De La Salle St Helens celebrate Mission Week
This year, Mission Week at De La Salle School St Helens was bigger and bolder than ever before. What began as a single day last year grew into three full days of off-timetable activities, designed to engage over 1,000 students in meaningful, reflective, and joyful experiences rooted in our Catholic identity.
Inspired by Pope Francis’ guidance for the Jubilee Year, we shaped our week around his call to live with:
Deep Faith
Lively Hope
Active Charity
Each day focused on one of these themes, creating a powerful journey of reflection, action, and celebration.
We began with a whole-school Mass and a Reconciliation Service, offering students a chance to reflect on their lives and seek peace without fear or judgment. Recognising our diverse and inclusive community, we also welcomed faith leaders from Jewish and Hindu backgrounds to share how they live out their beliefs in daily life. These encounters helped students see the beauty of faith in all its forms and deepened our understanding of one another.
Our second day focused on hope for our planet. Students rolled up their sleeves and got to work—litter picking, planting flowers and trees, and learning about environmental stewardship. Workshops on the climate crisis, performances by The B Tales, and visits from St Helens Council and Green Your Act Up helped students connect their actions to global issues. It was a day of hands-on learning and hopeful action.
The final day was a celebration of charity, culture, and community. Students engaged in workshops promoting inclusion, awareness, and justice, including a powerful session with a lecturer from Edge Hill University who works with a frontline university in Ukraine.
We also hosted a vibrant zone experience across the school:
Sound & Voice Zone – music and spoken word performances
Arts & Expression Zone – henna, glitter, and creative crafts
Movement & Rhythm Zone – a joyful explosion of martial arts, flamenco, yoga, samba, and capoeira
Threads of Us Zone – stalls from Carmel College, Heart of Glass, Deaf Active, CAFOD, and many more, showcasing community projects and student-led initiatives
We wrapped up the week with a crowd-favourite: the Soak the Teacher fundraiser—because what better way to end a week of mission than with a splash of fun?
Mission Week 2025 was a huge success, and we’re already dreaming big for next year. With faith, hope, and charity as our guide, we know the best is yet to come.
Peer-to-Ear Podcast: Voices That Inspire
Our Peer-to-Ear Podcast team has had an incredible year of growth, creativity, and connection. With fresh faces joining the crew and a renewed sense of purpose, the team has taken their work to the next level—both behind the mic and out in the world.
One of the year’s highlights was a training trip to BBC Radio Merseyside, where the team had the privilege of learning from Executive Producer Steve Coleman. He shared insider tips and tricks to help them refine their sound and storytelling, and the team returned buzzing with ideas and inspiration.
This year’s guest list has been nothing short of impressive. The team has interviewed:
Jessica Drew, PhD from Edge Hill University
Br Armin Luistro, Superior General of the Lasallian Institute, along with Br Chris and Br Joel
Rev Kate Bottley, beloved broadcaster and priest
Students from Carmel College
Ms Jess, reflecting on her experiences with Lasallian projects
And to round off the year, Kevin Duala from BBC Radio Merseyside—who also turned the tables and interviewed our podcast team on his breakfast show!
Each episode has offered something unique, from deep reflections to light-hearted moments, and the team’s confidence and professionalism have shone through every conversation.
The future is bright for Peer-to-Ear. With Still Ryan lined up as an early guest next term, the team is already planning big things for the year ahead. We can’t wait to hear how they continue to grow, connect, and give voice to the stories that matter most in our school and beyond.
You can find the team on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/21Rqgv40aF6HhDWIIEJ4zw?si=1d25b209115d4d87
Pilgrims of Hope: A Journey of Faith and Unity
As part of our Jubilee celebrations this year, we were honoured to join forces with our friends from St Augustine’s and St Cuthbert’s for a very special local pilgrimage to St Anne and Blessed Dominic Church—a designated pilgrimage site for the Jubilee Year. It is important for us to work together because although our students don’t share a school community, they do share society together, going to the same parks, shopping in the same places, and encountering the same wider community.
