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Last week Catholic educators, bishops, priests, school trustees and others took part in seminars, workshops, tours and exhibitions at an education convention at the TSB Arena on Wellington’s waterfront.
Almost all Catholic schools were represented at the convention.
Topics discussed included:
- Mana Whenua
- Mana Tāngata
- Working with Pasifika children and families
- The changing landscape of families
- Social justice activities in the classroom
- Evangelising students and communities
The keynote speaker, Dame Therese Walsh, provided a faith-based perspective of working in a corporate environment.
She described how her Catholic background informed the way she has worked.
Father Daniel Horan spoke about the joy of Christian foolishness and bringing about the Word of God in thought and deed.
Secretary for Education, Iona Holsted, shared her thoughts about the review work the government is undertaking.
She thanked Catholic schools for the work that they do.
Paul Ferris, CEO of the New Zealand Catholic Education Office, addressed the delegates with an account of his career working in Catholic schools throughout the country.
He provided some food for thought on opportunities and challenges facing Catholic educators today.
Central themes of his presentation were:
- Evangelisation and formation. He proposed schools as the front line of parishes
- Investing in recruitment, retention and formation
- Interpreting the signs of the time through engagement, modelling and dialogue
- Contributing to the building of vibrant and intentional faith communities
The convention concluded with a tour visiting the legacy of Suzanne Aubert, Meri Hohepa.
The tour took in Wellington’s Compassion Soup Kitchen, Aubert’s recently restored crypt and Our Lady’s Home of Compassion in Island Bay.
Source
Supplied: Amanda Gregan
Communications Advisor – NZ Catholic Bishops: Te Huinga o ngā Pīhopa Katorika o Aotearoa
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News category: New Zealand.
