Bishop John Sherrington joined celebrations in Hoddesdon on 11 December 2014 to mark the 80th anniversary of the opening of St Augustine’s Primary School. He celebrated Mass in St Augustine’s Church at the top of the road with the school and nursery and blessed two new classrooms and the new music room.
Opened in 1934, the school is one of two Catholic primary schools in Hoddesdon, the other being St Cross. St Augustine’s was built using the money raised by parents paying to send their children to St Cross, which was a private, fee-paying school. The funds raised by the Sisters from the Convent of Our Lady who ran St Cross led to the building of St Augustine’s.
The children participated in the liturgy by singing exuberantly with loud voices and reading from the Book of Kings and the First Letter of St John. In his homily, Bishop John spoke of the strong foundations that the school is built upon, with Jesus as the cornerstone which gives the school its strength. He reminded pupils and staff that a school is much more than the physical building: it is a loving community which is enabled by God’s love for us.
After the Mass, Bishop John blessed two refurbished classrooms in the school building housing Year 3 and a Year 6 classes. He also blessed a new, purpose-built music room.
Hayley Francis, Headteacher of St Augustine’s, said: ‘Today has been truly memorable occasion for our school and parish community, coming together to celebrate our 80th anniversary. It was an honour to welcome Bishop John to our school to celebrate Mass with us and bless our newly refurbished classrooms. What a wonderful opportunity to celebrate this incredible milestone for our school.’