Though not quite on our doorstep, the church was well worth the two-hour walk. Our students, full of energy and spirit, proudly carried banners, sang joyfully through the streets, and brought the Jubilee logo to life with their enthusiasm and presence.
Upon arrival, we gathered for a reconciliation service, where students were invited to receive the Sacrament of Confession. We anticipated a small group might take part—perhaps 10 to 15 students—but were deeply moved when around 65 students formed a line to speak with Fr Ilunga.
One of the most touching moments of the day came from a student who openly identifies as an aetheist. They chose to take part in confession—not as a religious act, but as a human experience. They wanted to understand what it felt like to speak openly about our faults and be met with compassion and care. It was a beautiful and respectful exchange between two people of different beliefs, and a powerful testament to the spirit of the day.
Throughout the day, students engaged in a variety of prayer stations, offering moments of creativity, silence, and reflection. Whether through art, writing, or quiet contemplation, each student found a meaningful way to connect with the experience.
We concluded our pilgrimage by visiting the shrines of the holy men and women laid to rest in the church. A final service brought all three schools together in shared readings and reflections, beautifully contributed by students and staff alike.
It was a day of faith, friendship, and deep reflection—a true celebration of the Jubilee and a reminder of the power of walking together in hope.
It won’t just be a one-off either! We’re already in discussion about a pilgrimage walk next year to bring the schools together again as one community.
Sealed with the Spirit: Confirmation at De La Salle
This year, we were truly blessed to host the Confirmation Candidates from the St Helens Deanery right here at De La Salle. It was a privilege to be part of such a significant step in the faith journey of so many young people.
As part of the preparation process, we welcomed two classes into school, where students explored what it means to live a life of faith and action. A dedicated team of catechists—including some of our very own staff—led sessions that introduced students to the mission of the Church and the powerful gifts of the Holy Spirit that come with Confirmation.
The journey culminated in a deeply moving Confirmation service, celebrated by Bishop Tom Neylon. His presence brought a sense of reverence and joy to the occasion, and his words reminded us all of the strength and purpose that comes with being sealed with the Spirit.
Adding to the beauty of the service was our worship band, made up mainly of De La Salle students. Their music lifted the hearts of everyone present and was a proud moment for our school community.
Hosting this event was a true honour. It was a celebration of faith, commitment, and community—and a reminder of the incredible potential within each of our young people as they step forward in their spiritual lives.
The Hope Fund: Investing in Dreams
This year, we proudly launched The Hope Fund—a new initiative dedicated to supporting the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of our young people. More than just a pot of money, The Hope Fund is a symbol of belief in our students’ potential and a commitment to helping them turn their ideas into reality.
To kick off our fundraising efforts, we hosted a series of joyful and community-driven events that brought people together in the spirit of giving and celebration.
Our Founder's Day Afternoon Tea was a heartwarming tribute to our school's roots and a shining example of student leadership and teamwork. In a delightful role reversal, students swapped their blazers for aprons and took on the roles of servers, chefs, and entertainers. Guests were treated to delicious treats, warm hospitality, and live performances from some of our most talented and courageous students. Behind the scenes, a dedicated crew of students kept everything running smoothly—washing dishes and ensuring every guest had a memorable experience.
We also held our Quiz Night that brought out the competitive spirit in staff, and parents alike. Teams battled it out in a lively contest of wits and trivia, with the English Department ultimately claiming the title of “Biggest Brains in the Room.” We even put ourselves to the test and took on some SATs questions that our Year 6 students were likely to sit.
We also held an incredible raffle, generously supported by local businesses. Their contributions helped us raise vital funds while strengthening our ties with the wider community.
Thanks to the enthusiasm and generosity of everyone involved, we’re thrilled to announce that we raised over £2,000 for The Hope Fund. These funds will go directly toward supporting student-led projects, enrichment opportunities, and personal development initiatives.
We already have exciting plans in the works for next year and can’t wait to welcome the community back into our school for more unforgettable events. Together, we’re building a future full of hope.
