BCE Leuven Project
e-Update - Term 1, 2016
Welcome to 2016- The Jubilee Year of Mercy
Welcome back to a new school year and we hope that you had a happy and holy Christmas and a relaxing break.
2016 promises to be an exciting year, with the Pope declaring this year to be the Jubilee Year of Mercy. There will be many events and opportunities to engage with this special jubilee. There are also a number of major developments happening in the area of strengthening Catholic school identity. Some of the key initiatives for 2016 include:
- The 2016 cohort of Leuven Project schools
- Leuven theological intensive in Belgium
- Collaborative partnership with ACU to deliver a live-in residential program in Queensland exploring the Leuven theology and methodology
- Ongoing development of the Catholic perspective in curriculum project
- Development of phase 2 of the BCE Leuven Project SharePoint site, which aims to focus on resourcing to support schools as they implement recommendations from their Leuven reports
- 2016 Masterclass series
- Launch of the Strengthening Catholic Identity Position Paper and Implementation Strategy
For further information about these key initiatives please read on in this newsletter.
We would particularly like to welcome our new Deputy Executive Director Dr Doug Ashleigh to BCE. Doug brings with him a wealth of experience and we are looking forward to working with him in the Strengthening Catholic Identity initiative. Doug will also be joining our group of principals and senior office personnel who are travelling to Leuven this year to take part in the Leuven Theological Intensive.
If you would like more information on any of these areas please contact The Professional Learning, Formation and Leadership Team on 3033 7620 or FormationLeadership@bne.catholic.edu.au .
Welcome to the 2016 cohort of BCE Leuven Project Schools
This year we welcome 14 new schools into the BCE Leuven Project. This now brings our total number of schools who are engaging in this project to 38. In 2016 we welcome:
- Our Lady of the Way, Petrie
- Our Lady of the Rosary, Kenmore
- St Joseph's, Childers
- Our Lady Help of Christians, Hendra
- Sacred Heart, Sandgate
- St Dympna's, Aspley
- Christ the King, Deception Bay
- St Columban's, Caboolture
- Our Lady of Dolours, Mitchelton
- Aquinas College, Ashmore
- St Kevin's, Benowa
- St Paul's, Woodridge
- St Luke's, Capalaba
- Clairvaux MacKillop, Upper Mt Gravatt
We look forward to gathering together at the Orientation Workshop which will be held on February 22nd at the O'Shea Centre, Wilston. Please make sure you have enrolled via iLearn for this workshop.
Orientation to the BCE Leuven Project (2016 schools)
This workshop is for our 2016 cohort of schools to be introduced to the BCE Leuven Project. At this half day workshop schools will explore the key aims and goals of this project as well as be given the key events and milestones for the project.
We invite each school to send their Leadership Team to this event as well as any other key staff who will be supporting this project. Registration for this event is via iLearn (course code: BCE05125). Please ensure you have enrolled by the 15th February, 2016.
If you have special dietary requirements please contact Elizabeth McConnell or Enza Maloney on 3033 7620 or FormationLeadership@bne.catholic.edu.au .
Monday, Feb 22, 2016, 09:15 AM
O'Shea Centre Wilston
Catholic Identity Masterclass Series
Stephen Bevans Friday April 29
A Roman Catholic priest in the society of the Divine Word, Stephen is a Professor of Mission and Culture at the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago. Stephen Bevans specialises in Mission Theology and what is meant by mission in a contemporary, recontextualised Church.
Thomas Groome Thursday 12 May (for school staff) & Friday 13 May (BCEO staff)
A Professor of Theology and Religious Education at Boston College, Thomas Groome has published numerous works in the areas of history, theory and practice of Religious Education and practical theology. His work on “What makes a school Catholic?” is well known and he has written widely in this area.
