Archbishop Cushley will be the main celebrant at Mass to mark Catholic Education Week in our Archdiocese.
It takes place at 7:00pm on Tuesday 19 November 2024 at St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB.
Refreshments will be served after Mass. There is free parking onsite (overflow car park behind the Church).
Please email Kay Leslie indicating how many staff and students will be attending from your school. kay.leslie@staned.org.uk
Catholic Church leaders have raised concerns over plans to close a second Catholic primary school in Midlothian in a year as part of budget cuts, writes Marie Sharp in the Southern Reporter.
Midlothian Council has published a wide range of proposals to help it bridge a £14million budget gap for the coming year including closing St Matthews Primary School, in Rosewell, which has 51 pupils.
Anne-Theresa Lawrie appeared on behalf of the Archdiocese and quoted the late South African leader Nelson Mandela as a reminder to councillors about the importance of education.
On behalf of the Archdiocese we oppose this closure and the impact it would have on the community and the education for young people
She said: “Nelson Mandela said education is the most powerful weapon with which we can change the world. It has an impact on the lives of vulnerable young people and affects their life chances.”
Urging councillors to reconsider the inclusion of the school in the savings plan, she said: “We are very concerned this proposal is on the table. The Catholic estate has been reviewed and as a result of that St Margarets Primary School, in Loanhead, was closed.
“On behalf of the Archdiocese we oppose this closure and the impact it would have on the community and the education for young people.”
St Margarets Primary School was told it was closing last February after education chiefs said it did not have a single pupil on its rolls.
They denied claims from some parents that they were discouraged from registering their children at the school or told they could not in a bid to “run down” the school.
At the meeting Conservative group leader Councillor Peter Smaill described the inclusion of the school in the savings proposals as “problematic” as he questioned the legality of such a move.
He told the committee: “It is by law the case that schools cannot be closed on financial grounds and I will be pursuing that in the weeks ahead.”
The savings plan says of the proposed closure “The proposal is to seek council approval to undertake a statutory consultation on the closure of St Matthew’s RC PS.
“There is currently 51 children over three classes attending the school.”
It adds as well as a saving of £290,000 over the next two years “there may be further benefits in terms of educational outcomes as pupils would be able to experience a broader range of learning experiences, in which they could interact with a larger group of peers at their age and stage.”
The savings proposals have been put out for public consultation before decisions are made.
Resources and ideas for school, parish and home can be found at https://sces.org.uk/
St Mary's University will start teaching its master’s courses in Theology and Catholic Education this Autumn at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh, and applications are now open
Students will study a taught postgraduate programme in Catholic Education, School Leadership or Theology.
St Mary’s, established in 1850, has a long history of academic excellence, and students will be able to access the same expertise throughout their studies.
We're delighted to announce that in partnership with @archedinburgh we will be teaching master’s courses in Theology and Catholic Education from this September in the Gillis Centre, Edinburgh??????? Find out more ?https://t.co/sNzLsrZjMC pic.twitter.com/ZWHjXtTVN2
— St Mary's University (@YourStMarys) April 21, 2021
Vice-Chancellor of St Mary’s University, Anthony McClaran, said, “After the unavoidable delay caused by Covid-19, we are pleased that we will be teaching our Theology and Education postgraduate courses in Edinburgh from September and we encourage people to apply now
"Our courses are open to students of all faiths and none, and our flexible programmes at the Gillis Centre will create new opportunities for mature students, teachers and others across central Scotland.”
Archbishop Cushley discusses ‘Catholic Education: Good for Scotland’ with Professor John Charmley from St Mary's University, Twickenham.
Part of the Newman Conversation series, hosted by St Mary's University Twickenham.
Check out the courses St Mary's are running in partnership with the Archdiocese at the new Gillis Campus in Edinburgh here.
St Mary's University will start teaching its master’s courses in Theology and Catholic Education this Autumn at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh, following a delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Students will study a taught postgraduate programme in Catholic Education, School Leadership or Theology.
