A CATHOLIC EDUCATION

We encourage all our families with school age children to consider a Catholic Education where each child is appreciated for being made in the image of God. Yet each child is unique and has different talents to nurture and different needs to be met. A Catholic Education provides a supportive community with good pastoral care and encouragement for each child to reach their full potential. Respect for others is paramount regardless of faith or background.

Children and young adults from the parish have the opportunity of an excellent education locally, throughout their school life:

St Pius X Primary "Success with Faith"	St Bernadette's Secondary 'Growing & Leaning in Faith'	St Brendan's Sixth Form College

St Pius X Primary School is next door to the Church. It opened in 1960 and has gone through lots of changes since then. Close links continue to be nurtured through active participation in Parish and School life.

Fr Michael and Debbie regularly pop into the primary school for assemblies, hymn practice, school productions and Friday lunch (not forgetting the all important cricket practice on the playing field afterwards!). The parish provides several Foundation Governors and volunteers who prepare children for First Holy Communion, help with Breakfast Club and one to one reading.

We are delighted to be able to let you know that our school is thriving and safe and ready to celebrate its 50th anniversary. It is no longer under threat of closure, after an anxious 12 months. Numbers are up to 120. There are places available in our Reception class for September 2010. Please keep us in your prayers.

Fr Michael also regularly visits St Bernadette's to celebrate Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation as well as for other events. Livvy Shatti, one of our young adult parishioners is Head Girl for 2009/2010.

St Pius X Primary is a feeder school for St Bernadette's Secondary School which in turn leads to St Brendan's Sixth Form College. With it's campus style layout and new buildings, St Brendan's is an excellent stepping stone for young adults to gain a bit more independence before working/University life.