North RC principals meet, discuss servant leadership

The Catholic Education Board of Management held the Northern Vicariate Principals’ Meeting at the St Dominic RC Church Hall, Morvant on Thursday, February 1.

The meeting was well attended by principals who discussed a number of common issues faced in schools. It was however more than a traditional venting session as it challenged principals to be creative and use their limited but powerful resources to infuse a new style of leadership.

Dr Peter Timothy and team, in a spirited presentation, introduced the concept of ‘servant leadership’ stressing that the secular world had taken advantage of Jesus’ call to be great by serving others.

Servant leadership does not call upon us to do everything ourselves. On the contrary, a main facet of the concept is being able to delegate responsibility to others. It also calls leaders to involve all stakeholders in finding solutions to a number of problems facing the education system.

In helping principals to develop their own servant-leadership model, there were dynamic and creative activities by the Director and Vicariate managers to share and recommit themselves to the call to be disciples of Jesus.

Resources were shared which would help with team building, focusing on disciplining students with love and by our examples. The new Vicariate Manager for the northern area, Sterling Jacobs, was acknowledged.

More schools were invited to participate in the ‘God at Work’ programme facilitated by Mark Camino and Dr Timothy.

All are looking forward to the Spiritual Renewal Day for Catholic Primary School Teachers on March 7 at the Centre of Excellence to be led by Archbishop Jason Gordon. – Charlene Ross-Quamina