St Gregory's Catholic School

🎤✨ Summer nights… are coming to St Gregory’s!
St Gregory’s Catholic School proudly presents
GREASE: The Musical 🚗💖

Our students are working hard behind the scenes to bring this iconic production to life—full of energy, music, and unforgettable moments.

With just a few weeks to go, our talented cast and crew are deep into rehearsals — bringing together acting, singing and choreography to create a high energy production packed with iconic songs 🎶

We look forward to welcoming families and friends to support the cast in this exciting show.
📅 Dates: 1st, 2nd & 3rd July
📍 Venue: School Hall
🕒 Show times: 7PM
👉 Parents and carers can refer to ticketing information shared via school communications
💥 Please note: tickets are limited. We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
🎭 Stay tuned as we bring this production to life…

🎤St Gregory’s Year 8 Students Take the Stage at TEDx Royal Tunbridge Wells Youth — Called to Greatness in Action💫

Year 8 students from St Gregory’s Catholic School recently took to the stage at the TEDx Royal Tunbridge Wells Youth event at Trinity Theatre, sharing their ideas with confidence in a professional setting.

Eight students delivered thought-provoking talks across a wide range of topics, including phone addiction, climate change, littering and sustainability, AI and art, kindness, and even reflections on the power of being wrong. Other talks explored how school can impact imagination, alongside a personal and engaging piece on Alton Towers, celebrating how theme parks offer something for everyone — even those who prefer to stay firmly off roller coasters.

Presenting to a live audience, the students demonstrated
impressive confidence, preparation and clarity, communicating their ideas with maturity and originality. Each speaker brought their own perspective, highlighting both creativity and critical thinking.
The experience provided a valuable opportunity for students to develop public speaking skills, build confidence, and express their ideas in a real-world setting.

Participation in TEDx Royal Tunbridge Wells Youth reflects St Gregory’s commitment to enriching opportunities beyond the classroom, supporting personal development alongside academic achievement.

The event was a memorable milestone, reflecting the opportunities available at St Gregory’s and supporting students in being truly ‘Called to Greatness’ through experiences such as this.

⛷️ From Slopes to Strength: A Week of Growth in Canada

✨ Our recent trip to Jasper, Canada was an unforgettable experience for 60 students from Years 9–13, who embraced the challenge of the slopes and made outstanding progress in their skiing. Beyond the breathtaking scenery, students gained a real appreciation for Canada as a truly beautiful country. This was a week of genuine growth – developing physical competence, resilience and confidence in a dynamic outdoor environment, while also building independence through managing equipment, routines and life away from home. Students strengthened their teamwork, leadership and communication skills by working collaboratively and forming positive relationships with both peers and teachers. The experience also broadened their cultural and geographical understanding, connecting learning to the real world and encouraging reflection, self belief and respect through new challenges.

This trip truly reflects the St Gregory’s ethos in action – where Every Child Is Called to Greatness. We are incredibly proud of all involved, not only for their progress on the slopes, but for the maturity, character and spirit they demonstrated throughout, representing St Gregory’s with distinction at every step. 🌟⛷️

🌟 Teaching the Call to Greatness – Every Child Is Called to Greatness 🌟

At St Gregory’s, we celebrate exceptional teaching that calls every child to greatness – inspiring ambition, unlocking potential and nurturing academic excellence so every student can truly thrive.
Beyond the classroom, we offer rich enrichment opportunities – from sport and cultural experiences to leadership pathways that build confidence, character and resilience. This is how we help every student grow as a champion for life.

🔄 Considering a career change?
Train to teach with us through KCSP SCITT and join a supportive, values‑led school community where learning, faith and people come first.

👉 Apply now and start your journey with St Gregory’s.
Completion of training does not guarantee a post, but trainees are well placed to apply for roles within our school or partnership.
🔗 Apply now: https://www.kcsp.org.uk/Work/SCITT/

From Classroom to Career: Preparing St Gregory’s Students for Life Beyond School

We were delighted to host our Careers Fair, welcoming students from Year 7 to Year 13 to explore a wide range of pathways and speak directly with professionals from across multiple sectors.