Trevor Cooling Monday 25 July (for school staff) & Tuesday 26 July (BCEO staff)
A Professor of Christian Education at Canterbury Christ Church University in the United Kingdom, Trevor Cooling has a particular interest in Christian pedagogy, in particular:
(a) the place of distinctively Christian education in a religiously diverse context
(b) the development of a distinctively Christian approach to teaching and learning.
Catholic School Identity Study Opportunity
In July 2016 there will be an opportunity to engage in some professional learning around Catholic school identity and in particular the theology of the Leuven research. This is a joint project between ACU and the Catholic University of Leuven.
This is a live-in, week long course (held at the Sunshine Coast) which will explore contemporary theology in the area of Catholic school identity and will focus on the theology, methodology and pedagogy of the Enhancing Catholic School Identity Project (BCE Leuven Project) as developed by KU Leuven. This course can be undertaken as part of a Masters Degree at ACU or may be completed as an interest based professional learning activity.
An email with further details and the application form will be sent in the near future.
If you have any questions please contact the Professional Learning, Formation and Leadership Team on 3033 7620 or FormationLeadership@bne.catholic.edu.au
The Jubilee Year of Mercy
Welcome on our journey together through the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which Pope Francis has offered to the whole Church and to the world
Opening of the Door of Mercy
The ritual opening of the Holy Door of Mercy in the Basilica of St. Peter, December 8, 2015, marks the official start of the Jubilee of Mercy. From that moment, in every Catholic Church in every diocese, the faithful are called to celebrate and live the Jubilee, particularly through the liturgy. Celebrating Mercy is the definitive guidebook for all diocesan and religious communities, parishes, and shrines, filled with useful recommendations for celebrating the Jubilee, including the official Rite of the Opening of the Door of Mercy in Local Churches.
Behold, I have left an open door before you, which no one can close.
Revelation 3:8
Year of Mercy Resources
BCE has also developed some resources that will assist as your community engages in the Year of Mercy. The Ways to Pray calendar has some useful links and ideas. A new prayer resource is also being developed called Moments of Mercy. Please visit the Religious Education Portal to access the Ways to Prayer calendar and the Moments of Mercy resource will be sent to schools in Term 1.
Catholic Identity Website
We are pleased to announce the launch of the website to support schools who are engaging in the BCE Leuven Project. This website is housed as part of the Professional Learning, Formation and Leadership team site and can also be accessed by clicking on the 'Strengthen Catholic Identity' link on K-Web.
On this website there are two main sections:
1) Strengthen Catholic Identity Strategy
This site will have information regarding the BCE position paper and implementation strategy. This will be updated as the strategy progresses.
2) The BCE Leuven Project
This site will house resources that will be useful to school who are engaging directly with the Leuven research. This includes resources about the project process, how to complete the surveys and how to unpack the data. There is also a resource section that contains videos, fact sheets, articles, Power Points and other key documents that will be useful to schools.
We would like to thank our team for the development of this site and in particular Jonathan Royan and Anthony McGibbon for the creation of this SharePoint site.
Please find a link to this site below.
Caritas Professional Development Programs
Caritas Australia offers a number of professional development courses which will support schools as they engage in a number of areas including:
- Care of Our Common Home: explore the core theme introduced in Laudato Si and how to incorporate these themes across the curriculum.
- Charity and Justice: introduction to the concept of global citizenship and explores the difference between charity and action for justice.
- Embedding Catholic Social Teaching (CST) across the curriculum: Work with a Caritas consultant to look at ways to embed CST's across the P-12 curriculum as well as be provided with resources to use in your school.
Susan Bentley is the Caritas Global Education Advisor based in Brisbane and can provide you with more details about these programs and can offer support to you in this area.
The resources offered by Caritas will be very useful to schools actioning recommendations in the areas of social justice, Catholic perspective in curriculum or developing an understanding on Church teaching on social justice.
For further information please click on the link below to access the flyer or for Susan's contact details see below.
