This week in our school community: 20 December 2024

On three occasions this week we have been blessed to witness the incredible talents of our students and staff ...

  

Advent 2024: Market, Hampers, Carol Services & More 

Throughout Advent students have been creating Christmas Hampers to donate to various charities, organisations and the needy in our local community. Our Year 10 Young Volunteer group have taken the lead with organising the initiative this year, helping each year group choose a different focus and encouraging tutor groups to create thoughtful hampers full of kindness and joy. Donations have been collected by and delivered to numerous local charities and organisations such as Julian House Shelter, Bath Women's Refuge, Bath Area Play Project, RUH Children's ward and a local care home in Oldfield park (see picture with Joby Joseph and Agnieska, care home manager and administrator who wished to send their heartfelt thanks). We have been blown away with the love and generosity shown by students and their families, showing yet again that the true spirit of Christmas and bringing hope to others is alive in our community.

On three occasions this week we have been blessed to witness the incredible talents of our students and staff leading us in music and scripture to prepare us for Christmas. The first, our annual joint Carol Service with St John’s Primary School, took place on Tuesday night at St John the Evangelist RC Church in Bath city centre, with a packed congregation led beautifully by nearly 200 students. Our theme was taken from the upcoming Jubilee year, ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, journeying through both Old and New Testament Scripture to unravel the story of God’s relationship with humanity culminating with the first Christmas. Woven in between the Biblical passages were performances of music from St Gregory’s and St John’s choirs, ranging from solemn to joyous, both classical and contemporary, as we heard of the way God’s people have been treated throughout history.

There were so many highlights but we are particularly proud of the many students who helped arrange musical choices, particularly the official Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee Hymn by Year 10 students. Thank you to all those who joined us in the hall beforehand for mince pies and mulled wine prepared by our ever supportive PTFA, to all those who champion our young people and to those who kindly donated to our retiring collection for Julian House to support those who find themselves on the streets this Christmas.

Our other two Carol Services took place this morning in the school hall, allowing every student to end the term with the message of hope ringing in their ears and in their hearts.

The final two hours of the day and term were devoted to our annual Christmas Market, as always giving the Bath Christmas Market a run for it’s money with far more games and variety! It was, as ever, a real celebration of all the creativity and generosity of our young people who have planned, created and led their class stalls as part of this joyous event. There was everything from raffles, tombolas, dart games, glitter tattoos, photo booths and so many more food, drink and game stalls, to tempt our students to donate well to Julian House. Our final total raised from the market and the Carol Service retiring collection will be shared in January’s first newsletter.

Mr Robinson

Lay Chaplain