Birmingham Diocesan Education Service
A message from Steve Bell, Director of Education
Summer 2024
Dear colleagues,
As we reach the end of this academic year, I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your unwavering dedication and exceptional work. This year has been a testament to your commitment to providing a high-quality Catholic education rooted in the values of our faith.
I am delighted that we are starting to see the Archdiocesan family of schools working together through the working groups. Breaking down the silos between the MACs and schools is crucial so we can all flourish together and enjoy the benefits of learning from and with each other. Sharing best practice across our schools is a key aim for the new academic year so please do continue to share the brilliant work you are doing!
I am delighted to share the news that our SATs results across our Archdiocese have, once again, surpassed the national averages. This remarkable achievement is a direct reflection of the hard work, passion, and dedication you all bring to your roles each day. Your efforts have ensured that our students not only excel academically but also grow in their faith and character as they aim to fully realise their God-given talents.
Moreover, I am deeply grateful for the work you have done to support the poor and marginalised in our communities. The fundraising efforts, including the Diocesan FHC Pledge £1 campaign, have been inspiring. Your generosity and commitment to social justice exemplify the teachings of Christ and the mission of our schools.
This year, we also had the pleasure of celebrating the first DES awards as part of our People Strategy. These recognised individuals who have made exceptional contributions to our Archdiocesan Catholic educational community. It was a wonderful occasion to honour the incredible vocations within our Archdiocesan family. The dedication and passion shown by our awardees, and indeed all our staff, truly embody the spirit of service and excellence.
As we reach the end of this academic year, I wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your unwavering dedication and exceptional work. This year has been a testament to your commitment to providing a high-quality Catholic education rooted in the values of our faith.
I am delighted that we are starting to see the Archdiocesan family of schools working together through the working groups. Breaking down the silos between the MACs and schools is crucial so we can all flourish together and enjoy the benefits of learning from and with each other. Sharing best practice across our schools is a key aim for the new academic year so please do continue to share the brilliant work you are doing!
I am delighted to share the news that our SATs results across our Archdiocese have, once again, surpassed the national averages. This remarkable achievement is a direct reflection of the hard work, passion, and dedication you all bring to your roles each day. Your efforts have ensured that our students not only excel academically but also grow in their faith and character as they aim to fully realise their God-given talents.
Moreover, I am deeply grateful for the work you have done to support the poor and marginalised in our communities. The fundraising efforts, including the Diocesan FHC Pledge £1 campaign, have been inspiring. Your generosity and commitment to social justice exemplify the teachings of Christ and the mission of our schools.
This year, we also had the pleasure of celebrating the first DES awards as part of our People Strategy. These recognised individuals who have made exceptional contributions to our Archdiocesan Catholic educational community. It was a wonderful occasion to honour the incredible vocations within our Archdiocesan family. The dedication and passion shown by our awardees, and indeed all our staff, truly embody the spirit of service and excellence.
In the words of St. John Bosco, " Our entire body should serve God while we still have the time." You have all demonstrated this principle through your tireless work and the positive impact you have on the lives of our students and their families.
On a related note, please ensure that you book on our exciting new CPDF courses for 2024/25. Remember, the safeguarding courses are on 9th September 2024.
As you know, the 2024/25 academic year will herald the start of a new and exciting journey towards developing a large, strong, and flourishing multi-academy trust in the north of the Diocese. I must thank you for your positivity and contributions to achieving this milestone. The transformative process will be led by the Diocese, ensuring that our collective vision and values are at the forefront of every decision.
I assure you that I, along with Diocesan officers, will lead this process in a careful and structured manner. It is a unique opportunity and we will not rush or take easy options purely based on current experiences. We will make the right decisions based on evidence-based research and the experiences of other large trusts across the country. It is important that the process is Diocesan led but informed by you, the practitioners. We will be creating working groups that will have clear terms of reference that I will set out at the start of the process in September. We recognise and deeply value the wealth of experience and expertise that you, our practitioners, bring to the table. Your insights are crucial, and your contributions will be integral to our success. However, it is important to remember that this is a collaborative effort and I look forward to leading the process as the new, permanent Director of Education.
Across OUR Archdiocese, the aim is to foster a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, where every voice is heard and considered. Together, we can achieve our shared goal of creating the first of our new Catholic multi-academy trusts that excel in providing outstanding Catholic education for all our students.
As we look forward to a well-deserved break, I wish you all a happy and relaxing holiday with your families and friends. May this time be filled with rest, rejuvenation, and joy. Thank you once again for your incredible work throughout this academic year. I look forward to continuing our journey together, striving for excellence in all that we do. Together, we will flourish! Additionally, I wish all those retiring, or moving on the pastures new, the very best of luck for the future.
In the new academic year, we look forward to Education Sunday, which is at the end of the first week of term. It is a great way to celebrate and promote all that is good about Catholic Education to our Parishes.
Finally, I must offer my sincere congratulations and prayers to our two new Bishops: Bishop Timothy Menezes and Bishop Richard Walker. Their Episcopal Ordination was a deeply spiritual and prayerful occasion. Thanks be to God for their vocation!
God bless you all.
Steve
On a related note, please ensure that you book on our exciting new CPDF courses for 2024/25. Remember, the safeguarding courses are on 9th September 2024.
As you know, the 2024/25 academic year will herald the start of a new and exciting journey towards developing a large, strong, and flourishing multi-academy trust in the north of the Diocese. I must thank you for your positivity and contributions to achieving this milestone. The transformative process will be led by the Diocese, ensuring that our collective vision and values are at the forefront of every decision.
I assure you that I, along with Diocesan officers, will lead this process in a careful and structured manner. It is a unique opportunity and we will not rush or take easy options purely based on current experiences. We will make the right decisions based on evidence-based research and the experiences of other large trusts across the country. It is important that the process is Diocesan led but informed by you, the practitioners. We will be creating working groups that will have clear terms of reference that I will set out at the start of the process in September. We recognise and deeply value the wealth of experience and expertise that you, our practitioners, bring to the table. Your insights are crucial, and your contributions will be integral to our success. However, it is important to remember that this is a collaborative effort and I look forward to leading the process as the new, permanent Director of Education.
Across OUR Archdiocese, the aim is to foster a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, where every voice is heard and considered. Together, we can achieve our shared goal of creating the first of our new Catholic multi-academy trusts that excel in providing outstanding Catholic education for all our students.
As we look forward to a well-deserved break, I wish you all a happy and relaxing holiday with your families and friends. May this time be filled with rest, rejuvenation, and joy. Thank you once again for your incredible work throughout this academic year. I look forward to continuing our journey together, striving for excellence in all that we do. Together, we will flourish! Additionally, I wish all those retiring, or moving on the pastures new, the very best of luck for the future.
In the new academic year, we look forward to Education Sunday, which is at the end of the first week of term. It is a great way to celebrate and promote all that is good about Catholic Education to our Parishes.
Finally, I must offer my sincere congratulations and prayers to our two new Bishops: Bishop Timothy Menezes and Bishop Richard Walker. Their Episcopal Ordination was a deeply spiritual and prayerful occasion. Thanks be to God for their vocation!
God bless you all.
Steve
Birmingham Diocesan Education Service
Don Bosco House, Coventry Road, Coleshill, B46 3EA 01675 464755 |
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