Latest news with #CatholicSchool
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
More than 200 pupils are suspended from school in three weeks amid crackdown on behaviour - but parents claim the new measures are 'extreme'
A Catholic school in Merseyside has suspended more than 200 children in just three weeks after launching a dramatic clampdown on poor behaviour. St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy in Whiston, near Liverpool, has brought in a swathe of tough disciplinary policies as part of a drive to improve standards resulting in mass suspensions and isolations for offences ranging from refusing to hand over mobile phones to wearing make-up and nail varnish. The controversial measures are part of the school's plan to move beyond its current Ofsted rating of 'requires improvement'. But the sharp spike in punishments has triggered uproar among some parents, who have blasted the crackdown as 'extreme' and claimed it is damaging pupils' mental health. One father, who asked not to be named, said: 'I am finding the reasonings for the punishments to be minor and, in my opinion, not befitting of a day in isolation and/or suspension.' He added: 'In my opinion the school is not tackling the root cause and are not considering reasons for children or their behaviours on individual merit… it appears to be a new blanket policy and dishing out punishments.' The dad warned the new system was leaving children 'anxious and worried about going to school,' adding: 'Right now there are mass isolations, mass suspensions and mass numbers of pupils missing valuable time in the classroom, therefore affecting their learning.' It's understood that the school issued 99 suspensions in the first week of the new policy alone, followed by 67 in the second week and 36 in the third - a total of 202 in just 21 days. While the school has welcomed the downward trend as a sign pupils are beginning to respond, parents say the pace and scale of the clampdown is wreaking havoc on family life. Another parent, Sammy Rhead, said: 'They suspend for refusing to hand over bracelets, for refusing to hand over phones, having lashes on or makeup.' Mother-of-two, Lexi Sharp revealed: 'My daughter is getting suspended every day because I refuse to go to a meeting over nail varnish. That happened a week ago.' She added: 'I've worked with the school, but enough is enough. I even get detention messages for her while she's suspended. They told my daughter, 'when your mum does come in for a meeting, you will be in isolation'.' Debate has erupted on local Facebook groups, with some parents accusing the school of running it like an 'army camp'. One parent said: 'They actually don't let the children breathe. The phone calls I get are for silly things. They're not in the army. They have their own characters. Unless their behaviour is very disturbing, teachers should be able to deal with it.' But others supported the hardline approach, with one commenting: 'It's about time the schools clamped down. Some kids run riot.' The school, which is part of the Pope Francis Catholic Multi-Academy Trust, has seen major leadership changes in recent years. Headteacher Lee Peachey and deputy head Anna Kenny mysteriously disappeared from their roles last year with no explanation ever given and both remain off-duty, though still listed on the school's website. In their place, acting headteacher Clare McKenna has been leading the latest reforms in collaboration with the Education Exchange – a national education network that advises on behaviour management. Ms McKenna defended the policy shift, insisting it was necessary to 'raise the bar' and instil a new culture of respect. She said: 'Since our recent Ofsted inspection… we have achieved a great deal, and progress has been made.' She added: 'We spent a great deal of time looking at how best we could overcome [hurdles], and in response we have… developed some additional targeted approaches. This has resulted in us raising the bar in terms of what we expect of all our pupils.' Despite the backlash, she insisted most pupils had responded positively: 'The school is even calmer and more focused – and the feedback we are getting from students is hugely positive.' Acknowledging the spike in suspensions, she said: 'There has been a significant drop (of about two-thirds) in things like short-term exclusions. We expect this trajectory to continue.' The school is also trying to recognise pupils meeting expectations: 'It is not just about sanctions,' said Ms McKenna. 'We are doing more to celebrate those students who are working hard and thriving.' She concluded: 'Ultimately, we all want the very best for our brilliant pupils. Behaviour is improving, children are happier and learning is more focused.'
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Man charged with arson after church fire in Auckland
A blaze has gutted the church at Saint Mary's Catholic School in Avondale, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Victor Waters A man has been charged with arson after a fire tore through an Auckland church. An investigation was launched after a fire at St Mary's Church on Great North Road in Avondale at about 4.20am on 14 July. There were no injuries, however, the building was seriously damaged. Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Kirk said officers arrested a 42-year-old man at a New Lynn property on Monday night. He has been charged with arson and will appear in Auckland District Court on Tuesday.
