Enrichment

Each year, at the end of the first week of the Summer Holidays, the local Diocese of Arundel and Brighton organise their annual pilgrimage to Lourdes in southern France. This has been a special place for pilgrimage for over 150 years, especially for those who are struggling because of illness, old age, disability or anxiety. It is an extraordinary place for making lifelong friendships and discovering even more strongly the deep presence of God in ourselves and others. We actively encourage as many of our students as possible to go on this pilgrimage as helpers. They go to support pilgrims to ensure that everyone, whatever their ability, can participate fully in the whole programme. The overwhelming response of those who go is that it is the most formative and meaningful experience of their time in 6^th Form. Many students have recognised that this experience can support their aspirations for future studies; especially in the areas of medicine and social care. Equally, The Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme highly values this experience to fulfil the ‘residential’ aspect of the Gold Award.

Each year, students can volunteer to become CAFOD YOUNG VOLUNTEERS. This involves 3 days, through the year, of workshops that help those students to develop the skills for communication, fundraising and working with others. These are excellent and well planned days that develop important life skills, and we are grateful for their active involvement in building up the awareness in our 6^th Form of global social justice.

Through the year, there are many opportunities for our students to show initiative and support various charities that are active in developing our world and bringing justice to the poor and vulnerable. The main focus of any of charitable activities is to raise the awareness of the members of our College community to the challenges that others face and encourage them to take practical steps to reshape their own practices and help others.

Rag Day is a well established Salesian College tradition which captures many Salesian qualities: generosity and thinking of others before ourselves; cheerfulness; not taking ourselves too seriously; and showing real care and affection for each other.

As we move to the final days of Lent and look forward to Easter, this celebration reminds us of why we fast, give alms and pray more during Lent. We do these things to make us more open to the joy of the Spirit and open to love and care for others.