This week in our school community: 31 January 2025

"“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.” (Isaiah I:17)"  

At St Gregory's this week, students and staff have come together to pray for all those who suffered loss of life and unimaginable trauma in the Holocaust, or Shoah as it is now becoming more commonly called, during the Second World War and in other later genocides in Bosnia, Cambodia and Darfur. 

The theme of Shoah Memorial Day 2025 is 'Build a Better Future' which allowed students to reflect on how we can improve our world through acts of kindness, respect and tolerance. British values and Catholic Social Teaching are the bedrocks of living together in peace and harmony. Our students are encouraged to learn to do right through our school and Lasallian principles, with a clear focus on virtue, respect and honouring the human dignity of each individual who makes up our family. Thank you to Mrs Cousins and Mrs Sarbatta for delivering such a hard-hitting collective worship assembly with such sensitivity and grace.

In other news, it was good to update families on how we continue to promote Literacy and Oracy at our PTFA Coffee and Cake morning this week - thank you to all those who braved the wet weather to attend this event. On the theme of food, we have celebrated the Lunar New Year this week with our bistro beautifully decorated and students enjoying a range of delicious Chinese inspired dishes. Happy Year of the Snake!

Year 11 enjoyed a visit to Southampton this week to see one of their English Literature set texts, An Inspector Calls, brought to life on stage.  The stars of the trip were Madison P and Claire D who behaved impeccably at the theatre, took lots of information in about the Titanic and provided interesting conversation during the walk through Southampton! Thank you to the English department for organising such a wonderful experience for students to see the characters they are so familiar with come alive on stage.

A reminder that we have our termly Parent and Carer prayer meeting next Tuesday, 4 February, at 8am in the Chapel - all are very welcome. Next week is also Children's Mental Health Week so please see Miss Hollywood's letter regarding all of the exciting things we have organised to celebrate together as a family. I am very much looking forward to meeting the therapy dog who is coming in to spend some time with our sixth formers in The Gateway!

To conclude, I will leave you with a prayer that reminds us why hope is the cornerstone to building a better future:

Father, I thank You for the hope that You have placed in my heart.

In times of uncertainty, remind me to trust in Your promises and Your plan for my life.

Fill me with unwavering hope, knowing that You are always by my side, guiding me toward a future filled with joy and peace.

Amen

Mrs Melissa George (BA Hons, MA, PGCE) 

Headteacher