Faith in Action at St John Fisher High School

St John Fisher Catholic High School in Peterborough has been actively engaging students in faith-led social action, with Caritas Ambassador training, a visit from Bishop Peter Collins, and the prestigious Oscar Romero Award recognising their commitment to Catholic Social Teaching.

Caritas Ambassador Training with Sister Judith Russi

On 9 December 2024, students from St John Fisher Catholic High School (Years 9-13) and Year 5 pupils from St Thomas More Primary School gathered for an inspiring Caritas training session led by Sister Judith Russi. This initiative, in partnership with Caritas, aimed to equip young people with the knowledge and motivation to become Caritas Ambassadors, championing Catholic Social Teaching and making a tangible impact in their school and local community.

Throughout the session, Sister Judith encouraged students to put their faith into action, focusing on key social justice issues, particularly food waste. As part of their response to this call, students have already started implementing plans to reduce waste and redirect savings towards community needs.

Students were deeply moved by the training, with Year 13 student Sean O’Shea sharing, “I found my experience with Sister Judith inspiring and motivational; often we talk about ideas of change, but she got us thinking, as Caritas Ambassadors, how we could put those changes into action.”

Kate Pereira, Headteacher of St John Fisher, reflected on the impact of the session, saying, “The greatest highlight is how the students feel so empowered to lead this and other projects themselves, knowing exactly why they are doing it. Having Caritas Ambassadors at two Catholic schools in Peterborough means that there is the potential for even more involvement in the local community.”

The newly trained Caritas Ambassadors were formally commissioned by Bishop Peter Collins during his visit to the school on 4 February 2025, where they received official Diocesan certificates.

Katharine of Aragon Commemoration Mass

On 24 January 2025, St John Fisher students participated in the annual Mass commemorating Katharine of Aragon, a significant historical figure in Catholic history. The Mass, a tradition in Peterborough, serves as an opportunity for reflection on faith, perseverance, and the historical legacy of Catholicism in the region. Students and staff gathered in solemn remembrance, honouring her unwavering faith and commitment to the Church.

Bishop Peter’s Visit and the Commissioning of Caritas Ambassadors

On 4 February 2025, St John Fisher Catholic High School had the honour of welcoming Bishop Peter Collins, for a special visit. The day was marked by a beautiful Mass celebrated in the school chapel by Bishop Peter alongside Fr Karol Porczak. During the service, Bishop Peter commissioned the newly trained Caritas Ambassadors from St John Fisher and St Thomas More Primary School, blessing each ambassador individually and presenting them with official diocesan Caritas certificates. David Livesey, the Diocesan Coordinator for Caritas East Anglia, and Dr Andy Stone, Diocesan Director of Schools’ Service, were also present for this momentous occasion.

The Bishop blessed the school’s new Stations of the Cross, a stunning installation crafted by Mrs Goodfellow and Mr Griffin and approved by the Chaplaincy Ambassadors. These Stations will now serve as a focal point for prayer and reflection, especially as the school community prepares for Lent.

Students shared their thoughts on the Bishop’s visit:

• “The Bishop, as always, inspired faith and commissioned us as Caritas Ambassadors. This gave me confidence in bringing change.” – Ebenzer, Year 11
• “The Mass was beautiful. I was in awe as Bishop Peter gave an inspiring homily, reminding me and the rest of the Caritas Ambassadors to keep helping our school community and others.” – Samia, Year 10
• “It was great to see the Bishop blessing our Stations of the Cross – we will be using these to learn, pray, and appreciate for years to come.” – Sean, Year 13

During his visit, Bishop Peter engaged with students and pupils from both schools, discussing the significance of their roles as Caritas Ambassadors and their responsibility to be instruments of justice and peace in their communities.

Oscar Romero Award

In an exciting recognition of the school’s dedication to Catholic Social Teaching, St John Fisher High School was awarded the Oscar Romero Award at Participator Level on 10 February. This prestigious accolade acknowledges Catholic schools that actively put faith into action through curriculum, policies, and charity work. St John Fisher is proud to be the first Catholic school in the Diocese of East Anglia to receive this honour, and the school community is now committed to working towards the next level of the award.

Headteacher Kate Pereira expressed her pride, stating, “We are delighted to receive this award because it celebrates the work of every member of the St John Fisher community in putting our school mission into practice through our everyday work.”

The recent events at St John Fisher Catholic High School reflect a vibrant and active faith community, committed to social justice, prayer, and service. As the school moves forward, the Caritas Ambassadors, staff, and students continue to embody the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, striving to make a meaningful difference in their school and beyond.

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