Catholic Life 2025-26
Week beginning 13th July 2026
End of Academic Year Mass at St. Teresa’s Church
Thank you to Vienna, Aaron H, Helma, Adwoa, Delilah. Liepa, Nebyou, Ava, Kofi, Florence, Tomek, Shalom and Kwesi and their families and the staff who joined the parishioners at Mass yesterday at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church. It was lovely to see a number of our past pupils; James, Christopher, Chloe, Gabriel, Edward and Jaimar, and their families at this mass. This mass at our parish church brings the school and parish communities together and was an opportunity to reflect on the ending of this academic year and to offer all our work up to God.
Week beginning 6th July 2026
Rags2Riches4Schools
We had a collection from the Rags2Riches4Schools recycling scheme, this was to raise money and help others around the world benefit from our good quality unwanted clothes and shoes. We got 25p for every kilogram we collect of reusable items.
Thank you to all who generously donated unwanted clothing for the Rags2Riches4Schools fundraiser. The bags were collected and weighed on Tuesday morning. The school will soon receive £90.43 based on the 361.7kg of bags collected. The clothing items you have donated will now be sent to Ukraine.
St Teresa of Calcutta Multi Academy Company’s St. Francis of Assisi Creation Award
This week, a group of Junior children represented our school at the St Teresa of Calcutta Multi Academy Company’s St. Francis of Assisi Creation Award. Seven of the twelve academy schools participated in this event which was held on Microsoft Teams. Each school led a presentation of the work done within the school on our Care for God’s Creation. After each presentation there was an opportunity for each group of children to be asked questions about the initiatives in their school.
At the end of the event there was on online vote for the £1,000 prize to fund future work. The outcome of this vote was a three-way tie between Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School, St. Ambrose Barlow Primary school and our school. Each school will receive £350. Thank you to Mr Taylor, the Chief Education Officer of the academy for facilitating this event. Thank you to our amazing presenters Jayden S, Shalom, Phoenix, Sophia, Sameera and Joseph who were amazing orators of behalf of our school. Thank you to Mrs Gillam for preparing the children for this event.
Week beginning 22nd June 2026
Bag of Hope
All Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Birmingham have been requested to bring a ‘Bag of Hope’ to the annual Catholic School Leaders’ Conference which takes place today. Schools were then asked to choose from one of five groups for their Bag of Hope. In our Celebration of the Word assembly at the start of last week, the children voted to provide a bag for one of the following groups; Refugees, Disability, Homelessness, Older People or Children and Families. The children voted for Homelessness.
At the start of this week, the children were asked to bring 20p to school. Thank you to those who donated. £31.00 has been raised. This was used to purchase the items in the above image. Thank you to all who supported this initiative.
Week beginning 15th June 2026
First Holy Communion
On Thursday, there was a special mass for the children who made their First Holy Communion. They wore their Communion clothes for the mass and, with their siblings Anthony and Deborah, led the readings and bidding prayers. At the end of mass, Fr Peter presented the two boys with their First Holy Communion certificates,
Thank you to Mrs Paciorek for leading the music at mass. Thank you to Mrs Allport for preparing the mass. Thank you to Chiamaka A, Dominik, Uriel and Viktor who were our altar servers. Thank you to Aaron and Logan who managed to audio-visual equipment.
Bag of Hope
All Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Birmingham have been requested to bring a ‘Bag of Hope’ to the annual Catholic School Leaders’ Conference next Friday 26th June. Schools were asked to source a rucksack/bag, which St. Teresa of Calcutta Multi Academy Company have done on behalf of the twelve schools in the academy. Schools were then asked to choose from one of five groups for their Bag of Hope. In our Celebration of the Word assembly on Monday morning, the children voted to provide a bag for one of the following groups; Refugees, Disability, Homelessness, Older People or Children and Families. The children voted for Homelessness.
The school has been provided with a list of items to put on our bag. We are asking each child to bring 20p to school on Monday. If all children bring 20p each this will raise over £40 for the items to be purchased. Thank you in anticipation of your support with this initiative.
Week beginning 8th June 2026
First Holy Communion
Please keep the Year 3 children who will be making their First Holy Communion at 11.30 on Sunday at St. Teresa’s Church in your prayers. This is a very important time in the lives of; David D, Aidan and their families.
