It has been wonderful to welcome back pupils and staff back to school for the start of a new school year. During the summer the school family were eagerly watching and supporting the Olympic, especially the long jump as one of our former pupils, Jazmin Saywers was competing on the world stage. Jazmin made it all the way to the finals and finished 8th in the competitions. Currently another former pupil is showing off his dance moves on the BBC series Strictly Come Dancing, one of the new dancing Pros, Kai Widdrington. We at St Joseph’s Prep are very proud of what you both have achieved. Well done to you both.
We would like to congratulate Mrs Alison Parrish and Miss Zoe Hemmingway, who at the end of last term were awarded the Edmund Rice Charism Award for Leadership. They were awarded this for “inspiring their classes to think about how we can make a difference on climate actions”, this has led to children feeling empowered to come up with their own ideas and solutions to problems.
During this term, the school has taken part in the WWF and The Climate Coalition to create messages on leaves and put them onto trees for the Forest of Promises. The children at St Joseph’s have created two trees, one in our reception area as you walk into school, and a larger tree in the library, showing all the promises they have made to help with the Climate Change, and it says on the trees, “Now is the time to make a change.”
Harvest saw Father Eugene come into school to bless the produce collected which was then distributed to The Alice Charity. The Prep children designed envelopes which they put money in that they had collected by doing jobs around the house. This money will, along with the money fundraised throughout this school year, will go for distribution at the Summer Concert. We are happy to say that the charities that received cheques this summer were, CAFOD £150.00, Donna Louise £750.00, UHNM Charity £750.00 and Cancer Research £750.00.
As we approach Christmas, we have been able to welcome back parents into school to watch Prep 4’s assembly, which was about Black History, and start the preparations for the Christmas Carol concert which is held on 1st December, along with a visit to The New Vic Theatre to watch the production of Beauty and the Beast. The children are looking forward to this.
I would like to mention also, Lucas Weston-James, our Head boy. Lucas has come up with a Christmas drawing competition for the whole school and with a donation of £1 per entry, he is hoping to raise money to go to The Sacred Heart Churches, Compassion Kitchen. The judging will be done by Sister Dominic at Sacred Heart, and each class will have a winner who will collect a small prize. Well done Lucas, you have been inspired to think of others during this time. One thing you can be sure of: that whilst you work for God, whether you succeed or not, he will amply reward you. (Edmund Rice.)
As we look forward to the New Year let us, “Be strong and courageous do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
(Joshua 1: 8-9.)
Miss Kent and all at St Joseph’s Preparatory School.
O God, we thank you for the life of Edmund Rice.
He opened his heart to Christ present in those oppressed by poverty and injustice.
May we follow his example of faith and generosity.
Grant us the courage and compassion of Edmund as we seek to live lives of love and service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.