The Barlow RC High School & Specialist Science College

Christmas Tin Appeal

In the run-up to Christmas, all our pupils and staff stockpiled tinned and packet food for our annual Christmas Appeal. The pupils set up tin collection stations in their classrooms and on the last day of term helped pack the food into seasonal shopping bags, to be distributed to hundreds of vulnerable people across Manchester. Representatives from the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), connected to the local churches, delivered the food parcels to the needy in the area.

Anne Towey from the SVP said, “The kind donations and practical help from all at The Barlow has been fantastic. We receive enormous donations from you every year. The school hall was packed high with stacks of food! The children’s help in collecting and packing the food has ensured everyday supplies and Christmas cheer gets to those in need in our community.”

Every Christmas, all our pupils work together to help local and international charities. 

It is an important opportunity for them to help people whose lives are affected by poverty, disadvantage or insecurity. This Christmas, pupils dedicated their time to not only making up food packages but collecting donated baby clothes and equipment for Marillac House; a local home for young women who are either pregnant or have had children and do not have anywhere or anyone to go to for help. In addition, they raised over £2,000 which will be split between Marillac House, Cornerstone Day Centre and an orphanage in Bolivia.

At The Barlow, we have our own Youth SVP group; a dedicated team of young volunteers who offer support to people in the community. On 16^th December, they held a Christmas party for the over 60s from the local parishes of St Ambrose, St Bernard’s, St Bernadette’s, St Catherine’s and St Cuthbert’s. The school gym was transformed into a festive wonderland. Christmas decorations and candle light set the scene for an afternoon of entertainment from the talented school choir, who in-between their performances took time to talk to their guests and ensure a plentiful supply of tea, coffee, sandwiches and cakes. The combination of excellent entertainment and the friendly nature of the pupils ensured everyone entered the Christmas spirit and had a very enjoyable afternoon.

Relay of Prayer – A message from Pope Benedict

The Barlow is taking part in the Diocese of Salford Relay of Prayer. This special event in the lead up to the Olympics 2012, celebrates how sport and religion share the ability to bring people together. We have recently received our very own message from Pope Benedict, congratulating our pupils on their involvement in this initiative.

His Holiness cordially imparts to all those who are participating in the Salford Relay of Prayer a special Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of abundant graces from our Blessed Lord.

Read the full letter from Pope Benedict

The ‘Relay of Prayer’ will travel over 300 miles, visit 208 schools and finish at a special service in Salford Cathedral in July 2012.

Each of the involved schools is twinned with one of the 200 countries competing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We have been teamed up with France and our students are busy researching to find out about the faiths, customs and practices of the area and learn about the lives of children and young people in that country.

The Relay of Prayer began on November 28^th in Clitheroe with the Prayer Relay Baton being carried from school to school along the route south. At each stop, the Schools‘ Ambassadors present an assembly about their ‘twin’ country before handing over the baton for its next leg.