Charitable Works
Harvest Festival collection for Westminster Foodbank
Following in the footsteps of our patron saint, St. Vincent De Paul, we help feed local people in crisis by collecting tinned and dried food for the Westminster Foodbank. We asking everyone to support by giving items such as toiletries, tinned meat, sugar, tinned fruit, long life milk, sponge puddings, pasta, pasta sauce, soup and breakfast cereals.
Macmillan Coffee Morning
A number of our school families have sadly been affected by cancer-pupils, staff and parents. We recognise and appreciate the support that Macmillan nurses can provide during these difficult times. We therefore hold an annual Macmillan Coffee morning to raise funds to support this valuable cause. Some of our parents who work with Macmillan also attend and provide valuable information including signposting of support for those affected.
Advent Carol Singing for St. Mungo’s
We traditionally help the homeless during Advent and sing at St. Christopher’s Place for the charity St. Mungo’s who try to open the doors for homeless people and have a branch in Marylebone. We also hold an own clothes day at the end of the Autumn Term and the proceeds are added to this collection.
Lent Collection for Catholic Children’s Society
During Lent we support the Catholic Children’s Society. Every year their Lenten Appeal has a different theme. The theme of the 2020 Lenten Appeal was ‘Light Your Lenten Path.’ which was linked to ‘The God Who Speaks: The Year of the Word’, following the three themes of celebrating, living and sharing. Following a special assembly led by the Catholic Children’s’ Society to explain the importance of their work, each pupil was given a collection box and an activity sheet. During Lent we always try to become even closer to God with additional prayer sessions and the Sacrament of Reconciliation for Years 4 , 5 and 6. To further strengthen home, school, Parish links, and to help us remember the Last Supper we would like to invite children to share our special Lent Prayers box with their family at home. The weeks are very reflective and prayerful as we try to shine our light at all times on our Lenten path.
Annual child led activities for a charity chosen by the pupils
Pyjama Danceathon which raised £2,970 for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Read more here
Wear It Wild Day which raised £280 for the World Wildlife Fund. Read more here
Social Justice
Upper Key Stage 2 pupils use the Caritas resources to learn about Social Justice. However, throughout the school pupils ate taught to share their talents, to take on different responsibilities and to work together to make a difference to the world , our ‘human flourishing’.
A key example of this is our pupil representative groups:
- Pupil Chaplaincy Team
- School Council
- Green Team
- Junior Travel Ambassadors
- Rights Respecting Sports Ambassadors
We also try to share our talents to bring joy to others.
Westmead Residential Centre
At least once every year our Chamber Choir visits Westmead Residential Centre for the elderly and sing to the residents. At Christmas as sing traditional carols mixed with some more modern favourites and in the Summer Term we sing classics such as We’ll Meet Again. We love it when the residents join in and sign along with us and we always enjoy chatting to them afterwards.
It is sad that we won’t be able to visit the home this year because of Coronavirus but, during lockdown we made lots of flowers that were distributed to care home sin Westminster to brighten up the days for those living there.