More than 1,200 staff from Catholic primary and post-primary schools across the Diocese of Derry will gather at St Columb’s College on 25 and 26 August for the Catholic Schools’ Religious Education Conference 2026.
Over 1,200 Catholic school staff to gather at St Columb’s College, Derry
Organised by the Derry Diocesan Catechetical Centre, the conference will bring together post-primary school staff on Tuesday 25 August, followed by primary school staff on Wednesday 26 August.
This year’s theme, “Drawing New Maps of Hope”, is taken from Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Letter on Catholic education. Published to mark the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on Christian Education, Gravissimum educationis, the letter considers the place of Catholic education in a rapidly changing world.
The conference will give school staff an opportunity to pause before the busyness of the new academic year, reflect on their vocation as Catholic educators and consider the hope they bring to pupils, families and school communities each day.
Keynote speaker Dr Melodie Wyttenbach, Executive Director of the Roche Center for Catholic Education at Boston College, is looking forward to joining school staff from across the Diocese.
In a special video message ahead of the conference, Dr Wyttenbach said the two days would provide time to reflect on what it means to be a Catholic educator and to explore Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Letter.
Each day will begin with Mass celebrated by Bishop Donal McKeown. Dr Wyttenbach’s keynote address will be followed by a panel discussion looking at the opportunities and challenges facing Catholic education today.
Staff will also be able to choose from 21 professional learning workshops covering Religious Education and faith formation, social justice, Catholic ethos, current research and good practice in Catholic education, and artificial intelligence in the Catholic school.
The workshops will offer practical ideas that staff can bring back to their schools, as well as an opportunity to meet colleagues and share experience.
Each day will conclude with a special prayer of dedication for teachers and school staff as they prepare for the beginning of a new academic year.
