A MILESTONE was marked when children, staff and senior figures from eight Coventry schools gathered at Coventry Cathedral to mark ten years since merging to form an academy with over 3,000 pupils.
Romero Catholic Academy pupils lead a procession through Coventry Cathedral.
The Romero Catholic Academy, which was established in 2015 and comprises seven primary schools and one secondary school in Coventry, welcomed visitors from across the community to its 10th anniversary Mass at the iconic venue.
The event saw readings, music, performances from a gospel choir and a procession performed by Year 4 pupils from across the academy, which was live streamed to schools across the city.
The day formed part of the schools’ wider Jubilee Year celebrations, described as a moment of reflection, gratitude and hope for the future as part of Romero’s mission for its pupils to become ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
Helen Quinn, CEO of Romero Catholic Academy, said: “Over the past 10 years, we have achieved so much more together than we could have as eight individual schools.
“The Jubilee year, and today in particular, has been incredibly special as we’ve been able to bring together and celebrate the individuals who helped lay the foundations of that success, while evaluating our mission moving forward as Pilgrims of Hope, and looking ahead to what we can accomplish in the years to come.”
Romero Catholic Academy pupils help mark its 10th anniversary.
Pupils from Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School and each of the seven Romero primary schools – Corpus Christi, Good Shepherd, Sacred Heart, St Gregory’s, St John Fisher, St Patrick’s, and St Peter and Paul – all took part in the celebration, which reflected on the achievements of the trust over the past decade, with Romero Catholic Academy CEO Helen Quinn highlighting the value of having a shared mission and the impact of the schools working together.
Very Rev Canon Tom Farrell, parish priest at Christ the King Church, led the anniversary Mass, joined by other local clergy including Fr Tony Norton from Sacred Heart Church, Fr George Bennett from St Patrick’s Church, and Fr Marco Egawhary from St John Fisher Catholic Church, with a host of pupils as well as current and former staff giving readings.
Patrick Taggart, who served as the inaugural chair of the board of directors, joined senior leaders including current chair Brendan Fawcett, and foundation director Victor Bellanti for the occasion.
As part of the anniversary event, long-serving school governors were honoured for their dedication and commitment to Catholic education in Coventry and their school communities.
Those recognised included Celine McCrea, Ann Harkin, Paul O’Donnell. Louise Condie, Pete James, Nacey Abraham and Imelda Keogh.
