A joint Inset day took place for teachers, support staff, governors and Parish Priests from the partnership of Hyndburn Catholic schools at the Dunkenhalgh Hotel in Clayton-le-Moors. The schools in the partnership are Mount Carmel High School and five primary schools; St. Oswald's, Sacred Heart, St. Mary's Oswaldtwistle, St. Anne's & St. Joseph's and St. Mary's Clayton-le-Moors.
The day began with a welcome message from Mrs Mashiter, Acting Headteacher at Sacred Heart on behalf of all the schools. Then a gathering liturgy 'Parable of the Yeast' was presented by Ben Davies, Curriculum Leader of Religious Education at Mount Carmel.
Guest speaker David Wells then spoke to the 180 attendees throughout the morning about what is distinctive about Catholic education and why Catholic schools have a unique mission. During the sessions David evoked a mix of emotions amongst the audience. His talk was full of laughter as well as a touch of sadness and reflectiveness. He reminded everyone that whatever their roles in a Catholic school they are there to make a difference and enable pupils to develop spiritually as well as academically. He also reminded staff to make time for themselves and to recognise the impact their role has on pupils lives. He left attendees inspired and uplifted with a renewed vision of how they can each fulfil the vision in their own roles at school.
A Mass then took place in the afternoon celebrated by the Right Reverend John Arnold, the Bishop of Salford with candles being presented representing each school at the beginning of Mass and readers participating from each of the partner schools . The Mass was prepared by primary school headteachers Mrs Kippax from St. Oswald's, Mrs Wolstenholme from St. Mary's Oswaldtwistle and Mrs Mulcock from St Anne's & St. Joseph's. Fr. O'Brien co-celebrated the Mass on what was the Feast Day of Our Lady of Lourdes and Fr. Wadsworth attended throughout the day.
A vote of thanks was prepared by Mr Mashiter, headteacher of St. Mary's Clayton-le-Moors and read by Mr Bowers, headteacher of Mount Carmel.
Joint Inset Day_Feb 2022
