‘Well informed for the new governor’
‘Excellent presentation’ (Workshop 6)
‘Was a fantastic opportunity to meet other governors and the Diocesan Education staff, network, workshops all in an atmosphere of our context of faith and prayer.’
‘High quality organisation and content’
Read the full text of the speech by Archbishop Nichols