November is the month of Remembrance

We remember all those families who have lost loved ones to covid-19, and all other illnesses and causes, during the last year.  You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

We remember those impacted by war on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. The school fell silent to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Virtual Remembrance activities and assemblies took place in our academy chapel.  Staff and pupils/students brought in photographs of family members who had served during the two world wars.  We also remembered Nathan Cuthbertson (ex- St. Aidan’s) who was killed in Afghanistan and everyone attached to St. Anthony’s and St. Aidan’s impacted by war since 1914 as we marked the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Cenotaph (the empty tomb) in The Mall and also the burial of the “Unknown Soldier” in Westminster Abbey.

We remember Catherine McAuley on the 11th November each year.

We remembered the Venerable Catherine McAuley (1778-1841) today.  Catherine founded the Sisters of Mercy in Dublin in the early 19th century.  She died of tuberculosis on 11th November 1841 at Baggot Street, Dublin.   Prior to her death she thanked the Sisters for looking after her during her illness and said they would need a, “good cup of tea”.  At the time of her death there were 100 Sisters of Mercy in 10 foundations. Shortly thereafter, small groups of Sisters left Ireland to establish new foundations on the east and west coasts of the United States, in Newfoundland, Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina.  Total worldwide vowed membership is now about 10,000. The Mercy International Centre in Dublin, Ireland, is the international “home” of the Sisters of Mercy worldwide.  There are hundreds of Mercy schools across the globe with whom we share the “Feast of Our Lady of Mercy / Mercy Day” (24th September) and “Good Cup of Tea Day (11th November), annually.

We remember all our local female heroes, some who have died and the vast majority of whom are very much still with us! 

We have been researching the history of our school.  Y8 have been finding out about the great, great grandmothers, the great grandmothers, the grandmothers, the mothers, the aunts, the sisters, the daughters, the teachers, the religious sisters and family friends who have attended and been part of our school over the decades since 1904.  Three History classes in Y8 have produced some lovely video and audio pieces.  This will add to our school archive.  Thank you to all the local female heroes who contributed.  You may not feature in published history book, but we have a place for our female heroes in the “her story” of St. Anthony’s! We will be using all the Y8 work to add to the history of our school.  Particular congratulations to three Y8 pupils Della Mitchinson, Abigail Emmerson and Tilly Moore who will share their research with the new trust.  Any advance on Mrs. Taroni’s four generations of women attending St. Anthony’s?  We would love to know.

Please remember our pupils, students, families and staff in your prayers.

Our families, staff, pupils and students are facing the challenge of the current pandemic at present, with much fortitude and care for their communities.

Thank you parents/carers for your on-going support.