This week in our school community: 30 January 2026

Year 10s thrive at Kintbury

 

 

All this week we've had a group of Year 10s sharing the Kintbury experience with one of our fellow Lasallian schools, St Margaret Ward from Stoke and Archbishop McGrath, Bridgend.  Embracing the model retreat of Welcome, Awareness, Reconciliation and Good News. All of the students have taken part in games, workshops, presentations, group discussion and prayer in the most dynamic of ways.  The team of young volunteers this year hail from Mexico, USA, Bolivia and Essex. 

A fiercely contested quiz night was a highlight of the week, along with a damp Emmaus walk and poignant presentations by the young team.  One of the art awareness workshops focused on those in our peripheries by introducing the Lasallian Scampia project in Naples.  Walking to the peripheries explored how community educational support programmes can give students who've fallen out of or missed some education, a second chance to gain their secondary qualification.  The Lasallian core principles of respect for all, inclusive community, quality education, concern for social justice and faith in the presence of God are clearly at the heart of addressing a socio-economic problem in Naples.  Students were challenged to reflect on how we have many in our metaphorical peripheral vision who need us to seek them out and put the mission of De La Salle into work in our communities.

As always it has been a great blessing to see so many students find fun, faith and new friendships at St Cassian's and we hope one day some of them will return and spend a gap year here inspiring fellow young people alongside Lasallians from across the globe. 

Columban Missionary Writing Competition

We encourage any aspiring writers and artists to participate in the Columban Missionaries media competition. They have great prizes available.

Few Places Left - Free Weekend Retreat at Kintbury, 20-22 February for Year 11-13

Kintbury are offering a free open weekend retreat in February for any Year 11 or sixth form student who wishes to explore the possibility of a gap year, find some time for rest and relaxation, to study or explore their next steps.  Only a few places left.  If you are interested you must contact John Stevens directly on office@cassians.co.uk.  All accommodation and food are free of charge. You simply need to make your own way to and from the centre as it’s not a school organised trip.

Residential Retreat Weekend for Year 8s - FINAL CHANCE TO SIGN UP

Fill in the form (see the link in this week's newsletter). The deposit can be paid on the School Gateway App. 

We are delighted to be running the first residential retreat for Year 8s at Kintbury from Friday 27 February to Sunday 1 March.  Many of the students enjoyed Kintbury at Lasallian Camp back in July but this is the first chance for you to stay for a weekend in the main house and experience a weekend of fun, faith and friendship.  We have booked out the entire house just for St Gregory’s - there is space for up to 40.  Activities for the weekend will include a mixture of low ropes/archery/bouldering, art workshops, times of prayer, self reflection and awareness activities, all led by a team of international Lasallian volunteers.  £125 per student includes all food, accommodation, activities and travel.  If your child is entitled to Pupil Premium funding please sign up and you will be contacted with details of a substantial subsidy.   

Mr Robinson

Lay Chaplain