At St Thomas Aquinas, we marked the start of the Jubilee Year 2025, Pilgrims of Hope, with a whole-school Celebration of the Word. Each class then created a Holy Door, symbolising our call to open our hearts to God’s mercy and love. Inspired by Jesus’ words, “I am the door,” the Holy Door reminds us that following Jesus, the Good Shepherd, guides us on our journey of faith. The Jubilee Year invites us to grow closer to God and share kindness with others, and creating our Holy Doors reminded us that we are all called to walk in faith and hope.
The Catholic Life of our School
‘By following in the footsteps of Jesus,
we are making the heart, mind and spirit soar’
Our actions and words of today are the footprints of our future.
The mission of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School is to develop each and every member of the St. Thomas Aquinas Community to reach their full potential by following in the footsteps of Jesus, to 'make our hearts, minds and spirits soar’.
Our Parish Community
Our school is blessed to be served by the parish of Our Lady of the Angels and St Peter in Chains, Hartshill. We are grateful for the close and caring relationship we share with our parish community.
We are especially thankful for our priests, Fr. Matthew Kwaghtaver and Fr. Eamonn Mulcahy. Both priests are an important part of our school family, and we are always delighted to welcome them into school. Every two weeks, one of our priests comes into school to celebrate Mass with us. We feel truly blessed to gather together in prayer with our parishioners, families, and friends. It is a special time for us to grow in faith, give thanks to God, and share the love of our wider school and parish community.
Together, as one family of faith, we continue to grow in love, learning, and the light of Christ.
Click below to read our most recent 'OUTSTANDING' inspection:
Section 48 monitoring inspection (RE)
The True Meaning of Christmas
To end the term, as part of our Christmas celebrations and one of our favourite Christmas traditions, each class chose a Christmas tradition to explore, learning how it came to be part of the celebrations we enjoy today. The children discovered the stories behind traditions such as Christmas elves, St Nicholas and The Twelve Days of Christmas.
It was a joyful and meaningful experience that helped the children reflect on what Christmas is truly about. This special time creates lasting memories each year and reminds us all of the true meaning of Christmas.
Last Mass of the Autumn Term
Our final Mass of the term was a special school celebration led by Fr Eamonn. The children played a central role through their beautiful singing, confident readings and clear proclamation of the Word. Their reverence and participation helped to create a prayerful and reflective atmosphere as our school community came together in faith during Advent, preparing our hearts to welcome Jesus and bringing the term to a meaningful close.
Carols by Candlelight
Year 3 and Year 4 led the school community in sharing the story of Christmas through scripture and song at our Carol Services in church today. The children read beautifully and sang with confidence, helping to create a prayerful, reflective and joyful atmosphere that truly captured the spirit of Christmas.
It was wonderful to welcome so many family members who came along to support the children and share in this special celebration. Well done to everyone involved for making the services such a meaningful and memorable experience for all.
Operation Christmas Child
Our school was proud to support the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal in partnership with Samaritan’s Purse. Through this appeal, families donated shoeboxes filled with Christmas gifts for children around the world who are less fortunate. For many of these children, a shoebox may be the only Christmas present they receive.
This year, our PALS team launched the appeal with a presentation to the whole school, inspiring everyone to get involved. Once again, we were overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown by our parents and families.
Christmas Carols at Holy Trinity
We spent a wonderful evening singing Christmas carols with some of our KS2 children, joining schools from across the local area. It was a lovely opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate the season. A perfect way to start getting into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the festive atmosphere!
First week of Advent
Our Mass in the first week of Advent was a beautiful way to begin this special season of preparation for Jesus. The children sang beautifully, led the liturgy with confidence, proclaimed the Word clearly and reflected on the meaning of Advent. Their reverence and thoughtful participation helped to create a prayerful atmosphere as we came together as a school community to prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.
