St Illtyd’s reflect on wonderful year of spirituality

This term has completed a brilliant year in the Catholic Life and Mission and Collective Worship in St Illtyd’s. Mrs Wonnacott, the RE department and our Chaplaincy groups have made a massive impact on this crucial aspect of school life. We are rightly proud to call ourselves a Catholic school and all this work and activity reflects this. Well done to all.

Paul Moriarty, Deputy Headteacher

Ash Wednesday Liturgy

Ash Wednesday was celebrated with a liturgy led by the Year 11 Senior Prefects. Pupils across Years 7, 8 and 9 were invited to gather and celebrate in the Chapel. The liturgy explored finding strength in prayer, courage in sacrifice, and grace in repentance. Once the ash had been distributed, pupils were encouraged to write down a commitment that they wanted to make to help others in our community both locally and globally.

Victoria Wonnacott, School Chaplain

Pilgrimage to Our Lady and St Illtyd’s Catholic Church

St Illtuds Church Pilgrimage MI and RG.jpg

During this year, several churches within the Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia were designated as Jubilee Churches, offering opportunities for pilgrimage. Our Lady & St Illtyd’s Church in Llantwit Major was one of those appointed as a Holy Destination and with that information the planning of our first pilgrimage began. We invited pupils from St Richard Gwyn and Mary Immaculate to join us along with their school chaplains. The first stop on our pilgrimage was to visit St Illtud’s Church, which was originally a Celtic site founded by our patron saint St Illtyd. The site originally comprised a church, monastery school and mission centre. Pupils took part in a scavenger hunt around the church, exploring its features and relics. Once the scavenger hunt had been completed pupils learnt about the Celtic Crosses that reside within the building, focusing on Samsons Cross which is said to date from the early 10th Century and is believed to be dedicated to Saint Illtud. We thoroughly enjoyed the visit and looked forward to returning for the coastal walk in May.

After receiving such a warm welcome from the clergy at St Illtud’s Church, we were all refreshed and ready for our pilgrimage to the holy door site. The pilgrims were able to enjoy a beautiful and scenic route as they navigated the country lanes and village. Once we arrived at our destination, we took a moment of preparation before joining the parishioners for Mass. Members of the Year 9 chaplaincy team read beautifully as they assisted Fr John during the Mass celebrating the Annunciation of the Lord. We were blessed with good weather and a great day.

“The priest at St Illtud’s Church was welcoming and really engaging, we enjoyed the talk and tasks”- Terese Year 9

“The pilgrimage to St Illtud’s was both educational and enjoyable. My group was thrilled to win the ‘Pilgrimage Holy Sock’ prize for our dance off entry in the church hall. The final destination at Our Lady & St Illtyds Church was also enjoyable as we listened to peers from our other schools read as we celebrated Mass” – Olivia, Year 8 Mary Immaculate
- Victoria Wonnacott, School Chaplain

Big Walk for Lent

This year the Year 9 chaplaincy team wanted to develop their collaboration with St David’s College. They achieved this by inviting pupils from the college to take part in the Big Walk for Lent around Roath Park, along with St Richard Gwyn High School. We started our journey at the infamous lighthouse and after a brief introduction to each other we began the first of our two laps around the lake dodging the pigeons, geese and swans that accompanied us. It was wonderful to see everyone taking the opportunity to speak to someone new and hearing about their life and interests.

After saying goodbye to new friends from Richard Gwyn, the team journeyed on in the midday sun to St David’s College. Upon arrival we gathered in their beautiful Chapel where we were joined by other pupils and staff from the college and took part in mass, celebrated by Fr Benny. Members of the team did a great job raising money for CAFOD via sponsorship for the walk.

“The walk was tiring but the surroundings were beautiful” – Jess Year 9

Victoria Wonnacott, School Chaplain

Light of the World

This year, Mrs Wonnacott and I led two meditation sessions for students, rooted in Catholic spirituality and inspired by the late Pope Francis' Via Pulchritudinis, the Way of Beauty. Both sessions used art, Scripture, and stillness to help students become more aware of God's presence beyond the noise and pressure of everyday life.

