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Parish News and Announcements  

 

 

 

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School


We would like to thank everyone who came to support our school at the Christmas Fayre. It was such a special occasion and we really appreciate the support from our school community.

Tuesday 9th December - we will be hosting a violin music concert in the school hall at 10.30am. All are welcome to attend and in the afternoon at 2.30pm we would like to invite families and friends to our ‘Carols Around The Crib’ event in the school hall. This will include traditional carols and reflections for the season. Doors will be open for 2.15pm and refreshments and a festive treat will be served. 

 

Wednesday 10th December - we are delighted to perform our Whole School Christmas Play ‘The Magical Christmas Jigsaw.’ The children have worked so hard to learn their lines, practice songs, and bring this wonderful story to life. Doors open at 2.15pm and refreshments and mince pies will be served. Call in to the school reception for tickets. 

Thursday 11th December - the children will wear their Christmas jumpers and enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner in school. 

 

Friday 12th December - the children will take part in their second performance of the Whole School Christmas Play ‘The Magical Christmas Jigsaw.’ Doors open at 2.15pm and refreshments and mince pies will be served. Call in to the school reception for tickets. 

 

 

 

St Godric's Catholic Primary School


The season of Advent has begun at St. Godric's, a special time of waiting and preparation.  The cloths on our class prayer tables have all been changed to purple and we have our Advent wreaths on display to remind us of the hope and joy we share as we look forward to the birth of Jesus.   

This week, our Early Years children enjoyed a wonderful visit to Hardwick Park for a workshop linked to the Stick Man book they have been studying in class.   We also had a fabulous turnout for our annual Christmas movie night with hot dogs and hot chocolate, led by our Friends of St. Godric’s.  

Looking ahead, we are excited for our Nativity plays next week, and we keep our Year 4 children in our prayers as they prepare to make the Sacrament of Reconciliation.


 

St Thomas More Catholic Primary School



A huge thank you to Father Colm, and John Hayton, who both joined us in school this week for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The children were reverent and respectful during the Sacrament, as they prepare on their Holy Communion journey. 

 

We're also looking forward to welcoming John into school, on a monthly basis, to help the children in their Holy Communion preparation beginning in January. Thank you John, for all of your support. 

 



St Leonard's Catholic Secondary School



It is wonderful to share the news that St. Leonard’s has won all three awards for the Northeast in this year’s Sunday Times Parent Power Awards. The awards are School of the Year, Top School for Academic Achievement and Top Comprehensive School. You can read more about the awards here. Credit for these awards belongs to our entire community of families, pupils, teachers, support staff, parishes and governors. 

 

To win just one award would be significant, but to win all three awards is very unusual and says something very powerful about our school community. We are blessed to have such supportive families and parishes, and we would not have won these awards without your support. 

 

A huge THANK YOU to all involved in making today's Community Christmas Fayre such a huge success. There was an amazing turn out and all our Parish groups and guest Community Stalls did a fantastic job.


We welcomed the following community guest stalls:



and we were well represented by our parish schools who all ran stalls. 

The children were very entertained whilst they waited to see Santa by magic tricks and balloon animals from Martin Duffy 



You can view photos below:

click on the images to see the full picture 



 

 

 

 

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School


On Tuesday 2nd December EYFS will be going on a trip to Hardwick Park to step into story time with Stickman. The day will involve storytelling, craft activities, interactive park trails, sensory experiences, and free time to explore the play equipment.

 

On Wednesday 3rd December the children in Year 5 and 6 will be attending Mass in church at 10am.  All families and friends are welcome to attend. 

 

On Friday 5th December we would like to welcome everyone to our Christmas Fayre in the school hall at 2pm. Join us for festive fun, seasonal treats and a sprinkle of Christmas magic. All are welcome.

 

 

 

St Godric's Catholic Primary School


If you have a child who will turn 3 before January 1st 2026, come along to our open morning on Wednesday 3rd December at 10am in the school hall.  This will include a chance to visit Early Years and tour the school. Spread the word!

 

We start the season of Advent next week, marking the beginning of the liturgical year.  Across the next four weeks, we will focus on preparing for the celebration of Jesus’ birth through the themes of hope, peace, joy and love.   

 

We would like to welcome you in school during this time to join us with some of the celebrations:

 

Nativity performance  - either 2pm on Wed 10th Dec or 9am on Thursday 11th Dec. 

 

Christmas songs/carols led by Y3/4 – 9.15am Wednesday 17th  Dec 

 

Christmas songs/carols led by Y5/6 – 9.15am Thursday 18th Dec 

 

We simply ask that if you would like to attend any of the above events, you give school a call on 01913847452 so we can ensure we have enough seats. 


 

St Thomas More Catholic Primary School



At St. Thomas More, we look forward to joyful anticipation and hopeful waiting as we enter the season of Advent. As a school, we have lots of cheerful preparations planned as we await Christmas. 

 

Our Year 4 pupils will also be receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation, in school, on Wednesday 3rd December as the first part of their Holy Communion journey. We look forward to welcoming Father Colm into school, to share this important part of the Sacrament with us.

 



St Leonard's Catholic Secondary School



A celebration of joy, jingles and harmony

 

This year our music ensembles will be performing on Tuesday 16th December at St. Joseph's Church in Gilesgate. 

 

Tickets will be free but are limited. If you would like to book tickets, please click on the link below. Performers will not require a ticket.

 

 
About Us 

The parish of the Durham Martyrs incorporates the Catholic churches of Our Lady of Mercy and St Godric, St Bede and St Joseph (Gilesgate) in Durham City. We are part of the Finchale Partnership and based within the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle.

Addressess

St. Bede,

St Godric's RC Primary School,

Carrhouse Drive,

Durham

DH1 5LZ 

Our Lady of Mercy

and St Godric

Castle Chare
Durham
DH1 4RA

St Joseph

Mill Lane
Durham
DH1 2JG

Contact 

Marjorie, the Parish Secretary's working hours are 8:30am -4:00pm Tues - Fri. If you email outside these hours you will receive a response when Marjorie is back in the office. 

07483 369 561

​durham.martyrs@diocesehn.org.uk

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