Week beginning 17th May 2026
May Procession
Thank you to all who played a part in the May Procession. In the Church’s year, May is the month of Mary. There is a tradition of prayers and hymns asking Mary, our mother, to intercede on our behalf with her son Jesus. Thank you to Mrs Gillam for planning and overseeing this event. Thank you to Joshua O, Isaam, Izma, Ayaan, Sameera, Jaiden A, Divine, Shyla, Lumaya, Tazkiyah, Amy, Jayden S and Florence for leading us in prayer. Thank you to Aaron and Logan, our technicians. Thank you to Fr. Peter, Mrs Garvey and Mrs Roche, three of our governors, who joined us for this time of prayer.
Year 1 Class Assembly
Well done to the children of Year 1 for their wonderful class assembly this morning reflecting on their work in History. Year 1 shared the events of the Gunpowder Plot and biographies of Mary Seacole, Florence Nightingale and Edith Cavell, who influenced nursing during the Crimean War. Thank you to Miss Gibbon and Mrs Baig for preparing the children for the assembly. Thank you to all of the parents and family members who joined us.
May – The Month of Mary
A number of our Faith Ambassadors led the school in the second of two Celebrations of the Word to reflect May being the Month of Mary’s in the Church’s calendar. Thank you to Umme-Haani, Khari, Nebyou, India-Rose, Florence and Hoang for leading us in prayer including a decade of the Rosary. Thank you also to Miss Shirley for preparing the children for this time of prayer for the school community.
Walk to School Week
This week has been Walk to School Week, with the theme being ‘Mission Move’. The children have been challenged to walk, scoot, cycle or ‘park and stride’ to school for as many days as possible. Each day will be linked to a theme to focus upon. These themes are mental health and well-being, road safety, physical health, sustainability, community and inclusivity.
The children have received a Mission Move activity booklet, a bookmark and a sticker for the mornings they have walked or made an alternative active journey. Well done to all those who have made the effort to have active journeys to school this week. The challenge now is to continue with this lifestyle choice when we return after half term.
Week beginning 10th May 2026
May – The Month of Mary
Last Friday afternoon, a number of our Faith Ambassadors led the school in the first of two Celebrations of the Word to reflect May being the Month of Mary’s in the Church’s calendar. Thank you to Umme-Haani, Jamar, Khari, Nebyou, India-Rose, Florence and Hoang for leading us in prayer including a decade of the Rosary. Thank you also to Miss Shirley for preparing the children.
Year 1 visit to Gurdwara Pita Kalu Sahib
On Wednesday morning, Year 1 walked to Gurdwara Pita Kalu Sahib on Cherry Orchard Road to visit a Sikh place of worship. The children were a credit to the school. Thank you to Miss Gibbon, Mrs Baig, Mrs Keogh and Mrs Kaur for taking the children on this visit.
Week beginning 27th April 2026
Good Shepherd Mass
Year 5 represented our school at the Good Shepherd Mass at St. Chad’s Cathedral. It was the first time that many of our children had been in the Catholic Cathedral which is the mother church for the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Thirty-two schools were represented at this mass. At the start of the mass representatives from each school processed around the cathedral with their school banner. Thank you to Theo and Lainey who were our representatives. Thank you also to Viktor who read one of the bidding prayers. These schools had raised money during Lent for the Fr Hudson’s Good Shepherd Appeal. You raised £216.72 for this cause.
Year 2 ‘s Class Assembly
Thank you to Year 2 for their wonderful class assembly. The children informed, entertained and inspired us with their plant themed assembly reflecting ‘Stewardship’ which is our school’s theme for our Building the Kingdom school curriculum during this term. Thank you to Year 2, Mrs Gillam and Mrs Jones for their hard work.
Week beginning 20th April 2026
Mass in school supported by Year 6
Thank you to Fr. Peter for leading Mass at school yesterday morning. Thank you to Amelia, Kwesi, Divine, Miss Walk, Nifemi, Eva, Diya M and Mariam of Year 6 for leading readings and bidding prayers and to Zane and Khadijah who were our welcomers and brought the gifts to the altar during the Offertory Procession.
