Children having an eco-rosary session in their school, praying the rosary around the campfire

Schools Roundup: Leading the way in faith formation

Tuesday 4th June 2024

True to their mission, schools across our diocese are taking the lead in nurturing the faith of children and ensuring their well-rounded formation and holistic development.

This half term saw many schools across our diocese coming together as a community to learn more about the faith, celebrate the sacraments and engage in inspiring outreach within their local communities.

Read our roundup below to find out more!

Faith

With May being a month dedicated to Our Lady by the Universal Church, our schools were not left out in organising May crowning ceremonies, Marian processions, liturgical celebrations in honour of our Lady and special learning sessions on the Rosary.

Many school children across our diocese also received the Sacrament of Holy Communion for the first time during the Easter season, a beautiful welcome into the faith and a lovely celebration of this pivotal moment of their faith journey.

Pentecost Parties were held across schools with children of St. Joseph’s Bury learning about the importance and symbols of the feast day and celebrating together with music, cake and a fire pit whilst children at St. Joseph’s and St. Bede’s RC Primary School went on a walk through the woods enjoying nature together and reflecting on scripture along the way.

Praying with Nature continued to be a theme for our schools this half-term, with many of our schools heading to our Laudato Si’ Centre for prayer reflections, praying the Rosary, and opportunities to learn more about key feasts in the beautiful setting of God’s Creation.

Community Outreach

We were delighted to see our schools living out the Gospel in action in their local communities this half term.

Mini-Vinnies at St. Bernadette’s RC Primary School in Whitefield took part in an arts and crafts afternoon at Regency Care Home. The children created some wonderful pieces of art along with the residents of the home.

In the same vein, some of the Pupil Chaplains at Holy Trinity RC School Brierfield visited Victoria House in Brierfield, taking a selection of beautiful flowers from the Crowning of Our Lady liturgy at their school to the residents and sharing a moment of fellowship with the residents.

In a beautiful display of the faith in action, students of St. Joseph’s and St. Bede’s took time to deliver cards to their neighbours in the local community, spreading the joy, love and blessings of the Holy Spirit, as part of their Pentecost parade.

Celebrating Success

All in all, this half term has been a successful one for all our schools.

We offer a special shout out to St Wilfrid’s RC Primary School in Hulme for emerging champions at the national English Debate Mate competition in Oxford, and share this wonderful video from St Anne’s and St Joseph’s RC Primary in Accrington, showcasing all the joys and experiences of school life!

A huge thank you to teachers and staff in our schools for your tireless work. We hope all staff, teachers, students, and parents enjoyed well deserved rest!