Feast Day Celebrations - Tuesday 8 December 2009
On Tuesday 8 December at Upton Hall we celebrated our school
Feast Day. We joined with the Church around the world to celebrate
the great feast of the Immaculate Conception when we honour Mary,
the mother of God. December 8th has a further resonance here
at Upton as it was on that day in 1862 when the FCJ sisters
completed the purchase of the site in Upton, the site that we
still occupy today.
The staff and pupils enjoyed a range of events and activities throughout the morning. In the morning each year group attended an assembly led by Mrs Pat Barker and members of the 6th Form.
The assembly focussed on the different titles that we give to Mary and explored the symbolism behind a beautiful icon depicting Mary and the Christ Child.
In addition we looked at the work of the FCJ sisters in Manila as they help to rebuild the lives of communities devastated by the recent floods.
Form groups were then invited to participate in a number of
form events:
• A ‘Mary’ for the 21st century
Working in groups led by 6th form students, each form group
came up with a 21st century title for Mary. This was accompanied
by an image or icon designed by the form. The work produced
was then used to create a display on the Chaplaincy notice board.
• The Philippines & the FCJ sisters
Forms worked through a session on the geography, history and
politics of the Philippines. Each form was given a Treasure Box.
In the box were objects and artefacts associated with the Philippines, pupils had to find out how the items in the box linked into a coherent story.
Form Activities......
• Form auction
Each member of the form brought
in one or two good quality items that they no longer needed or used (CD, book, game, item of clothing) The 6th Form students acted as auctioneers and the items were auctioned to the highest bidder. The auctions raised over £600. This money has been sent to the FCJ sisters to support their work in the Philippines.
• Amnesty Christmas Cards
To support Amnesty International
and to express their solidarity with individuals unjustly imprisoned,
pupils in Years 10 and 11 wrote Christmas cards to prisoners of conscience in different parts of the world.
• Advent Prayer Labyrinth
Form groups were invited to go
along to the Chapel to experience
the Advent Prayer Labyrinth. This involved a journey around the Chapel stopping at various stations to pray, reflect or take part in an activity.
In the afternoon of Feast Day the
Sports Hall and the Assembly Hall were turned into concert venues.
Pupils enjoyed a lively afternoon that included performances by the Chamber Choir, the 6th Form
Drama Group and the 6th Form
ICT group. Community singing,
a dvd and a live karaoke session completed the afternoon which
ended with a prayerful reflection drawing together the various
strands of the day.
We hope that Feast Day 2009 will
live long in the memory of staff and pupils alike.
