Orientation Meeting of Diocesan Schools’ New Teachers with the Bishop

教區天主教教育委員會於二零二二年八月二十七日上午為天主教澳門教區直屬學校舉辦「新入職教師與主教見面會」，是次活動假主教公署一樓演講廳舉行，迎來了多名即將於二零二二/二零二三學年加入並服務於聖若瑟教區中學、聖若瑟教區中學第五校、聖若瑟教區中學第六校、聖羅撒英文中學、聖羅撒女子中學中文部、聖保祿學校、聖德蘭學校、聖瑪大肋納學校及聖善學校九所教區直屬學校的教師。見面會上，教區天主教教育委員會辦事處主任陳庭鋒博士與聖若瑟教區中學第五校校監陳繼容博士分別向一眾新入職教師介紹「天主教澳門教區的教育發展與概況」與「天主教的辦學理念與核心價值」兩個主題，加深他們對天主教學校使命及教區教育體系的認識。其後在聽取各校校長向全體新加入教區學校的成員表達共同的期許與鼓勵後，在場全體教師一起宣讀了出自《天主教法典》及《天主教教育宣言》內容的教區學校教師宣言，並一同接受了主教的降福。連同各校校長及嘉賓，本年度的見面會共有約八十人出席。

The “Orientation Meeting for New Teachers” was organised on the morning of 27 August 2022 by the Diocesan Catholic Education Committee for new teaching staff members recruited by the nine Diocesan Schools. The activity took place at the Auditorium of the Diocesan Curia (Paço Episcopal), attended by new teachers who shall start their services in the upcoming 2022/2023 academic year at one of the nine Diocesan Schools, namely Colégio Diocesano de São José (C.D.S.J.), Colégio Diocesano de São José Quinto Edifício (C.D.S.J.5), Colégio Diocesano de São José Sexta Escola (C.D.S.J.6), English and Chinese Sections of Colégio de Santa Rosa de Lima (S.R.L.), Escola São Paulo (E.S.P.), Escola de Santa Teresa do Menino Jesus, Escola de Santa Madalena, and Escola Dom João Paulino (E.D.J.P.). The participants were introduced to two topics on “Overview of Educational Development under the Diocese of Macau” and “Educational Principles and Core Values of Catholic Schools” delivered respectively by Dr. Stephen Chan Teng-Fong, Office Director of the CDEC; and Professor Anna Chan Kai-Yung, Supervisor of C.D.S.J. 5, in order for each teacher to be prepared for the missions of Catholic Schools and the education services provided by the local Diocese. Having listened to the Principals’ expectations and encouragement, the participants took the “Diocesan School Teachers’ Oath” that drew contents from both the Catholic Code of Canon Law and the Declaration on Christian Education, followed by the blessing from the Reverend Bishop. With Principals of the Diocesan Schools and guests, the orientation saw a total of nearly 80 participants.

在陳信望神父領禱後，澳門教區首牧李斌生主教感恩能夠在疫情過後與各位加入教區學校大家庭的老師們相聚，亦勉勵各人不需對在新環境成為老師感到不安，因為每所學校都致力創造令老師和學生都感到安全的環境，而同工都能做到互相扶持、一起同行。

The orientation commenced with the prayer led by Fr. Chen Xin Wang, the Reverend Bishop Stephen Lee Bun-Sang then gave a welcoming address that expressed his gratitude in being able to meet with all attending teachers after the recent covid-19 epidemic. He then encouraged them not to feel anxious to become a teacher at a new school, since each Diocesan School is committed to creating an environment where both teachers and students can feel safe, and where co-workers are able to support each other and accompany each other. 

