The wonderful young people and staff in Emmaus MAC have been living out their faith this Lent. The table below highlights the various ways that our schools have contributed to our mission, vision and values by sharing and serving in the heart of our communities:
Students in the Chaplaincy team chose to support three charities, at a local, national and international level.
Students have been bringing in Easter eggs and other food items, which will be donated to the SVP to make up food hampers this Easter. Students in Years 7-10 have been participating in CAFOD's Walk for Water, walking a mile around the school site during a Tuesday morning tutor session.
By next week, students will have collectively walked approximately 760 miles. On Friday 26th March, we are holding a non-uniform day in support of Mind.
We have been raising money for the Good Shepherd Appeal through themed days.
We have set weekly Lenten Challenges focusing on: We are Powerful People, We are People of Change, We are People of Love, We are People of obedience, we are People of Hope and We are People of Transformation.
We are also running a Easter raffle across Lent towards CAFOD.
We are having a Mufti day during Holy Week to raise money for the Good Shepherd Appeal. Also during Holy Week children will be encouraged to bring in food for our local food bank.
This Lent, our chosen Lenten Charity is Father Hudson's and on St Joseph's feast day (19th March) we came to school wearing odd shoes.
So far, we raised have raised £210 for this worthy charity and, as a school, we have been thinking about the small things we can do this Lent to make a difference to others.
We are combining Walk for Water with World Book Day and asking for donations for Just Giving. Here is link to our page, which went live about 10 mins ago and has had some donacom/fundraising/sfxcps
On Monday 29th March we will be taking part in a sponsored walk to raise money for Grief Encounter.
Grief Encounter work closely with individuals, families, schools and professionals to offer a way through the anxiety, fear and isolation so often caused by grief. All the money raised will go to supporting the charity and their work. https://www.griefencounter.org.uk/event/the-forget-me-not-walk/
As a school and parish, we have lost friends and family in recent times and feel that this particular cause is worthy of our support as an outward expression of our support to one another and beyond. We are also raising money on Monday 22nd by celebrating World Down’s Syndrome Day in school.
All money raised will be donated to a local Down’s Syndrome charity which provides support to local families.
At St. Joseph's, we have introduced a 'mentor dog' to school - a cockapoo named Ted.
During the month of March, the children from Reception to Year 1 have been walking with Ted at lunchtime (Daily K with Ted) four days a week to help him achieve the 100km walking challenge in aid of Dementia UK.
The children have thoroughly enjoyed walking and spending time with the dog, while also enjoying being physically active too, as part of the CMO's recommendation of 60 minutes of PA per day!
The dog has also been used to support with the children's return to school after the lockdown, in terms of their mental health and well-being, as well as rewarding and managing behaviour. This has included 'meet and greet' in the mornings to help children who have been anxious coming into school, and we have recently introduced a 'Time with Ted' session as a reward for children who have been chosen by their teacher for Good Work and Special Mention (Virtues).
The school has supported Fr. Hudson's Good Shepherd Appeal through a non-uniform day on St. Joseph's Day. The school also continues to support the education of two children in The Gambia from one of our link schools.
In each class, children have discussed the importance of almsgiving during Lent and reasons for it and then decided on their own ways to fundraise for the Good Shepherd Appeal.
During this season of Lent, we have opened our hearts to helping CAFOD on the CAFOD fast day where the children and families supported with offering of a silver coin and being involved in activities to strengthen our almsgiving.
We have continued to support the local foodbank to help families in need by offering items of food.
To highlight that our school community is unique we have supported National Down’s Syndrome day by asking families to offer a donation to this wonderful cause and share how we are God’s children.
At Year 6 s own request - "Message from Year 6 pupils: Dear KS1 Parents.
We are running a KS1 Competition: Guess the name of the teddy bear.
All proceeds will be donated to a charity chosen by us to help fight poverty across the world.
This initiative is linked to our R.E. learning on poverty. £1.00 per entry. Thank you in advance for your support and donation."