Thank you also to Logan and Aaron for managing the audio-visual unit and thank you to our altar servers; Senay, Hoang, Viktor, Chiamaka A, Dominik and Uriel. Thank you to Mrs Paciorek for preparing and leading the music supported by Sr. Miriam and Sr. Michela who were with us yesterday. Thank you to Miss Walk for preparing the mass for the children.
Sr. Miriam and Sr. Michela were with us for the day. As well as supporting the singing at mass they led the staff in prayer before the start of the school day, worked with children in Reception and Year 2 and led the children in prayer during dinner time. Thank you to Sr. Miriam and Sr. Michela for their time and support. The Sisters will be travelling to Italy shortly and will not be returning until after the end of this academic year.
Parent Workshops led by Compass
Thank you to the parents who have joined the two Coffee Mornings hosted by Diane and Kiran of Compass. The focus for this morning’s Coffee Morning was ‘Supporting your child with worries’. Last Friday’s Coffee Morning focused on ‘Connecting with your Child’. Thank you to Miss Shirley for organising these events.
Fr Hudson’s Good Shepherd Appeal
During Lent, our School Councillors designed collection bags which were given to the children. Donations were requested for our school’s chosen Lenten charity which is Fr Hudson’s Good Shepherd Appeal. Thank you to all who have returned the bags and made donations. Monday was the final date for donations. You have raised £216.72 for this cause. A special thank you to the family who donated £50. The school will present a cheque for all money raised at the Good Shepherd Mass at St Chad’s Cathedral on Thursday 30th April.
Week beginning 30th March 2026
Soup Sunday
Thank you to those children and their families who attended the Soup Sunday event after masses at St. Teresa’s Church last Sunday. Thank you to Mrs Mulligan and Mrs McPhillips for organsing this event on behalf of our parish. The donations from those in the parish and school who attended will be forwarded to CAFOD.
St. Teresa of Calcutta Multi Academy Company Lenten Roadshow
On Tuesday morning, children from our school and St. Augustine’s Catholic Primary School, two of the twelve schools which are now a part of the St. Teresa of Calcutta Multi Academy Company, led a Lenten Roadshow liturgy considering the events of Peter’s denial of Jesus and reflecting on how others who are in need are denied. Lily, India Rose, Deborah, Laura, Simrit and Ibrahim represented St. Teresa’s School wonderfully. Thank you to Mrs Patel for being with the children for this event and thank you to Miss Shirley for preparing the children alongside Mrs Tran from St. Augustine’s School. Other schools within the St. Teresa of Calcutta Multi Academy Company held their Lenten Roadshows during this week.
The Way of the Cross
On Tuesday afternoon, Year 6 led each other, and the other three Junior classes, around the school site to reflect the journey Jesus took to his death for our ‘Way of the Cross’ liturgy. Thank you to the Year 6 children who took us on this journey and led a thought provoking and prayerful experience for children and adults alike.
Big Walk for Lent and Name the Teddy Fundraising for CAFOD
We held a Big Lent Walk in school. The School Councillors plans for fundraising were supported by Mrs Gillam who organised this event. The Reception class children did their Big Lent Walk in the morning and the other classes did their Big Lent Walk at dinnertime. The Infant children and Year 3 walked thirteen laps of the Junior playground which equates to one mile and the children in Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 walked twenty-six laps of the Junior playground which equates to two miles.
After school yesterday, several parents and staff completed the same challenge. Thank you to all who took part and for the money donated for this event which will be forwarded to Global Poverty CAFOD.
To raise further funds for CAFOD, the Gillam family donated a rather sizeable teddy bear which was the prize in a ‘Name the teddy’ competition. This morning at breaktime on the playground, it was announced that the teddy’s name is Hopton and it was won by Mrs Baig. Thank you to Mia and Matthew for their help yesterday and a particular thank you to Mrs Gillam supported by Mrs Jones for organising these fundraising events for CAFOD. Both events together have raised £138 for this cause.
