On Thursday 29th January, we were deeply privileged to visit the Relics of St Carlo Acutis. Our pupils approached this sacred experience with great reverence and maturity and—as always—were a true credit to our school.
During our visit, the children had the rare opportunity to hold the relics and receive a blessing as they venerated. They learned about eucharistic miracles, then listened to the inspiring story of St Carlo, a very modern-day saint. He was born in London in 1991 and died from an aggressive form of leukemia aged just 15. He devoted his life to helping others; he set up his own website to spread the word of God; and stood up for people who couldn't stand up for themselves.
Monseigneur Anthony (pictured with the children) spoke about how Carlo was just an ordinary boy who was told off in class for joking around! But he worked to better himself and proves that anyone can become a saint.
We prayed for our families, school and our local community and wrote prayer petitions which will be taken and placed under Carlo's tomb in Assisi for 24hrs before a Mass is said for all our intentions.
It was a meaningful and memorable experience, and the children enjoyed every moment. We are truly grateful for the chance to share such a beautiful encounter.
Back at school, all pupils wore trainers to celebrate St Carlo Acutis. Classes also took part in a special Celebration of the Word and wrote special prayers which are displayed in the hall.
We also held a whole school competition to design a stained glass window with St Carlo Acutis or things he had done.
Feast of the Epiphany- January 2026
On Tuesday 6th January we celebrated the feast of the Epiphany. Wolf Cubs and Eagles Classes attended Mass in Church and we have all learned about the three wise men arriving with gifts of gold (for a king), frankincense (signifying the link to God and prayers rising) and myrrh (for His suffering to come). Father O’Brien also blessed chalk to write the Epiphany blessing above our doors. We wrote the blessing about the door at school and we are sent each child home with a blessed piece of chalk so they too could write the blessing on their doors at home.
The blessing is as follows: 20 + C + M + B + 26
20 and 26 are the year we are now in, the + represents the cross and the C, M and B are the initials of the three wise men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar and also the letters of the blessing “Christus, Mansionum Benedicat” meaning “May Christ bless our home”.
Advent Read-Around- December 2025
On Friday 19th December our staff led our annual Advent Read Around. Staff told the Christmas story, interjected by carols which were sung beautifully by all. This is always a perfect way to end Advent in school and let the children leave with Christ at the forefront of their minds.
Carol Service- December 2025
On Tuesday 16th December our EYFS and KS1 classes led the Carol Service. This was held in Church and it was packed to the rafters which was lovely to see! The pupils sang their hearts out and the readers were so loud and clear! More importantly, they truly reminded us all of the true meaning of Christmas, bringing warmth and spirit to our community.
Catholic Partnership Carol Service- December 2025
On Wednesday 10th December our school choir took part in the Catholic Partnership Carol Service hosted at Mount Carmel RC High School. The children sang carols alongside other Catholic schools and told the story of the birth of Christ. This is always a lovely joint event and a firm favourite in our calendar each year. You can see more information and photos from this event here: https://mountcarmelhigh.co.uk/news/2025-12-15-primary-partnership-carol-concert-2025
Nativity Productions- December 2025
This year, KS2 led the productions of the nativities in school. Wolf Cubs, Eagles and Dolphins performed Fireside Nativity and Quackers and Lobsters performed Straw and Order. The children did brilliantly and it was great seeing them sing and speak with such confidence! It’s always so lovely to see children telling the story of the birth of our Lord.
GIFT Team Family Worship- December 2025
On Wednesday 3rd December our pupil GIFT Team held a Family Worship with the theme of Advent. They explained the meaning of Advent and the wreath and what we can do as Catholics to prepare ourselves for Jesus' birth.
Blessing the Advent Wreath- December 2025
On Wednesday 3rd December we welcomed Father O’Brien into school for a liturgy to bless our Advent wreath. The GIFT Team explained the meaning of advent to us all, the Gospel was read along with bidding prayers asking for help to guide us during Advent to prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord.
Travelling Nativity 2025
At the start of Advent we invited families in each class to take home a travelling nativity. The children and their families could sign up to take home the nativity for one night. They were encourages to pray around the nativity as a family or to ask their child to tell the Christmas story to them.
