Peace Run - April 2023

On Wednesday 26th we had some special visitors in school telling as all about the Peace Run. The Peace Run is all about discovering peace and goodness in the world around us, and it is a great opportunity to invite the students to think of the community around them.

The Peace runners came to school and were greeted by children with their homemade torches. The children then took part in a really engaging presentation in the hall and Key stage 2 then went off to do their own peace run. During the visit, the children and staff were able to touch the peace torch which was very special moment because Pop Francis, Nelson Mandela and Saint Teresa of Calcutta have also touched the same torch. How amazing!!

Sunshine Team Daffodil Tea - March 2023

On Tuesday 28th March the Sunshine Team held a beautiful daffodil tea for their grandparents and members of our Church community. The tea was a great success and it was wonderful to spend some together. The Sunshine Team were able to treat the community to daffodils, sandwiches and cake with the money they raised from a cake sale that they held at school the week before. Well done Sunshine Team!

Lenten Breakfast - March 2023

On Thursday 23rd March we held a Lenten breakfast in school and invited our school community to join, including children, staff and parents. We held a reflection and enjoyed breakfast together. It was such a lovely way to enjoy the Lenten season and all the money raised was sent to Cafod. 

A prayer for Pope Benedict - January 2023

The whole school took a moment to pause and reflect upon the life of Pope Benedict on the day of his funeral. Afterwards, this lovely prayer was written.  

Spreading Christmas Cheer - December 2022

 Staff helped to make Christmas hampers for some of our families in our school community, to spread joy during this special season. 

Yellow Day - October 2022

On Friday 7th October we took part in Hello Yellow Day, raising money for the Young Minds Charity. All of the children and staff were invited to wear yellow for the day and to make a donation to the charity. We raised £137! The Young Minds Charity helps children and young people access the support they need for their mental health and well being. You can find out all about the charity using the following link: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/support-us/fundraising/helloyellow-resources/

Welcoming the children back to school - September 2022

On Monday 5th September, Fr John came to school and greeted all the children and as many of the new Reception children as he could. He wished them a great day and they told him what they were excited about returning to school. 

 Ukrainian Crisis - April 2022

The final delivery of donations was taken to Folkestone to be loaded onto a Ukrainian lorry. The pictures here show the lorry being loaded with donations from St Richard's and St Paul's. We also met up with the Medway League of Friends who had sorted and organised the nappies etc to be loaded onto the same lorry. 

Ukrainian Crisis and your donations - April 2022

After Fr Jamie leading the Prayer vigil, Mr Taylor appealed for donations from our local community. The initial response was amazing. The school was quickly filled with wonderful gifts. Staff took it upon themselves to spread the word and share this chance to support those in need. Over a couple of days, a large amount of aid was gathered. It was then carefully sorted by staff in their own time and taken to a location. The first car load was gathered and delivered to the Medway League of Friends who are working with K.C.C. to create aid packages for new mothers or expectant mothers. This was all nappies, creams, wipes and other items for babies. Mr Taylor's car was quickly filled. All of this aid was then dropped off for the 'Medway League of Friends' ready for their ambulance to be loaded.

The beginnings of the Ukrainian Crisis Appeal - March 2022

On Thursday 10th March a mini bus full of donations was driven to Folkestone. It was here, an agreed donation point had been arranged by the East Kent Head Teachers organisation. The donations from St Richard's and St Paul's Church were taken by the volunteers working at this point. They were very grateful for the volume of aid as it meant that the shipping container could be taken earlier than expected and that would be leaving on the 11th March instead of the following week. Here are some pictures of Mr Walker, our caretaker, helping the volunteers. 

Christingle - December 2021

On Monday 13th December 2021, the school enjoyed a  special Christingle lead by Year 3. Fr Jamie was invited to join us and he watched Year 3 lead the Christingle. Every child in the school had made a Christingle which was lit and placed around Jesus' crib. The hall was in darkness and by the end of the Christingle, the front, around Jesus, was glowing with the volume of candles lighting the way. 

Advent Mass - November 2021

On Tuesday 30th November, the school enjoyed Advent Mass lead by Fr Leo. The children loved every moment and Fr Leo really inspired everyone with his message of love and joy. By then end of Mass, every child was talking about what each candle represented and what Advent means. 

School display at St Paul's Church. 

The children helped to create a wonderful display in the Parish. The children have worked so hard to re-create St Richard's Prayer in their own languages. It is so amazing to see the prayer we use in school translated and shared at Church. 

Eyes of the world campaign for primary schools - June 2021

https://cafod.org.uk/Education/Primary-teaching-resources/Eyes-of-the-world 

This month we joined the campaign to help fight the climate crisis.  Cafod has been working hard to focus attention on the climate crisis. At the moment, the eyes of the world are on us, as Britain hosts world leaders for the United Nations' climate change talks – COP26. They will make important decisions that will shape the future of our global family. St Richard's children were joined by St Edmund's pupils to highlight this campaign to call on the Prime Minister to support the world's poorest communities affected by the climate crisis. 

The children came together at Samphire Hoe to have photographs taken, raise the flag to promote awareness and they were interviewed by Cafod staff about this problem. All of this was published on the Cafod Facebook page and the Cafod website. 

St. Richard's Day - June 2021

Today has been a very special day in the lives of the children at St Richard's. This is the day when we remember St Richard and the things he accomplished in his life. To mark this special occasion our Year 2 made a pilgrimage to St Edmund's Chapel in Dover.

The children travelled to the chapel of St. Edmund's because this was the last place St Richard visited before he passed away! Whilst at the Chapel, he fell ill and he passed away in Maison Dieu, a large medieval building in Dover. At the time this was used as a hospital. This children took time to learn about the Chapel, St Richard and what life was like in those times. Once that was accomplished the class observed a sacred moment of silence whilst flowers were laid at the Chapel. St Richard's heart is still kept at the Chapel, representing how special this place was for him. A candle represents this holy location.