Last Friday (17 January), St John Bosco College, Battersea, hosted a Religious Education conference led by Dr Peter Vardy, eminent theologian and philosopher, and former Vice-Principal of Heythrop College.

The conference, attended by Year 11 RE students and teachers from several schools, focused on ethical issues that form part of the GCSE syllabus, including gender, homosexuality, creation, stewardship, abortion and euthanasia.

Dr Vardy was engaging and challenging at the same time. He pushed students to think deeply about the issues discussed and to try and form clear arguments about what they believed to be morally right or wrong. He urged them to take seriously the precious nature of human life and reminded them of Catholic teaching that we are all made in the image of God.

It was a wonderful opportunity for our Salesian schools in the south, as well as other schools with which SJBC has connections, to come together to be inspired by a great mind.