This week, we marked Refugee Week 2025, embracing the national theme, “Community as a Superpower,” which highlights the strength found in unity and shared purpose. This theme resonates deeply with our Catholic ethos, reflecting the Church’s mission to build communities rooted in the love of Christ, where the commandment to love our neighbour is central.
Throughout the week, we engaged in various activities that celebrated the contributions and resilience of displaced individuals. Students bravely shared personal stories, offering insights into the challenges and hopes of those who have sought refuge. We commend Ffion and Ahmet for their collaborative effort in creating a YouTube video that served as a powerful tool for raising awareness and fostering compassionate listening and dialogue within our community.
We were also joined by the Oasis One World Choir, a Cardiff-based group that brings together individuals from over 30 nationalities, including refugees and asylum seekers. Their performance, which blended traditional and contemporary music, offered a glimpse into the diverse cultures and experiences of their members, and it was a joy to hear from them. Our students demonstrated remarkable initiative by organising fruit and cake stalls during the event, not only raising funds but also creating spaces for conversation and connection. The lunchtime darts session provided an additional opportunity for students and staff to come together for fun and friendly competition!
Students and staff also took part in the Pilgrim Walk, which is to mark the Jubilee Year. The head teachers from around Cardiff and the Vale decided to mark the year by walking from each of the 25 Roman Catholic schools and college with a staff, specially commissioned for this Pilgrim’s walk. The staff has all the schools written on it.
St Bernadette’s Primary School brought the staff to us on Friday, and on Tuesday we walked to St Philip Evans Primary School to hand the staff to them. They received us and the staff in an assembly, where the children read prayers and sang beautifully! The pilgrim walk will culminate in a mass for all the pilgrims on July 4th in the Cathedral.
We concluded Refugee Week with Mass on the Feast of St Anthony of Padua, a model of compassion and care for the vulnerable. During the service, we especially prayed for all those displaced from their homes, for peace and reconciliation, and for the courage to extend kindness and understanding to all.
Through these collective efforts, our college has not only observed Refugee Week but has also embodied the spirit of community—transforming empathy into action and encouraging an environment where all are valued and supported.