Representatives from public services, health, education, creative, technical and vocational industries came together to share insight, experience and guidance, giving students meaningful exposure to the world beyond school. From careers that serve communities and protect society, to those that design, build, care and inspire, the breadth of opportunities ensured there was something to engage every learner.

Events such as this play a vital role in supporting students to make thoughtful, informed choices about their next steps. Throughout the day, students demonstrated curiosity, confidence and maturity — a clear reflection of our values of Ambition, Leadership and Vigour — as they developed the skills and understanding needed for life beyond the classroom.

We are grateful to all the professionals who gave their time to inspire our young people and help shape the next generation.

St Gregory’s French Exchange to Marseille 🇫🇷

In March, 36 Year 10 students took part in the fourth year of St Gregory’s French exchange with Marseille — a five‑day language and cultural immersion trip closely linked to the GCSE French curriculum.

As part of our ongoing partnership with Collège Saint Joseph de la Madeleine, students experienced authentic French school life, attending lessons with their peers and sharing lunchtimes in the canteen. The exchange also includes a reciprocal visit, with French students coming to St Gregory’s each September.

Alongside time in school, students explored iconic Marseille landmarks including Le Panier, Notre‑Dame de la Garde, Le Vieux Port and the Cosquer Cave exhibition, helping to bring language learning vividly to life beyond the classroom.

This long‑standing exchange continues to develop confidence, independence and cultural understanding, while highlighting the value of Modern Foreign Languages at St Gregory’s.

À l’année prochaine, Marseille! ✨🇫🇷

🎭Coronation Street Actress Patti Clare Returns to St Gregory’s to Inspire Drama and Musical Theatre Students 🎭

We were thrilled to welcome Patti Clare, a former St Gregory’s student, back to the school for a special Acting Career Talk with our Drama Club and musical theatre students, alongside visiting pupils from Southborough Primary School.

Best known for her role as Mary Taylor in ITV’s Coronation Street, Patti’s visit was a fantastic opportunity for students to hear first hand about the realities of working in the performing arts industry.
The session brought together members of Drama Club and students currently rehearsing for our major school musical production, Grease, which will take to the stage at the start of July.

As part of our journey, opportunities like this highlight the importance of collaboration and enriching creative experiences, bringing together students from different year groups and our wider school community.
Patti shared candid insights into life as a professional actor, from theatre and television to auditions, agents and resilience in a changing industry. Students engaged brilliantly throughout, asking thoughtful and insightful questions, while Patti encouraged them to make bold choices, trust their instincts and always remember the audience.

Thank you, Patti, for coming back to St Gregory’s and inspiring the next generation with advice that truly resonated with our budding performers ⭐

🎨 CELEBRATING STUDENT CREATIVITY: PEACE POSTER ACHIEVEMENT 🌟

Many congratulations to Luna in Year 8, whose thoughtful artwork “Together As One” has been selected as the winner of this year’s Southborough and District Lions Club Peace Poster Competition. Luna’s expressive design was chosen as the Club’s best entry for 2025, and we were delighted to welcome members of the Southborough & District Lions Club into school to present her with the John Verrico Shield, on which her name will now be engraved.

Also in attendance was Ms Bronnie Verrico, representing the Verrico family. Bronnie presented the shield in memory of her late husband— making the moment especially meaningful for all present. We were equally pleased to welcome President Sandra of the Southborough & District Lions Club, who shared warm words about the Peace Poster initiative and congratulated Luna on her success.

Luna’s poster went on to achieve further recognition at the next stage of the competition, placing third in the District round — a contest involving entries from around 50 Lions Clubs across Kent, Surrey and Sussex — and she received voucher prizes from both Southborough Lions and the District team.

This competition has been proudly run in partnership with our school for five years, led by Mrs A Vamplew-Swain, Subject Leader of Art and D&T, who continues to champion opportunities for students to explore creativity and express their vision of peace.

Lions Clubs International — the world’s largest service organisation — brings together volunteers across the globe to support communities through humanitarian service, vision care, youth programmes, disaster relief and environmental action, continuing a legacy of service that began in 1917.

Well done, Luna — your creativity shines, and we are incredibly proud! 💙👏