Catholic Board of Education teachers in New Providence gather at the annual opening Mass for the new school year.
The theme for the 2016 – 2017 school year is “Many Parts, One Body- Working Towards the Common Good”
“Many Parts, One Body”, these words taken from 1 Corinthians 12: 12 – 31 form the basis of the Catholic Board of Education’s 2016/2017 school year theme for CBOE schools throughout The Bahamas.
The theme, “Many Parts, One Body – Working Towards the Common Good”, was chosen to highlight the uniqueness of each school within the Catholic School system and emphasize the important role each school plays in contributing to the rich legacy of Catholic Education in The Bahamas. Eight schools: two in Abaco, one in Grand Bahama and five in New Providence, comprise the Catholic Board of Education. These schools work in tandem, shaping young persons into productive citizens who not only succeed academically and professionally, but are also persons of good character who positively contribute to the communities in which they live and work.
This year’s theme aligns with the National Catholic Educational Association’s (NCEA) theme, which focuses on the impact that Catholic schools have made in suburban, urban and rural communities. The local CBOE theme hinges on three key points:
• God’s love for us and the fact that we are important and valuable
• the need to appreciate the differences of others, and
• recognition that we all have a contribution to make to our school and community.
This school year all CBOE stakeholders (administrators, teachers, parents, students and alumni) are encouraged to identify what their special gifts are and to reflect on how they can contribute to the development of their school and community. Administrators, teachers and staff will serve as both guides and role models, encouraging students to reflect on the meaning of this year's theme and discover practical ways to live by the words every day. Every student will be made aware that no matter how young, every individual possesses a special gift from God. Students will also be encouraged to grow in the understanding that regardless of race, social status or physical appearance every person is a valued member of the Body of Christ and we all must work together for the common good of all.
“For the past seven years the themes chosen were those used by NCEA. We wanted something that was more encompassing and could help us focus on the unique but unifying nature of our schools and our intent to continue to achieve our mission”, said Mrs. Claudette Rolle, Director of Catholic Education. She concluded, “We hope that this theme serves as a starting point to begin intentional conversations about and reflection on the interconnectedness of every human being.”
Janelle A. Albury
Catholic Board of Education