The first, during Lent, was a Christocentric meditation focused on Christ as the light of the world. We reflected on the hope that never gives up on us and the guiding light that helps us to heal and reconnect with God. The second, in the month of May, invited students to turn to Mary and ask for her intercession. Just as she gave birth to God in the world through Jesus, we encouraged students to consider how God might be born in them in a psychological and spiritual sense.

Both sessions created space for real silence and reflection, using beauty and Scripture to open the heart to God in a way that speaks deeply to the teenage experience.

Will Rawson, Teacher of RE

Holy Week Liturgy – Year 10 DCB, pupils

During the last week of the Spring Term, pupils from all Year Groups were given the opportunity to celebrate a special service focusing on the events of Holy Week to help them prepare for the Great Liturgical Feast of Easter. Led by members of the Year 10 Emerald Greens Prefects with the support of the RE Department the service involved the story of the events of Holy Week being read from the Gospel in the style of the Passion and the significance of each event being explained to the pupils. Sometimes it is important to remember that because we are so familiar with the stories of the life of Jesus, we can forget that every action and event has a deeper meaning for humankind. Each reading was accompanied by a special symbol that was ceremonial brought to the altar and placed around the cross. The Year 10 Emerald Greens performed their roles superbly whether it was reading the different parts of the Gospel or in their presentation of the symbols to support the readings. All pupils who attended were excellently behaved and left understanding more about the significance of this most important week in the life of Christ.

- "I feel that the experience was a positive one both as a member of the Emerald Greens who delivered the service and as a member of the school community to learn more about the importance of these significant events in the life of Christ." Karis Manzenza, Year 10

- "It was a privilege to be asked to help create and deliver our Holy Week Service." Hollie Burke, Year 10

- "Having taken part in the service, I feel that I learnt a great deal about why Holy Week is so important. It also gave me more confidence in speaking in front of my peers." Lena Krzyskow, Year 10

David Brown, Head of RE

Y7 St Cassian Retreat

This year marks the first for many that St Illtyd’s has attended a residential trip to Kintbury and our Year 7 pupils thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The first impression of the retreat centre was breath-taking, our pupils were taken aback as we drove through the estate, enjoying both the view and wildlife. Retreats at the centre for Year 7 are not always possible but we were kindly invited to join pupils from St Albans High School, Pontypool. Pupils and staff took part in workshops, walks, meditations, games, reflection and low ropes.

Kintbury was a top experience for our Year 7 pupils, set in a peaceful and beautiful location, it was carefully designed to gently introduce the students to prayer, reflection and Christ-centred mindfulness without ever putting them off. The volunteers guided them gradually, creating a space where even the more hesitant of our children felt comfortable living in the now. It was lovely to see some pupils open up, with a few surprising us by enthusiastically taking part in the final Mass, reading confidently and showing genuine engagement with the retreat.

Will Rawson, Teacher of RE

Pilgrimage of Hope: A Journey Along St Illtyd’s Way

As part of our school’s observance of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year of Hope, a mixture of students from Years 7, 8, and 9 embarked on a remarkable pilgrimage walk along the South Wales coastline. All pupils taking part had previously received the Sacrament of Confirmation, and their collective spirit of faith, community, and reflection was evident throughout the day.

The nine-mile round journey began at the iconic Nash Point Lighthouse, a beacon both literal and symbolic, setting the tone for a day rooted in purpose. From there, students followed the picturesque coastal path and the historic St Illtyd’s Way, taking in a stunning variety of sights—rolling meadows brushed by sea winds, remnants of World War II gun posts standing watch along the cliffs, the dramatic seafront of Llantwit Beach, along with the grand silhouette of Atlantic College. There was plenty of nature to admire long the route too - from kestrels and guillemots circling above our heads to the bees buzzing between the flowers and butterflies fluttering along the cliff edge.

