19th September News from our Parish Schools

Parish School pages on our website

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

https://stjosephsgilesgate.bwcet.com/

On Friday 26^th September at 9.30am we will be hosting a Macmillan Coffee Morning in the school hall to raise funds for Macmillan cancer support. Any donations of cakes or biscuits would be greatly received to help us make this event a great success.

On Wednesday 1^st October we will be hosting an Open Evening from 4.30pm - 6.30pm. this is a wonderful opportunity to meet the teachers, explore the classrooms and facilities and ask any questions you may have about the school. Refreshments will be available, and we look forward to welcoming you into our school community.

---

St Godric's Catholic Primary School

https://stgodricsdurham.bwcet.com/

Open Mornings

Wednesday, 1^st October   -  10.00-11.00am (Reception)

Wednesday, 3^rd December – 10.00-11.00am (Nursery)

Is your child is ready to start school in September 2026?  To help you decide on a school place, we would like to invite you to attend one of our open days to find out more about what we offer.

We also have a nursery and children are welcome to start the term after they turn 3 years of age. More information about the school can be found at https://stgodricsdurham.bwcet.com See poster at the back of church.  ALSO Our Y5/6 football team started strong with three excellent performances during the first round of the Leadgate Cup this week.  They are now through to the finals - well done St. Godric’s!

---

St Thomas More Catholic Primary School

https://stthomasmorebelmont.bwcet.com/

St. Thomas More are delighted to announce we are now hosting 'Forest Fridays' as part of our curriculum - a unique and powerful way of enriching the learning experience beyond the classroom.  Our 'Forest Fridays' will be led by an experienced and skilled practitioner who will seamlessly blend outdoor exploration with essential life skills.

By taking our learning beyond the classroom, our children will be encouraged to connect with nature, develop curiosity, and build resilience in a hands-on environment. Activities like building shelters, identifying plants, and working together on outdoor challenges will promote problem-solving, teamwork, and independence in new and exciting ways. Integrated alongside our regular curriculum, we envision that, 'Forest Fridays' will nurture not just academic success but confidence, creativity and a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.

---

St Leonard's Catholic Secondary School

https://stleonardsdurham.bwcet.com/

Here at St. Leonard's our Holistic Curriculum, shaped by pupil and parental feedback last year, is in full swing and each week we aim to focus on a particular strand, developing our pupils' abilities outside the classroom. Our Holistic Curriculum focus next week is ‘Emotional: Resilience and the ability to face challenges and recover from difficulties’. Pupils will look at this theme in tutor time assemblies where Mrs Curry will be bringing to light Safeguarding contextual issues.  

Each of the eight strands has it’s own excellence:

Spiritual, Emotional, Moral, Cultural, Social, Physical, Mental, Academic.

21st September 2025 - Thought from Fr. Colm

The weather forecast said it with prophetic accuracy;  that it would be bright and sunny until 2.00pm-then the rain would fall. And so it was that we set off from Gilesgate on our parish pilgrimage to Holy island. A full bus headed up the A1. Our prayer for a blessed journey was shared. We reflected on a series of Lindisfarne based quiz questions.

Arriving around 10.30 we disembarked on the busy Causeway. Some remained on the bus, some proceeded by road, but most ventured onto the old pilgrims way across the Causeway, splashing, slipping, some sliding. One zealous pilgrim careering ahead at a pace that would have humbled St. Aidan, came a cropper on the slithery slopes. The rest of us relished the cautious, slow treading through the surprisingly warm waters. What therapy, as we barefooted the invigorating 3 mile trek.

“At the entrance, my bare feet on the dirt floor, Here, gusts of heat; at my back, white clouds. I stare and stare. It seems I was called for this: To glorify things just because they are.” Czeslaw Milosz

The spirit in the group was great. Stopping half way along the ancient route to pray, the strong-but gentle-North Sea winds brushed the remaining cobwebs away under glorious sunshine and stunning cloud formations.

Nearing our destination, the plaintive howls of the famous Lindisfarne seals could be heard as they gathered in their hundreds. Arriving on the dry sandy dunes we dried our feet and shared our picnic. Coffee never tasted so good. We were now joined by the rest of our pilgrims, who travelled by bus. Nationalities and ages as diverse as the glorious skies above laughed and greeted each other. Our time was our now our own for the remainder of the afternoon.  

Gathering for Mass at 3.00 pm, we celebrated Eucharist together in St Aidan’s Chapel (the church serves a practical purpose, but my sense that a place of Catholic worship deserves a building more atmospheric that connects with its extraordinary Catholic heritage). We were joined by a number of strangers with a love of the Eucharistic that fired Ss.  Aidan and Cuthbert. Sr. Tessa welcomed us and was more than kind.

We rejoined our driver, John, barely escaping heavy rainfall. Passing through Bamburgh we were surprised by the crowds. A 26 mile charity walk for Cancer research was in progress from Amble to Bamburgh. Wearing green tee shirts, the walkers numbered over 2000.

One cannot leave Northumberland without having fish and chip in Seahouses.   And we were ready for them. It was time to leave for Durham. John, our Middlesbrough, Sunderland supporting bus driver brought us back home safely after a wonderful visit to this precious gem in the North of England.

Thanks Barbara for organising a great day.  And what a way for Margaret White to celebrate with parish and family her very special birthday. Well done oh faithful servant.

‘Thy sea is so great and my boat is so small..’

This quote from an  Old Breton fisherman’s prayer, turned into a poem by Winfred Ernest Garrison, was inscribed on a block of wood given to  President John F. Kennedy  who loved it and always kept it on his desk in the Oval Office.

Photos from Lindisfarne

A wonderful day was had by all who attended our pilgrimage of hope in Lindisfarne Saturday.