Schools Roundup: Following the path of faith

Friday 11th April 2025

As we come to the end of our spring term, we’ve been catching up with schools across the diocese to find out a little more about how they are living out our Catholic faith in everyday school life.

Schools returned from their Christmas break in full Jubilee spirit, welcoming the launch of our Jubilee Anchor campaign and learning more about the history and significance of the Holy Year.

Since then, schools have been leading the way in living out the core themes of Jubilee, from renewing our relationship with God through prayer, reaching out to our brothers and sisters at home and around the world, caring for our common home.

Read our roundup below to find out more!

Faith

This term, we have enjoyed following the pilgrimage of the Jubilee Anchor as it travels around our diocesan schools. So far, 50 schools have played host to the anchor, incorporating it into their exploration of the Jubilee theme and what it reveals to us about our faith.

St Mary’s RC Primary school, in Middleton, held a special reflection to discuss more about what anchors their lives and helps them live out the Gospel values. Meanwhile, Year One pupils at Ss Aidan and Oswald Primary School in Oldham to reflect on what gives us hope, remembering that through all things, God is always with us on our journey. More recently, we saw the Anchor at Corpus Christi Secondary School, also in Oldham, where they spent time with the anchor in prayer and reflecting on this Jubilee of Hope.

In addition to the anchor, schools have also welcomed the official Jubilee icon, blessed by Cardinal Vincent Nichols. The icon, commissioned by CAFOD, was created by Ethiopian artist Mulugeta Araya and depicts chapter 4 of Luke’s Gospel, in which Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah that refers to “proclaiming good news to the poor” and “liberty to captives.” One of the schools to host the icon was St Augustine’s RC High School, in Billington, who celebrated its arrival with a whole school Mass.

We were also delighted to receive a recording of a special assembly from Year 2 Pupils at St Anne’s RC Primary School, in Ancoats. Tune in now as the students explore more about how we can be Pilgrims of Hope this Jubilee Year!

Charity

Once again, Schools across are Diocese having been working hard to support charities this Jubilee year of hope. Pupils at St Hugh of Lincoln Primary School, in Stretford, raised money by having a Big Sleepout at Caritas Salford’s Cornerstone Centre, which supports people experiencing homelessness or at the risk of being homeless.

As always, our schools have also been working closely with CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development), with St John Vianney School raising £2215.06 through their Lenten challenges. Their enthusiasm and commitment have been truly inspiring as they worked to raise funds for this much-loved charity. The pupils are now eagerly deciding which World Gifts they will purchase from CAFOD, ensuring that their efforts make a meaningful difference to those in need.

 

Environment

Focusing on the environment, our schools across the diocese have been connecting with nature to care for our common home.

Students from All Hollows High School, in Salford, have been working on their own prayer garden for the Laudato Si’ Project. Activities included planting, litter picking, and improving the environment we have been gifted.

Meanwhile, Laudato Si’ ambassadors at St Bernadette’s RC Primary, in Unsworth, led a Lent assembly inspired by Laudato Si’ and explored the theme of “EnviroLent”.

Eco-enthusiasts from St Mary Magdalene’s RC Primary School, in Burnley, came together for CAFOD’s Live Simply appeal on World Wetlands Day, they have been doing their bit for the environment by feeding the birds, cleaning their natural habitats by picking up litter and wildlife spotting.

In addition, St Winifred’s RC Primary, in Heaton Mersey, is sharing the exciting news that the school will be upgrading it windows with an advanced, energy-efficient glazing system. Due to the inefficiencies of its existing windows, the school has reported issues with heat loss in winter, overheating in summer, and noise pollution. With this new technology, the upgraded windows will create a more comfortable learning environment, reduce energy consumption, and support the school’s decarbonisation goals.

Celebrating Success

We are also delighted to share this lovely story from St Mary’s School, in Clayton-le-moors, about the ‘Chaplaincy Challenge’. Their GIFT Team set a challenge of helping others in the community who need our help the most. Mykola, a student at St Mary’s School came to the UK three years ago and at the time he did not speak a word of English and had lost several family members in the war. For the Chaplaincy Challenge he wrote this piece – Mykola’s Chaplaincy Challenge