Conclusion

On the 29th June Father Liam Slattery celebrated a very meaningful Mass to celebrate the patron’s feast of St
Peter. It was Father Liam’s first Mass for the school and he thought that the occasion was awesome. As always
the students behaved in an exemplary manner and the whole atmosphere was one of celebration of the talents
of our young people and staff. Father Liam made some very strong points in his sermon, particularly about St
Peter. He also emphasised that we all make mistakes in our lives but what is important is that we recognise our
mistakes, try to correct them but also recognise the strengths and talents we have. As always in a school of our
size it has been a year where we have had great successes and we have also had unhappiness and sadness in
a number of our families. It is the strength of our community in times of distress that pulls so many people
through. The strength of prayer in our community should never be underestimated. Many of us can vouch for
the importance of prayers when hard times hit us.
I had the privilege of presenting Professor Jonathan Waxman of Imperial College and the Hammersmith Hospital
with a cheque for £1,500 that we had raised for prostate cancer research. Professor Waxman sent us a lovely
letter and also continued to emphasise that for the next generation of males he hoped that this disease would not
be the terrible threat it poses for those older male members of our society at present. I think it very important
that we continue to emphasise to your sons and daughters how important it is that we support work which will
help them have far more healthy lives and that they themselves adopt lifestyles which will decrease the chances
of them suffering from diseases which will affect their quality of life as they get older.
I am fully aware that economic circumstances are making life particularly difficult for a number of our families this
year. It may not be possible for many families to take advantage of the summer holiday to get a break but
whether or not you are fortunate enough to be going away or having to remain at home this year I hope the time
you and your children are able to spend together will strengthen the bond between you and ensure that our
young people value and realise the enormous importance of family life.
Yours sincerely
Lawrence Montagu
Headteacher