Catholic Life and Mission
Autumn 1
Our new House Saints
As part of our Catholic Life and Mission, our children played an important role in selecting our new House Saints. Pupils researched different saints and presented TED-style talks, sharing why they believed their chosen saint would be an inspiring role model for our school community.
The children considered the saints’ lives, values and examples of faith, courage, service and compassion. Through this process, we have selected saints who are more representative of our diverse school context and provide meaningful role models for our children today.
Our new House Saints will inspire us to explore how we can live out our faith through our everyday actions, choices and service to others. We are proud that our children’s voices have helped shape this important part of our school identity.
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
1 Corinthians 12:27
Welcome back to school Mass- Memories
We were delighted to begin our new academic year together with our Welcome Back Mass at our parish church, Our Lady of Lourdes. Gathering as a school and parish family, we gave thanks to God for the gift of a new year and entrusted our hopes, challenges and aspirations to Him.
Our theme of ‘Memories’ connected with our staff prayer and reflection during our INSET days. We reflected on the people, moments and experiences that have shaped our school community and helped us to recognise God’s presence in both the joyful and challenging moments of our lives.
During the Mass, we were reminded that our memories are part of the story God continues to write with us. As we begin a new academic year, we look back with gratitude while looking forward with hope, ready to create new memories and experiences together.
Our Mass was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the partnership between school, parish and home, reminding us that we are all part of one faith community, called to grow together in love, faith and service.
“I thank my God every time I remember you… because of your partnership in the Gospel.”
Philippians 1:3–5
Chaplaincy Training
Our Catholic Life Ambassadors recently came together for a Chaplaincy Training Day at Our Lady of the Visitation Parish Centre.
The day gave our young leaders the opportunity to share ideas, reflect on their role in school and explore ways they can strengthen the Catholic life of our school communities. They worked together to create their own action plans for the year ahead, considering how their ideas could link with our Building the Kingdom themes.
Through prayer, discussion and collaboration, the Ambassadors were encouraged to put their faith into action through service, kindness and leadership.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds.”
Matthew 5:16
Prayers Across Borders
Our Year 6 children recently led a special Prayers Across Borders session, using the Examen prayer to reflect on the beginning of a new academic year.
The children were encouraged to look back with gratitude, recognise moments when they felt God’s presence, and think about their hopes and intentions for the year ahead. Through quiet reflection and prayer, they considered how they can grow in faith, kindness and service as they begin this new chapter.
The Examen reminds us to pause, notice God’s presence and listen for where He may be calling us.
“Behold, I am doing a new thing!”
Isaiah 43:19
St Vincent's Day Celebrations
We enjoyed a wonderful day celebrating our school patron, St Vincent de Paul, and reflecting on his life of faith, kindness and service to others.
Our Catholic Life Ambassadors and Mini Vinnies proudly led our Mass at OLOL, while all also children created special work in their RE books to mark the occasion. We also enjoyed exciting phase inter-house quiz competitions and were delighted when our kind ice cream vendor, Marcello, generously donated ice creams for everyone!
The day reminded us of Jesus’ words:
“Whatever
you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Matthew 25:40
Weekly Chapel retreat with Fr Christian 
Each week, Fr Christian has been leading special Chapel retreats for each year group, giving our pupils the opportunity to pause, reflect and deepen their faith.
Each retreat explores a different liturgical theme, helping the children to understand and celebrate the traditions of the Church. During October, our focus turns to the Rosary, giving pupils time to pray and reflect on the life of Jesus through Mary.
Through prayer, reflection and hymns, our children are encouraged to make time for God and listen in the stillness of our Chapel. These special retreats provide a peaceful opportunity for our school community to grow together in faith and prayer.
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10
Chapel Rosary for Children
During October, the month dedicated to the Holy Rosary, our Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 children are warmly invited to gather in our school chapel each Tuesday lunchtime for a special time of prayer.
Led by our Year 6 Catholic Life Ambassadors, the sessions offer children a chance to pause, reflect and come together as a school community to pray the Rosary. Through these moments of prayer, we hope to deepen our children’s love for Mary and encourage them to grow in faith, trust and devotion.
As we pray together, we remember Mary’s loving example and ask her to guide us closer to her Son, Jesus.
“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.”
Luke 1:46–47
Community Rosary Group
Our Community Rosary Group provides a special opportunity for members of our school and parish community to come together in prayer and reflection. Through praying the Rosary, we gather as one community, placing our intentions before Mary and asking for her intercession.
The Rosary offers a peaceful time to pause from the busyness of daily life, reflect on the mysteries of Christ’s life, and pray together for our families, our school, our parish and our wider community.
We warmly welcome everyone to join us, whether you pray the Rosary regularly or are simply curious to come along and experience this beautiful form of prayer.
“For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
Matthew 18:20
Harvest Festival 
Our Catholic Life Ambassadors have been busy collecting donations for our Harvest Festival, showing kindness, generosity and compassion for those in need within our local community.
The items collected will be donated to Emmaus House, our local homeless centre, to support people who may be experiencing homelessness or hardship.
Through this initiative, our children are putting our Catholic values into action, following Jesus’ example of loving our neighbour and caring for the most vulnerable in society. Their efforts remind us that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the lives of others.
We are incredibly proud of our Catholic Life Ambassadors and grateful to all our families for their generosity and support. Together, we are living out our faith and sharing God’s love with our local community.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”
Matthew 25:35
Black History Month- Honouring our Communities
As part of our Catholic Life and Mission, we celebrated Black History Month by honouring our communities, recognising the contributions of Black people throughout history and reflecting on our shared responsibility to challenge racism and promote equality.
On Monday 19th October, our school community wore red to support Show Racism the Red Card. We then walked through our local community with banners to raise awareness of racism and promote the importance of standing together against discrimination.
In class, the children explored different aspects of Black history through research, discussion and creative activities. Their learning culminated in a special assembly, where they proudly shared their work through music, artwork and presentations.
Our theme, ‘Honouring Our Communities’, linked closely with our Building the Kingdom topic, ‘A Call to Family, Community and Participation’. The children reflected on how we all have a responsibility to contribute positively to our communities, celebrate diversity and ensure everyone feels welcomed, valued and respected. As a Catholic community, we are called to recognise the dignity of every person, challenge injustice and work together to build a world rooted in love, peace and equality.
“Love your neighbour as yourself.”
Mark 12:31
Spirituality Week
During Spirituality Week, the children explored a range of creative and reflective ways to pray, helping them to deepen their relationship with God and discover how we can encounter Him in our everyday lives.
Through activities such as pebble and bubble prayers, the children had opportunities to share their thoughts, hopes and prayers. They also used tiles to explore words they associate with God and spent time imagining what God might look like, reflecting on their own personal understanding of Him.
Our Year 5 children also embraced opportunities for spirituality during their residential trip to Sayers Croft, taking time to pause, reflect and appreciate God's presence in the beauty of the natural world.
Spirituality Week reminded us that prayer can take many forms and that making time for stillness helps us to listen, reflect and grow in faith.Through these experiences, we encouraged our children to find meaningful ways to connect with God, recognising that He is always present and ready to listen.
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10
Autumn 2
We were delighted to welcome Father Christian into school to lead a special liturgy for All Souls’ Day. The children came together to remember and pray for those who have died, reflecting on the special people who hold a place in our hearts. Through prayer, reflection and quiet moments, we remembered that although our loved ones may no longer be with us, they will always remain in our hearts and in God’s love. It was a lovely opportunity for our school community to come together in faith and remembrance.
“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
John 11:25