Ethos Evaluation and Strategy Webinars strengthen Lasallian Mission
The District of Ireland, Great Britain and Malta took another significant step forward as it continues to make progress in the efforts to sustain and strengthen the Lasallian Mission in our schools and pastoral centres, with the completion of the series of Ethos Evaluation and Strategy Webinars.
The third webinar took place on Wednesday, March 30th and through keynote speakers, discussion, and practical contributions from schools, along with analysis of data returned by stakeholders, all schools and pastoral centres are now in a position to plan their strategy for the coming years.
This exciting initiative from the Office of Mission, saw the 90-minute webinars take place on Monday January 17th, Thursday March 10th, and Wednesday March 30th. Each attracted a great response and enthusiastic participation.
The goal of the webinars was to support all schools, centres and Lasallian groups in developing a 3-5 year Strategic Ethos Plan. These plans will be created by representatives of all stakeholders and based on the Lasallian Identity Framework by the end of the 2021-2022 academic year.
The webinars were also designed to create time and space for reflection by colleagues in ministries and to promote reflection on the Lasallian Identity Framework in terms of ethos evaluation and strategic planning.
This work and reflection will contribute to preparation of key District-wide policy-making events; namely, the 2nd District Mission Assembly (autumn 2022) and the District Chapter (spring/summer2023).
Each school was invited to send a delegation which included, Principal/Head; a member of the Senior Leadership Team; Lead Animator or Lasallian link person; and a member of the Board of Management / Board of Governors or Directors. Pastoral Centres were invited to send the Director, another member of the team, and a member of the Management Team or Board of Management.
Webinar 1
The first Webinar was entitled ‘Ethos: What is it and why does it matter?’ The focus of the session was on the centrality of the development of Lasallian character and culture in schools. It proved to be a very enlightening event with the large attendance highlighting the energy, enthusiasm and passion for the Lasallian Mission in our District.
We were honoured to have Brother Robert Schieler, FSC, Superior General of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (De La Salle Brothers), as the keynote speaker who set the tone for a very engaging forum.
Br. Robert Schieler
The Superior General spoke about the work needed to build a sustainable Lasallian Mission into the future and how we can draw on our traditions and dreams to create a future that is more equitable, peaceful, and inclusive by working together.
He pointed out that the understanding of the Lasallian Family’s identity and mission is dynamic, always in evolution, and new chapters are always being added to the story. Br. Robert added that the delegates, “are the protagonists, continuing the vitality of the Lasallian heritage, you are the authors adding new chapters to the story”.
View Br. Robert’s keynote address in full
Following the keynote address, delegates were divided into break-out rooms where they discussed what resonated with them from what they had heard and what implications they could foresee for their School or Pastoral Centre.
Participants were asked to share questions in a survey which were designed to collect student, parents and staff voice in terms of expectations, understanding and the lived experience of Ethos. The results of this data were presented at the second webinar.
Webinar 2
The Webinar started with an overview of the outcomes of the Ethos Survey that was launched between Webinar 1 and Webinar 2. The aggregated results for the District, as per March 9 2022 are presented here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u7wpURmgNpy6MPMzFNPVscTuoIOkjHUi/view?usp=sharing
Webinar 2 took place on Wednesday March 10th with Br. Aidan Kilty, General Councillor for RELEM, providing the keynote address entitled, ‘The Lasallian Identity Framework (LIF) – A self-assessment tool’.
Br. Aidan spoke about the origins of the LIF and that it was intended to capture the core principles of the Lasallian educational tradition that serve as an anchor, or reference point, for educators and institutions that call themselves Lasallian.
Br. Aidan Kilty
He explained that while it would be expected to find seven of the Key Features in any good Catholic/Christian School and therefore in any good Lasallian institution, it was the first two Key Features - commitment to live the Lasallian heritage and the conscious awareness of the presence of God - that point to the specificity of the Lasallian project.
Read Br. Aidan’s keynote address in full
Participants then met in breakout rooms with their respective school groups to discuss the following questions:
What affirmed or challenged you and has an immediate implication for our School Community?
What do you want to learn more about?
The breakout sessions were followed by presentations from Mariella Vella, Coordinator for Animation and Formation, De La Salle Malta, and Andy Rannard, Head Teacher De La Salle School, St Helens, who provided input on how to use the LIF in schools, with examples of what works well and what challenges may arise.
As a result of the group’s work, reflection and research, participants were asked to provide feedback on the following questions for Webinar 3:
What are the Key Features that are emerging as Strengths?
What are some resources, programmes, policies, or practices that support this?
What are the Key Features that are emerging as the main areas for growth?
What kind of resources, programmes, policies, or practices would you be looking for to support you in these areas?
Webinar 3
Webinar 3 provided participants the chance to hear from Caplor Horizons, a NGO based in the UK whose mission is to help organisation reach their full potential through collaboration and strategy development. During the webinar Caplor Horizons provided expertise about how schools and pastoral centres could implement their Ethos strategies. They looked at areas such as defining strategy, the importance of strategy, communication, culture, and removing barriers using the Caplor Islands tool as a means to frame the discussions.
Caplor Horizons resources shared with Webinar participants included: A suggested template for Strategic Ethos Planning; their slides from the presentation they shared; & and other readings regarding Strategy and Culture.
In the breakout rooms, individual schools and centres were asked to reflect on the question:
‘From what has been outlined today about bringing about strategic change to embed the Lasallian ethos in our schools, what is your key learning or reflections?
This was followed by a sharing of ideas and further discussions with Ian and Rosie from Caplor Horizons.
Schools and pastoral centres are now tasked with finalising their vision for Lasallian Ethos development through an Ethos Strategic Plan, based on the Lasallian Identity Framework, for the next 3-5 years by the end of the 2021-2022 academic year, to support all schools, centres and Lasallian groups to develop a Strategic Ethos (3-5 Year) Plan based on the Lasallian Identity Framework.