Yesterday marked the return to school for all our staff after six weeks away, and it was a very happy return!
There was a wonderful sense of excitement as friends and colleagues came back together, sharing stories, catching up on news and talking about their summer holidays. Six weeks is a long time to be away from one another, so there was certainly plenty of laughter, smiles and chatter as we reunited.
It was also a great pleasure to welcome our new members of staff to Notre Dame, including our SCITT students. Welcoming new colleagues into our school community is always a delight and one of the highlights of the start of a new academic year. We hope that everyone joining us will quickly feel part of our Notre Dame family.
The morning of our INSET day passed incredibly quickly. Mrs Cleary, our Headteacher, began the day by leading us in prayer and introducing us to this year’s Notre Dame Hallmark:
Hallmark 1: “We proclaim by our lives even more than by our words that God is good.”
This beautiful Hallmark gives us a powerful reminder of how we are called to live out our faith each day; not simply through what we say, but through how we treat others, how we work together and how we care for the young people entrusted to us.
Mrs Cleary then gave her warm welcome to staff and shared her ‘Notre Dame School’ updates talk, helping us to look ahead to the year and all that it will bring. Throughout the morning, staff took part in a variety of workshops and activities, providing opportunities for learning, reflection, preparation and discussion. Before we knew it, it was lunchtime!
A wonderful buffet lunch was provided, with a fantastic selection of savoury and sweet treats. It was lovely to be able to sit together, enjoy some delicious food and have time to catch up properly with one another. After six weeks apart, there was certainly no shortage of conversation and plenty of laughter too!
To close our INSET day, we gathered together to celebrate Mass with Fr Peter Scally, a Jesuit priest. Fr Peter celebrated the Mass beautifully, and staff participated fully in the celebration.
Fr Peter also brought along Penny, his beloved and devoted dog, who joined us for Mass. Penny was very quickly loved and accepted into our Notre Dame community! She certainly brought plenty of smiles and joy to the occasion and made herself very much at home.
The music and singing during Mass were especially beautiful, led by Mr Loftus, Mr Ward, Mr Morley and Mrs Scriven. The atmosphere was truly wonderful, with staff coming together in prayer, song and celebration. To finish Mass by singing the Notre Dame School Song together was the perfect way to end the day and a beautiful moment that made our first day back feel complete.
As we begin this new academic year, let us continue with zeal for God, positivity, energy, compassion and dedication. Most importantly, when we welcome our young people back into school, let us show them through our words, our actions and the way we care for them just how much they are loved.
May we live out this year’s Hallmark each and every day:
“We proclaim by our lives even more than by our words that God is good.”
Here’s to a wonderful new school year together at Notre Dame!
God Bless.
Suzanne
Chaplain
