Catholic Life at St. Augustine's School
St. Augustine's School News
It's been a busy week at school and it's been lovely to see our children engaging in many exciting activities.
On Monday our liturgy focused on Jesus being our vision as we learned about opening our eyes to see the love of Jesus. Our Mini Vinnies then officially launched our CAFOD campaign. Next week everyone in our school will be taking part in 'The Big Lent Walk' to raise awareness and money to help CAFOD assist our brothers and sisters around the world who need help to access nutritious food and clean water. We will keep you posted on this wonderful event in the next newsletter.
On Thursday we celebrated a very special Mass. Our Year 3 children led the mass on the Lenten themes of care, kindness and compassion and after mass we took time to perform songs and dances for our wonderful Mrs Ayles who is retiring at Easter. The children also presented her with cards and flowers.
We thank Jane for her friendship, passion for performing which has ignited excitement in so many of our children over the years and her exemplary professionalism. We really value her hard work in strengthening school and parish links and the time she gives us in not only teaching our children the performing arts, but in creating scenery, props and costumes (all in her own time) to ensure our children are given the best opportunity to showcase their talents and let their little lights shine. Our staff all agree it's been a pleasure to work alongside her. She will be greatly missed by us all but has very kindly offered to support us with future liturgical events at school. Jane we wish you a really happy retirement.
Ukraine
We are collecting goods that are needed and have linked up with a local business who are currently travelling to Ukraine on a regular basis and will transport our goods to the people that need them. Working with colleagues from CAFOD, we've set up a Just Giving Page for the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and are so thankful for the generosity of our children and their families. If you would like to donate to CAFOD through our Just Giving Page, here is the link:
We will continue to do what we can as a school community to help the people of Ukraine.
Holy Week 2022
Our Reception Children led the school at the start of Holy Week by re-enacting the events of Palm Sunday. The children acted out how Jesus rode a donkey to Jerusalem and how the people of Jerusalem waved and laid palm branches on the road in front of him shouting 'Hosanna' as they welcomed His arrival. Thank you to the children for a super re-enactment alongside super singing.
Walk Against Hunger-Lent 2022
As a school community, we are supporting the work of CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development), in the fight against malnutrition by taking part in the Walk Against Hunger Campaign.
Each class has been set a challenge and throughout the last week of the Spring term, are walking at a set time with their classmates and are thinking of children and their families in parts of our world who do not have access to nutritious food.
We have set ourselves a target which is to walk 200km and raise £200 for this amazing cause.
If you would like to support us and donate through our Just Giving page, please follow this link:
We thank you for your support.
On Sunday 27th March, some of our children attended Mother's Day Mass at St. Joseph's Church. Well done to these children as they read superbly and sang beautifully.
Mini Vinnies Commissioning Service
On Friday 25th March, we were delighted that Father Anthony awarded our 32 Mini Vinnie members with their certificates and badges.
The Mini Vinnies have worked so hard this year and have given up time to become involved in our weekly meetings, in helping coordinate our Harvest Appeal, to help younger children become involved in prayer through setting up a prayer group, to help with our Ukraine Humanitarian Aid Appeal and to help us set up and organize our CAFOD Lenten Appeal, 'Walk Against Hunger.'
We thank them for their commitment and for the way they model our Catholic Virtues of faith, hope, charity, prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude at every opportunity.
On Wednesday 15th December, the children in Reception acted out the story of the birth of Jesus. It was a wonderful occasion as everyone joyfully sang, danced and acted. Well Done Reception.
On Sunday 12th December, the parish and school held the Annual Carol Service.
Parishioners led the readings and the school choir together with Mrs Ayles led the singing.
It was a marvelous joint school and parish celebration and we thank the children, for their lovely singing and their families for their ongoing support. We also thank the Parish and Father Anthony for working with us to make it a wonderful celebration.
We give a huge thank to Mrs Ayles, for her hard work, passion and amazing musical skills.
We truly appreciate all the time and effort she gives to make these gatherings so professional and a treat for those that attend. We appreciate the way that she enables our children to sparkle and show their very best!
It was such a special time and those that attended were given a true taste of Christmas.
Weymouth Foodbank would like to sincerely thank all who contributed to the fantastic harvest gifts that were passed on to the Foodbank. We are really grateful for your help in supporting this work and our community. Over the last 3 months 835 adults and 323 children have been provided with food which has been donated from various sources. So, once again, many thanks for your help in maintaining this essential work.
With kind regards Ann Hampton (on behalf of Weymouth Foodbank)