This week marks the end of a very unusual academic year, and Salesian schools have created their final online assemblies and videos, capturing recent events, celebrating the spirit of Don Bosco in the lives of students and staff, and looking forward to the school community reuniting in September.

Salesian School Chertsey ended the year in an upbeat fashion, with glimpses of achievements over this very challenging year, including the value of sticking to your routine, superb work produced during lockdown, staff sports challenges and amazing fundraising efforts, along with some hilarious out-takes, all set to a great soundtrack.

Thornleigh Salesian College released the second part of their final assembly, featuring a joyful rendition of the hymn to Don Bosco, 'Friend of the Young', performed by students and staff. Staff and students presented prayers reflecting the essence of Salesian education: home, school, church and playground. Headteacher, Andrea O'Callaghan, told students "At the start of this year, we challenged to you be extra-ordinary; to make sure that you made a difference in the world", adding that at the time, staff could not possibly have foreseen the many ways in which students would have to be extraordinary during this year.

Mrs O'Callaghan said the school community had learned to grieve together; to laugh and celebrate together; to be kind to each other; and to learn in new ways, being "extraordinary on our own." She expressed her tremendous pride in seeing how well students have coped with the challenges of this year.

At the end of the assembly, the SDBs of the Thornleigh community gathered in the chapel to give a blessing to students and their families. (Watch the video below)

The end of year Mass from St John Bosco College Battersea will be available from Friday morning 17 July on this link.

We pray that all students, staff and their families have a safe, happy and refreshing summer. We pray especially for those who are leaving school this year, and echo Br Stephen's words in the Thornleigh video - please remember you always have a home in the worldwide Salesian Family.