Students Head To The Abbey For Commonwealth Service

On Monday 10th March Student Leaders attended the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey.  The Commonwealth Day Service is an annual celebration that honours the Commonwealth’s people as well as its cultures and customs.  The service featured readings, hymns, reflections, and musical performances and concluded with the congregation affirming its respect aloud for nature and the belief in justice and peace for all. 

This trip was an outstanding opportunity to recognise the hard work that the students have done as leaders in our school community and to celebrate their own service.  The theme for this service was ‘Together We Thrive’ which is part of our Catholic Social Teaching theme of Human Dignity this term.  Students were amazed at the sheer beauty and size of Westminster Abby as well as being in sight of the Royal Family and the Prime Minster. Students had a close view of the procession from our seats where Their Majesties came down the aisle followed by the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal as they came into the Abbey. 

Happily, we also came across a former student from St. Paul’s, Deborah Mungai, who was Kenya’s flag bearer.  She stayed after the ceremony to speak with the students and to encourage them to keep doing good deeds.  Before the ceremony, the students enjoyed a historic walking tour on the South Bank of the Thames led by Ms Markatos.  Students saw popular sites such St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, Parliament Square, the London Eye, the Oxo Tower and the National Theatre on the tour.  All the students and staff who went on the trip felt privileged and happy to have taken part in such a prestigious Royal ceremony that lifted spirits and celebrated the diversity in our Commonwealth.