St Bernard’s RC Primary School make a difference by taking on the #BigBagChallenge Living Lent at Animate

Spring is finally in the air. I would have to say that this is my favourite time of year with everything finally coming back to life after the dark winter days. And, of course, with spring comes new life … Easter. After the slow start of settling back into the new year, we at Animate have tried to use our days as best we can. Even though this tends to be our quietest term for day retreats and missions, we do a lot of things to catch up.

We have been blessed to be able to visit seven school sixth forms to deliver assemblies focused on young people’s possibilities and chances for the future, talking about choices, decisions and how valuable a gap year can be for some of these students. It is the first time we have done this, and the experience has been great. It has also allowed us to see past students with whom we have worked over the years. Secondly, our Confirmation programme is up and running.

We have visited 10 high schools around the Archdiocese, working with Year 8 students to introduce the Sacrament of Confirmation. This has involved reminding them how valuable the call to Confirmation can be in their lives and how through the gifts of the Holy Spirit the Lord can help guide them through their day-to-day challenges.

In addition, we have been booked with high schools leading retreat days and last week had our first primary school of the year. Amid all of our activities with young people, we have also had our journey through Lent. As a team, we pray together as a community, both in the morning and evening, and we continuously remind ourselves of the time we are in.

He did all of this for us, so we were able to be saved from our sins. When we are working with schools we are able to teach them about the reason He did this. One pupil we worked with this term, when asked why Jesus died for us, responded: ‘Because He said on the cross, “Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing” and this shows how much He loves us”.’

I couldn’t have summed it up better myself, and hopefully this response from a young student can remind you of the journey we all go on at this time to step back, pray, fast and give to others.

Pupils and staff at St Bernard’s RC Primary School, Ellesmere Port, proudly participated in the Great Big School Clean recently.

The Great Big School Clean is an initiative created by the charity Keep Britain Tidy which encourages school children across the UK to get involved and come together to litter pick. This spring, schools are taking part in the #BigBagChallenge to make a difference and improve the environment.

Conservation is at the heart of the school curriculum and pupils at St Bernard’s are always inspired to find ways to protect the environment. As part of the Great Spring Clean Challenge, the school pledged to collect twenty bags of litter and have been focusing on their local area and discussing the pride they have for where they live.

Equipped with their own pickers, on Monday 20 March, each year group excitedly explored the school grounds and surrounding areas to fill many bags with all kinds of litter. Amazingly, the students not only met their target, but surpassed it by collecting twenty-six bags instead. In addition to this, an astounding eight shopping trolleys, tires, and more were accumulated!

Throughout the day, photos and videos were taken to create a four-minute video that was then shared online to spread awareness of the school’s involvement in the initiative in hopes of more schools and individuals supporting the cause.

Mrs Julie Le Feuvre, head of the school, said: “It was an honour for our school to participate in Keep Britain Tidy’s The Great Big School Clean. At St Bernard’s, we place an emphasis on the pride we have for Ellesmere Port; we want to support our local community the best we can, and taking care of the environment is a key factor in doing so.

“Our students’ commitment to this project is highly admirable and we’re so proud to have surpassed the target that was initially set out. They’ve learnt a lot from this experience, and it will further assist with their understanding of themes like conservation which are explored inside and outside of the classroom.”

St Bernard’s firmly believes that ‘we have a responsibility to contribute to the world’ and ‘positive partnerships enhance change’.

The school is proud to be part of Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust where the importance of developing individual excellence and building strong communities with Gospel values at the heart is realised in all that the academies do.

On a more personal note, I sometimes forget how much He did for us and cannot begin to imagine the amount of pain and suffering He went through to save us – from the start of His journey up to the cross. Starting with the guards mocking and beating Him, having to wear the crown of thorns, then having to carry the cross.