Comments from John Coulam, Schools Education Manager, Hamilton Diocese
I phoned John recently, who told me what a pleasure it is to visit Jubilee Catholic Early Childhood Centre, Hamilton. He says it is always lovely, and absolutely full of Catholic Character radiating from children, staff, and evident in activities. We offer our congratulations to Val Penrose, who has taken over the role of supervisor at Jubilee.
He also mentioned that the diocese is really open to the establishment of Catholic Early Childhood Services wherever there is need and interest.
Further, he gave me some news of Our Place, an early childhood facility in Hamilton. (I wrote about Our Place in this newsletter when it opened several years ago.) This service is private (as distinct from ‘not for profit’). It is running a wonderful Catholic programme. Staff are following the Catholic early childhood curriculum, and have trained in the Catholic Early Childhood certificate. Students feed into St Columba Catholic School, in Frankton. Our Place is part of the local Catholic Community of Learning. Subject to the approval of Bishop Steve, John would like to see this centre recognised as a Catholic centre and as such subject to Catholic Character reviews. The parties are currently investigating this option.
We understand that Our Place is doing wonderful work, and we wish them well.