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CCMS has celebrated its final Council meeting and Chairman’s reception paying tribute to the contribution CCMS and its officers have made to education.
Speaking at the event, Donal Flanagan, CEO said,
"I believe that it is fitting that we use this occasion to reflect on the impact that CCMS has had on the lives of the people associated with it and the special contribution it has made to education.
What has been its special contribution to the world of education? Many will say that the distinctive feature of CCMS has been its capacity to raise standards; others will associate it with bringing rigour to the business of recruiting quality school leaders; there are those who will identify it as the body which developed a multidisciplinary approach to supporting school management and many will recognise it for bringing inclusive and efficient processes to school planning and development. "
He went on to say, "All of this, and much more, I recognise and can acknowledge, but for me the unique contribution of CCMS lies elsewhere. As a comparatively small organisation, CCMS carved out its special niche in the areas of policy development, the creation of a culture of empowerment and the promotion of the common good. Separately and combined, it was our focus on these three areas that underpins the CCMS legacy to the education system.
From the outset, CCMS determined to take a strategic approach, focus on policy and manage through influence. Through the professionalism of its officers, CCMS developed a capacity to reflect on good practice and shape policies to support the education of children and young people.
Be it in the decision of the Trustees to remove selection, or in the development of the Departments latest policy "Every School a Good School", the DNA of CCMS can be traced in every significant decision or policy development over the last 20 years.
Also, from the outset, CCMS recognised that the only way for the Catholic Maintained Sector to realise its strength was to create coherence and develop a single authentic voice to speak on its behalf. Through a process of promoting our distinctive ethos, by acting as a strong advocate for Catholic education and empowering its school leaders, CCMS promoted common purpose, developed coherence, created confidence and fostered local ownership. Today the Catholic Maintained sector speaks with a strong confident voice and demands that it will be listened to.
This genie which CCMS has released cannot and will not be put back into the bottle.
CCMS also took seriously the criticisms and accusations that Catholic Education was separatist and that it contributed to the divisions in Northern Ireland. In partnership with the Trustees, CCMS responded through the development and dissemination of a powerful vision which actively seeks to promote collaboration. The publication of "Building Peace Shaping the Future" challenges all our schools to recognise and cherish diverse identities; CCMS guidance to schools on the celebration of diversity welcomes inclusivity and challenges schools to create a climate of openness. The promotion of the common good is an integral part of our Catholic schools ethos and CCMS encourages Catholic schools to actively contribute to peace and reconciliation. This is I believe our legacy, our special contribution to the education service and today I am confident that this agenda will be taken forward by the Trustee Support Body, under the leadership of Gerry Lundy."
The statutory functions of CCMS will transfer into the new Education and Skills Authority in early 2010.