Parish schools

Parish News and Announcements

9th October 2026 News from our Parish Schools

3 days ago

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

https://stjosephsgilesgate.bwcet.com/

This week, the children wore yellow to celebrate World Mental Health Day. It was a lovely way to raise awareness, show support and remind everyone that looking after our mental health is important. All money raised will be donated to the charity MIND.

· Monday 12^th October the children will take part in a Celebration of the Word to celebrate the Feast of Blessed Carlos Acutis. They will learn about how his faith and love for Jesus and how he inspired others through the way he lived his life.

Also on Monday 12^th October the harvest boxes will arrive in classrooms. This year for our Harvest Celebration, the Mini Vinnies will be collecting food donations for a local foodbank charity called The Bread-and-Butter Thing. It is a local charity, and some of our families may use the service.

Year 5/6 - tinned food, Year 3 /4 - cereal (boxes),Year 1 /2 - pasta/ rice, etc

LH and EYFS – biscuits

Friday 16^th October the children will wear red to show our support for Show Racism the Red Card. It is a great way to stand together, promote equality and remind everyone that we should treat each other with kindness and respect

St Godric's Catholic Primary School

https://stgodricsdurham.bwcet.com/

This week, the children preparing to receive the Sacrament of First Holy Communion attended their first sacramental preparation session with the parish catechists. The session was a great success, and the children engaged enthusiastically as they began this important stage of their faith journey.

We also have a group of excited Year 6 pupils looking forward to their PGL residential visit next week. They will be away from Wednesday to Friday, taking part in a range of adventurous activities and opportunities for personal growth. Please keep them in your prayers for safe travels, good weather and a memorable experience.

St Thomas More Catholic Primary School

https://stthomasmorebelmont.bwcet.com/

St Leonard's Catholic Secondary School

https://stleonardsdurham.bwcet.com/

2nd October 2026 News from our Parish Schools

Oct 2

Parish School pages on our website

This weekend, across both Sunday morning Masses, we warmly welcome the children from our three parish primary schools who are beginning their First Holy Communion preparation programme.

Throughout the Masses, the children and their families will be taking part in a variety of ministries as they begin this important stage of their faith journey. We keep them all in our prayers as they prepare for this special sacrament.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

https://stjosephsgilesgate.bwcet.com/

On Sunday 4^th October there will be a Welcome Mass for Holy Communion Families at 10.30am in St Joseph's Church.

· Tuesday 6^th October, Parents of children in Year 4 are invited into school at 3.30pm for an information session about the upcoming Youth Ministry Team Residential. Mr. Richardson will share key details about the trip, activities and arrangements. There will also be an opportunity to ask any questions and find out how you can best support your child in preparing for the experience.

· Friday 9^th October, we will be wearing yellow in school to celebrate World Mental Health Day. We encourage everyone to join in by wearing something yellow and helping us spread a positive message of kindness and support. Donations of £1 will be greatly received for the charity MIND.

St Godric's Catholic Primary School

https://stgodricsdurham.bwcet.com/

At St Godric's, we are holding an Open Morning on Wednesday 7^th October at 10.00am. If you, or anyone you know, is looking at school places for September 2027, please do come along.

There will be a short presentation followed by a tour of the school and an opportunity to meet staff and ask any questions. Everyone is very welcome.

St Thomas More Catholic Primary School

https://stthomasmorebelmont.bwcet.com/

St Leonard's Catholic Secondary School

https://stleonardsdurham.bwcet.com/

25th September 2026 News from our Parish Schools

Sep 25

Parish School pages on our website

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

https://stjosephsgilesgate.bwcet.com/

This week, we celebrated European Day of Languages in School, which was a brilliant opportunity to learn about the languages, cultures and multilingualism already present in our school. There was lots of music, storytelling, and many more activities to make languages visible, meaningful, and fun.

· Wednesday 30^th September, Year 3 and 4 will be attending Mass in church at 10am. All families and friends are welcome to attend.

· Sunday 4^th October there will be a Welcome Mass for Holy Communion Families at 10.30am in St. Joseph's Church.

St Godric's Catholic Primary School

https://stgodricsdurham.bwcet.com/

Thank you to everyone who came along to our Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday. It was lovely to support such a worthwhile cause and, after a very busy start to the week with our Ofsted inspection, a cup of tea and a piece of cake were very much appreciated!

We now look forward to receiving the report in the coming weeks and sharing it with you. As we would expect, the children were amazing throughout the inspection, truly living out our mission to Be the Light and showing the inspectors what a wonderful school we have.

St Thomas More Catholic Primary School

https://stthomasmorebelmont.bwcet.com/

A very warm welcome back to all our St. Thomas More children and families. We are delighted to begin a new academic year together and look forward to the many opportunities, achievements and special moments that lie ahead.

Staff changes - Mrs Smith joins us as the teacher for our youngest Nursery and Reception children and will be supported by Miss Simpson.

Mrs Hartley, who many families will know as Miss Spence. She married during the summer break, and we offer our warmest congratulations and best wishes. She will be teaching our Year 1 and Year 2 class.

Mr Pickup will be teaching Year 3 and Year 4 during Mrs Belton’s absence.

Finally, we extend a warm welcome to Miss Hogan, who joins our staff team as our new lunchtime supervisor.

St Leonard's Catholic Secondary School

https://stleonardsdurham.bwcet.com/

A special thank you from St Leonard's

This coming Friday, 2^nd October, Bishop Stephen will bless our new school building. This is a special moment for the school community, and a time for reflection and gratitude. It is most appropriate at this time to extend a special thank you to Fr Colm and all parishioners from the parish of the Durham Martyrs. You were our first, and remained our most steadfast supporter, when the school was thrown into the RAAC crisis three years ago; and for your prayers, support and practical help we remain most appreciative.

Please keep us in your prayers as the new school is blessed and St. Leonard's embarks on the next chapter of its life. With thanks from all the staff at St. Leonard's