Dear People of Aberdeen,
I am writing to you on something we both hold dear: the future of Catholic education in Aberdeen City. As you may know, Aberdeen City Council is launching a consultation on the future of our three Catholic Primary Schools: St. Peter`s, Holy Family and St. Joseph`s. This consultation is now open until Friday, 31 May.
As part of this exercise the Council is seeking views on the possibility of establishing a Catholic secondary school in the city. Aberdeen and Inverness are the only two of Scotland`s eight cities which do not have at least one Catholic secondary. Across Scotland thousands of families, Catholic and non-Catholic, send their children to Catholic schools attracted by their distinctive ethos and mission. Some of you have already spoken about this.
As well as making our views known on the desirability of having a Catholic secondary, we should take this opportunity to inform the City Council how imperative it is to preserve our three Catholic primary schools and to provide our teachers and young people with the best possible facilities and resources to continue their wonderful work.
This consultation is open to all, not only parents. Information and access to the consultation are available on the Aberdeen City Council website by clicking on Consultation Hub: Denominational Primary Schools Feasibility Study. Please use the Comments Box to give your views on the future of our Primary Schools and your views on the desirability of having a Catholic Secondary School in Aberdeen. You may also wish to make your views known directly to your local councillors. Their names, wards and contact details can be found on the Aberdeen City Council website under Council and Democracy/Your Councillors.
I would encourage you strongly not to let this opportunity slip and to take the time to make your views known. It is a once in a generation chance to influence the future of Catholic education in our city and do the best we can for our children.
Yours respectfully in Christ,
+ Hugh Gilbert OSB
Bishop of Aberdeen