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We are delighted to share with you information about our Good Shepherd Leadership Retreat which will take place on the14th (9am) – 15th (4pm) September 2026 at the Conforti Centre, Coatbridge.
This annual retreat, a central part of the SCES Good Shepherd Leadership Pathway, is not simply a leadership course. It is a profound experience of formation — intellectual, human, pastoral and spiritual — rooted in the Church’s understanding of vocation and mission.
A Distinctively Catholic Vision of Leadership
At the heart of this retreat is the question:
What does it mean not simply to “do” Catholic leadership, but to “be” a Catholic leader?
Grounded in Scripture and prayer, participants will reflect on Jesus as the Good Shepherd — the relational leader whose authority flows from love. Through input, dialogue and liturgy, colleagues will explore:
- Leadership as vocation and service
- Authority understood through a Catholic lens
- Relational leadership rooted in love and truth
- The spiritual sustenance required for long-term leadership
The programme integrates prayer (including Lectio Divina and Adoration), Eucharist, Emmaus walk reflection, group dialogue and professional formation — modelling the integration of faith and leadership we seek in our schools.
Who Should Attend?
The retreat has previously been attended — and very positively received — by:
- Principal Teachers
- Depute Head Teachers
- Acting Head Teachers
- Substantive Head Teachers
- Those undertaking Into Headship
It is particularly suited to those discerning leadership as a vocation, not simply a promotion.
Benefits for Participants and Their Schools
For the individual:
- Clarity and confidence in their vocation to Catholic leadership
- Deeper theological grounding for leadership decisions
- Spiritual renewal and renewal of purpose
- National networking with like-minded Catholic leaders
- Access to future opportunities, including eligibility to apply for the Boston College Fellowship (hosted in Dublin)
For the school:
- Leaders formed in Catholic identity and mission
- Stronger alignment between faith, culture and strategic leadership
- Enhanced pastoral and relational leadership capacity
- Contribution to local, diocesan and national Catholic education networks
This retreat strengthens the distinctive Catholic dimension of leadership within our schools and reinforces the partnership between local authority, diocese and national Catholic education structures.
Practical Information
📍 Venue: Conforti, Coatbridge
📅 Dates: 14th – 15th September 2026 (participants must attend in full)
💷 Full Price: £250 (includes full board and accommodation)
This represents exceptional value for a fully residential leadership formation experience.