Candy Cane Challenge- December 2025
Throughout December we have the Candy Cane Challenge running in school. The children have all learned about the legend of the candy cane in a whole school celebration of the Word and were each given a candy cane by our GIFT Team. We challenge the children to share the story of the Candy Cane with someone else- this may be a parent, a neighbour, a friend, someone from a club they attend. We want to spread God's message this Advent!
Remembrance- November 2025
On Tuesday 11th November, our pupil GIFT Team attended a service in the Church grounds with Mrs Wolfenden and led by Father O'Brien. The pupils read psalms and bidding prayers. Pupils reflected in silence over the memorial. In school we held a 2 minute silence at 11am. Pupils in classes have been focusing on remembrance and have written some beautiful remembrance reflections.
GIFT Team Family Worship- October 2025
On Thursday 9th October our pupil GIFT Team led a family worship. Family members were invited to share the worship with their children. The worship was planned on the rosary and pupils explained the importance of this to us as Catholics. The worship was very well attended and the PowerPoint made by the pupils was shared with the whole school community so this could be shared at home together for those who couldn’t attend.
Feast of the Guardian Angels- October 2025
On Thursday 2nd October we celebrated the Feast of the Guardian Angels. All classes had been learning the guardian angel prayer and we prayed this together in a liturgy planned by Mrs Wolfenden and the GIFT Team. Father O'Brien celebrated with us and told us stories of times when people felt their guardian angel had helped them. Father reminded us we all have a guardian angel to protect us. Father blessed an angel statue for each classroom and each child went home with a small angel to keep.
GIFT Team Commissioning
On Monday 8th September the GIFT Team were commissioned into their new roles by Father O’Brien during Mass. Pupils were reminded of their duty and service to God in their role. All pupils received a certificate.
Mrs Pinder’s Leaving Assembly- July 2025
Mrs Pinder has worked at Saint Mary’s for over 30 years and she made the huge decision to retire and spend more time with her family. Mrs Pinder didn’t want a lot of fuss but hymn practice has always been one of her favourite things… so we held Mrs Pinder’s hymn party. Mrs Pinder chose all her favourite hymns for the playlist and we all had a great time singing and worshipping together. Her family and friends attended and celebrated with us whilst we listened to some great memories from pupils across school. You’ll be very much missed Mrs Pinder and we’ll keep you in our prayers as you move onto your next adventure.
Year 6 Leaver’s Mass- July 2025
On Tuesday 15th July we all headed to church as a whole school community to celebrate the leaver’s Mass. Many parents and family members also attended this special Mass. The Year 6 pupils had chosen the readings, hymns, written bidding prayers and chose items to place on the altar during the offertory. Father O’Brien reminded them that their faith journey is not at an end and whichever secondary school they are attending, the doors of church are always open to them.
Prayer Responses- June 2025
Our fabulous Year 6 pupils wrote responses to a question posed in a Celebration of the Word; “What does Jesus mean to you?” Their responses were heartfelt, genuine and thoughtful. It’s lovely to know that they are leaving primary school knowing they are loved by Jesus.
Sacraments- June 2025
Congratulations to Oliver! Oliver has shown commitment to his faith and has made the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion.
Pentecost Celebration June 2025
On Friday 6th June we celebrated the fest of Pentecost. Our pupil GIFT Team attended Church along with other GIFT Teams from parish schools. Our GIFT team took part in the celebration which explained the events of Pentecost and their importance and then they even read bidding prayers in other languages showing the challenges of the Disciples.
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Crowning Our Lady- May 2025
We held our annual crowning Our Lady liturgy on Thursday 22nd May. Pupils were invited to bring in plants and flowers to place around the statue. Our pupil GIFT Team had prepared refelctions, readings and bidding prayers for the liturgy and read these beautifully. The plants and flowers will be planted by our Year 6 pupils in the garden around the statue and the school grounds.
Sacraments- May 2025
Congratulations to Lottie and Israel! Both of these children have shown commitment to their faith and have made the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion.
Stations of the Cross 2025
During Lent, pupils crated images of a stations of the cross. These were then enlarged, laminated and put around the sensory path on the playground. During Holy Week, classes went out to pray the Stations.