Mail & Guardian
7 days ago
- General
- Mail & Guardian
Francis Nyamnjoh's novel a new grace for the old order
We have recently seen a number of coming-of-age stories emerging from various African countries that mark a shift from childhood to the experiences of the youth. It also says something about the new sense of growing in this time. Most of these stories bring new perspectives to understanding the African youth and the ways they treat their life to a sort of relocating themselves. While this emerging genre focuses on the complexities and difficulties of our times, it also aspires to the future. The works are no longer confined to politics, or obsession with the past. The future is brightened in these stories, even though it is tough and stressful. Francis Nyamnjoh's novel, Echoes of Grace, is a stunning, bright and promising account of a Cameroonian girl who spent her adolescence in a Catholic school, Queen of Rosary of Converted Hills, where she is granted a scholarship to pursue her education. The novel is a bildungsroman with a focus on youth development in society. It is a story of transformation into a community set in an imaginary, yet recognisable, Cameroon, which is described as a country grappling with corruption and societal ills. It is a story of commitment that not only changes an individual's life but also has a lasting effect on the community. The change is followed by dedication, a flame of hope ignites motivation in the protagonist, Pearl, which establishes seeds for growing socially. Pearl follows her mother's advice to join a missionary school where she develops her sense of commitment despite the gaze of privileged students alienating her from the school. In five years, she becomes acutely aware of her background compared with those of the daughters of ministers, directors and business people. She manages to navigate the difficulties she faces in the school, thanks to her mentor, Father Honeywell, who is committed to social justice and integrity and intellectually guides her to challenge the politics. 'He [Father Honeywell] provided me with books, study materials, and a safe haven where I could freely explore my passions. His unwavering belief in me, even during times of self-doubt, was a constant source of strength and inspiration,' says Pearl. Her mother's words also resonate and ignite courage in her: 'The world can be a harsh place, especially for young women with ambitions the size of the sky like yours. But remember, you are strong, you are capable, and there is a fire within you that cannot be extinguished. Go forth and shine, my darling. Make us proud.' The story also acknowledges African tradition and spirituality through the role of ancestors in community life. At the missionary school, she finds solace in a hidden grotto, surrounded by the ancient paintings of powerful women, which makes her feel connected to her ancestors. A wise woman named Nimo Dangha-Dangha, who has been ostracised by the community for her orthodox ways, is another of Pearl's mentors. Nyamnjoh highlights the role of women in leadership. Pearl becomes a successful woman who initiates projects with her father. The message of the novel is that Africa could rise again if women are given access to leadership and education to foster the right men and women to fight the corruption in politics and ill-determined leadership in Africa. The novel is more appreciative of the role of faith in shaping African minds and personal growth inspired by religious values leading to strengths and resilience in society. Thinking of Nyamnjoh's early works, especially his play, Convert, in which comes his very harsh critique of the church, Echoes of Grace suggests a kind of reconciliation with the church — somehow acknowledging its pioneering role in helping people to deviate from politics to personality. Growth lies at the inner side that needs to be uncovered in the light of guidance. Pearl unpacks her potential, thanks to two dedicated mentors from the society, while Nimo Dangha-Dangha helps her to see the potential inherited from the ancestors. Father Honeywell enlightens her way and teaches her how to navigate the politics of life. Nyamnjoh's half utopian and futurist account invites us to rethink leadership and governance in ill-governed African countries. Echoes of Grace is more promising than demanding, focusing on potentials than shortcomings, solutions than impediments to improvement. Echoes of Grace is published by Langaa RPCIG.