Fr Hudson’s Good Shepherd Appeal
The School Councillors have designed collection bags which they told the other children about two weeks ago. The collection bags have been given to the children. Our school’s chosen Lenten charity is Fr Hudson’s Good Shepherd Appeal. Please keep the bags at home and return your donation next term, after the Easter holiday. Year 6 will present a cheque for all money raised at the Good Shepherd Mass at St Chad’s Cathedral on Thursday 30th April. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Week beginning 23rd March 2026
To raise further funds for CAFOD, the Gillam family have kindly donated a rather sizeable teddy bear. Whoever can ‘Name the Teddy’ will win the teddy bear. There will be a selection of names to choose from, and parents can have a go for £1.00 (cash only please), either before the indoor bonnet parade on Wednesday afternoon from 2.15 p.m. as you come into school or after school whilst the Big Lent Walk for adults is taking place.
Week beginning 9th March 2026
Fr Hudson’s Good Shepherd Appeal
The School Councillors have designed a collection bag which will be sent home with all children next week. Fr Hudson’s Good Shepherd Appeal is our school’s chosen Lenten charity. Please keep the bags at home and return your donation next term, after the Easter holiday. Year 6 will present a cheque for all money raised at the Good Shepherd Mass at St Chad’s Cathedral on Thursday 30th April. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Week beginning 2nd March 2026
Fr. Hudon’s Caritas
On Wednesday morning, Mr Hateley of Fr. Hudon’s Caritas spoke with the children about the work of this charity which is closely associated with the work of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Birmingham. Mr Hateley was impressed by the children knowledge of the work of Fr. Hudon’s Caritas and with the quality of the children’s questioning. We will be fundraising for this charity as part of our Lenten almsgiving later this half term.
Parent Workshop – Building Self Esteem
Thank you to parents who came into school Friday morning for a Building Self Esteem workshop facilitated by Celest and Prerna of Compass. I hope that those who attended found the session useful and left with a number of ideas to put into action. Thank you to Miss Shirley, our school’s Mental Health and Wellbeing lead, for organising this event.
The Big Lent Walk
We are inviting all children to take part in the Big Lent Walk on Wednesday 25th March. In the morning, children from Reception will walk one mile, at dinnertime Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 children will walk one mile and children in the Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 classes are to walk two miles. This will be done by completing laps of the playground. The purpose of this event is to raise funds for Global Poverty CAFOD. We are asking that each child donates £1 for this charity. Children are to
wear their P.E. kit for the day.
We are also inviting parents, family members, governors and parishioners to come to the Junior playground after the
end of the school day at 3.30 p.m. on the same afternoon to walk a mile, or more, for this cause for a £1 donation.
Donations can be paid in cash or on Parentpay
Thank you to year 2 for your wonderful work on 'How can you be a follower of Christ today?' for our church display wall.
Week beginning 23rd February 2026
The Sisters Minor of St. Francis, Sr Miriam and Sr Catalina, were in school on Thursday. They supported our readers in Mass, led groups of children in prayer at dinnertime and worked with Reception, Year 2 and Year 3. Thank you to the Sisters for their time and support.
Lenten Celebration of the Word
Thank you to our Faith ambassadors from Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6; India-Rose, Nebyou, Florence, Hoang, Lumaya and Nifemi who led a Lent themed Celebration of the Word for all of the children and staff yesterday afternoon. Our Faith Ambassadors gave the children Walk With Me Lenten Calendars and gave the staff Walk With Me Lenten booklets.
St. Teresa of Calcutta Multi Academy Company
On Friday morning Mr Taylor, the School Improvement Strategic Lead of St. Teresa of Calcutta Multi Academy Company, spoke with the children and introduced some of the work being done by the twelve schools in the academy. On behalf of the academy, Mr Taylor presented bibles for the children in Years 2 to 6 to use in school.
Week beginning 9th February 2026
Safer Internet Assembly
Mrs Gillam led an assembly for the children regarding Safe Internet practices. Thank you to Mrs Gillam for leading this assembly for the children. We were joined by Mr Courtney (Chair of Governors and Safeguarding governor) and Mrs Zahid (Computing governor). On the school website there are several links providing advice to parents regarding keeping their children safe online at St Teresa's Catholic Primary School - Computing.
Week beginning 2nd February 2026
Rags2Riches4Schools
Thank you to all who generously donated unwanted clothing for the Rags2Riches4Schools fundraiser. The bags were collected and weighed Thursday morning. The school will soon receive £79.75 based on the 316.6kg of bags collected. The clothing items you have donated will now be sent to Ukraine. (Photograph of our house captains with the donated items).
