Macmillan Cancer Reseacrh

In September the school held a cake sale for Macmillan Cancer Research. It really was heartening to see so many 6th Form students get involved in this charitable event, and raising so much money (well over £200 and awareness for this fantastic charity (fully upholding the Catholic Social Teaching theme of ‘The Call to Family, Community & Participation.’

KCSP Mass & Diocesan Beginning of Year Mass

In September a selection of pupils from across the school represented St John's at the KCSP Beginning of Year Mass at Aylesford Priory, this was celebrated by Bishop Paul Hendrick, auxiliary Bishop for the area and Southwark Diocese. Students from St John's also participated at the Diocesan Beginning of The School Year Mass, St Georges Cathedral, Southwark, with Archbishop Wilson celebrating Mass with young people from schools in The Diocese of Southwark.

Yr7 Retreat at Aylesford

Our retreat programme commenced with Year 7 pupils visiting Aylesford Priory. The pupils became pilgrims for the day, spending time reflecting on their life journey from primary school to secondary school, how they have changed and who will walk beside them as they journey through St John's. The groups explored different ways of praying and pupils were gifted Rosary's and a guide to the Rosary. The highlight of the day being, it would appear, was feeding the many Geese and Ducks at Aylesford Priory.

St John's Parish Christmas Bazaar

Our Year 12 students organised a collection of soft toys, donating them to the Teddy Bear Tombola stall for the St John's Parish Bazaar. Our senior students collected over one hundred soft toys, gratefully received by the Parish. On the day of the Christmas Bazaar, many pupils gave up their time to help. Pupils stayed after school on the Friday evening before to assist parishioners to carry goods from cars. Then, on the day of the Bazaar, students served behind stalls. They ran themselves to exhaustion, as runners for 'Spin the Wheel' and remained after the bazaar had finished to clear the school, ready for Monday morning. This was faith in action, sound people guided by Catholic Social Teaching, called to participate in their community.

KCSP Christmas Card Competition

Two of our students, Chetna Sabharwal (Year 9) and Oscar Thilthorpe (Year 12), achieved special recognition for their Christmas Card designs that they entered into KCSP’s recent Christmas Card Competition, with Oscar’s design actually coming out on top across all of the entrants of KCSPs 28 schools – a fantastic achievement.

These designs were made into Christmas Cards which were placed in the staffroom, where staff bought and made a charitable donation to one of the Charities we supporting  at Christmas Time: Salvation Army, Ellenor  Hospice and Gravesham Sanctuary.

Christmas Shoe Box Appeal

In December during Advent the school launched the Christmas Shoe Box appeal – it really was wonderful to see so many students come together in the spirit of Catholic Social Teaching - option for the poor & vulnerable, in this excellent charitable cause.

As a school we filled 143 shoe boxes, a tremendous achievement and a record amount of shoe boxes compared to previous years.  The Salvation Army were impressed and delighted when they came to pick up the boxes.

Cultural Day - March 2024

Cultural Day is now an established annual event on the school calendar at St John’s.

The day is a fantastic celebration of the rich cultural diversity at St John’s. During the day students were able to enjoy musical and dance performances during our whole school celebration assembly as well as Art displays, our Cultural Fayre, flag displays, quizzes and other themed activities during lessons.

This event showcases in action the Catholic Social Teaching theme of Solidarity – that although we celebrate our diversity, the school is ONE FAMILY together.

The event also supports the Catholic Social Teaching theme of option for the poor & vulnerable as fund-raising on the day (over £1700) was raised for CAFOD  and Equally Ours, a charity that champions equality and human rights in the UK.

Colour Run - April 2024

In April 2024 the school held its first ever Colour Run event, in which students had an enjoyable and exciting experience. Students obtained sponsorship; and ran a circuit on the school field whilst being covered in colour powder paint.

This event raised a significant amount of money for CAFOD and the Elliot Holmes Memorial Fund (c.£2,300). The Colour Run is an event which provides students with the opportunity to personally be involved in the Catholic Social Teaching theme of option for the poor & vulnerable.