This week in our school community: 13 November 2026
What do an orphaned Londoner, a Sufi princess, a Catholic Irish Priest, a Punjabi Muslim, a Trinidadian Navigator and a Liverpudlian engineer have in common?
"Remembering war is not about honouring violence or treating every action as the same. It is a way of honouring the dead, sharing in the sorrow of those harmed, and learning from the past so that its cruelty is not repeated...this is a duty: to remember those who died and those wounded in body and soul, while learning from history to prevent another catastrophe." St John Paul II
What do an orphaned Londoner, a Sufi princess, a Catholic Irish Priest, a Punjabi Muslim, a Trinidadian Navigator and a Liverpudlian engineer have in common? The answer: all gave the ultimate sacrifice in either the First or Second World War to fight for justice and freedom. Last week, each year group was given one of these stories to explore in tutor time to uncover some of the less well-known heroes and heroines from our recent past. Mrs Sarbatta expertly wove all the stories together in this week's collective worship assembly on Remembrance Day. We have also commemorated all those who have died or suffered during war and conflict in our whole school Masses and at a local Remembrance Service at Firs Field this week.
I was fortunate enough to accompany Mrs Bowden, Year 7, Year 11 students and some talented sixth form artists to Bath Abbey on Wednesday for a special Remembrance Service. Just across the square from the Abbey a huge piece of artwork created by these students was on display. The art centred on the theme 'shattered lives' and is displayed in Gallery AD44 in the city centre as part of the Royal Commonwealth Society's initiative to invite school-aged students to explore the impact of war through artistic mediums. Congratulations to all students involved and huge thanks to Mrs Bowden for providing this enriching opportunity.
If you watched the news recently you may have viewed the story about Sir Winston Churchill's great great grandson interviewing two World War II veterans, who are 102 and 103 years old respectively. Alexander Churchill's final question to them was “What can this generation learn from your experience in the war?” Both veterans were clear; young people should be peacemakers and peacekeepers so that they live in a world of hope. Pope Leo also calls young people to be peacemakers and talks about building a "Kingdom of peace" day by day - in homes, schools, neighbourhoods and communities - and of rejecting war not only in words but in deeds.
In our staff prayer this week Mr Robinson asked us to consider one real way our remembrance might shape our actions and I invite you all to do the same. Perhaps you can listen more patiently to someone whose experience differs from yours, refuse to tolerate language that dehumanises someone, support those caring for refugees or the wounded, or pray regularly for people caught in conflict. Of course, such acts do not by themselves end war, but they can help build a culture that values human life, dignity and peace.
With less than a week to go, we are all getting excited about our whole school production, 'High School Musical', and wish the cast and crew the very best of luck in their final rehearsals. We know you are going to produce another musical extravaganza! Please do see our Facebook page for the flyer with details and a link to buy tickets to support our show.
Tonight, we congratulate some of our current students, Amariah A, Kacper K, Edwin J and alumni Hamish M and Cruz C who make their Confirmation at St Mary's Church, with Mass being celebrated by Bishop Bosco. We keep these young people and their families in our prayers as they draw closer to God and the Church.
I leave you with this moving prayer.
Loving God,
On this day, we pause to remember those who gave their lives in the service of others,
those who stood in the face of danger so that peace might prevail.
We honour their courage, their sacrifice and their steadfast hope.
Bring comfort to the families who still feel the ache of loss,
and strength to those who serve today in places of conflict.
May our hearts be stirred toward compassion,
and our voices speak for peace in our world.
Help us to live in ways that honour their memory—
with kindness, justice and love for all.
Amen.
