Headteacher's Blog Post - Friday 31st January 2025

Having now stepped into the New Year with what has already been a whirlwind of activity, I’m delighted to share with you some of the many highlights of the past month. It has certainly been incredibly busy and rewarding for our school community! January has been filled with events, achievements and a reaffirmation of our core values, especially as we embark on a journey of faith and hope in line with the Jubilee Year theme: Pilgrims of Hope.

This year, and as mentioned in the last post, the Catholic Church has invited us all to reflect on the theme of Pilgrims of Hope, a theme that speaks to our faith, our resilience and our collective journey towards a future filled with promise and optimism. At Bishop Vaughan we have embraced this message wholeheartedly, integrating it into our daily prayers, assemblies and the events calendar for the year. Our pupils are being encouraged to explore what it means to be a ‘pilgrim’ in today’s world - how we can walk in faith, serve others and be beacons of hope in our community.

Throughout January, we have looked at various initiatives inspired by this theme. Our assemblies have focused on the theme and the chaplaincy team has been working closely with pupils to create opportunities for reflection and action, ensuring that our young people are not only learning about hope but actively living it. We are looking at both spiritual and physical pilgrimages, these reminding us all that every step we take in faith brings us closer to God and to one another. In fact, several of our pupils will be making a milestone pilgrimage to Rome in April for the canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis, about whom we will be learning more in February’s assemblies.

Our pupils also continue to participate in acts of service, notably through the Junior Legion but in many further ways also, reaching out to those in need and strengthening our partnerships with local charities. These acts of kindness and generosity exemplify the heart of Pilgrims of Hope - an unwavering belief in the goodness of humanity and the transformative power of faith-led action.

January also saw the arrival of our long-anticipated Estyn inspection. We were last inspected in 2018, as parents and carers may recall, so our visit was certainly due. As these visits always are, this was a significant moment for our school, offering an opportunity to reflect on our progress, celebrate our strengths and identify areas where we can grow further. While the final report has yet to be published, and it would not be appropriate to give further detail on its contents at this stage, I am proud to say that our pupils, when meeting with these visitors as is the case for all visitors, were superb ambassadors for our school and its values. As Headteacher, I could not be prouder of the way in which our young people shine, knowing that they truly embody the ethos of our school. We look forward to sharing the official report with you in March.

Beyond the Estyn inspection and our Jubilee Year commitments, our pupils have returned from the Christmas break with determination to get on with the usual ‘school business’ too, diving into their studies and extracurricular pursuits with vigour. Our Year 11 and Sixth Form students have been particularly focused as they prepare for their upcoming exams. The resilience and determination they have shown is commendable and we are committed to providing them with all the support they need during this crucial period. Revision sessions, pastoral guidance and encouragement from teachers have been in full swing, ensuring that our students feel confident and well-prepared. The well-established parent and carer Spring revision workshop, which will include talks on strategies for supporting revision and at which free revision packs will be distributed, will be taking place early next month and messages will be sent home about this in advance.

Looking towards February and beyond, we have much to look forward to: the momentum of the Jubilee Year will continue, with more events planned to deepen our understanding of Pilgrims of Hope and bring our community closer together in faith and purpose. Our Lenten preparations will soon be underway, giving us the opportunity to reflect, pray and prepare for Easter in a meaningful way.

We hope that this year of pilgrimage will inspire us all to walk with hope, faith and love. We look forward to all that lies ahead with celebrating the Jubilee Year and to sharing further updates with you soon. Wishing all in the Bishop Vaughan community a blessed, healthy, happy and fulfilling Jubilee Year!

Mrs Pole