St Gabriel the Archangel Advent Candle
Yesterday, we were delighted to receive the St Gabriel the Archangel Advent Candle from our friends at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School. Our Head Boy, Head Girl, Deputy Head Boy and Principal PALs welcomed the light of Advent into our school, taking time to pray together and reflect on how this light calls us to prepare our hearts for Jesus through kindness, forgiveness and compassion. As a community, we promised to carry and share this light with others. Today, the candle continued its journey as we proudly passed it on to Our Lady & St Werburgh’s Catholic Primary School. May God keep us safe, and may His light guide us in all that we do.
Candle of Remembrance
During the month of November, some of our local schools took part in the Light in the Darkness initiative. Together, we reflected on Christ as our light as we remembered and prayed for those who have gone before us.
Each child took a tag home to write the names of loved ones they wished to remember. These were placed in our remembrance space, and each time we gathered as a whole school, the remembrance box was emptied, with names read aloud and prayed for. Candles were lit during times of prayer as a symbol of hope and remembrance, bringing our school community together in faith and love.
The Sacrament of Confirmation
Last night, children from our school, alongside pupils from Our Lady of the Angels and St Peter in Chains, received the Sacrament of Confirmation in a beautiful celebration of faith. The candidates participated with great reverence, reading confidently and clearly.
Bishop Timothy celebrated the Mass with Fr Eammon and Fr Matthew, creating a joyful and prayerful atmosphere. He thanked all those who supported the children on their journey and praised the choir for their angelic singing. Families then gathered in St Catherine’s Room to continue the celebrations. We pray that the Holy Spirit continues to guide and strengthen our young people as they grow in faith.
Bishop Timothy Visits Year 6
Bishop Timothy Menezes visited our Year 6 pupils as part of their sacramental preparation for Confirmation, a visit that coincided beautifully with our whole-school One Life Music retreat day. The children asked thoughtful and engaging questions, gaining a deeper understanding of Bishop Timothy’s own journey of faith and his experience of receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. His warmth, kindness and strong faith were evident throughout the visit, making it both meaningful and memorable. We look forward to welcoming Bishop Timothy back when he returns to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with us.
St Andrew's Day Celebration
A huge well-done to our incredible Year 6 St. Andrews Team, who led us in the most wonderful celebration of St. Andrew’s Day. Their confidence, enthusiasm, and teamwork were clear throughout. Thank you so much to the whole team — it was a fabulous celebration, and we are all so proud of you!
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Advent Candle
Yesterday, we were delighted to receive the St Gabriel the Archangel Advent Candle from our friends at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School. Our Head Boy, Head Girl, Deputy Head Boy and Principal PALs welcomed the light of Advent into our school, taking time to pray together and reflect on how this light calls us to prepare our hearts for Jesus through kindness, forgiveness and compassion. As a community, we promised to carry and share this light with others. Today, the candle continued its journey as we proudly passed it on to Our Lady & St Werburgh’s Catholic Primary School. May God keep us safe, and may His light guide us in all that we do.
Carol Singing at the Local Hospital
Our children at St. Thomas Aquinas were greatly honoured to be invited along to the UHNM Christmas service and light switch on. They sang Christmas carols and prayed for the patients and their families. It was a beautiful service and we are very lucky to have had the support of parents. Thank you to all of the Year 2 and 3 Songbirds and the school choir, it was a wonderful start to the festive season.
Year 5 Fan the Flame
Our Year 5 pupils enjoyed a wonderful morning as they joined schools from across the academy for the Fan the Flame pilgrimage at Our Lady and St Werburgh Church. They reflected on how to live as Pilgrims of Hope in today’s world and represented our school exceptionally well through their outstanding behaviour.
We spent a wonderful evening singing Christmas carols with some of our KS2 children, joining schools from across the local area. It was a lovely opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate the season. A perfect way to start getting into the Christmas spirit and enjoy the festive atmosphere. e singing, the smiles, and the sense of togetherness truly brought the festive spirit to life. What a lovely way to begin the Christmas celebrations!
