REPORT 2020
6 Chairperson’s Foreword 7 CEO Address 11 Strategic Plan 2017-2020 Objective 1 14 Strategic Plan 2017-2020 Objective 2 24 Governance and Management 25 Strategic Plan 2017-2020 Objective 3 50 Acknowledgements 76 School Listing 78 02 | ANNUAL REPORT 2020
The sun rises in spite of everything and the far cities are beautiful and bright. I lie here in a riot of sunlight watching the day break and the clouds flying. Everything is going to be all right.’ Derek Mahon
responsible for the trusteeship of the secondary schools of five religious congregations - the Daughters of Charity, the Presentation Sisters, the Sisters of the Christian Retreat, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and the Sisters of Mercy. The Trust provides a moral and legal trustee framework, dedicated to developing and sustaining the vibrant network of CEIST schools, and to continuing the growth and development of secondary education with a Catholic ethos in Ireland. OBJECTIVE* CEIST was established in 2007 for the following charitable object: To further the aims and purposes of Roman Catholic education in the tradition of the combined ethos and educational philosophies of the Congregations in colleges and schools and other educational projects in Ireland. SUBSIDIARY OBJECTIVES* To secure through the Management, the development and implementation of the religious and educational philosophy of the Company. To ensure that the Schools provide educational opportunity for all students and give special consideration to those who are disadvantaged or marginalised in any way and ensure that provision is made, in so far as is practicable, for those with special educational needs. To provide through the Schools a holistic education, that caters for the spiritual, emotional, physical, social, aesthetic and intellectual development of the students. To ensure that education in the Schools is imparted in an environment where students are inspired and enabled to direct their lives in accordance with Gospel values and to contribute to the overall good of society. Generally, to further the interest of Roman Catholic education in Ireland. *from the Memorandum and Articles of Association of CEIST CLG.
A compassionate and just society inspired by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ MISSION To provide a holistic education in the Catholic tradition. Core Values - Promoting Spiritual and Human Development - Achieving Quality in Teaching and Learning - Showing Respect for Every Person - Creating Community - Being Just and Responsible
In early 2017, following consultation with all stakeholders, CEIST adopted a new Strategic Plan to inform its work for the four years to 2020. The work of CEIST in 2020 was very much guided by the CEIST Strategic Plan, adopted in 2017, but evidently, Covid 19 impacted significantly on a range of processes, modes of engagement and delivery. Equally, the appointment of a new CEO directly from leadership practice brought additional perspectives and areas of emphasis. Naturally, there was also a period of learning as the CEO familiarised herself with the breadth of responsibilities as well as the new landscape which emerged during and from Covid. The Strategic Goals capture the spirit and values of CEIST and the three main objectives of the Strategic Plan 2017-2020 will form the key sections under which the activity of CEIST is outlined in this Annual Report for 2020. In addition to the elements of the Strategic Plan, the core values of CEIST permeate every aspect of the activity and are referenced throughout this report. A number of key pieces of work initiated/completed during 2020 receive detailed attention. These include Ethos, Patronage, the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act, CEIST as Project Executive and Engagement with Schools. The latter is particularly significant given the impact of Covid 19 on Teaching and Learning during 2020. Particular emphasis is dedicated to the value - Creating Community. The current Strategic Plan concluded in 2020 and a new process of strategic planning commenced in October 2020. The process, facilitated by Mary Rafferty, will include contributions from a breadth of sources – Board of Directors, Members, FLG Co-ordinators, Executive, school leaders, staffs, and students. The many and varied perspectives of stakeholders will ensure the Strategic direction of CEIST is informed by practice at all levels and grounded in adherence to Charter values. “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full”. John 10:10
FOREWORD The old Yiddish proverb “We Plan, God Laughs” is particularly pertinent to 2020! Like everyone else, the CEIST community had many plans for 2020 that were simply overtaken by events. There was nothing any of us could do except ponder the words of the Serenity Prayer Accept the things we cannot change! The education community is ever conscious of the possibility of plans going awry – most particularly within the classroom! It is that consciousness that has brought out the best in the CEIST community to adapt to what circumstances threw our way, to ensure in so far as we could, that the schools functioned in a different but effective way in the face of the pandemic. Throughout 2020 we frequently heard the mantra "we are all in this together" – CEIST schools shared and continue to share a collective standpoint where common challenges emerged, powerfully creating alternative styles of leadership and courage that none of us could have imagined we had within us. As Charles Darwin tells us “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change”. CEIST schools have proved beyond doubt that even in