Memorable day as pupils go to see Pope
Date published: 16 September 2010
ONCE in a lifetime event . . . (l-r) St Augustine’s pupils Matthew Jamshed, Jessica Corbett, Jonathan Jamshed and Rebecca Larrad are to see the Pope in London
CATHOLIC school children from across the borough will head to the capital to see Pope Benedict XVI.
The head of the Catholic Church starts his four-day tour of the UK in Edinburgh today, before heading to London tomorrow where he will host The Big Assembly at St Mary’s College University, in Twickenham, for 4,000 young people as a celebration of Catholic education.
Jessica Corbitt, Rebecca Larrad, Jonathan Jamshed and Matthew Jamshed will represent St Augustine’s RC School in Coppice and the Diocese of Salford.
The lucky quartet were picked for their dedicated involvement in both the Catholic ethos of the school and their local parishes.
Head teacher Mike McGhee said: “The whole visit can be followed live online at thepapalvisit.org.uk but we feel fortunate as a school to be able to send representatives to be able to participate in this once in a lifetime event.
“This will be an experience that will live long in their minds.”
Representing St Aidan and St Oswald RC School, in Royton, are Grace Dawe, Rebecca Valente, David Atkinson and Jack Grennan.
The youngsters, accompanied by deputy head teacher Peter Moore, are in for an early start tomorrow, setting off at 1.30am to ensure they arrive in Twickenham by 6am.
Mr Moore said: “The children are really excited and are looking forward to taking part in such a memorable day.
“Pupils at school will be wearing the papal colours of white and yellow and will be watching the event via live video link.
“It will also be a memorable occasion for me as I went to Heaton Park, Manchester, in 1982 for Pope John Paul II visit when I was their age.”
On Sunday, the Pope will travel through Birmingham in his Popemobile, a specially adapted Mercedes M-Class SUV which has bulletproof glass, after holding a Mass.