Jubilee Year Virtual Finale
On Friday 21 November, our school gathered in the hall to join the Archdiocese’s online Jubilee Year Finale. It was a special moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate the ways we have grown in faith and service during this Jubilee Year. The live stream included a welcome from Archbishop Bernard Longley, and the Gospel and Homily from Bishop Timothy Menezes. Our pupils contributed with prayers, readings, and music, showing their understanding of the year’s themes, while CJM Music provided uplifting accompaniment.
Although the Jubilee Year continues until the Feast of the Epiphany in January 2026, this virtual gathering was a meaningful opportunity for our school community to come together in faith, just before the Solemnity of Christ the King. We feel truly blessed to have shared in this inspiring celebration.
Onelife Retreat: We Will Go Out As Pilgrims Of Hope
Our school has been blessed with a grace-filled Jubilee retreat led by Dan and Emily from One Life Music. Through uplifting praise, prayer and reflection, we were reminded of our calling to journey as Pilgrims of Hope, carrying God’s light, joy and love into the world around us.
The children embraced this message wholeheartedly, creating beautiful artwork inspired by hope, faith and God’s guiding presence. These thoughtful pieces will be offered in our assembly as a sign of gratitude for the blessings we have received.
We were also grateful for a virtual visit from Bishop Timothy, who shared encouraging words about remaining joyful in hope, even during challenging moments. His message strengthened our trust in Christ as we continue to walk forward together in faith. We give thanks for the gift of community and the grace of growing together during this special Jubilee Year.
Year 3-Together in Faith Celebration
Year 3 delivered a Together in Faith Celebration during Anti-Bullying Week. The theme “Power for Good” encouraged pupils to explore the importance of belonging, kindness, and standing up for others. They linked this to their learning in RE, growing together in faith, friendship, and a shared sense of responsibility to make the world a better place. This also connects closely with our Catholic Social Teaching principles for this half term: promoting peace and the common good. Pupils showcased their incredible talents in a special celebration, singing and acting with energy, confidence, and loud voices. The celebration was full of joy, and we are so proud of every child—Year 3, you are amazing!
Visit from Fr. Matthew
Fr. Matthew answered their questions and shared his own journey of faith, encouraging them to reflect on the confirmation names they had chosen and the saints who inspire them to live out God’s call in their lives. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet with the group and prayed that the Holy Spirit would continue to guide them as they begin their mission as fully confirmed members of the Catholic Church.
Thank you, Fr. Matthew, for your time, inspiration and blessings.
Live Simply Award
We are incredibly proud to share that pupils and staff at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School have achieved the Live Simply Award! Championed by CAFOD, this award recognises our commitment to living simply, sustainably and in solidarity with the world’s poorest communities. Through a range of meaningful projects, our children and staff have shown how caring for people and the planet can make a real difference. These actions have had a positive impact within our school, while also reaching out to support our local and global communities. A wonderful achievement that truly reflects our values — well done to everyone involved!
CAFOD’s LiveSimply assessor Siobhan Farnell said:
"It has been a pleasure to hear about your faith inspired actions, demonstrating how you have been living simply, sustainably, and in solidarity with communities around the world living in poverty. This is a fantastic achievement, and we warmly congratulate you, your pupils, and your staff team". She went on to say that "Your pupils are and absolute credit to you and they shine brightly both inside and out. Her final words were "We are thrilled you have achieved the award it is very well deserved. I can’t tell you how many people I have mentioned your wonderful pupils to over the last few days – they really did make such an impact on me!".
Prayer Buddies
At the end of each school day, during the month of October, our Year 5 class have been leading the Year 1 children in praying the Rosary each day, following The Rosary Challenge by The Mark 10 Mission. October is the month of the Holy Rosary, a special time in the Church when we honour Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and reflect on the important moments in the lives of Jesus and Mary through prayer. It has been a wonderful opportunity for our Year 5 children to be role models of prayer and reverence, and for both classes to feel closer to God and to Our Lady. Through this shared prayer, we have been reminded that Mary is always with us, leading us gently to her Son, Jesus.