Mass in school supported by Year 6
Thank you to Fr. Peter for leading Mass Thursday morning. Thank you to Dominik, Diya J, Saif, An, Zumrah, Kwesi, Amelia and Phoenix of Year 4 for leading readings and bidding prayers and to Kimora and Adam for bringing the gifts to the altar during the Offertory Procession.
Thank you also to Logan and Aaron for managing the audio-visual unit and thank you to our altar servers; Senay, Hoang, Viktor, Chiamaka A and Dominik. Thank you to Mrs Paciorek for preparing and leading the music and thank you to Miss Walk for preparing the mass for the children.
Week beginning 26th January 2026
Compass Coffee Morning
Thank you to the parents who joined us for our Coffee Morning in the staffroom Friday morning, hosted by Diane and Kiran of Compass. I hope that those who attended found the information provided beneficial. Thank you to Mrs C. Jones who hosted this meeting for the school and to Miss Shirley for organising the Coffee Morning.
Week beginning: 19th January 2026
Sunday Mass at St. Teresa’s Church
Thank you to Dominik, Senay, Aaliyah, Hoang, Liepa, Anna, Alessia, Cecilia and Orion, their families and the staff who joined the parishioners at Mass last Sunday morning at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church followed by the presentation of a cheque for £769.30 raised for the parish at the Christmas Fair. It was also lovely to see a number of our past pupils, Mia, Matthew, Gabriel, Edward, James, Christopher and Chloe. This mass at our parish church was an opportunity to reflect on the importance of working to bring the school and parish communities together.
‘Dry’ Mass
A mass with a difference was led in school by Fr. Peter. This was not a full celebration of Mass but Fr. Peter led us through the parts of the mass and their significance. Thank you to Sameera, Deborah, Gjamani, Jaiden, Dasis and Ibrahim from Year 4 read our bidding prayers.
Compass Parent/carer workshops
Three free parent/carer workshops will be taking place online in February and March. These workshops are led by Compass, and the themes are Online Safety, Emotional Regulation and Managing Worries and Anxiety.
Week beginning: 15th December 2025
Junior Carol Service
On Wednesday evening, fifty-three children of the Junior children and their families were at church for our Carol Service. The children were wonderful as readers, actors and a choir. Thank you to the children and the Junior staff for their hard work which led to such a memorable performance. Thank you also to the parents and carers of the children who attended for bringing them to our Carol Service.
Advent Mass in school supported by Year 5
Thank you to Fr. Peter for leading Mass yesterday morning. Thank you to Daivik, Imaan, Hoang, Amaan, Theo, Amal, Viraj, Tazkiyah and Troy of Year 5 for leading readings and bidding prayers and to Veer and Jayden for bringing the gifts to the altar during the Offertory Procession.
Thank you also to Logan and Aaron for managing the audio-visual unit and thank you to our altar servers; Senay, Hoang, Viktor and Dominik and to our welcomers Logan and A’zirah. Thank you to Mrs Paciorek for preparing and leading the music and thank you to Miss Gold for preparing the mass for the children. After Mass Confirmation certificates were presented to the children of Year 5 and Year 6 and staff member who received the sacrament of Confirmation three weeks ago. Please continue to keep Divine, An, Florence, Shalom, Phoenix, Viktor, Kimora, Laura, Lainey, Logan M, Anthony, Hoang, Kimi, Nifemi, Zane, Dominik, Troy, Lumaya, Ashay’a, Tomek, Antoni, Theo, Aaliyah, Senay and Miss Kaza in your prayers.
Fr. Peter then celebrated the sacrament of First Confession with David D and Aidan from Year 3. Congratulations to these two boys on the event on their journey in faith.
Nativity Scene
Thank you to Mr Bui (Cecilia’s grandfather/Mrs Gillam’s father) who has made a new setting for the school’s large Nativity scene which is in the entrance hall. Your talent and hard work are much appreciated Mr Bui
Week Beginning: 8th December 2025
St. Teresa of Calcutta Multi-Academy Company Carol Service
On Monday afternoon, each of the twelve Catholic schools that form the St.Teresa of Calcutta Multi-Academy Company were represented at our CarolService which took place at Holy Souls Catholic Church, Acocks Green. Our school was wonderfully represented by Antoni, Viktor, Sophia, Logan, Amal, Aaliyah, Imaan, Diya J, Dominik, Eva, Marian, Adam, Roshan, Nifemi and Diya M. These children led by Mrs Paciorek, had practiced with children from The Rosary Catholic School prior to the event and performed their carol beautifully. Well done to Diya J who read a reflection during the Carol Service. Thank you to Mrs Paciorek who prepared the children and took them with me to this event.
