Leavers’ Mass 2024

We said goodbye to our Year 6 children with a wonderful celebration Mass attended by the whole school and many parents. Fr Gerard spoke of us all being missionary disciples of Jesus through our choices and actions.

The readings were:

First Reading: Proverbs 1-4, 7-8 

It is better to be poor and do what is right than to be wealthy and be unfair. 

Second reading: Romans 12: 1-2

Do not conform to this world but instead be changed by a new way of thinking.

Gospel: Matthew 5:42-43, 46-48  

I tell you, love even your enemies, pray for those who hurt you and you shall be true children of God.

After Mass we celebrated with presentation of awards, Leavers’ Bibles as a gift from our school and a year book from the PTA. A wonderful social event followed as we wished Year 6 children all the very best in their new schools.

May – Crowning of Mary.

May is the month dedicated to Our Mother, Mary, Queen of Heaven. The whole school joined together for a special celebration and to crown the statue of Mary.

Fr Gerard and the Mission and Prayer Team led our liturgy which included prayers and Marian hymns. Then the youngest child in the school, with the help of the eldest pupil, placed a crown of fresh flowers onto Mary’s head. The Junior Legion of Mary group processed to the courtyard to place flowers in Our Lady’s grotto while the choir sang a beautiful psalm.

We learnt that Pope Francis has had a special love for Our Lady since he was a boy and he says that she teaches us three important things:

• Like Mary, we should be joyful knowing that Jesus is with us and should share this joy with others.
• We should help those in need, without delay, as Mary did.
• We should persevere in what we do by trusting God who will strengthen and encourage us.

The Passion of Christ

Thank you to Year 5B who marked Maudy Thursday by leading the whole school and parents in a moving portrayal of the Passion of Christ.

Stations of the Cross 2024

Early Christian pilgrims used to travel to Jerusalem and walk the route of Christ’s Passion to Calvary. Nowadays, we travel the same route by praying the Stations of the Cross.

The younger children were able to follow Jesus’ journey as they walked the Stations of the Cross around the playground path. Some classes gathered items to represent each of the ‘stations’ and Year 4 attended Mass and prayed the Stations of the Cross at church with members of the parish.

We marked the most holy and solemn week of the year by gathering together for the Stations of the Cross time of worship using scripture, prayers, reflection and Taize chants the children were able to journey with Jesus and understand the great love he showed.

Lenten Reconciliation 

Fr Gerard, along with Fr Jithu, led the school in a special Reconciliation Service during Lent.  We listened to the scripture of the repentant criminal who was crucified alongside Jesus and heard of the forgiveness which he received. We too can receive this forgiveness during the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

After an examination of conscience, each class brought forward their class cross as we remembered how Jesus suffered and died for us, because he loves us, and in response to this, we promised to be more loving and forgiving to others.  Older children then had the opportunity to make an individual confession.

Ash Wednesday

We gathered together as a school community, to mark the start of the Lent with a liturgy lead by Fr Gerard and the Mission and Prayer team. 

During Lent we are asked to PRAY often, FAST from things that take us away from God and GIVE generously to others. As a tradition of the Church, each of us received an ash cross on our forehead as a sign that we have made mistakes but that Jesus' great love will forgive us.

St Thomas Aquinas Feast Day

What a wonderful feast day! To celebrate our patron saint, we had a joyful Mass attended by the whole school and some parents and parishioners too. Fr Jithu helped us to understand some of the important teachings of St Thomas Aquinas, especially the beautiful gift of the Holy Eucharist.

Later, each class had chosen some inspirational words from St Thomas Aquinas and worked together to produce a piece of art that reflected the words. There are some super pieces of collaborative artwork on display around the school for you to admire.

As it was a day of celebration and a feast, we all enjoyed juice and cake as a special treat.

St Thomas Aquinas, patron of our school and of all students, pray for us.

Carol Service 2023

Congratulations to the children from Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 who lead a wonderful carol service at All Saints Church. The evening focused beautifully on Mother Mary and the infant Jesus, telling her story through songs, scripture and prayers. All classes, the choir and the orchestra showed how they had used this Advent to prepare for the coming of Jesus. Their commitment and talents shone through and family and friends were filled with hope for this Christmas season.

“You blew me away….I had to hold back the tears, not because I was sad but because I was so excited for you and because I was so proud of you all.” – Luke from Bridgebuilder Trust

Advent Mass

We welcomed Fr Gerard into school for a double celebration- the feast of the Immaculate Conception and our Advent Mass with a blessing of the Advent wreath.

Father spoke to the children about how each one of them should strive to pass on LOVE, JOY and PEACE during this time of preparing and waiting for the birth of Jesus. He also thanked the choir for their beautiful singing.

Holy Souls Day - 2^nd November

This day is set aside to pray for the departed faithful. All children joined in with age-appropriate prayers in class and a Mass was held for staff in the chapel.

The readings were:

First reading: Wisdom 3:1-6,9   ‘He watches over His elected ones.’

Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30   ‘Come to me, all you who labour.’

All Saints Day  - 1st November

All Saints Day was celebrated with an uplifting Mass in school.  Fr Jithu reminded us that, just like the VIP visitors at Bletchley Park this week, we too have a protection team. The angels and Saints are there to watch over us and pray with us.

The readings today were:

Thank you to the parishioners who joined us to celebrate our parish feast day.

October Rosary Group

A small but dedicated group of children attended morning Rosary group during October. We learned about the beautiful prayers of Our Lady and prayed the rosary, remembering the joyful and sad times of Jesus’ life and the love and support which Mary gave to him. We also prayed for our own mothers as we appreciate the love and care that they show to us each day.

Mass for the New School Year

We welcomed our new parish priest, Fr Gerard, into school to celebrate Mass and bless our new academic year. It was St Matthew’s feast day, so Father encouraged all children to follow Jesus by enthusiastically saying ‘Yes’ and by shining like a light.  The children participated with great reverence and beautiful singing. Fr Gerard commented that the Mass was a wonderful way to celebrate a new beginning.

The readings for today were:

Timothy 4:12 - Be the example to others                                                                                                        Matthew 5:14-16  -  Let your light shine.