Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education: Post Primary Review

Representatives from educational organisations, trustees, schools, and parents were in attendance at St Marys teacher training college in Belfast for the launch of a new website showcasing Catholic Education in Northern Ireland.

The new website www.catholiceducation-ni.com which has been designed by the Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education was officially launched at St Mary’s teacher training college in Belfastyesterday by Archbishop Sean Brady.

Invited guests including the Education Minister, Caitriona Ruane and guest speaker Peter Quinn (former President of the GAA), were given a ‘hands-on’ demonstration of the new user friendly website. The new website includes an interactive web map providing contact information and the location of the 547 Catholic managed schools in Northern Ireland.

An important feature of the new website is recognition of the emerging multiculturalism and a ‘shared future’ for Northern Irish society.

As a consequence the new website has been designed to embrace the inter-connectiveness and diversity of the Catholic education family. It provides information on Catholic education and the Vision Statement in a variety of different languages including Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian, Czech, Portuguese, Spanish and Tagalog.

It is intended that the new website will be regularly updated with the latest developments and news from Catholic Education so that visitors to the site can easily access specific information or alternatively gain a general understanding of what Catholic Education can offer them.

Speaking at the launch of the new website, Archbishop Sean Brady said

This is a time of huge change in Northern Ireland - political, economic, social and educational. In that rapidly changing environment, the 547 Catholic schools here teach about 45% of all pupils and we take very seriously our role in both maintaining high standards, and contributing to a new society. I thank all those who dedicate so much of their energy and love to providing a high quality education for all young people, whatever their talents and needs.

Our schools have always been active in developing cross community and international links. They welcome people from all national backgrounds and people from various faith traditions or none.  Catholic schools are not an obstacle on the road to reconciliation.

I hope that this website will help visitors to be aware of the exciting enterprise that is Catholic education in the 21st century.

ENDS

For further information please contact

Paul O’Connor

Communications Officer

Telephone     028 9039 3891

Email             pauloconnor@ccmsschools.com

Notes to Editors

About the website www.catholiceducation-ni.com

By logging on to the website visitors can find:

• Information about Catholic education in the FAQ’s section;
• Details of the organisation and structure of Catholic education;
• A sharing of “best practice” in schools;
• Articles of interest and importance;
• Seminal documents on Catholic education;
• A bibliography of  literature pertinent to Catholic education;
• Academic papers on Catholic education and its contribution to a shared society;
• A film catalogue offering viewing suggestions based on religious education themes;
• News and events;
• Contact links to relevant sites;
• An audio visual presentation of “Catholic Education- The Vision”

 The Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education membership

·         The Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education is comprised of Senior Trustees, Diocesan and Religious.

·         The members include; Bishop P Walsh, Bishop S.Hegarty, Bishop Donal McKeown.

·         The remaining members are Sister Nellie McLaughlin, Sister P Rodgers PSC and Brother S Deignan FSC.

·         The Chair of the Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education is Bishop Donal McKeown