BBC News
26-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bromley private school parents fundraise to stop closure
Parents have launched a fundraiser in an attempt to save a private school in south-east London that is due to close at the end of the academic weeks ago, Bishop Challoner School's Board of Trustees confirmed that the Catholic independent school for children aged three to 18 would close this of students at the Bromley school said the announcement came as a shock, and have come together to launch a fundraiser with a target of £400,000 in a bid to keep the gates school cited the government's VAT hike and rising living costs as contributing factors for its closure, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Just over a third of the student body at Bishop Challoner are pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Stacey's five-year-old son Paddy is in his first year at the school. Stacey attended Bishop Challoner as a child, met his wife there, and his mother also worked there for a time and still does occasionally. "It's like a 35-year connection," he said his son was "distraught" and "heartbroken" after he found out his school was closing at the end of the said of the fundraiser: "It's difficult because people have a perception of what Bishop Challoner might be. It's so different from an independent fee-paying school."Parents are sacrificing other things to send their kids to the school. It's a small independent school that just offers so much more." At the school's 2024 inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate, officers found that 94 of the school's 271 pupils had are concerns about how that many pupils will fit into alternative provision within the borough. One parent, who did not want to be named, said her autistic son fell into a form of depression following the closure said Bishop Challoner helped her son become more socially confident after he developed "incredibly debilitating anxiety" following the Covid lockdowns."They're so patient with him and nothing is too much trouble for these staff. It's a beautiful, beautiful school," she said. From 1 January, 2025, private school fees in the UK are subject to a 20% VAT charge. This change means that education and boarding services provided by private schools are no longer exempt from VAT, impacting both tuition fees and boarding costs. Bishop Challoner has offered no further public comment since it announced its closure on 12 June.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Parents' shock and disgust as male bus driver wears schoolgirl costume to run 'Lolita' route for young kids
A male bus driver dressed up in a schoolgirl costume to transport young children to their Catholic elementary school on what he dubbed the 'Lolita Line'. The shocking incident was filmed at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Elementary School in Vaughan, Ontario, roughly 30 miles north of Toronto, on June 8. The driver was sporting a short pink skirt, blouse, pink shoes and a coordinating headband when a group of concerned parents confronted him outside of the bus. 'I do this everyday, and I don't think there is an issue,' the driver is heard saying at the start of the video, which was seemingly recorded mid-conversation. A disgusted parent replied: 'You picked up the kids dressed like that?' But the driver, apparently unbothered by the confrontation, answers 'yep, and I don't think there's any problem' as he re-boards the bus and starts the engine. 'Why do you call your bus The Lolita Line? Why is it called The Lolita Line?' another parent yells out, asking about a sign hung in a window - but the driver ignores them. The name likely refers to Vladimir Nabokov's controversial novel Lolita, which was published in 1995 and tells the story of a literally professor who becomes obsessed with and sexually abuses his 12-year-old stepdaughter. The novel was said to be a favorite of convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, who even named his private jet the Lolita Express in nod to the book. The driver will no longer be providing services to the school, the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) confirmed to the Daily Mail. District staff 'immediately' confronted the third-party company that employs the driver after the incident. 'The company acted quickly to address this situation with its employee and the driver will no longer provide busing to and from the school,' YCDSB spokesman Mark Brosens said in a statement Wednesday. 'The company assured the YCDSB that this will not be an issue going forward at any YCDSB schools.' All bus drivers in Ontario are required to pass a Vulnerable Sector Screening with local police, Brosens added. A Vulnerable Sector Screening, similar to an American background check, is a police information screening that checks if an individual has a criminal record or a record suspension for sexual offences. Ontario bus drivers are also required to receive 'extensive training before transporting students', the spokesperson explained. Brosens concluded: 'The YCDSB followed all of its child protection procedures after this incident.' The district seems to have taken a strong response to the incident, but a receptionist at the school reportedly dismissed the parents' concerns as 'ignorance'. Rebel News reporter David Menzies published an excerpt from a phone call he had with the St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Elementary School staffer. The journalist was trying to get in contact with school principal Francesco Carriero but he was apparently unavailable at the time. 'Why don't the parents just call the bus company instead of just bugging the school all the time?' the receptionist said to Menzies, the audio recording revealed. 'Honestly it's just an education center, we're just trying to teach kids. It's so frustrating. The parents can't be educated themselves and call the people direct that hire the bus drivers.' The reporter pressed further, but the receptionist doubled down on her claims, saying the situation is 'done with' now that the 'bus driver got transferred to another route'. 'The parents won. They should be happy,' she snapped, adding: 'Honestly, it doesn't matter. The guy was harmless. He drove his bus, dropped off the students and went on his merry way. I think everybody's just being a little ignorant about it.' The receptionist then told Menzies she would notify Carriero of his call, but claimed the principal has 'bigger things to deal with' than this incident and is 'trying to run a school'. 'We're trying run a school. We're just trying to keep the kids safe - and they are safe. Nobody has been injured. Nobody's been hurt,' she said. Daily Mail asked Brosens about the phone conversation and he said: 'All the facts in our media statement happened before the phone conversation you referenced. 'The bus driver is not an employee of the YCDSB. And the YCDSB has worked with the bus company to ensure this individual will no longer bus students to YCDSB schools.' Rebel News also visited the Landmark Bus Lines facility in Vaughan to ask the company, which reportedly employed the driver, about the incident. A staff member refused to answer questions and ordered the reporter to leave the premises, video of the interaction shows. The Daily Mail has approached the bus company for comment, but did not receive a response.
