On Wednesday 15 October, Cardinal Nichols visited Newman Catholic College in Brent to officially open a new 'St Carlo Acutis Block'. The new facility is an Additionally Resourced Provision (ARP), which is a specialist unit within a mainstream school that provides targeted support and enhanced resources for students with higher levels of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Pupils in an ARP have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and receive specialised teaching in small classes, with opportunities to join mainstream classes for some learning and social interaction.
The event, which brought together leaders of local schools and Trusts also building similar provisions, local Catholic parish priests, School governors past and present who were instrumental in the design of the space, and representatives from Morgan Sindall, the contractors for the site. In the presence of the Cardinal, and students of Newman Catholic College, they celebrated the fruition of a project designed to offer specialised support to students. The new building is highly visible on the approach to the school, and is the second new block to be built on site in the past three years.
Cardinal Nichols was received by Mr Andrew Dunne, Headteacher, and school chaplain Mr John Roche. The visit commenced with the renewed blessing of the College Chapel, led by the Cardinal and representatives of the school's liturgy group. This visit marked fifteen years and a Day since the Cardinal himself originally opened and blessed the chapel on October 14th 2010, and he shared memories of his visits to the school as he spoke with students about the importance of the chapel space.
In a short reflection, Cardinal Nichols said:
'We hope this building, dedicated to St Carlo, will be a "Galilee", a place where people gather and under his protection, find their way to contribute to this pilgrimage, rooted in faith.'
