Headteacher's Blog Post - Saturday 29th November 2025

What a month! A true whirlwind of activity! And where to begin?

We’re pleased to share the news that BBC Radio recently approached Bishop Vaughan with a wonderful opportunity to take part in a pre-recorded service to be broadcast in a couple of weeks’ time. This special programme will not only mark the Second Sunday in Advent, but will also celebrate the writing of Dylan Thomas, with a particular focus on the nostalgic Christmas scenes captured in A Child’s Christmas in Wales - this, as it happens, having been an audiobook that a number of staff recorded for our pupils last Christmas (see the foot of this page on our website - LIBRARY AND WIDER READING | Bishop Vaughan).

During the recording, which took place on two days this month, our pupils answered questions about Advent and what it means to them, as well as speaking about Dylan Thomas and his evocative portrayal of Christmas. They also delivered the readings and prayers for the service, which is led by Father Matt Roche-Saunders, Director of Priestly Vocations and Youth Mission. In addition, our school choir was invited to perform ‘Emmanuel’, a piece that perfectly complements the Advent theme.

This was a fantastic opportunity, then, to showcase our pupils’ talents and the ethos of our school on a national platform. It'll be lovely to listen to a service that celebrates the Advent message through scripture, the work of a beloved local author and our pupils’ musical offerings! Details are here: BBC Radio 4 - Sunday Worship - Next on

In this month of Remembrance, our pupils have contemplated the significance of personal remembrance of family and friends no longer with us, as well as the significance of national remembrance of those who have fallen in conflict. These have been the focus of their prayers daily, as well as in our weekly Masses and in the moments of stillness observed across the site on 11th November as we paused to remember the sacrifices made. For a Catholic community, however, the whole month is dedicated to the Holy Souls, beginning as it does with All Saints' Day on November 1st and being followed by All Souls' Day on November 2nd. At these times, we are encouraged to pray for those who have departed and thus November is a time for deep reflection, prayer and remembrance for the faithful.

Last week, Bishop Vaughan’s Liturgy and Faith Ambassadors took part in a special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Mark O’Toole to mark the Jubilee Year of Hope. This was celebrated on Friday 21st November at 10 am at St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral. Our Faith Ambassadors represented the school, assisting with readings during the Mass. Following the celebration, they joined pupils from our cluster schools to lead reflective activities, including writing prayers and creating artworks inspired by the message of Hope. This was another very meaningful occasion for our pupils to share their faith and creativity, as well as to develop their leadership skills while contributing to a very special celebration of hope across our archdiocesan community.

We're grateful to our cluster primary schools for creating the opportunity for this celebration, which was one of the final celebrations of this particular theme as the Jubilee Year closes. So much has happened within it, with our pupils travelling to Rome, with the theme of the Upper and Lower School Presentation Evenings reflecting this, competitions, our Festival of Peace (with so many interpretations of the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ displayed around the central lighthouse!) and very much more. We know that the year’s theme and message will resonate long after the official end to the Jubilee Year, and hopefully they will have had a lasting impact on our pupils’ formation.

Pupils – both current and prospective, and at both ‘ends’ of the age ranges – thoroughly enjoyed this month’s Year 5 transition days and the Sixth Form Information Evening. For the former, the committed team of our own pupils working as transition ambassadors were as proud as they always are to support Mrs. Dorrell with this work and they carry out the roles with real warmth and enthusiasm. Pupils also led the way with our Sixth Form Information Evening this month. This was very well-attended with a high number of external applicants also joining us, keen to learn more about both academic and pastoral provision here at Bishop Vaughan. Comments from visitors were extremely complimentary of our pupils who represented each of the Sixth Form subjects on offer, with a great deal of lovely feedback about how articulate, well -presented and respectful all of the pupils supporting the evening were.

Pupils also organised and ran November’s ‘First Friday Bookstall’ this month, as referenced in last month’s blog, this being a sale of donated books with stalls for both staff and pupils. This aligns with our aim to ensure that reading is a key and vibrant focus in the life of our school, facilitating enjoyment as well as improved literacy and oracy. Thank you for the donations of books received! The next one will be on 5th December.

Our staff supported our Sixth Formers in running another very successful Swish event this month. This is a vintage clothes sale, effectively, and it’s now a really popular and established event in the school year, with our pupils looking forward to it immensely. The event went extremely well once more! The same week, the Charity Team once again supported Children in Need, and it was great to see the cause being embraced as it always is by our pupils. Our Sixth Form pupils also arranged a charity football match this month, something they’ve been very keen to do, and they were thrilled that it was able to go ahead, despite the recent weather!

On Thursday evening, we welcomed many pupils, parents, carers, siblings, guests and external stallholders for our annual Christmas Fair. This was a very festive event indeed! Pupils ran many of the stalls themselves, many selling items crafted through their own creative skills, in addition to running raffles, tombolas, games and stalls of donated items. It was lovely to see so many of you there and we hope you enjoyed it as much as our staff and pupils did!

In Governor news, we welcome our Foundation Governor, Mrs. Sarah Dawkins, to her new role as Vice Chair of Governors, where she will work alongside our Chair, Councillor Sam Pritchard, to serve our school community. This follows Father Rob Davies stepping back from this position after a dedicated period of service within the role, due to a move to Cardiff and a new parish there. We're all delighted that he will nevertheless remain with us as a member of the Governing Body.

Next month, we’d love to welcome you to the Annual Cathedral Carol Service on Monday 15th December at 7pm at St. Joseph’s Co-Cathedral. This will be opened by His Grace, Archbishop Mark O’Toole, and we’re delighted that we will again be joined by the choirs of our cluster primary schools. For those seeking a quieter evening of prayerful reflection, we welcome you to the Annual Service of Benediction and Carols and the Sacred Heart Parish Church. This will take place on Monday on 8th December. Known as the Immaculata Carol Service, as it’s held on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, this is always a most beautiful, prayerful evening of readings, music and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

As we enter the season of Advent this weekend, may I wish you a beautiful and blessed Advent season. The following prayer is shared with our community as we embark on our Advent journey together:

O Lord, I come before You with a heart that longs for Your light and Your comfort.

In this season, help me to lay down every fear that has followed me,

every thought that troubles my mind,

and every worry that tries to weaken my faith.

Fill the deep places of my soul with hope that does not fade,

hope that stands firm even when everything around me feels uncertain.

Let Your presence be like a warm flame within me,

reminding me that You never leave Your children alone.

Teach me to trust You in the waiting, to believe in Your timing,

and to rest in the truth that Your plans are filled with goodness.

Strengthen me so that I may walk through each day with a calm heart,

knowing that You are guiding me gently and faithfully.

Wishing you a lovely Advent weekend!

Mrs Pole