King’sConnect Keeping the Faith Ten years ago, inspired by the example of Waterloo Catholic District School Board and St. Jerome’s University, King’s joined forces with its sister board, London District Catholic School Board. Buoyed by the creativity and effectiveness of the London/King’s alliance, they invited over time the Huron Perth, St. Clair, Bruce Grey and Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Boards to join the partnership. Committed to the fostering of Catholic education, this partnership shared resources and developed programs for Catholic student leaders, as well as faith formation and professional development for Catholic educators. In 2010, Linda Ward, member of the Partnership Group, trustee for St. Clair CDSB and conference chair of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association (OCSTA) invited Marilyn Mason (King’s Registrar and chair of the Partnership Group) to speak at its annual conference to share the success of this group over the past ten years. In conversation with the Partnership Group, it was agreed that the best way to demonstrate the strength and dynamic of the partnership was to present a panel of members who would share their experience. The presentation at OCSTA was truly a “family affair” – introduced by Ward, Mason provided a brief explanation and rationale of the partnership followed by a witty history by Bill Hall, chair of the London District CDSB, examples of initiatives by Martha Dutrizac, director of the Huron Perth CDSB and an endorsement of its activities and relevance by Norm Bethune, chair of the Bruce Grey CDSB. Members of the panel described the provincial Catholic student leadership conference “Carpe Diem”, retreats for students and educators, workshops for emerging Catholic leaders, the TASK (Teachers as Scholars at King’s) program for teachers, Summer Institute, Religious Life lecture series, as well as the chaplains’ newsletter as a few examples of the group’s collaboration. Larry Langan, former director of the Huron Perth
CDSB and the service learning coordinator for the Catholic Studies for Teachers program at King’s, described this program as “the jewel” of the partnership since it was created with the input and support of the partnership group and will now give back to the Partnership Group and beyond by its training of faithful, dedicated Catholic teachers. The audience was enthusiastic in its response to the panel. The energy and commitment of the panel – as well as the great work seemed to strike a chord with this group who were also so committed to Catholic education. At the end of the panel discussion, each of the panel members was surrounded by colleagues in Catholic education who wished to know more about the group. At the outset, Mason had extended an open invitation to all boards and organizations to join the group or replicate the model in their own communities. This enthusiastic invitation was taken up! Since the spring of 2010, the partnership group has grown to 26 Catholic school boards across Ontario and four Catholic educational organizations. The partnership table has grown – as has its endeavors and contributions. Meetings take place three times a year at King’s – and technology has enabled all of our boards to attend despite hectic schedules
and long distances. The conversation is always animated and heartfelt – everyone present feels connected to the shared commitment and inspired by the talent and faith around the table. Mason looks forward to these meetings. “I feel so fortunate to work with such inspiring and dedicated people. Although King’s acts as the facilitator by hosting the partnership, the strength of the partnership is the amazing leaders in Catholic education.” Members of the Partnership Group •• Algonquin and Lakeshore CDSB •• Brant Haldimand Norfolk CDSB
•• Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington CDSB •• Simcoe Muskoka CDSB
•• Bruce Grey CDSB
•• St. Clair CDSB
•• Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
•• Sudbury CDSB
•• Conseil scolarie de district des ecoles catholiques du Sud Ouest
•• Waterloo CDSB
•• Dufferin Peel CDSB •• Hamilton Wentworth CDSB •• Huron Perth CDSB •• Huron Superior CDSB •• Kenora CDSB •• London and District CDSB •• Niagara CDSB •• Nipissing Parry Sound CDSB •• Northwest CDSB
•• Wellington CDSB •• Windsor Essex CDSB •• York CDSB
•• Halton CDSB
•• Northeastern CDSB
•• Superior North CDSB
•• Catholic Educational Organizations •• Catholic Principals’ Association of Ontario •• Institute of Catholic Formation at St. Peter’s Seminary •• Ontario Catholic Supervisory Officers’ Association •• St. Peter’s Seminary
•• Ottawa CDSB
First Row Marilyn Mason; Sister Susan Glaab; Bill Hall; Martha Dutrizac; Tracy Cunningham. Second Row: Dan Parr; Ron Marcy; Don Drone; Mark Yenson. Back Row: Gus Hubbard;, Roger Lawler; Cathy Horgan; Michael Paultier; Richard Corneil; Father Michael Bechard; John Fontaine; Erin Lawson. Not pictured: Wilma Da Rond; Anna Marie Bitoni; Glenn Schelucksi; Brian Beal; Sister Pat Carter; Toni Nanee-Little; Roland Muzzati.
The King’s Herald | spring 2012
5