Nativity performances
This week, the Infant classes performed their Nativity. Well done to all of the children and a big thank you to the Infant staff for their wonderful efforts in bringing this production together. Thank you also to parents, carers and families who practised the songs and learnt the lines. The Infant Nativity is a highlight of the school year. It is something to treasure for the adults, seeing their little ones and an experience that the children will remember for the rest of their lives.
Week Beginning: 24th November 2025
Confirmation for Catholic Year 5 and Year 6 children
Last night, eleven Year 5 children, thirteen Year 6 children and one member of staff were at St. Teresa’s Church for the sacrament of Confirmation celebrated by Bishop David Evans. It was an important occasion in the faith lives of those receiving the sacrament
and their families. Bishop David came into school on Thursday afternoon to meet with the children prior to last night’s Confirmation Mass.
Thank you to Miss Walk and Miss Gold for preparing the children, thank you to Miss Shirley, supported by Mrs Gillam, for preparing the mass and to Bishop David, Fr. Peter and Fr. Michael for celebrating the Confirmation Mass. Thank you to the families, other children, staff and parishioners who joined us for this highlight in our school year.
Congratulations to; Divine, An, Florence, Shalom, Phoenix, Viktor, Kimora, Laura, Lainey, Logan M, Anthony, Hoang, Kimi, Nifemi, Zane, Dominik, Troy, Lumaya, Ashay’a, Tomek, Antoni, Theo, Aaliyah, Senay and Miss Kaza.
Week Beginning: 17th November 2025
Year of Hope Jubilee Finale Livestream
This morning the children joined schools throughout the Archdiocese of Birmingham for the Year of Hope Jubilee Finale. Schools were asked to share activities that took place during the year. Mrs Gillam shared through the group chat on the livestream that the children organised a sponsored walk in the Spring Term. The Infant children walked one mile and the Junior children walked two miles. The School Council used
their maths skills to measure the distance and calculate how many laps would be needed to reach a mile. (It was 13 laps of the Junior playground!). The children invited the governors, parents, carers and parishioners to participate.
A lot of fun was had! At the end of each lap pictures of hope were displayed to remind the everyone why they were
doing the sponsored walk.
How did our sponsored walk link to Catholic Social Teaching?
Solidarity:
Sponsored walks are a way to show solidarity with vulnerable people around the world. We walk in the shoes of those who must walk long distances for water or to escape danger, connecting the act of walking with a global awareness of others' struggles.
Option for the Poor:
Funds raised support charities that are working to alleviate poverty and suffering, which aligns with the Church's commitment to helping the poor and vulnerable.
How will we continue to live the themes of Jubilee and respond to our mission to form Christ-centred pilgrims of hope with kind hearts, questioning minds, a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for justice?
Care for creation:
Whole School Retreat- a day on Care for creation (planting, singing, prayer writing, protecting wildlife workshop, artwork).
Litter picking - ongoing problem in the area, children will continue to do their part and encourage adults to support.
Food compost - children will continue to add to their DIY compost bin and use the rich soil in a gardening club in the spring. Veolia workshops - guest speakers to teach children about recycling and how we can minimise food waste. Children to participate in workshops where they will be given the opportunity to debate and justify their views on recycling.
Managing Debt - Father Hudson support worker - to lead a family assembly on what her job role is and how she supports families.
Rest and worship - Mindfulness training for staff and given time to try the activities.
Celebration of the Word - encourage and provide children with time to meditate and reflect on God’s Word and how we can bring hope into someone else’s life.
Food poverty - Foodbank- we have an alumni link who work for the foodbank we donate food to. Invite past parent and student in to talk to children about their role and how food donated help people in need.
Curriculum links - English- Jack Manroe- a recipe book on how to make the most of the food you’ve got. Science- How
we can eat healthy and how to grow our own vegetables.
