This week in our school community: 14 February 2025

""I am delighted to announce that our new Co-Heads of the 1719 Society are..." "  

Mr Burn and I took great pleasure in interviewing Year 12 candidates for our student senior leadership team this week. We have rebranded this group so the sixth form leaders will now be called the '1719 Society' which mirrors the 1719 Student Leadership Societies in other Lasallian schools in our district. We are excited to be making further links with other schools and sixth forms which share our Lasallian identity in this way and very much hope we can meet up with other 1719 Societies to share best practice and socialise with young people across GB, Ireland and Malta.

You may be wondering why it is called the 1719 Society...well, it commemorates the year when John Baptiste de Lasalle died; it is a fitting reminder of the founder's story to bring a quality education with inclusivity, respect, social and ecological justice and faith in the presence of God to the centre of all that we do as a Catholic school.

Applications were very well written and all candidates did very well in their interviews, displaying many of the St Greg's principles including virtue and aspiration. I am delighted to announce that our new Co-Heads of the 1719 Society are  Florence B and Alex S. Our new Academic Lead is Rowen I and the Deputy Academic Lead is Dilukshy S. The Personal Development Lead is Lucy M with Ema R being the Deputy. Callum B is our new Spiritual Lead and Andrea DS is the Deputy. The new House Captains are Isobel L, Guiseppe A, Leo I-H and Clara DS. Congratulations to all who applied and were appointed - we are excited to see what the new 1719 Society can do to continue to make St Gregory's a beacon of excellence.  A huge thanks to our outgoing Student Leadership Team who were wonderful ambassadors and have really made a difference, with their wildflower meadow now taking shape and a bigger and better Culture and Diversity Week celebration last October.

Please keep the 43 student pilgrims who set off to Rome today in your thoughts and prayers - we very much hope they are going to deepen their faith and make wonderful memories during their four-day pilgrimage. Mrs Cottis, Mrs Bailey, Mr Robinson, Mrs Button and I are looking forward to accompanying our pilgrims on their journey and we will share our news with you after half term.

Enjoy a happy and safe half term whatever you may be doing. For anyone who is travelling this holiday, I leave you with this prayer:

Lord, we ask your blessing as we travel today in spirit;

Guide our minds as we learn of those who came before us, traversing the pilgrim way.

Give us a hunger to seek your face in paths through fields,

along roads trod by many seeking the blessing of your presence.

Nurture our fellowship

And help us to see each other as a brother or sister,sharing the journey to your blessed kingdom.

Amen