Yearly Assembly of ACE Conference
Notre Dame, a leading sixth form college, recently added another accolade to its list of achievements by securing the Association for Character Education (ACE) Quality Kitemark Award. This recognition came following the college's outstanding work in character education, which was highlighted at the ACE Conference on the 29th of November, 2023.
The conference, hosted by Ryburn Valley High School, brought together educators and stakeholders from various schools to share knowledge and best practices on fostering virtues, ethics, and good character in students. Among the inspiring speakers were Paula Critchley and Maria Coyle from Notre Dame, who attended the event.
During the conference, Maria Coyle led a workshop about the Stella Maris Leadership Award, which Notre Dame received for its work in character education. The award is given to institutions that exemplify acts of service, self-development opportunities, and self-reflection on the development of virtues.
Following Notre Dame's achievement, the exploration of other providers' work in character education became a focus. This exploration is a significant step towards improving Notre Dame's character education efforts, as it allows the college to learn from the experiences and strategies of other successful schools.
Paula Critchley expressed that she gained a lot from the conference, including networking with other schools and a deeper understanding of virtues. She was particularly moved by the stories and experiences shared by the speakers, which will motivate Notre Dame to expand the potential and reach of character education.
Notre Dame's focus on character education continues to evolve through this exploration of other providers' work. The college is now excited to begin thinking about the next steps in character education, with a view to further enhancing its students' moral development and leadership skills.
The Association for Character Education (ACE) is an organisation dedicated to promoting and supporting character education, primarily in schools. By providing frameworks, resources, and conferences, ACE aims to advance understanding and practice around character development as a core part of education. This helps schools create environments where character development is integrated into the curriculum and school culture.
In conclusion, Notre Dame's achievement serves as a platform for learning from other providers in character education, and the college's focus on character education continues to evolve through this exploration. The college's success in character education is a testament to its commitment to creating a positive, ethical school environment that promotes personal growth and societal responsibility.
At the Association for Character Education (ACE) Conference, Notre Dame learned from other providers about effective strategies for fostering virtues, ethics, and good character in students – a crucial part of the college's ongoing education-and-self-development efforts. Paula Critchley, from Notre Dame, was particularly inspired by the conference and is eager to apply these learnings to further enhance the college's focus on character education, aiming to improve its students' moral development and leadership skills.
