The event gathered representatives of more than 100 schools of this Network, to reflect on the theme ‘Identity and Mission of the Salesian Catholic school: subject, contemporary environments, and future prospects’.
One of the strengths of this meeting was the high qualification that characterizes the speakers. The intervention proposed by the researcher Gregory B. Whitby, Director of the Diocesan School in Parramatta, Australia, and President of the Australian Catholic Education Network (CeNET), was much appreciated. He spoke about the role entrusted to directors in the current challenges of Catholic education as well as innovation and creativity in educational practices today needed for educators.
Among the topics that were discussed, there were also the Salesian Educative and Pastoral Project, the upcoming Fourth Meeting of the Salesian School in America (ESA), the collaboration with ‘Edebé Brasil’ Publishing House, the Salesian Education Centre, and the campaign for registrations 2017.
Another significant aspect was the presence of six students from high schools of Brasilia, who told what it means to study at a Salesian school and what they expect from RSE. One of these young people, Felipe Emanuel, said: ‘When you enter the Salesian spirit, you understand what it means to be a Salesian, both inside and outside your school.’ A colleague of his, Luiz Felipe, also considered: ‘You perceive that a RSE school sees each student as a citizen, not as a number. I had to go to work and my school supported me’.
‘They even made examples of how the Salesian school work so that they become competent, achieve their goals, how much help it offers so that they become good Christians and honest citizens. It was touching to listen to them’, Sr. Sberga said.