李主教亦囑咐各位新老師應為了學生而克服今後將會遇到的種種挑戰，但在面對自己一個人解決不了的困難時，應緊記我們的校監、校長、同事、以至我們的教委會成員都會為大家提供支援，因為在天主教學校大家庭之內，我們都著重彼此關顧、互相守護和幫助。李主教更提醒老師們應珍惜與每位學生的相遇而走到他們當中，陪伴並幫助不同需要的學生成長，協助孩子建立健全的道德及價值觀。

The Bishop then urged the new teachers that they are to overcome the challenges ahead for the sake of their students. But whenever they face difficulties that they cannot solve on their own, they should remember that our school Supervisors, Principals, fellow teachers and even members from the Diocesan Catholic Education Commission would always be around to provide support, because within the school families we all value care, protection and help for each other. He also reminded that teachers should value the encounter they have with each student and walk among them, helping each student with different needs to grow, eventually inculcating moral values in them.

而在接著的演講開始前，陳庭鋒博士先引領各位新老師透過小遊戲跨校互相認識，在場的新老師分成二至三人一組，向來自其他教區學校的同工介紹自己、選擇加入天主教學校的原因、以及成為教區學校教師後的抱負等，再由數名老師向全體出席者介紹自己剛認識的同工。

Before delivering the following talk “Overview of Educational Development under the Diocese of Macau”, Dr. Stephen Chan first led the new teachers to meet and understand their fellow colleagues from different Diocesan Schools through an ice-breaking game. The new teachers were divided into groups of two or three for each to introduce to fellow colleagues from other Diocesan Schools on themselves; on the reasons for choosing to join a Catholic School; and on their aspirations after becoming a Diocesan School teacher. A few of them were then selected to talk about his or her newly known colleague to all the participants.

陳庭鋒博士然後再針對「天主教澳門教區的教育發展與概況」，向在場的新入職教師介紹了天主教學校及教育工作者的使命；教區的教育體系涵蓋學前托兒服務；中、小、幼階段的非高等教育；以至學士、碩士及博士學位的高等教育。內容亦包括各直屬學校和教區天主教教育委員會的歷史、管理架構等資料，及澳門天主教學校主要統計數據，凸顯教區直屬學校和天主教學校在澳門整體非高等教育系統中的比例。

Dr. Stephen Chan then introduced in his talk what missions Catholic Schools and their teaching members share; followed by providing a big picture of how the education services of Diocesan Institutions encompass pre-school stage (nursery), non-tertiary education stages (kindergarten, primary and secondary), and tertiary education levels (bachelor, master and doctorate degree programmes). furthered his introduction by listing the histories and administrative structures of the Diocesan Schools as well as the Diocesan Catholic Education Committee. Major statistical figures concerning Diocesan and Catholic Schools were shown to illustrate the proportions of both as compared to the overall figures of all schools in the local non-tertiary education system.

其後，陳繼容教授在「天主教的辦學理念與核心價值」的演講主題中，介紹天主教會的教育工作是出自主耶穌基督的聖意，令更多人有認識天主的機會，以及了解人生的真正意義和使命。因此，天主教學校更注重學生品德的培育，希望學生能擁有正確的人生觀和價值觀。陳教授更指出在天主教學校，宗教課及聖經課是必備不可少的科目。關於天主教學校對教師的要求，陳教授亦作出了更深入的說明，並列出了一些現今社會部份觀念和習俗與天主教會教導的不相容之處。

Professor Anna Chan mentioned in the talk about “Educational Principles and Core Values of Catholic Schools” that the purpose of education in the Catholic Church lies solely on the will of Jesus Christ, to give more people the opportunity in learning about God and the true meaning and mission of life. As a result, Catholic Schools place an emphasis on ethical and moral education, in hope that each student can establish correct values and righteous virtues. She went on to explain why religious studies and Bible lessons are indispensable subjects at Catholic Schools. And regarding requirements in teachers’ behaviour, Professor Chan elaborated with a list of incompatibilities between the teachings of the Catholic Church and current socially accepted concepts and customs.

兩節講座後，一眾新教師一起宣讀了出自《天主教法典》及《天主教教育宣言》內容的教區學校教師宣言。

After the talk sessions, the new teachers took the “Diocesan School Teachers’ Oath” that drew contents from both the Catholic Code of Canon Law and the Declaration on Christian Education.

最後，活動在各位新入職教師接受李斌生主教的降福後正式結束。

The orientation came to its closing as the new teachers received the blessing from the Reverend Bishop.