The convention brought together Catholic educators, bishops, priests, school trustees and a range of others associated with our national Catholic education system. Catholic schools educate 8.1pc of the country's total school population, some 65,600 students. Read more

Almost all Catholic schools were represented at the convention.

Topics discussed included:

• Mana Whenua
• Mana Tangata
• 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 nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

The triennial conventions are designed to ensure that catholic schools remain authentic in their commitment to Church and State, as vibrant communities of faith and learning.

The theme of the Convention is Christ's Call: to love, to be, to do/Ko Ta Te Karaiti Karanga: kia aroha, kia tuturu, kia ora.

Paul Ferris, the CEO of the New Zealand Catholic Education Office which has organised the event, said "While managing these events is a huge task, it is important because it reminds our community of our diversity and our national coverage."

New Zealand's bishops are attending and virtually every catholic school has delegates attending.

Teachers from schools and catholic tertiary educators will present a range of seminars.

International speakers have come from the United States, England and Australia.

Highlights include:

• David Wells, international presenter based in England - Keynote address: "Shoulder my yoke and learn from me" - Catholic Education and the Art of Accompaniment
• Franciscan priest Daniel Horan, from the United States - Keynote address: The Joy of Christian Foolishness: Responding to Christ's Call to Discipleship in the Age of Pope Francis
• Br David Hall, Sydney - Keynote address: Catholic Schools and the Possibility of God

Catholic schools make up 8.4% of the Government's overall provision for education. There are 238 schools, with 66,000 students.

Catholic schools were among the first to integrate following the 1975 integration legislation and they have a long partnership with the state, providing high-quality education across all deciles.

Minister Jenny Salesa is unwell and will not be able to present to the convention as planned. She will be represented by Iona Holsted, the Secretary for Education.

In a year when the Government is undertaking reviews of many aspects of education, it is important that catholic schools review the ways in which they play a critical part in the delivery of education and consider what works well for them.

Source

• Supplied: Amanda Gregan Communications Advisor - NZ Catholic Bishops Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa
• cathedconvention2018.co.nz
• Image: cathedconvention2018.co.nz

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops have been be in attendance throughout the convention which has been attended by teachers, principals, staff, Boards of Trustees, priests, advisors, adult educators and academics.

This year the celebrations have had a greater significance, because four educational leaders in the Catholic network have received Queen's honours this year.

Brother Sir Patrick Lynch received a knighthood for his services to education, in the new year's honours 2015.

He will step down later this year after 22 years as chief executive of NZ Catholic Education.

Three principals of catholic schools have also been acknowledged in the recent Queen's Birthday Honours List.

Elizabeth Horgan of St Joseph's School, Otahuhu, Anne Miles of McAuley High School, Otahuhu and Paul Daley recently retired Principal of Sancta Maria College, Botany were all honoured as Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit for their services to education.

It is also 40 years since Catholic schools were integrated into the State education system.

"Today we have 66,000 students in our 238 schools and an increasing number of adults in tertiary learning programmes, add to that 40 years of an integration relationship with the State and three people receiving honours for their contribution to education, so we have much to be grateful for," said Lynch.

"I'm confident in my time as chief executive of the catholic education office that there is a bright future ahead, invigorated by the faith that new kiwis bring plus the legacy of extraordinary work of all those who've contributed to Catholic education over the last generation."

Speaking of his knighthood Lynch said, "It's humbling to be acknowledged in this special way but I believe the honour belongs to all of us who work in Catholic education, from teachers, support staff, advisors, Bishops, priests, parents, Boards of Trustees, and countless others, many of whom have not received accolades or praise for what often happens behind the scenes and for many over a lifetime.

"It also honours those who've gone before us , especially those who established Catholic Schools, with the goal of providing a quality education for all young people, no matter their circumstances."

At the gathering a portal created in partnership with Microsoft was launched to provide religious education resources and a secure mechanism to encourage members of the Catholic education community to collaborate and share quality resources throughout the country.

Education Minister Hon Hekia Parata also addressed the gathering.

Source

• voxy.co.nz
• Image: screenshot cathedconvention2015.co.nz