The St. Andrews Foundation for Catholic Teacher Education is delighted to offer the opportunity for teachers to gain an additional qualification in religious education. The ATQRE course fulfils the academic requirement for applying to the GTCS for professional registration as a specialist Religious Education teacher in the Catholic Secondary school. The course begins in August 2025. For all details including teaching dates and costs -  https://www.gla.ac.uk/study/cpd/atqreforcatholicschools/ The Diocese of Paisley support ATQRE and will pay one third of the fees for any applicants who live in the Diocese and attend Bishop John’s support sessions. For details - https://www.rcdop.org.uk/atqre

The Diocesan Youth Commission invites children in P4-P7 to a Lenten Retreat Day on Sunday 9th March from 1.45pm-5pm. The theme is The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. The Retreat takes place in St James’s Church and halls on Greenock Road in Paisley (PA3 2LD). It will include Holy Mass. A light dinner will be provided. Registration is necessary: www.tinyurl.com/dpy-lent25. Email Fr Ryan for more info: [email protected].

The Diocesan Youth Commission invites children in P4-7 to a Retreat Day on Sunday 19th January, from 2-5pm. The theme is The Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. The day begins and ends in the church hall at Holy Family Parish, Port Glasgow. It will include Holy Mass. A light dinner will be provided. Registration is necessary: www.tinyurl.com/dpy-january-retreat. Email Fr Ryan for more info: [email protected].

Theme —‘Pilgrims of Hope.’ CLUSTER MASS on Tuesday, 19th November at 7pm in St Joseph’s Church, Clarkston. Cluster Schools: St. Ninian’s High School, Isobel Mair School, St. Cadoc’s P/S, St. Clare’s P/S, St. Joseph’s P/S & Our Lady of The Missions P/S.

The Diocesan Youth Commission invites children in P4-7 to an Advent Retreat Day on Sunday 1st December from 2-5pm. The theme is The Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. The day begins and ends in St Mirin’s Cathedral Hall, with Holy Mass in the Cathedral. A light dinner will be provided. Registration is necessary:  http://tinyurl.com/dpy-primary-advent. Email Fr Ryan for more info: [email protected].

COURSE COMMENCES 5TH SEPTEMBER 2024 - REGISTER NOW Paisley Diocese supports Setting Out on the Road the course which leads to the award of the Catholic Teacher's Certificate (CTC) enabling the recipient to teach Religious Education in the Catholic school if eligible to do so. It is taught by the St Andrew's Foundation for Catholic Teacher Education at the University of Glasgow. Setting Out on the Road is for qualified teachers who have not yet obtained their CTC This is now fully funded (as of 21st August 2024) (See link below on how to apply) https://www.gla.ac.uk/study/cpd/cpdforteachers/#settingoutontheroad Please Note new information Please note that the university systems are updating to take account of this change in funding and applicants may still be asked for fees. Please ignore this and continue with registration. Denise will help with any queries: [email protected] Anyone who has already paid will be reimbursed in due course. Bishop John supports students from the Diocese of Paisley with monthly seminars. If you would like to sign up for these support sessions please follow instructions below noting the above notice. Bishop John Keenan Support Seminars (online) October 2024– April 2025 5.00pm-6.30pm – Monthly (Mondays) Monday 7th October Monday 11th November Monday 2nd December 2025 Monday 13th January Monday 3rd February Monday 3rd March Monday 7th April Please register with the University of Glasgow Once you have been accepted onto the course please complete the form at https://www.rcdop.org.uk/education to register for bishop's support sessions.

Are you a Catholic Teacher who needs your Catholic Teaching Certificate? Setting Out on the Road is a course which leads to the award of the CTC enabling you to teach Religious Education in our Catholic schools. If you live or work in the Diocese of Paisley, you can sign up for monthly group support seminars and the Diocese of Paisley will cover the cost of the course fee. Find out more: https://www.rcdop.org.uk/news/setting-out-on-the-road-1

May God bless all our young parishioners - pupils and students - who are moving on this summer. Always remember - you are not alone: “God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) You are in our thoughts and prayers and we wish you every success in the future. Canon Eddie

Bishop John Keenan will celebrate a special SPRED End-of-Year School Mass for pupils, their families and staff from the Additional Support Needs Schools of the Diocese on Wednesday, 5th June 2024 at 1pm in St Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley.  A warm welcome is extended to anyone wishing to attend.

