Schools
Westminster Record | November 2015
Gold Club Status for St Gregory’s St Gregory’s Catholic Science College has been awarded Gold Club status, for the second time, under a scheme set up by the Mayor of London to recognise exceptional schools in the capital. The Gold Club is part of the Mayor's drive to boost standards and raise attainment for all schoolchildren. Andrew Prindiville, Head teacher, said ‘we are delighted that the excellent work of our staff and pupils has once again been
recognised by the Mayor of London’. The Mayor of London Boris Johnson commented’ 'Congratulations to St Gregory’s Catholic Science College for its outstanding achievements and for the hard work of its pupils and staff. Londonschools are going from strength to strength and our Gold Club members are testament to the fact all schools can aspire to attain excellence for all their pupils’.
Construction Industry Award for Our Lady and St Joseph School and St Francis Family Centre
© Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk
Our Lady and St Joseph Catholic Primary School and the St Francis Children's Centre, which were opened by Cardinal Vincent in March this year, have received a high commendation at the British Construction Industry 2015 Awards Event in the Building Project of the Year category (under £10million). The school and centre were also a finalist in the Sustainability category. The school and children’s centre were designed by the Green Tea Architects and constructed by 8build.
National Poetry Day at St Augustine’s St Augustine’s Priory School celebrated National Poetry Day with poet Mona Arshi. Her poem, ‘The Minister of Light’, was commissioned especially for national poetry day, and she read from her collection ‘Small Hands’. Ms Arshi had made a film featuring some of the girls from the school. The school had further celebrations in the afternoon with the opening of an outdoor stage.
Cardinal Vincent Blesses New Sacred Hearts’ Hall at St Vincent’s Primary School On 23 September, St Vincent’s Catholic Primary School in Acton welcomed Cardinal Vincent to bless and dedicate their new Sacred Hearts Hall. Guided by local artist, Mrs Sophie D’Souza, pupils created a large mosaic in the new hall which portrays the flags of the countries of origin of the pupils and the emblem of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, whose two parishes in Acton serve the school. During the ceremony, Cardinal Vincent formally installed the Blessed Sacrament into the school’s St Damien of Molokai Chapel. Damien, the leper priest, of the Sacred Hearts Fathers, sacrificed his life for the lepers on the Island of Molokai. He was beatified in June 1994 and canonised on 11 October 2009, with his feast celebrated on 10 May. The pupils and choir of St Vincent’s led the liturgy with representative members of staff, parents and governors. Mrs Tina Cleugh, Headteacher, congratulated all members of the school community on their dedication and commitment to the liturgical and Catholic life of the school.
The tabernacle in the new chapel has been hand carved in Equador, and the stained glass window depicting the six school ‘House Saints’ associated with the charism of the school includes its founding order, the
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Pield Heath School Raises Money for Cancer Research UK Pield Heath School has been busy fundraising, with two events taking place at the end of September. On 25 September the school took part in the 'World's Biggest Coffee Morning' and raised almost £600 for Macmillan Cancer Research. The event was attended by parents and members of the local community. The school thanks Brunel University for their invaluable help in making it a success as well as the generosity of their supporters. On 26 September, 12 members of the school community took part in the Shine Night Walk to raise money for Cancer Research UK and successfully completed the half marathon in less than five hours. If anyone would like to support the team they can do so at www.justgiving.com/LouiseMahon2015.
Sisters of Charity of St Jeanne Antide. These, along with the stained glass Cross window in the front of the new building, are beautiful and exquisite examples of the Catholic links across the school and its history.
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