Susan Bentley
Global Education Adviser ( QLD)
P 07 3033 7376 M 0417271152
CONFERENCE OPPORTUNITIES IN 2016
National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC)
The Conference theme Faith to Lead – Lead to Faith will seek to provide an opportunity for Catholic education leaders to explore, discern and be inspired by the richness and responsibility of Catholic leadership within a contemporary Australia.
Further enhancing our overall theme are the four subthemes of LEAD: Learning, Engagement, Accountability and Discipleship.
Date: 19 - 22 June 2016
Venue: Perth Convention Centre
Website: http://ncec2016.com/index.html
Year of Mercy 2016- Illuminating Life
The 2016 Gathering - Illuminating Life celebrates the faith gathering that Pope Francis has called for the Year of Mercy and is an opportunity for us to come together to enjoy thought provoking, contemporary presenters who challenge our traditional ways of thinking and move us to new positions.
Date: 7 - 8 April
Venue: Townsville Convention Centre
Website: http://www.tsv.catholic.edu.au/media/events/2016-year-of-mercy/
Transforming Service
The Transforming Service Conference is facilitated by BCE in association with Caritas and the Anglican Schools Commission. Registrations are now possible directly via iLearn at the early bird rate for BCE teachers using code BCE05177.The conference will be delivered at the ACU Leadership Centre this coming April. It will investigate new ways of imagining service learning in schools. The conference is commended to all leaders in Religious Education within the Archdiocese.
Date: 14 - 16 April
Venue: ACU Leadership Centre, Brisbane
Website: http://www.transformingservice.com/
Helpful Resources
EDUCATOR'S GUIDE TO CATHOLIC IDENTITY
Paul Sharkey has released a new book which explores how Catholic schools can be educational communities where learning, faith and life meet in ways that are meaningful and powerful for students. This resource draws upon the research of the Professor Didier Pollefeyt and the Catholic University of Leuven. It explores how Catholic schools can live their Catholic identity through various facets such as pastoral care, curriculum, pedagogy, prayer, etc.
Please click on the link to access Garratt Publishing to purchase this resource.
You are also able to access this book through Resource Link.
ENGAGING IN DIALOGUE
Watch the recent multi-faith prayer service with the Dali Lama. Leaders from numerous faith traditions were invited to lead the community gathered at St Stephen's Cathedral in prayers for peace. Click HERE to access the web cast.
STRENGTHEN CATHOLIC IDENTITY SHAPE PAPER
An updated version of the BCE Shape Paper for the Strengthening Catholic Identity Strategy is now available for download. This document outlines the purpose, vision and scope of this key BCE strategy. Please click HERE to download a copy from K-Web.
THE LEUVEN SCALES FOR DUMMIES
These documents have been written by the Catholic University of Leuven to help explain the PCB Scale, Melbourne Scale and Victoria Scale. Please click HERE to access the articles.
VIDEOS OF PROFESSOR POLLEFEYT'S VISIT TO BRISBANE IN 2014
These video excerpts were taken at the 2014 Leadership Conference, where Professor Pollefeyt was the key note speaker. This series of videos give an overview of the Leuven Project and explore the PCB, Melbourne and Victoria Scales.
LINKS TO PREVIOUS ISSUES
For access to the previous issues of the BCE Leuven Project e-Update please click on the links below.
Term 1, 2015 https://www.smore.com/qgzfv
Term 2, 2015 https://www.smore.com/v8nrp
Term 3, 2015 https://www.smore.com/fhtxe
Term 4, 2015 https://www.smore.com/3evyk
Want to Talk to Someone about the BCE Leuven Project?
Email: FormationLeadership@bne.catholic.edu.au
Website: www.bne.catholic.edu.au
Location: 243 Gladstone Road, Dutton Park, Queensland, Australia
Phone: (07) 3033 7620
If you have any queries or questions about the BCE Leuven Project please direct them to Simon Mahaffy or contact the team on 3033 7620