The journey culminated at the Church of St Illtyd in Llantwit Major, a place rich in history and quiet beauty. Within its ancient walls, students took time for personal reflection, admired the extraordinary collection of Celtic crosses, and found welcome relief from the intense summer heat that accompanied the day.

This pilgrimage offered more than scenic views—it was a chance for pupils to strengthen their spiritual connections, walk in the footsteps of St Illtyd himself and share a sense of hope and unity with friends and staff alike. Despite the sunburn and the blisters, there was not one complaint to be heard as we made our way back to the school. It truly was a walk to remember.

David Richards, Teacher of History

Y6 Enrichment

We always look forward to June as it allows us another opportunity to meet Year 6 pupils during Enrichment Week. Members from the Year 7 and 8 chaplaincy teams led a series of Collective Worships called ‘Mirror, Mirror on the Wall’ focusing on how we are all equal and important. Their first task was to explore and discuss the importance of people and their job roles, trying to place them in an order. They quickly realised how difficult it was agreeing on an order as a group because everyone had different priorities and ideas. The discussion helped them to understand the importance of each other, teamwork and community. The chaplaincy team then guided the Year 6 pupils in an activity of reflection, where they looked inward on what they were proud of, their own achievements and their goals for the year. The chaplaincy team were fantastic engaging with all the pupils and welcoming them to the Chapel. We look forward to seeing you all again on the Transition Day and in September.

Victoria Wonnacott, School Chaplain

Cardiff and Vale Jubilee Pilgrimage

We were delighted to have been invited to take part in the Cardiff and Vale Jubilee Pilgrimage this year. The project, named ‘Pilgrim’s Walk,’ sought to bring together all 20 Catholic education providers in Cardiff and the Vale. The Pilgrim’s Walk is a celebration of the Jubilee Year 2025, centred around the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. This specific project focus was to highlight the climate crisis and reflect how the schools and college could contribute to caring for the communities.

St John Lloyd Primary was chosen to pilgrim to us with the ‘staff’ so that we could continue the Hope mission. The chaplaincy team thoroughly enjoys working with our primary schools, so they wanted to ensure that their welcome was as memorable as possible. Pupils from Year 7, 8 and 9 lined the steps of the school, cheering and applauding as the Year 5 pupils journeyed down our path with their school banner and pilgrim staff. Our pupils and staff cheered them through reception and into the school hall where they were greeted by the rest of the team equipped with refreshments and an array of treats.

Once everyone felt refreshed and nourished, we gathered at the front of the hall to officially begin our welcome with a liturgy led by our chaplaincy pupils. We sang and celebrated together before moving on to decorating the ‘banner of hope’ symbolising our unity in the mission. The Pilgrims' Walk calls us to live as people of hope, spreading light and kindness wherever we go. We will cherish the opportunity to have been able to share this message with all those who have taken part in the Cardiff and Vale Pilgrimage.

Victoria Wonnacott, School Chaplain

Pilgrimage Staff

Over the past few weeks the pilgrimage staff, created by our very own Mr Griffiths, has been travelling on a very special journey around Cardiff being passed between all the Catholic schools in the area. After receiving the staff from St. John Lloyd Primary, myself, Mrs Wonnacott and some returning Year 11s, accompanied a group of Year 8 and 9 pupils on a pilgrimage walk to St. Peter’s Primary to continue the staff’s journey. After walking down to St. Peter’s, we received the warmest of welcomes from the younger pupils who waved flags, clapped, and cheered us on our way into a lovely Jubilee service where we united to celebrate the journey we have all embarked on this year as Pilgrims of Hope, and experienced some of the most enthusiastic singing I have ever heard! It was lovely to see the pupils of St. Peters interact with our own and wish them luck on their own pilgrimage walk where the pilgrimage staff will move closer to its destination at the Cathedral.