The theme this week is Transformation which is linked to the quote:
“His face shone line the sun’(Matthew 17:2)
This week’s Thoughts and Prayers explores the manifestation of Jesus’ divine, internal nature and his identity as the Son of God.
Please find attached the Thoughts & Prayers for after half term (Monday 23rd – 27th February).
This week is our first week of Lent with the theme “Wilderness” and the scripture is taken from (Matthew 4:1) “Jesus was led by the Spirit out into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”
Jesus didn’t go into the wilderness because He was lost. He was led there, guided by the Spirit. We all experience ‘wilderness moments’ — times when life feels uncertain, overwhelming, or stretching and during Lent, we are invited to pause, reflect, and walk forward with honesty and courage.
The wilderness can be interpreted to be a place of challenge, quiet, honesty, and growth. For our teenagers it is important to highlight the fact that Jesus didn’t leave the wilderness defeated, in fact he left empowered. As such leading them to the realisation that their experiences has the ability to empower them.
‘Digital unplug’ this week invites students to reflect on what they have learned about themselves through their own struggles? How can they use that strength to help others?
Morning Prayer for week beginning 23rd February:
- Monday 23rd February – 9M
- Tuesday 24th February – 9T
- Wednesday 25th February – 7S
- Thursday 26th February – 9Y
- Friday 27th February – 13S
Our theme in school next week is Salt and Light which is linked to the quote:
“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world’(Matthew 5:13-14)
This week’s Thoughts and Prayers explore the call for active, visible faith, where believers influence their surroundings, bringing out the best in their communities and pointing others toward the Lord.
Our Morning Prayer schedule for next week is as follows:
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Monday 26th January – 9S
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Tuesday 27th January – 12R
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Wednesday 28th January – 9I
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Thursday 29th January – 9N
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Friday 30th January – 9R
Finally, we have Mass in school every Friday at 8:20am in the chapel, led this week by 9T and 9A.
CareerWave
We are pleased to share that CareerWave, our independent careers guidance service, is now working with our Year 11 and Year 13 students as they prepare for their next steps.
Over the past term, students will take part in one-to-one careers appointments with a qualified adviser. These sessions are designed to help them:
Newcastle College – Year 9
Last week, our Year 9 students had the fantastic opportunity to hear from Newcastle College, who visited to talk about the wide range of courses and pathways available after Year 11.
The session helped students explore:
Main School Student Leadership Team
We are excited to share that we have officially appointed our 2025 – 26 Student Leadership Team. After an impressive range of applications, we now have a group of dedicated students ready to help make our school an even better place for everyone.
This year, our leaders will be working across seven key committees, each focusing on an important part of school life:
Employer Experience
This half-term, students have had the opportunity to take part in our Employer Experience Programme, which runs every Friday morning as part of our commitment to high-quality careers education.
Each week, students have been invited to attend inspiring talks from a range of guest speakers representing different industries and career pathways. This half-term’s line-up has included:
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Professor Martin Amos from Northumbria University, who delivered a fascinating session on Artificial Intelligence and the future of technology
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Nissan, who shared insights into careers in engineering, design, and manufacturing
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Oases Group, who explored the growing field of Green Careers and sustainability
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FSNE Medical, who discussed roles in healthcare, science, and innovation
Gateshead College Talk
Our Year 10 students recently enjoyed an informative session with representatives from Gateshead College, who visited to discuss the exciting range of courses and opportunities available after GCSEs.
The talk helped students learn more about post-16 options, including vocational pathways, apprenticeships, and specialist training routes. They also gained valuable insight into what college life is like and how to make informed choices about their next steps.
Careers in the Army
On Friday 10th October, our Year 8 students took part in a fascinating Careers in the Army session as part of their Personal Development curriculum.
Representatives from the British Army delivered an engaging presentation about the wide range of careers and opportunities available within the Armed Forces. Students learned that Army careers go far beyond combat roles, including engineering, medicine, logistics, IT, and leadership.
The session encouraged students to think about the skills employers value most, such as teamwork, resilience, communication, and problem-solving. It was a brilliant opportunity for Year 8 to discover how these qualities can open doors to exciting and varied future careers.
Higher Education Fair
On Thursday 9th October, our Sixth Form students attended the Higher Education Fair, held from 3.30–5.00pm. The event brought together representatives from over 15 universities, including Northumbria, Newcastle, Cambridge, and Durham, giving students a fantastic opportunity to explore a wide range of post-18 pathways.
Students were able to speak directly with university staff, ask questions about courses, entry requirements, and student life, and gather valuable information to help them make informed decisions about their future.
The fair was a great success and an inspiring step forward for our students as they begin planning their next chapter beyond Sixth Form.
