Around 160 people converged on Crosby recently to attend a regional education conference for Catholic schools.

St Mary's College hosted the Reaching Out event for staff from Christian Brothers secondary schools across the North West.

They included St Edward's College in Liverpool, St Anselm's College in Birkenhead, St Ambrose College in Altrincham and St sgjeph's College in Stoke.

Although St Mary's is now run as an independent trust it was set up by the Christian Brothers, and the school remains committed to supporting the spiritual, educational and charitable principles of Edmund Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers movement.

The day began with a thought-provoking keynote speech from historian and author Dr Daire Keogh, an expert on the life of Edmund Rice and the Christian Brothers movement.

Delegates then took part in a series of workshops led by educational consultants Integrate-Education. These sessions - which included creative writing, art, drama, music and dance - focused on the ‘Eight Essentials' of an Edmund Rice education.

These essentials include promoting the spiritual, building a Christian community, compassion for the disadvantaged, striving for excellence and education for justice.

Commenting on the event St Mary's College Principal, Mike Kennedy, said: "We were delighted to host this annual conference which was a very good opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues from schools throughout the North West.

"As well as a very entertaining speech from Dr Keogh the event provided delegates with an excellent environment in which to discuss some of the key principles that govern our work and remain central to our teaching.

"Overall it was an interesting and lively day and the feedback we have received about the event has been very positive," added Mr Kennedy.

St Mary's Principal Mike Kennedy is pictured at the lectern with (from left) Dr Daire Keogh, St Anselm's Headteacher Simon Duggan, St Ambrose Headteacher Michael Thompson and Rebecca Bell and Nicola Murray from Integrate-Education.

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