St Mary’s, established in 1850, has a long history of academic excellence, and students will be able to access the same expertise throughout their studies.
We're delighted to announce that in partnership with @archedinburgh we will be teaching master’s courses in Theology and Catholic Education from this September in the Gillis Centre, Edinburgh??????? Find out more ?https://t.co/sNzLsrZjMC pic.twitter.com/ZWHjXtTVN2
— St Mary's University (@YourStMarys) April 21, 2021
The University and the Archdiocese have agreed arrangements for St Mary’s to occupy part of the Gillis Centre, which houses the offices for the Archdiocese.
Archbishop Leo Cushley said: “St Mary’s is the UK’s leading Catholic university, so we’re delighted it has agreed to offer courses here.
"It’s an ideal location and is consistent with our Archdiocesan aim for the advancement of Catholic education. It will help support the Roman Catholic community and give people the opportunity to study a fascinating range of subjects.”
"Our courses are open to students of all faiths and none, and our flexible programmes at the Gillis Centre will create new opportunities for mature students, teachers and others across central Scotland."
Speaking of the announcement, Chair of St Mary’s University Board of Governors, Bishop Richard Moth, said, “St Mary’s is very pleased to be working with the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh.
"Opening a postgraduate campus in Edinburgh is consistent with the mission of the University to promote higher education and to grow our postgraduate offering.”
Vice-Chancellor of St Mary’s University, Anthony McClaran, added, “After the unavoidable delay caused by Covid-19, we are pleased that we will be teaching our Theology and Education postgraduate courses in Edinburgh from September.
"Our courses are open to students of all faiths and none, and our flexible programmes at the Gillis Centre will create new opportunities for mature students, teachers and others across central Scotland.”
We've been helping teachers in the Archdiocese prepare children for the Sacraments of First Holy Communion, Reconciliation and Confirmation...with help from our priests.
Our Education team delivered three Zoom presentations recently, featuring video presentations from Fr Jamie McMorrin Fr Kevin Douglas, and Fr Tony Lappin (below).
The presentations gave teachers a step-by-step walk-through of delivering sacramental preparation. It coincides with booklets recently published by the Archdiocese for schools.
The three sessions were delivered by Eileen Rafferty, RE advisor to primary schools, supported by Margaret Barton (secondary schools).
Eileen said, "We've had positive feedback and it was brilliant to bring teachers together on Zoom to show how we can support them so they in turn can assist pupils and parents. We are grateful to Frs Jamie, Kevin and Tony for providing brilliant video reflections."
The UK's leading Catholic University will relaunch its postgraduate course programme at the Gillis Centre, Edinburgh, in September 2021.
Archbishop Cushley welcomed today's announcement from St Mary's University to delay entry as he renewed the Archdiocese's commitment to helping people deepen their faith and knowledge through courses such as Theology and Leadership in Catholic Education.
A statement released today by St Mary's University said: "Following its February 2020 announcement that St Marys University would begin to deliver postgraduate courses at the historic Gillis Centre in Edinburgh beginning September 2020, the decision has been taken to postpone this initiative until September 2021 as a consequence of the Coronavirus crisis (COVID-19). This decision was taken with the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh."
Archbishop Cushley said: “The health and safety of staff and students are of paramount importance. We remain committed to ensuring the success of this venture with St Mary’s University and look forward to welcoming the first students there in 2021.”
Bishop Richard Moth, chair of the St Mary’s University Board of Governors, said: “I’d like to thank the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh for their on-going commitment to this project.
"This development is in accord with St Mary’s mission as a Catholic university. We are proud to be bringing postgraduate courses to the Gillis Centre and are committed to ensuring the success of our partnership with Archdiocese.”
Anthony McClaran, Vice-Chancellor of St Marys University, added: “The decision to postpone entry to 2021 was taken with the student experience at its heart.