the midst of a global pandemic, the ability to adapt and find a way of coping evolved. Our CEIST community can be justifiably proud of the manner in which a focus on student welfare and pastoral care kicked into full gear. We are proud of the Chairpersons, Boards of Management, Principals, Deputy Principals, Teachers, Secretaries, Special Needs Assistants, Caretakers, Cleaning and Catering Staff for your work throughout the pandemic. The focus on ensuring educational opportunity was provided to less well-off students is commendable and truly in keeping with the CEIST Charter. You have all contributed to making the CEIST Charter a lived reality! The pandemic has jolted us into a renewed consciousness that life is always about more than ordinary routine. Yet we long for the restoration of ordinary routine so that we can rejoice in it as something extra-ordinary I thank you for the wonder of my being (Psalm 138). 07 | ANNUAL REPORT 2020
manner in which financial support was provided to ensure the schools could function in the midst of the pandemic. The Board is appreciative of the understanding of the department in ensuring challenges were overcome in every CEIST school. The Catholic Education Services Committee (CESC) made much progress throughout 2020 in establishing the Catholic Education "These new Partnership (CEP) and the Association of formations have Patrons and Trustees of Catholic Schools, been put in place (APTCS). These new formations have been for the purpose of " put in place for the purpose of bringing bringing greater greater cohesion to the voluntary school cohesion to the sector and most particularly the Catholic voluntary school school sector. CESC also undertook a sector and most significant reorganisation of the Secretariat particularly the of Secondary Schools (SSS), the company Catholic school structure of the Association of Managers of sector". Catholic Secondary Schools (AMCSS). The restructuring included significant emphasis on governance reform. CEIST and EDUCENA have provided significant financial support to launch APTCS and are confident the structures provide the architecture to allow the voluntary sector to become stronger. Dr Marie Griffin, formerly of this parish, has been appointed non-executive Chair of CEP – we wish Marie every success in her new challenging role. The Board of Directors of CEIST experienced change during 2020 - some foreseen, some unforeseen. Freda Nolan, who was also the vicechairperson of the company, went to her eternal reward on July 31st last. Freda’s premature death, coupled with the short length of her illness, impacted greatly on all of us. May Freda rest in peace. John O’Donovan completed his period as a CEIST Director at the company AGM on 3rd July 2020. John’s investment of significant time and expertise in supporting the CEIST executive, and in turn the schools for over 8 years, is acknowledged and deeply appreciated. John chaired the Audit Committee for the full 8 years of his tenure. As well as ensuring the CEIST Board was compliant with corporate governance requirements, John also ensured that CEIST schools were financially compliant. 08 | ANNUAL REPORT 2020
rule requirement of the company constitution. Gene’s school-focused and practical approach was the hallmark of his tenure as a Director. Gene made a significant contribution as Chairperson of the Strategic Planning 2017 to 2020 committee. The achievements of that strategic planning process are part of Gene’s legacy to CEIST. Canon Brendan Kilcoyne also retired in accordance with the 9-year rule requirement of the company constitution. Canon Brendan’s tenure will probably be best remembered from his gifted celebration of liturgy at the various CEIST celebrations. Anybody who was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to listen to one of his sermons is unlikely to forget his use of metaphor, analogy and authoritative literary references. We thank Canon Brendan for his commitment to CEIST for the 9 years of his directorship, a commitment he never evaded whilst fulfilling his role as President of St. Jarlath’s College, Tuam, and in latter years ministering as parish priest of Athenry. The Members of CEIST appointed Rev. Dr. Tomás Surlis to the Board of Directors at the July 2020 AGM. Following his ordination in 2003, Fr. Tomás worked as a Teacher, School Chaplain, as a Diocesan Advisor and in a parish. After six years as President and Principal Teacher of Saint Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen he was appointed in 2018 as Director of Formation and Lecturer in Theology and Education in Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, where he is now also Pro-Rector of the Seminary at Saint Patrick’s College. We look forward to Fr. Tomás' contribution to CEIST over the coming years, with his knowledge and understanding of voluntary secondary schools, which will be most appropriate to his role as a CEIST Director. The Directors of CEIST, in accordance with charitable statutory requirements, give of their time pro bono. As you can imagine having Patron responsibility for 107 schools is a significant undertaking. The culture of service and volunteering within the Board is commendable and praiseworthy. Work undertaken by the Board, as well as work undertaken in various sub-committees, is never delayed or interrupted by non-availability of directors and for this we are all indebted! 09 | ANNUAL REPORT 2020 "The culture of service and "The culture of volunteering service and within the Board volunteering within is commendable the Board is and commendable and praiseworthy!" praiseworthy!"
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