The Feast of St Bede finished the week, but at every lunch time this week there were various activities organised by the senior boys which entertained the school community. Most importantly was the work by the senior leaders to organise all the activities to make the feast day or feast week very special.

Year 13s attended a breakfast to which three old boys, Rob Farrell, Simon Hearsey and Francis Fitzgerald participated in a panel discussion. This began a day where Year 13s were involved in a programme that gave them the opportunity to discover a bit more about themselves, and what type of employment area they may be interested in or have an aptitude for. The programme was kindly sponsored by the Old Boys Association. The three old boys, two of whom attended in the 1990s and one in the 1980s, gave an account of their life stories and then were asked questions by the MC of the morning, Mr Davidson.

The three gave sage but similar advice – identify and follow your strengths and passions, hold on to your faith because that gives you a moral compass, choose your friends and business associates wisely, learn resilience to cope with the inevitable mistakes or disappointments, were some of the pointers shared by the three on the panel.

Feedback from the Year 13s was most positive. There are two more sessions for them later in the year, and the hope is that this will help them make good decisions when they leave school, about their future employment.

Jake Fearon and Robbie Karsten, gave a humorous presentation at assembly in the lead up to St Bede’s Feast Day. Amongst the laughs they revealed key facts about St Bede:

• Born in 673
  
• Lived in Jarrow and Wearmouth Monasteries in the north of England
  
• Most famous scholarly work was his translation of the bible into English, but this was one of many
  
• Died aged 51 and his crypt is in Durham Cathedral in the North of England.
  

“He alone loves the creator perfectly, who manifests pure love for his neighbours”.  St Bede the Venerable

Until next week
Justin Boyle
Rector