Wednesday 26th February marks the start of Lent, a Catholic liturgical season consisting of forty days of fasting, prayer, and penitence beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding at sundown on Holy Thursday. It is an important period of observance and preparation for the celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter. Traditionally, Lent is a time for fasting, giving something up or abstinence;
‘Lent is a fitting time for self-denial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty’ – Pope Francis
Pupils at Priory School Edgbaston, a co-educational independent school for children aged sixth months to eighteen years, will be observing three Lenten obligations this half term: to pray, fast and give alms. Pupils will participate in a plethora of activities including Empathy Week, a series of events which encourage children and young people to create positive change in society, whilst Sixth Form students lead a myriad of fundraising initiatives raising money for CAFOD, an international charity which reaches out to those living in poverty. Priory School’s Student Parliament and the Model United Nations Committee are leading a campaign to protect the environment by eliminating the use of single use plastic across the school and pupils will take part in a prayer competition during their Religious Education lessons. On Friday 28th February 2020, pupils will be invited to abstain from their usual luxurious meals at lunch time, instead consuming a simple bowl of home cooked soup and bread. The money that would have been spent on their lunch time meal will be donated to those in need as children reflect and appreciate what the less fortunate experience on a daily basis.
In their recent inspections, where the Early Years Foundation Stage achieved an ‘Oustanding’ grading in all areas, inspectors commented that the ‘kindness towards one another is impeccable’ (Ofsted, 2019) whilst the Independent Schools Inspectorate recognised the ‘children’s personal and social development is outstanding’ (ISI, 2019). Priory School welcomes families to their Open Morning event where there will be a range of exciting activities for all the family to enjoy on Saturday 29th February 2020 from 10.00am until 12.30pm. To book a private tour of the school, contact the admissions team on 0121 440 4103 or email admissions@prioryschool.net.
