CISC 29th Annual Conference 17 – 18 January 2019
Online bookings have now closed for this event. For further information, or to enquire about places available, please email info@catholicindependentschools.com.
The CISC annual conference is well-known as one of the friendliest and best-attended conferences in the educational calendar. Places at the conference are available to CISC Members and Associate Members only. Guests of members are welcome (e.g. chair of governors, school chaplain) but please check with the General Secretary first since there is always pressure on places.
The theme of the conference is Faith-Full Leadership and we are very pleased to have two outstanding keynote speakers who have lived and written about this at the highest levels. Our keynote on Thursday is The Rt. Hon. The Lord Patten of Barnes, CH, PC former MP and governor of Hong Kong, now a cross bench peer in the House of Lords and Chancellor of the University of Oxford. Friday’s keynote is The Right Hon. Ruth Kelly, former Secretary of State for Education and current Pro-vice-Chancellor at St Mary’s University, Twickenham. We have no doubt that both speakers will provide insights that will give challenge as well as pause for thought. With workshops led by Stone King and Kingston Smith, Rise Theatre Company, Las Casas Institute and Nick Morrell from Westminster Cathedral Choir School, we have a conference that offers you opportunities to be revived, refreshed and renewed in mind, body and spirit.
Conference Programme
Guoman Tower Hotel, St Katharine’s Way, St Katharine’s & Wapping, London E1W 1LD
Download Conference Programme PDF Download Delegate Information Sheet PDF
Thursday 17 January 2019
| Time | Room | |
| 10.00 | Registration Opens Exhibition will be open outside the Tower Suite (first floor) where you may enjoy coffee and tea prior to the conference. | Reception |
| 11.00 | General Secretary’s Welcome and Notices Dr Maureen Glackin, General Secretary, CISC | Tower Suite (first floor) |
| Morning Prayer Led by Rev Deacon Simon Conrad | Tower Suite | |
| 11.20 | Chair’s Welcome Antonia Beary, Headmistress of Mayfield School, East Sussex | Tower Suite |
| 11.30 | Keynote Address Rt Hon Lord Patten of Barnes A distinguished politician and diplomat, Lord Patten has enjoyed a long career in public life, formerly as an MP, member of the Cabinet and Chairman of the Conservative party and latterly as the final Governor of Hong Kong and member of the European Commission. He is currently a crossbench member of the House of Lords, Chancellor of the University of Oxford and was the Chairman of the BBC Trust until 2014. Recognised as an influential Catholic figure by The Tablet, Lord Barnes oversaw the visit of Pope Benedict to the UK in 2010 and was asked by the Vatican to advise on media and administration. An alumnus of St Benedict’s, Ealing, Lord Patten’s varied career has always been informed by his Catholic values. It is our privilege to welcome him to CISC. | Tower Suite |
| 12.30 | Lunch Opportunity to visit exhibition stalls and network | Restaurant (ground floor) |
| 13.30 – 14.00 | Steve Hanson: Behold Ministry: Bringing Gospel stories to life Steve is a visual artist who uses a range of creative media to communicate the Gospel in a fresh, unique and inspirational style. Combining mime and preaching, Steve has ministered in 18 nations in conferences, churches, schools, missions, theatres and prisons using ‘human theatre’ to communicate the message of Christ and the Kingdom of God in an engaging and unforgettable manner to children, young people and adults alike. | Tower Suite |
| 14.15 – 15.05 | Workshop Session 1 Workshop choices (please sign up at the CISC desk) A – Westminster Cathedral Choir School: “Music for traditional Mass settings” B – Las Casas Institute: “Catholic Social Teaching: Its relevance and place in the school curriculum” C – Rise Theatre Company: ‘Mustard Seeds, Joy Clouds and God’s Photographs’ – Delivering original and transformative faith-based theatre in a school setting D – Stone King and Kingston Smith: Sector Pressures: how to weather the storm | Syndicate Rooms (Britannia Suite, Great Harry Suite, Tower Suite & Discovery Suite) |
| 15.05 – 15.55 | Workshop Session 2 Workshop choices (please sign up at the CISC desk) A – Westminster Cathedral Choir School: “Music for traditional Mass settings” B – Las Casas Institute: “Catholic Social Teaching: Its relevance and place in the school curriculum” C – Rise Theatre Company: ‘Mustard Seeds, Joy Clouds and God’s Photographs’ – Delivering original and transformative faith-based theatre in a school setting D – Stone King and Kingston Smith: Sector Pressures: how to weather the storm | Syndicate Rooms (Britannia Suite, Great Harry Suite, Tower Suite & Discovery Suite) |
| 16.00 | Coffee/tea Opportunity to visit exhibition stands and network | Exhibition area |
| 16.30 – 18.15 | Film screening: Pope Francis: A Man of His Word Wim Wenders’ new documentary of Pope Francis is intended to be a personal journey with Pope Francis, rather than a biographical documentary about him. The Pope’s ideas and his message are central to this documentary, which sets out to present his work of reform and his answers to today’s global questions. From his deep concern for the poor and wealth inequality, to his involvement in environmental issues and social justice, Pope Francis engages the audience face-to-face and calls for peace. | Tower Suite |
| 16.30 – 18.15 | Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Please sign up at the CISC desk | Syndicate Room to be advised |
| 19.15 | Pre-Dinner Drinks Reception (Please wear badges) | Exhibition area |
| 20.00 | Conference Dinner | Tower Suite |
| 22.00 | Compline | Syndicate Room to be advised |
Friday 18 January 2019
| From 7.00 | Breakfast It is recommended to check out before 8.30 am – the hotel will look after luggage | Restaurant |
| 8.30 | Morning Prayer Led by Rev Deacon Simon Conrad | Tower Suite |
| 8.45 | Keynote Address Rt Hon Ruth Kelly Ruth Kelly is a former British Labour Party politician who served as MP for Bolton West from 1997 until she stood down in 2010. Previously, she served as the Secretary of State for Transport, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Minister for Women and Equality and Secretary of State for Education and Skills, serving under the premierships of Gordon Brown and Tony Blair.Since retirement from politics in 2010, Ruth has been the Global Head of Client Strategy at HSBC and is currently Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, London’s Catholic university.An alumna of Millfield Prep and Westminster School it is a pleasure to welcome her to CISC as she shares her insights on her own Faith-Full Leadership. | Tower Suite |
| 9.45 – 10.15 | Coffee/tea Opportunity to visit exhibition stands and network | Exhibition area |
| 10.15 – 11.30 | AGM (members only) | Tower Suite |
| 11.30 – 12.00 | Coffee/tea Opportunity to visit exhibition stands and network | Exhibition area |
| 12.00 | Conference Mass Thank you to our principal celebrant, Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency Archbishop Edwards Adams, and to our host school, Westminster Cathedral Choir School. Special thanks to Rev Monsignor Vincent Brady, headmaster Neil McLaughlan, Nick Morrell, Head of Music and Josh Cleary and, of course, to the pupils for their meticulous work and supportive manner in preparing the Mass and enabling our liturgical celebration with such reverence and glory. | Tower Suite |
| 13.00 | Lunch and Depart | Restaurant |
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