“When you are dealing with something difficult and wonder where God is, trust in The Lord; He is always at your side. Remember, the teacher needs to be quiet during a test but is silently willing you to succeed.” Anon. Please remember in your prayers all our pupils and students who are sitting exams at this time. We pray for their success. Canon Eddie

OPEN MORNING Junior/Senior/ Kindergarten –Friday 8th December 10.30-12Noon. Kindergarten & Junior School Open Day 11th January 2024. Kindergarten Come & Play Sessions Tuesday 16th January 2024: 2pm-3pm; Thursday 18th January 2024: 9.30am – 10.30am. Entrance Assessment P4-S2 Saturday 20th January 2024: 9am – 12 Noon. For more details or to register your place, please scan the QR code (click on title to access) or visit: www.staloysius.org

 The Scottish bishops are disappointed and confused that the Scottish Government has deleted all reference to Catholic schools in a draft of updated Guidance on Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) Education in Scottish Schools. They are urging you to respond to the consultation simply to request that the Catholic schools provision be reinserted into the guidance. You can do so easily via the following link: https://www.rcdop.org.uk/news/rshp-education

Education Sunday Mass at 10am in St. Cadoc’s on 26th November (Solemnity of Christ the King). Pupils of our schools are asked to attend wearing their school uniforms. The liturgy will be led by pupils from each school and presentations will be given by members of staff. Mass for the Cluster will be celebrated in St. Joseph’s Church, Clarkston, on Tuesday 14th November at 7pm.

You will recall from the SCES newsletter in August that we highlighted the current consultation regarding a revision to the 2014 Guidance on RSHP (relationships, Sexual Health and Parenting). There are several areas of this guidance that raise significant questions, in particular the fact that the paragraphs dedicated to Denominational Education have been removed. The Bishops’ Conference has made the following statement: “The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is both disappointed and confused at the decision by the Scottish Government to delete all reference to Catholic schools in its :Guidance on the Delivery of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) Education in Scottish Schools” document. We strongly request the re-insertion of the paragraphs relating to Denominational Education from the previous iteration of the guidance, which would reflect both the legal protection for schools with a Religious Character, and the previously supportive position of Scottish Government for Catholic schools. It is vitally important that the Catholic Education Community has a strong and united voice in responding to this consultation, requesting the same action as the Bishops, so as to ensure that our sector is represented and our views heard. A voluminous response to this consultation by the Catholic Education community is necessary before the closing date of the 23rd November and we are asking for your help in achieving this. HOW TO RESPOND: You can read the revised document here: Delivery of relationships, sexual health and parenthood education in Scottish schools: draft guidance - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) THEN TO RESPOND ONLINE: • Follow this link and complete the consultation online using the skeleton responses in the attached WORD document. • You can cut and paste these, changing any of the content to best suit your individual response. • Note you do NOT need to answer every question. However, Questions 1 and 6 are vital. • You MUST complete the RESPONDENT INFORMATION FORM. OR TO RESPOND BY POST: Open the letter template provided. 3 papers to assist in responding are available on our Parish web. • Change any content by typing on the Word document – including your name and address. • Note you do NOT need to answer every question. However, Questions 1 and 6 are vital. • Print your final document. • Please note that you MUST print and complete the first page the RESPONDENT INFORMATION FORM and include this with any posted responses. • Post responses to: RSHP Teaching Guidance Consultation, Area 2B, North Victoria Quay, EDINBURGH EH6 6QQ ***Posted responses must reach Scottish Government by 23rd November. We therefore recommend posting by Monday 20th*** Barbara Coupar, Director, Scottish Catholic Education Service, 75 Craigpark, Glasgow G31 2HD T :0141 556 4727 F: 0141 551 8467 Web: sces.org.uk

Saturday 18th November 12:00 – 15:00 with stalls, workshops and entertainment. We are lucky to have families from a wide variety of cultures and we look forward to celebrating diversity within our school. The fee for this is £2 for adults and £1 for children. We extend a warm welcome to families within the community.

Saturday 25th November; Noon-3pm. Family tickets £5 - pay on arrival. Entertainment for all ages: free children’s games; face painting; tombola; raffle; arts &crafts; Santa; and home baking; All friends & family welcome.

Education Collection – 19th November supports the Scottish Catholic Education Service (SCES) which promotes and protects our Catholic schools in issues of national significance and supports our schools, parishes and dioceses. The national office supports three employees and employs four part-time local members of staff to work in our schools and on the RE curriculum. In 2022 this collection plus donations raised £17,261, which represents 35% of our expenditure of £66,114, resulting in a deficit of £48,852.

This consists of two 40-credit (Level 10) courses that are recognised by the GTCS and which can be used to apply for Professional Recognition in the subject. The courses are taught by staff of the St Andrew's Foundation for Catholic Teacher Education at the University of Glasgow. The ATQRE programme is for qualified teachers who wish to become specialist RE teachers in secondary schools. The Diocese of Paisley supports ATQRE and will pay one third of the fees for any applicant who lives in the Diocese and who attends Bishop Keenan's monthly support sessions. This is payable on completion of the course. For more info, visit https://www.rcdop.org.uk/news/additional-teaching-qualification-in-re-for-catholic-schools.

The Diocese of Paisley will hold an Advent reflection day for pupils in P4,5, 6 +7 on Sunday 26th November in St. Mary’s, Paisley 2-5pm. Places must be pre-booked. Places can be booked by emailing Fr. John Morrison on [email protected] or phoning 01418895056. The event will include the celebration of Mass.  Children must bring with them a consent form. This can be obtained from your parish or school, or by e-mailing [email protected]. Due to safeguarding regulations, participating children must be collected from St. Mary’s by a parent/carer/guardian.

Thursday 2nd November at 6pm. To register visit staloysius.org