This week in our school community: 9 May 2025

...we hope you have felt loved as an integral part of our family and that you go on to new things with wonderful memories.

 

It has come around so quickly but this week we celebrated with Year 11 and Year 13 before they went on study leave. Year 11 enjoyed a wonderful, funny, poignant and heartfelt Service of Thanksgiving where key staff reminded them of just how far they've come - we couldn't be prouder! Year 13 Leavers' celebrations were just as fantastic; these young adults are poised to go out and do great things when they leave St Gregory's and we are so excited to see them as they get ready for their next steps. Huge thanks to all the tutors, teachers, Heads of Year, leadership team and support staff who have helped you on your way - we hope you have felt loved as an integral part of our family and that you go on to new things with wonderful memories.

'S' tutor groups have delivered excellent and thought-provoking Collective Worship assemblies this week on the theme of vocation. The key question we have learnt is not 'what am I going to do when I leave school?' but rather 'what is God calling me to do?'. We were reminded that God knows our plan even when it may not be clear to us. We must trust in the Lord and know that our vocation will become clear, if it hasn't already become so.

A highlight of the week was when a Shoah survivor spoke to all of Year 9, Year 10 GCSE History students and interested sixth formers. See Mrs Sarbatta's full write up later in the newsletter - our students were engaged and so respectful throughout the presentation, demonstrating the principles we work hard to instill in them. Their questions were incredibly insightful and our guest speaker was delighted to answer such excellent questions. Thank you to Mrs Sarbatta and the History department for organising such an important session to hear firsthand about the horrors of the Holocaust.

Our Harmony Rising students have been working hard ahead of their performance at Bath Abbey next Friday 16 May. Tickets are free and the concert starts at 7.15pm, so please do try to go along to support the young people who will be singing their hearts out.

A reminder that Miss Hollywood has organised a workshop for all parents and carers to help you manage your child's feelings and mental health around exams, tests and assessments. This free online workshop next Thursday 15 May is open to all and promises to give you lots of practical tips and suggestions to help family dynamics stay calm around exams. Please see Miss Hollywood's letter with timings and the online link. We also have our next Parent and Carer Prayer session on Tuesday 13 May at 8am - all welcome to start the day in quiet companionship and prayer.

Clifton Diocese are keen to recruit more foundation governors so please watch the short promotional video on their website to find out more about what a foundational governor is and how important their role is in ensuring Catholic education is outstanding across our Diocese: Governance | Clifton Diocese Schools and Colleges 

The most significant news this week is that we have prayed as a community for our new Pope, Pope Leo XIV. We trust that he will continue to build upon the late Pope Francis' work and we give thanks for his vocation. Let us pray for him as we say,

“Faithful God,

“You guide us on the path of life

“and your goodness is our constant companion.

“Be with our new Shepherd, Pope Leo XIV,

“in his service of the Church.

“Fill him with the power of your Spirit,

“the peace of your presence

“and the compassion of Christ.

“May he walk with you,

“in wisdom and humility,

“and lead us, together with all God’s people,

“to embody your love for the world. Amen”

Mrs Melissa George (BA Hons, MA, PGCE) 

Headteacher