Week Beginning: 3rd November 2025
In November, We Remember
During November, we give special thoughts and prayers to loved ones who have died. In school we have an area in the entrance hall for children to note down the names of those they wish to be remembered in prayer. Please do continue to keep our deceased loved ones in your prayers.
This afternoon, our Faith Ambassadors, Liepa, Isaac, Umme-Haani, Jamar, Khari, Nebyou, India-Rose, Florence, Hoang, Nifemi and Lumaya led the school community on prayerful reflection for those who have died. This included distributing the handmade flowers made by the sisters yesterday to each class. Children are invited to write the names of deceased loved ones on the leaves of these flowers and place them on the prayer table in the entrance hall.
Please keep Fr. Simon Hall who recently passed away in your prayers. Fr. Simon was the parish priest for our parish for several years up until the summer of 2013. He passed away on 29th October at the age of forty-eight. Eternal Rest grant unto him O Lord.
Sisters Minor of St. Francis
As well as supporting our mass in school, Sr. Mariam and Sr. Catalina were working in school, including making paper flowers for part of our Holy Souls liturgy this afternoon. Thank you to Sr. Mariam and Sr. Catalina for their time and support.
Week Beginning: 20th October 2025
October; the month of the Rosary
As October is the month of the Rosary, our Faith Ambassadors lead the school community in praying a decade of the Rosary at 3.00 p.m. on Friday afternoons. Today marks the fourth Friday in October. Today’s praying of the Rosary was a little different to usual with the Hail Mary being shared in different languages to celebrate cultures in our school community which is apt for United Nations Day.
Phoenix, Anthony, Kimi, Theo, Troy, Ava, Mehnoor, Aiden, Anna, Quoc-Anh, Tae, Pio, Cecilia, Noah and Mia N led a Hail Mary in Vietnamese.
Dominik, Antoni, Tomek, Dawid D, Ulysses, Julia and Laura S led a Hail Mary in Polish.
Viktor led a Hail Mary in French.
Matiwos led a Hail Mary in Italian.
Lily led a Hail Mary in Malayalam.
The children also signed a Hail Mary in British Sign Language.
Thank you to Miss Shirley, Mrs Gillam, Mrs Paciorek and all who played a role in this special praying of a decade of the Rosary.
Harvest Mass
Thank you to Fr. Peter for leading our Harvest Mass yesterday morning. Thank you to Nifemi, Eva, Khadijah, Jayden, Zane, Amelia, Daya and Adam of Year 6 for leading readings and bidding prayers and to Mariam and Aaron for bringing the gifts to the altar during the Offertory
Procession. Thank you also to Logan and Aaron for managing the audio-visual unit and thank you to our altar servers; Senay, Hoang, Dominik and Viktor and to our welcomers Rayan and Layla.
Thank you to Mrs Paciorek for preparing and leading the music supported by Sr. Miriam and Sr. Michela and thank you to Miss Walk for preparing the mass for the children. The items that you generously donated were collected by Fiona and Rani from Birmingham Care
Group.
https://www.birminghamcaregroup.org/ yesterday for distribution to those in need.
Week Beginning: 29th September 2025
Annual Mass of Thanksgiving for the Guild of St Stephen
Altar servers and their families were invited to join this year's Annual Mass of Thanksgiving for the Guild of St Stephen which was celebrated by Bishop David Evans last Saturday 4th October at 12.00 noon at St Chad’s Cathedral. Three of our altar servers, Hoang, Senay and Dominik and their families attended. Past pupils and altar servers, Mia and Matthew also attended. These five altar servers participated in the mass. Essey, another past pupil who is an altar server also attended. Thank you to each of these children for the role they place in serving the Church
and their faith. Thank you to their families for their support for their children as altar servers. Thank you to Mrs Gillam who also attended this mass on behalf of the school.
October; the month of the Rosary
As October is the month of the Rosary, the newly appointed Faith Ambassadors (see below) led the school community in a decade of the Rosary, a traditional Catholic prayer, at 3.00 p.m. this afternoon. This prayer will be shared by the school community for the next three Friday afternoons at the same time. All are welcome to join us.