Year 1-Together in Faith Celebration
Year 1 children shared their R.E. and Science learning about God’s wonderful creation with their parents and the whole school community. They taught us about the importance of being good stewards of God’s creation and reminded us that it is everyone’s responsibility to care for the beautiful world that God has given us to enjoy!
The Month of the Rosary
During this holy month of October, it has been truly wonderful to see so many of our children gathering at lunchtime to pray the Holy Rosary. Your faith, reverence, and joyful spirit have filled our school with peace and devotion. Each day, as we prayed together, we lifted our hearts and intentions to Our Blessed Mother, asking her to intercede for our families, friends, and the whole world. It was a beautiful reminder of the power of prayer and the grace that comes when we come together in faith. We are deeply thankful to all the children who joined in, and to everyone who helped make this special time of prayer possible. May Our Lady continue to bless you and keep you close to her Son, Jesus.
Mini Vinnies Litter Picking
Our Mini Vinnies showed great care for God’s creation through a litter-picking activity around the school grounds. With gloves, bags, and big smiles, they worked together to make our environment cleaner and more beautiful. This simple act of service reflects many of our Catholic Social Teaching principles. By looking after the world God has given us, the children are putting their faith into action and showing love for both creation and community.
Well done, Mini Vinnies — you remind us that even small acts done with love can make a big difference
Confirmation Enrolment Mass
We gathered together for the Enrolment Mass for the Confirmandi from our school and parish. These children have made a sincere commitment to continue growing in their faith and have taken the next step in becoming active workers for God. With the support of their parents and sponsors, they reverently renewed their baptismal promises. We are grateful to have shared in this special moment of their faith journey. Please keep them all in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. We thank Fr. Elobe, parishioners and school staff for their continued support.
Mass
We joyfully celebrated Mass with Rev. Fr. Chukwuelobe, his first Mass with us in school. The children participated reverently, offering prayers and singing joyfully, making the celebration truly memorable. We are grateful to Fr. Chukwuelobe and to all parishioners, families, and friends who joined us for this beautiful Mass.
Year 2-Together in Faith Celebration
Year 2’s shared a special celebration about Noah’s Ark. Through their wonderful performance, the children reminded us of God’s promise to care for us all, and the importance of keeping the promises we make to one another. The assembly was filled with confidence, teamwork, and joy as Year 2 shared songs, readings, and reflections with the whole school community. Their creativity and enthusiasm truly brought the story to life, helping us all reflect on faith, hope, and God’s love. We are so proud of each child for their effort, courage, and the heart they put into sharing this important message. Well done, Year 2 — you shone brilliantly!
Mini Vinnies Uniform Recycle Event
A huge thank you to our amazing Mini Vinnies for organising the Uniform Recycle Event! Your hard work, care, and commitment made this a great success. By helping families and promoting sustainability, you have truly lived out the spirit of service and stewardship. We’ve received so many kind words from grateful parents, including:
“This event is a big help for our family—thank you for your thoughtfulness!”
“It’s wonderful to see our children leading the way in caring for others and for the planet.”
“What a brilliant idea—helping families while reducing waste. Well done, Mini Vinnies!”
Thank you once again for your enthusiasm, teamwork, and generosity—you are making a real difference in our school community!
Faith in Action: Helping Others This Harvest
A few of their thoughtful comments included:
“Jesus asks us to look after the poor, just as He did.”
“When Jesus comes again, He will see how we cared for others.”
“We are all made in God’s image, so we should help and support one another.”
“We are trying to be like Jesus.”
We are so proud of our pupils for their compassion and their desire to make a difference. This spirit of kindness truly reflects the love and faith at the heart of our school community.
Year 3 Stay & Pray: Celebrating the Holy Rosary
Our Year 3 children led a beautiful Stay & Pray all about the Holy Rosary, guiding us in prayer, reflection, and song with confidence and reverence. Many of the prayers were written by the children themselves, shared with heartfelt devotion. Families joined in a special activity, creating prayerful reflections together, which made the celebration even more meaningful. We are truly grateful to our families for supporting the children and helping to make these moments of faith so special.
