Students celebrate the season at St Mary’s Cathedral

Young musicians, singers and readers from a Newcastle secondary school celebrated the season with members of the community when they held an Advent Carol Service at St Mary’s Cathedral.

Around 50 students from Years 7 to 13 at St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School took part in the service, which was led by Head of Music Iain Anderson, Music Teacher Alex Proudlock, and Head of Religious Education Stephanie Peacock, while Headmaster Daniel Murray compiled the order of service

Presided over by Canon Simon Lerche, who is Episcopal Vicar for Education, St Cuthbert’s Advent Carol Service took as its theme this year ‘Peace on Earth’, and included traditional readings from the books of Isaiah and Micah, along with the Christmas poem ‘A Child is Born’ by Godfrey Rust.

Among the congregational carols were ‘O Come O Come Emmanuel’, ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’, 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing’, and ‘O Come Let Us Adore Him’ – with the first verse sung in Latin by the choir.

The annual event is a regular fixture in the school calendar, and was taking place at the Cathedral for the second time.

“Advent carol services like the one at St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School are important because they bring the school and the local community together to reflect on shared values, such as ‘peace on earth’,” said David Swindells, Deputy Head at the school, which is part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust.

“These events create a sense of unity and foster spiritual growth, while also providing a cultural and educational opportunity for students to engage in music and liturgy.

“Additionally, they strengthen the school’s relationship with the local community, promoting good will and a collective sense of purpose during the Advent season.”

The service was not the only way that students at St Cuthbert’s have been engaging with the community, as they have also been taking part in a range of fundraising activities in the run up to Christmas.

“Pupils in school have been taking part in Faith in Action activities during Advent,” added Mr Swindells. 

“Key Stage 3 have been collecting and raising money in their form classes for CAFOD World Gifts; Key Stage 4 have been collecting foodstuffs for The People’s Kitchen; and Key Stage 5 and staff have been collecting winter warmer packs for the homeless charity, Crisis.”