St. Teresa’s Feast day Mass
Fr Peter invited the children and staff of the Junior classes to St. Teresa’s Catholic Church on Wellington Road for the 10.00 a.m. parish mass on Wednesday 1st October. This is the date the global Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St Therese of Lisieux, our parish patroness.
Thank you to Logan S, Kwesi, Kimora, Viktor and Shalom who led the Prayers of Intercession (Bidding Prayers). Thank you to Divine and Lumaya for bringing forward the bread and wine at the Offertory Procession. Thank you to Hoang and Dominik, our altar servers who worked alongside the parish’s senior altar server, Mr Close. Thank you to Mr Roche for playing the organ and to Mrs Paciorek for preparing the children with the hymns sung at mass. Thank you to the staff of the Junior classes and to Miss Bonner and Miss Bishton for taking the children safely to and from the church.
I was very proud of the reverence and participation of the children in Mass. This was enhanced by the number of parishioners who spoke with me after mass praising the children and the school as a whole. This was added to with a lovely letter from a couple of parishioners praising all involved in Wednesday morning’s mass and helping to make the parish feast day so special.
Week Beginning: 22nd September 2025
MacMillan Coffee Morning
Thank you to all who donated cakes and biscuits and then donated money to buy them back gain for our ‘green’ themed day for MacMillan Cancer Support this morning. Many families donated far more than the £1 requested either directly to school or through ParentPay. The grand
total for the money raised for this cause will be announced in next week’s newsletter – thank you for your generosity. It was lovely to see so many parents and family members in the hall this morning and thank you to Miss Bishton, Miss Pendley and Miss DuQuesnay, who helped
serving teas, coffees and cakes. Thank you to Diya J, Lumaya, Roshan and Shahnain, our P.E.and Stage monitors, for helping to tidy the hall at the end.
This event was very well attended by parents/carers and family members. We had enough surplus to have a cake sale
after school last Friday with Mrs Connell and Miss Bishton. This brought the total raised for Macmillan Cancer support to £493. Thank you to all who contributed to these events.
If you were unable to attend, you are still welcome to donate in support of this worthwhile cause at the school office
or on Parentpay. Donations can also be made on MacMillan’s fundraising page using the following link http://www.justgiving.com/cm25002305 or by scanning the QR code on the posters around school.
Overnight experience
Last Friday night, fifty-six Junior children came to school at 8.00 p.m. and stayed until 8.00 a.m. on Saturday morning for an ‘Overnight Experience’ at St. Teresa’s School. This initiative is linked to the focus of ‘Dignity of the Human Person’, the
theme running across our curriculum this term.
The children had a simple supper of biscuits and hot chocolate. The twenty-one children from Year 3 and Year 4 who joined us slept on mats, in sleeping bags or under blankets and duvets in the hall; this was to reflect finding shelter indoors.
The thirty-five Year 5 and Year 6 children made temporary shelters from large pieces of cardboard and slept outside at the back of the school site. In the morning, breakfast was toast and water. This experience was to enable the children to gain an understanding and empathy for the challenges facing the homeless.
The children who participated were amazing. They embraced the opportunity fully and, despite the hardship, behaved wonderfully. Thank you to the parents and carers who allowed their children to participate. A particular thank you to the staff who led the event; Miss Gibbon, Mrs Jones, Mrs Patel and Mrs Murdock, who stayed for part of the event and to Mrs Allport, Mrs Gillam, Miss Bennett and Miss Gold who joined me for the whole of the Overnight Experience to give the children this unique insight to the life less fortunate people lead
Week Beginning: 15th September 2025
Education Sunday Mass at St. Teresa's Church
Thank you to Kwesi, Shalom, Phoenix, Laura, Lumaya, Dominik, Hoang, Kimi, Aaliyah, Florence, Senay, Viktor, Logan S, Quinn, Kofi, Logan O, Nebyou, Liepa, Ulysses, Cecilia, Adwoa, Helma, Orion, their families and the staff who joined the parishioners at Mass last Sunday morning’s to mark The Exaltation of The Holy Cross and Education Sunday.
It was also lovely to see past pupils, Gabriel, Edward, Essey and Mason. This mass at our parish church was an opportunity to reflect on the importance of education in our lives and to bring the school and parish communities together.
Butlers Road, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham, B20 2NY
0121 554 9581
enquiry@stteresa.bham.sch.uk