Parents shared their thoughts on this inspiring celebration:
"A lovely way to pray together as a family and reflect on God’s love."
"The children showed such care and understanding in their prayers — very moving."
"We felt truly blessed to share in this prayerful time with our children."
We give thanks for this uplifting celebration, and for the faith, joy, and community spirit that Year 3 brought to our school.
Year 4 Celebrate the Mysteries of the Rosary
Our Year 4 pupils led a wonderful class celebration all about the mysteries of the Rosary. With thoughtful prayers, reflections, and songs—many written by the children themselves—they helped us reflect on the life of Jesus and Mary. We are so proud of Year 4 for their confidence, care, and inspiring leadership in sharing their faith!
Feast of the St Gabriel the Archangel
To celebrate the Feast of the Archangel Gabriel we joined the 64 schools of our new St Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Multi-Academy Trust for a joyful Mass at St Austin’s Church, Stafford. It was a truly uplifting occasion, and we were proud to be represented by our Head Boy and Head Girl. Each school received a Lantern of Hope, beautifully decorated with ribbons and our crests – a symbol of the light we bring as one CMAT family. Back in school, every class shared in a Celebration of the Word and activities inspired by the Archangel Gabriel, who reminds us of God’s message of hope and love. We are grateful to be part of such a faith-filled celebration and look forward to walking forward in hope, guided by Christ’s light.
First Mass of the academic year
A heartfelt thank you to Fr. Eamonn for joining us, and to our families, governors, and parishioners who came to share this special occasion. It was a truly wonderful and prayerful way to begin the new academic year — gathered in the presence of God, asking His blessing on our school and entire community.
Blessing of Play area
Fr. Eamonn blessed and officially opened our new Trim Trail play area on the KS1 playground. With joy and prayer, he asked God to bless all the children who will play there and to keep them safe always. May it be a place of laughter, friendship, and happy memories under God’s loving care.
Eucharistic Congress
As part of our deanery’s Eucharistic Congress celebrations, our school was truly blessed to come together for a beautiful and reverent Mass, led by Fr. Eamonn and joined by parishioners and families. In the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, we were united in faith, love, and prayer. It was a sacred time of learning, reflection, and deepening our relationship with Christ. Hearts were touched, and we left renewed in the grace of His presence.
Eucharistic Congress
The Eucharistic Congress Mass at Sacred Heart Church was a truly sacred and uplifting experience. Celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Longley and joined by clergy from across the Deanery, the liturgy brought together our Catholic schools in a beautiful expression of unity and faith. A special thank you to Isla, Ida, Christa, Aoife & Savio who represented the school with reverence and grace, reminding us all of the quiet power of young faith in action. Surrounded by familiar faces from our Catholic family, we felt deeply connected through the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. As the Eucharistic Congress continues, we look forward to days filled with prayer, reflection, and renewal.
School Pilgrimage
The whole school took part in a special pilgrimage journeying together in faith as part of the Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee Year. Children and staff spent the day learning about the saints of the schools within the CTKCC Multi-Academy, deepening their understanding of our shared Catholic identity. It was a spiritually reverent and thought-provoking day, filled with moments of reflection, prayer, and inspiration. Pupils explored the lives and legacies of the saints, drawing strength and encouragement from their stories. It was a truly moving experience—one that reminded us of the deep values that unite us and the shared journey we walk together in faith, hope, and love as a Catholic family.
Holy Doors
The Year of the Jubilee
Well done, Year 2, on your wonderful launch of the Jubilee. You clearly explained what the Jubilee means and showed us how we can all be true Pilgrims of Hope. Through your thoughtful words, prayers, and actions, you reminded us that hope is shown in kindness, sharing, forgiveness, and caring for others. You spoke with confidence and enthusiasm and helped our whole school community understand how we can walk together in faith and hope each day. We are very proud of you.
