Welcome to our news page where you will find our fortnightly bulletin and School news from across the Diocese.
Diocesan Christmas Card Competition 2024
This year’s theme was taken from Luke 2:8-15 where pupils were able to focus on any aspect of the this scripture for their entries:
‘And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
Diocesan Christmas Card Competition 2024
We received many wonderful designs from so many of our schools and are delighted to announce this year’s winner as Anastasiia from St Edmunds College. The winning card was shared with our Christmas message to all of our schools across the Diocese of Westminster.
Christmas Card Competition Finalists
We would also like to share with you our finalists:
Key Stage
Bulletin
Dear Colleagues in Catholic Education,
I hope that you and your communities are safe and well and looking forward to the joyful celebrations this Christmas will bring. Christmas is a special time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus and share His message of love, hope and peace with the world. This calls us to love one another and seek the face of Christ in all those we meet on our own particular journey through life. Christmas does not take away from the realities of the world, but brings hope right into the middle of these realities. As Pope Francis launched the Jubilee Year on Christmas Eve, let us respond and make our pledge to be a Pilgrim of Hope for 2025 and beyond.
To support the Jubilee Year, we are delighted to have been able to share with school communities earlier this week, our Diocesan Jubilee Booklet which contains numerous resources and information to support you throughout the Year of Jubilee.
We are delighted to celebrate the news that Cardinal Pole Catholic School has been awarded the prestigious School of the Year award at the National Schools Awards 2024! The National Schools Awards celebrate excellence across the education sector. Schools are shortlisted in one of eight categories, with a panel of industry experts selecting the winners. Judges from the National Governance Association and the Confederation of School Trusts use their expertise to recognise schools demonstrating outstanding achievement. This award recognises schools that have significantly improved pupil outcomes, overcome challenges, or shown exceptional dedication to their communities. The announcement was made during a ceremony at the House of Lords. Baroness Berridge, former Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the School System, praised the awards for recognising the “skill, commitment, and hard work it takes to deliver the best possible education.”
I would like to thank you all for the tremendous leadership and direction you have provided for you communities over the past year. Your service to your schools will have embedded many seeds of hope in those you lead and care for over the past year that which will provide a rich harvest in the years ahead. With every blessing and looking forward to seeing you at one of our leadership conferences or courses in Spring 2025.
Peter Sweeney
Peter Sweeney MA FCCT | Director of Education
Diocese of Westminster