This week representing pupils and staff attended the Mass for Vocations at St Patrick’s Church alongside young people from across the Deanery schools. After Mass our Year 6 representatives had the opportunity to meet and hear from people living out their vocation in important roles within the Church. Pupils learned so much with a ‘thirst for knowledge’ in line with our Diocesan mission. We continue to pray for Vocations throughout February at home, in school and in our parish.
As part of Geography week Year 6 extended their learning about the Rainforests of Brazil, by planning and delivering campaigns connected to caring for our common home. It is essential to our catholic curriculum to make links between what we learn and how this relates to Catholic Social Teaching. Each team created props and posters and one group even had a mascot. They shared their pitch’s in a whole school assembly, sharing compelling evidence willing us to take action ourselves. This was a great way to further extend oracy skills – what confident, articulate and knowledgeable young people!
Year 5 prepared and led their own Celebration of the Word in the chapel at St. Edmund’s to mark the feast of the conversion of Saint Paul which occurs annually on January 25th. 
Congratulations to our Confirmandi this year! A wonderful celebration was had in our Parish as 45 young people were Confirmed. How wonderful to have Archbishop Bernard Longley Confirm so many young people in the Jubilee Year.
Today, we gather in remembering those that have died in the line of duty for us. We will hold a 2-minute silence in remembrance at 11:00 am.
We were extremely blessed at the end of half term to be visited by the Local Legend – Manny Singh Kang after being invited by our school council.
Manny came into share his stories about his fundraising for Dementia UK, and how his challenges have built up over time, culminating in him receiving a Pride of Britain Award and being invited to Buckingham Palace. Through all his stories, Manny brought it back to that it isn’t him that is receiving the awards – it’s his energy and that we are all the same. We all have legs, lungs and kindness! This demonstration of humbleness was so inspiring for our children.
We surprised Manny with a book of comments about how he has inspired us and also awarded him with a Peter award due to his dedication to serving others. We also sold Samosas after school to raise money for Dementia UK – something that Manny is renowned for doing! We thank him wholeheartedly for visiting our school!
Year 6 hosted their Celebration of the Word this afternoon with a focus on St Gabriel the Archangel – thank you to the parents that attended.
Yesterday, on the Feast of the Archangels we marked the official launch of St Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Multi-Academy Trust to which we belong. We gathered together yesterday morning and heard a special welcome message from Bishop Tim. Later staff, pupil representatives and our Chair of Governors joined 63 other schools in our Trust at a Mass of Celebration at St Austin’s Catholic Church is Stafford. They brought back a lamp, blessed by Canon Jonathon Veasey at the Mass. Our lamp unites us with each school in the Trust. May each shine brightly and we all be messengers of hope!
Yesterday, some of our families and children from school participated in the celebration of the canonisation of St Carlo Acutis.
Parishioners watched the canonisation live at St Michael’s Church before Mass.
As part of Refugee week, Year 2 took part in a live lesson with Mevan Babakar. We then made a paper chain of acts of kindness of how we can help others.
Children also created Moomin houses, as the theme of Refugee week was community. We linked this to our Catholic Social Teaching of Solidarity.
