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St Benedict Catholic Academy Trust Celebrates Graduation of 21 Staff from St Mary’s University Catholic Leadership Course

The St Benedict Catholic Academy Trust is proud to announce the successful graduation of 21 staff members from the prestigious Shepherding Talent Catholic Leadership Course at St Mary’s University, Strawberry Hill.

The graduation ceremony, held on Tuesday, 10th March, marked the culmination of a meaningful professional development journey that began in October 2025. This cohort of future leaders, representing all 10 schools within the Trust, undertook a series of workshops and study designed to strengthen their leadership capabilities within a unique context of Catholic education.

The course was expertly delivered by Dr Caroline Healy and Professor John Lydon from St Mary’s, providing participants with deep insights into faith-based leadership and school improvement. Over the past six months, these 21 teachers have balanced their school responsibilities with academic study, demonstrating their commitment to their own professional development and the Catholic ethos of their schools and the St Benedict CAT.

The final day of the course featured several highlights:

• Attendance at a Holy Mass said by University Chaplin Monsignor Roderick Strange, in the University Chapel with the Sisters of the Assumption for the Feast Day of their Foundress St Marie Eugenie. Monsignor Strange welcomed staff from the St Benedict CAT and commended the course participants on their commitment to Catholic education and their own professional development.
• A formal graduation ceremony where Insights were shared by St Benedict CEO Jonathan Ronan, alongside Interim Directors of Education Felicity Corcoran and Joanne Hawthorne and with St Mary’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Richard Solomon officially presenting the certificates to the graduates.

The event served as a testament to the strong partnership between the St Benedict CAT and St Mary's University.

St Benedict CAT extends its sincere thanks to: the participants from our schools for their energy, positivity, and commitment to excellence, Dr Caroline Healy and Professor John Lydon and all those at St Mary’s University for hosting a memorable and professional graduation day, which also included an official photographer and videographer for the ceremony and Dr Annemarie Mealy from the RCAOS Education Commission for attending on behalf of Southwark Diocese.