On Wednesday 15th September, 2010, the Directorate for Services in Education at the Secretariat for Catholic Education of the Archbishop’s Curia held an Induction Seminar for some seventy newly engaged teachers who, later this month, will embark on their teaching profession in Church schools.
Dr Rose Anne Cuschieri, the Director for Educational Services, introduced the seminar and drew out the morning’s programme. After her address of welcome, she outlined the need of having such meetings. Dr Cuschieri also refrred to the charisma of Church schools: very important aspect in the life of the school itself.
His Grace The Archbishop Paul Cremona OP was next to give his thoughts on the importance of teaching in Church schools. Mgr Cremona stessed the fact that teachers were to look on their students in a humane way and, in spite of the different and diverse behaviour of some, children were to be afforded a loving care. Teachers in Church schools were to bear in mind the mission of the Church, and their vocation was to impart to individuals the best possible service in the spirit of the Gospel. The Archbishop said that we do not know what Christ said to children but we know that He requested his disciples to let the children go to Him. It was in the same manner that teachers were to receive those who were entrusted to their care. If one had to deduct the hours spent in bed, children spent practically more time at school than at home; the school was another home and teachers were duty bound to raise and care for children on the same lines as their own offspring.
It was then the turn of fr Dominic V Scerri OP, the Archbishop’s Delegate at the Secretariat for Catholic Education, to address the teachers. Fr Dominic started off by saying that, while education is aimed to develop the human person as a whole, Church schools have a distinct label. In Church schools, academic subjects should be taught in the light of the teachings of the Church. Mindful that every child is destined for a mission in life, teachers in Catholic schools are bound to educate on the basis of positive moral values, and instill these values by their own way of life and example. It was very important to remember that each student had his/her dignity and integrity and were to be treated in a way focussed on the values of caring, forgiveness, trust and love. The same values were to be taken into consideration in relations between teachers and parents, and at the school itself between staff members.
To inform the newly-engaged teachers of the services offered by the Secretariat, School Counsellors, Social Workers, Educational Psychologists, INCOs, and Heads of Department, members from each service identified and explained their specific work-services.
Dr Rose Anne Cuschieri concluded the seminar thanking all those present for their attention and support, and encouraged one and all to look to their vocation and profession in a positive way.
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