This week in our school community: 5 December 2025

Bring Him your worries and cares, your listening ear, your worship, your heart this Advent.

 

Advent busyness…Advent stillness

Whilst our assemblies this past week, introducing the theme of Advent and our Reconciliation Services, have spoken of reflection, stillness and being awake and ready, it also seems so busy and full of vibrant preparations.  Trying to avoid being a hypocrite is proving hard at the moment as we have so many events, fundraisers, workshops, services and more in planning.  However, what must be remembered is that they are all responding to the call to be the gift for others this Christmas.  Looking for ways to bring Christmas cheer, equality and hope are at the heart of the season.

In our Reconciliation Services this week we focused on the root meaning of confession and repentance as ways to ensure our hearts are turned towards God this Christmas.  Students found that moment of peace and stillness in the middle of the day, which we hope helped them to recognise much about their deeper selves.  In the passage with Mary and Martha, one fretting around the place and another at Jesus' feet and yielding up her heart, we learn from Jesus' focus that it is our hearts that Christ wants most of all.

While it’s apt to promote joy, buy presents, decorate the house, put up the tree, celebrate and feast, we mustn’t neglect to stop and sit at Jesus’ feet.  God longs for relationship with us, for our heart’s devotion above all. He wants you just as you are. Bring Him your worries and cares, your listening ear, your worship, your heart this Advent. We can seek joy in stillness by slowing enough to receive the gracious gift of God’s presence filling our soul.

St Gregory’s Christmas Hamper Appeal

Just a reminder that year groups are creating hampers for the following charities or causes.  Suggested items and ideas are listed below.

Year 7 – Children’s Ward (Toys, teddies, colouring books, crayons/pencils, games, etc)

Year 8 – Julian House Homeless Shelter (Hats, gloves, scarves, socks, warm clothing, adult colouring books, toiletries, dog treats, etc)

Year 9 – Care Homes  (Gifts for elderly people, Christmas hats, boxes of chocolates, biscuits, puzzles, etc)

Year 10 – Women’s Refuge (New underwear, clothes, gift cards, toiletries, baby supplies, children’s toys)

Year 11 – Mixture of causes dependent upon tutor group  

Sixth Form – Children’s Ward   (Toys, teddies, colouring books, crayons/pencils, games, etc)

Mr Robinson

Lay Chaplain