St Cuthbert’s Day is always a highlight of the school year. This is the day we remember and celebrate our patron Saint. On this day our students investigate the story of St Cuthbert and what life lessons we can learn from him. Mass is offered in the Chapel at lunchtime and the day usually ends with prayer and a treat for all staff and students.
Along with St Cuthbert’s Day, our students also get the opportunity to celebrate their year patron Saint too. Each year group voted for and selected a patron Saint who is a role model for them. On our Patron Saints feast days, students get an afternoon off timetable to celebrate as a year group the work and life of their saint.
Year 8 celebrating Blessed Carlo Acutis and reflecting on how they can use the internet for good.
One annual event that enables our students to explore our school mission and values is our Mission Day. On this day, students follow a different timetable and get to experience a variety of workshops from outside agencies. Groups we have welcomed in the past include One Hope Project, CAFOD, SVP, Mary’s Meals, Chip Kendall, Our Warm Welcome and Mark 10 Mission. The day always culminates in a whole school Mass where successes from the academic year and our whole community is celebrated. The theme of our Mission Day in 2025 is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
‘‘After our mission day, I really understood what our core values mean. It was so interesting listening to some of the charity speakers and I enjoyed the different sessions in form, especially making my prayer bracelet. Chip Kendal was amazing! He really inspired me with his music and message. He got the place rocking! I think the day helped me to think about what it means to live life to the full like Jesus wants.” – Laura year 9
Father Swanson celebrating Whole School Mass as part of our Mission Day, Summer 2024.
As part of our comprehensive transition program, all Year 7 students participate in a retreat day centred around our school motto, “Live Life in All Its Fullness,” led by Rise Theatre, a Catholic drama company. Through workshops and drama productions, students explore the meaning behind Jesus’ words, “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” The day provides students with the opportunity to reflect on their God-given talents and consider how they can live life fully, both in school and in the future.
“Our retreat day was fun. The dramas we watched were funny, but they also made me think about myself and how I can do my best. I learnt that God has made me to be special and I need to show the world how special I am. I can help others to show how special they are too.’’ – Harvey year 7
Each year approximately 80 year 8 students go on a residential retreat to Savio House, a Salesian retreat centre in Bollington. During their visit students take part in various activities including a hike in the Cheshire countryside, group work tasks, games, a disco, Mass and creative prayer activities. The theme of the retreat is ‘Building Bridges’. The retreat provides our students with the opportunity for spiritual, social and personal growth.
‘I had the best time at Savio House. The house itself was really beautiful because it is set in gorgeous countryside. The hike on day one was really hard but the views from the top of the hill were worth the climb. The games room was great and the food was really good. I did not know what to expect from a retreat but it I did not have to worry. I got to think about who was important in my life and about how much support I have. It was interesting to hear about how God is always there to support me. This idea makes me feel comforted. The team there was really nice – they helped us to all get involved and have a good time. They even joined in with the snowball fight! I loved my time there and hope we get to go back again.’ – Freya
Last year, 51 year 10 students went on pilgrimage to Rome. Our students got the opportunity to tour the Coliseum, Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. They also visited the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. We look forward to taking another group of year 10 students on pilgrimage to Rome in May 2025.
St Cuthbert’s actively supports the annual Archdiocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. Each year, we invite pilgrimage leaders to share their experiences with students and encourage those in Year 10 and above to volunteer as youth helpers. Youth helpers assist pilgrims traveling from Liverpool to Lourdes, supporting the transportation of the sick, disabled, and elderly to services, the grotto, and the candlelight processions. They also provide assistance with personal care and mealtimes for pilgrims staying in the hospital. In 2024, 4 of our students volunteered to be youth helpers on the pilgrimage. It is also wonderful to see many of our alumni taking part in the pilgrimage year on year.
Some of our wonderful students about to embark on the 24-hour journey as part of the Archdiocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes in summer 2024.
We are delighted to welcome Glenn Skelhorn, on behalf of the Royal Institute of Philosophy, who works with our Philosophy Club every Friday after school.
