Catholic schools have been privileged and proud to serve local communities in their provision of a holistic education. This education has been and is, not only the path to the realisation of professional opportunities, but is also an essential part of living a good life marked by a quest for social justice.

Foreword

Catholic schools have been privileged and proud to serve local communities in their provision of a holistic education. This education has been and is, not only the path to the realisation of professional opportunities, but also an essential part of living a good life marked by a quest.

Bishop Donal McKeown, Chairperson of the Consultative Group for Catholic Education, Sr Eithne Woulfe ,Deputy Chairperson of the Consultative Group for Catholic Education

The Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland and Religious Trustees have established a Consultative Group for Catholic Education to advise and support them on the continued development of Catholic education. This Consultative Group brings together for the first time a group of representatives from across the Catholic education sector.

The Catholic education sector is well known to be an excellent, coherent and independent provider of education in Northern Ireland. The Consultative Group's aim is to find a process through which Catholic education can continue to make its unique contribution in the 21st Century.

The Catholic Bishops of Northern Ireland have already set out a clear vision for the future of Catholic education in their documents: 'Proclaiming the Mission, A new philosophy for Catholic Education'; 'Building Peace Shaping the Future'; and Life to the Full. The CGCE will share and find ways to promote this Vision.

The Group is already working successfully towards meeting its stated aim and objectives, and by December 2004, will present a long-term strategy for the development of Catholic education in Northern Ireland. A project officer has been appointed to assist the Group. Consultation with key partners in Catholic education is essential to its work, and will be carried out throughout the year.

Aim

To advise and support the trustees (Diocesan and Religious) in order to find a process through which the Catholic Education sector will continue to develop as an excellent, coherent and independent provider of education in Northern Ireland.

Objectives

The Group was tasked with the following objectives:
- Develop and promote the Catholic school sector's corporate understanding of the Vision, philosophy, principles and role of Catholic education in Northern Ireland.
- Propose processes that will translate this Vision into reality.
- Engage relevant research.


Membership

Diocesan Trustees
Bishop Donal McKeown, Down and Connor Diocese, Chair of CGCE

Religious Trustees
Sr Eithne Woulfe, CORI (Conference of Religious of Ireland ), Deputy Chair of CGCE 

Diocesan Advisor
Rev Declan O'Loughlin, Religious Education Adviser, Armagh Archdiocese

Schools
Mrs Grainne T O'Hanlon, Principal, Loreto Grammar School , Omagh
Rev Eamon Martin, President, St Columb's College, Derry
Mr Kevin Burke, Principal, St Mary's Christian Brothers Grammar School , Belfast
Ms Deirdre McNally, Principal, St Mary's High School, Lurgan
Mrs Dinah MacManus, Principal ,Holy Family Primary School , Belfast
Mrs Kathleen Bradley, Principal, Steelstown Primary School , Derry
MrsTeresa Murray, Principal, St. Ronan's PS, Lisnaskea
Mrs. Helene Murtagh, Principal ,St. John the Baptist, Nursery School, Craigavon
Mrs Celine Mc Kenna, Principal, St. Mary's High School, Limavady
Dr Aidan Hamill, Retired Principal

St. Mary's University, College
Mr Peter Finn, Acting Principal

Council for Catholic Maintained Schools
Mr Donal Flanagan, Chief Executive Officer, CCMS

Project Officer
Mrs Joan McCombe