On Thursday 8th October, the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle launched the new ‘Pope John Paul II award’ for young people of sixth form age. Through the award, young people will be enabled to take an active part in the life of their Church and in the life of their community and society.
Fourteen of our Year 12 students have registered to undertake the award this academic year and were invited to attend the launch ceremony at St Mary’s Cathedral. It was a fabulous occasion led by the Apostolic Nuncio for Great Britain, Archbishop Antonio Mennini, and Bishop Seamus Cunningham. We heard from the award founders, and students were given a blessing and commissioned for the award. Our school choir were asked to lead the music for the occasion. The sixty students that represented St Mary’s rose to the occasion and sang beautifully throughout. During the reception at ‘The Assembly Rooms’ afterwards many commented on the outstanding talent of our students. It was a fantastic event and a new exciting venture for our sixth form students. We wish them every success with the award.