Welcome to The Cloisters, the blog of the St Andrew’s Foundation, the home of Catholic Teacher Education in Scotland.
The aim of The Cloisters is to stimulate reflection, discussion and scholarship in the field of Catholic Education and Catholic Religious Education both in Scotland and further afield.
Much as the monastic cloisters once did, this blog hopes to provide a space of meeting, encounter, and dialogue. It seeks to provide a forum for staff, students, and alumni, as well as teachers, parents and clergy to articulate a vision of Catholic Education, and to circulate fresh ideas, good practice and areas for growth.
We warmly invite and encourage contributions as well as comment and discussion. Please be respectful and constructive in your comments. Comments that are offensive or inappropriate will be deleted by the moderators.
Latest from the Blog
Prophets of the Future 5: Catholic Schools: problem or solution to sectarianism?
In this series, MEduc4 students on the ‘Prophets of a Future not our Own: Catholic Schools and Contemporary Issues’ elective course reflect on how a Catholic educational perspective can enhance school’s’ approach to current challenges. Jennifer Gray, MEduc4 Tackling controversial topics is considered vital for children to develop citizenship, allowing them to learn about such…
Prophets of the Future 4: Catholic Schools and the Preferential Option for the Poor
In this series, MEduc4 students on the ‘Prophets of a Future not our Own: Catholic Schools and Contemporary Issues’ elective course reflect on how a Catholic educational perspective can enhance school’s’ approach to current challenges. Aisling Gallagher, MEduc4 There is no simple definition of poverty nor a simple solution to tackle its effects. UNICEF defines…
Prophets of the Future 3: Sectarianism and Catholic Schools
In this series, MEduc4 students on the ‘Prophets of a Future not our Own: Catholic Schools and Contemporary Issues’ elective course reflect on how a Catholic educational perspective can enhance school’s’ approach to current challenges. Maria Haggarty, MEduc4 Sectarianism is a contemporary phenomenon with historical roots, often linked to religious antagonism between Catholic and Protestants.…