"We are proud to have this opportunity to bring postgraduate study to the Gillis Centre, in partnership with the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. We have been encouraged by the number of prospective students who has been in contact so far and we will be in close contact with them to ensure they are able to begin studying with us next year. We look forward to continuing our preparations to welcome students in 2021.”
Check out the available courses
The UK’s leading Catholic university has today announced it is to launch postgraduate courses in Scotland for the first time.
St Mary’s University, Twickenham, has agreed arrangements with the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh for a range of theology and education subjects to be taught at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh.
The announcement has been welcomed by Archbishop Leo Cushley. He said, “St Mary’s is the UK’s leading Catholic university so we’re delighted it has agreed to offer courses here.
"It’s an ideal location and is consistent with our Archdiocesan aim for the advancement of Catholic education. It will help support the Roman Catholic community and give people the opportunity to study a fascinating range of subjects.”
Great news for the Archdiocese. This will make a great contribution to Catholic higher education in Scotland. https://t.co/eSQnqJzF0w
— Archbishop Leo Cushley (@leocushley) February 14, 2020
The site, named after Bishop James Gillis, was home to the first post-Reformation convent in Scotland. For over 150 years it was St Margaret’s Convent and School before operating as a seminary from 1986 to 1993.
It currently houses the offices for the Archdiocese, which will be unaffected by the move.
Speaking of the announcement, Chair of St Mary’s University Board of Governors, Bishop Richard Moth, said, “St Mary’s is very pleased to be working with the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh. Opening a postgraduate campus in Edinburgh is consistent with the mission of the University to promote higher education and to grow our postgraduate offering.”
Interim Vice-Chancellor of St Mary’s University, Dave Hartnett, said, “We are greatly pleased to have this opportunity to offer our theology and education postgraduate courses in Edinburgh. Our courses are open to students of all faiths and none. Our flexible programmes at the Gillis Centre will create new opportunities for mature students, teachers and others across central Scotland.”
The postgraduate part-time MA courses will begin at the Strathearn Road campus from Autumn 2020 and information will soon be available via the St Mary’s University website.
St Mary’s University hosts the only faculties in the UK with the ability to offer ecclesiastical degrees, the Mater Ecclesiae College (dating back to 1614). Its long-standing and nationally recognised Education programme was recently re-confirmed as Ofsted ‘Outstanding’.
Read the press release here
The Very Reverend Nick Welsh VE has been appointed the Vicar Episcopal for Catholic Education for the Archdiocese.
The post replaces his former role as Head of Schools and he will continue working closely with Eileen Rafferty (main pic, left), Religious Education Adviser to Primary Schools. They are joined by Margaret Barton (main pic, right), who takes up the part-time post of Religious Education Advisor to High Schools.
Fr Welsh said: “Schools are a big part of what we’re doing in the diocese, so it makes sense to have a Vicar Episcopal for Education to be part of discussions on the Archbishop’s Council.
“That means I’ll get a good idea of what’s going on across the diocese, along with the other VEs, and the vision Archbishop Cushley has for our schools.”
The team are currently busy putting together new sacramental material for primary teachers.
Fr Nick continued: “One of the unique parts of a Catholic school is that we prepare our kids for the reception of the sacraments.
“But a Catholic school is much more than that; the encounter with Jesus Christ and the mission to educate our children according to our beliefs, values and faith is the most important thing. One of the challenges is making that clearly known to local authorities.”
Fr Nick is currently parish priest at Our Lady & St Andrew in Galashiels, also serving Our Lady & St Joseph's in Selkirk and St Cuthbert's in Melrose. He has two primary schools in his parish, St Joseph’s in Selkirk and St Margaret’s in Galshiels.
He said: “I genuinely love going into the schools. There’s a great energy that comes from being around kids who, because of the environment we create in our schools, are confident and feel safe. That makes them open to the message of the gospel."
Margaret Barton started her role today (Monday) at the Gillis Centre in Edinburgh. She is a former principal teacher of RE at St Aidan's HS in Wishaw, where she worked for 20 years.