Catholic Schools in Britain: Head Teachers’ Pilgrimage to Rome

(Vatican Radio) “Fresh wind in our sails” is the theme of a pilgrimage involving around 40 Head Teachers from the Diocese of Arundel and Brighton in Great Britain, together with their Bishop, Kieran Conry.

The aim of the pilgrimage was to allow the participants to “recommit” and “refresh” themselves as leaders of Catholic Education.

Part of the programme included a visit to Vatican Radio where three of the Head Teachers contributed to a round-table discussion with Seàn-Patrick Lovett on some of the joys and challenges of running a Catholic school in Britain today.

Aside from Bishop Kieran Conry, the panel included James Kilmartin of Cardinal Newman College, Fionnvola Johnson of St Paul’s Primary School, and Stephanie Bell of Rydes Hill Preparatory School.

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James Kilmartin reveals that the Catholic Cardinal Newman School in Hove counts 2,106 students on role and about 150 teachers. Speaking of the joys and satisfactions facing a head teacher today Kilmartin says it's a great privilege to work in Catholic Education, but even more to lead a Catholic Comprehensive School.

He mentions that the School is named for John Henry Newman, whom he says, had this very clear idea that we all have this special duty to do and that we are all links in the chain. He says the most exciting work is to be involved in the formation of young people. And he says helping them to develop as human beings and realise their God-given talents is very rewarding.

Fionnvola Johnson from St. Paul's Catholic Primary School confirms that her school is 100 per cent Catholic, with all the advantages and disadvantages that entails.

She explains that parents normally choose to send their children to Catholic Schools because what they are looking for is support for them in forming the uniqueness of their own child, and helping them on their journey to wholeness.

Stephanie Bell of Rhydes Hill Preparory School speaks of the pilgrimage to Rome and says it is a precious occasion to come together and find support in one's colleagues.

It is a chance to pray together and to be inspired.

Speaking of being here, Bishop Kieran Conry says it is an experience that gets people back to their roots. He says it reminds people of what it means to be Catholic and the importance of handing on that message.

He points out there is a generation of children entrusted to these people who have to hear the authentic message of the Gospel in Jesus Christ. And these are the people who are doing it... often in practice it's the school where children learn to be part of a believing community.