St Bonaventure’s School in East Ham has secured three prestigious awards at the 2023 Brentwood Catholic Schools Citizenship Awards.
The school’s students, Desmond, Ehsan, and Kaylan, have been recognised for their exemplary display of good citizenship and exceptional contributions to their community.
Year 7 student, Desmond, 12, was lauded for his unwavering fortitude and tenacity. Desmond embodies the school’s cherished virtues of Faith, Hope, Charity, Integrity, Courage, Humility, and Kinship both in his academic pursuits and in his interactions outside of school. With an infectious smile and a positive attitude towards his studies, Desmond has become an exceptional role model for his peers.
Year 10 student Ehsan, 15, was recognised as an inspiration and an outstanding role model. His genuine gratitude for education and well-being at St Bonaventure’s is evident in his gracious and forgiving nature. Ehsan’s determination to learn, succeed, and positively influence society sets him apart as a pillar of the community. His resilience is truly remarkable, inspiring admiration from everyone around him.
Year 12 student, Kaylan, 17, showcased remarkable selflessness and dedication to making a difference in the lives of others. For the last three years, Kaylan has actively participated in challenging physical activities to raise funds for various charitable causes, including Cycling4Sewa, where he completed sponsored cycling circuits, raising over £2000 to support underprivileged young children. As the team leader, Kaylan continues to push himself, preparing for a 100-mile hike across the Brecon Beacons to support the Mark Evison Foundation’s efforts in promoting the personal development of young people.
The entire St Bonaventure’s School community rejoices in the outstanding achievements of Desmond, Ehsan, and Kaylan at the 2023 Brentwood Diocesan Citizenship Awards. Their commendable actions and unwavering commitment to good citizenship exemplify the core values that St Bonaventure’s strives to instill in every student. The school remains committed to nurturing such exceptional individuals and providing an environment where students can flourish both academically and personally.
St Bonaventure’s school extends its gratitude to the Brentwood Diocesan Citizenship Awards for recognising these extraordinary students and their invaluable contributions to society. As far back as 2002, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Brentwood have been invited to nominate such pupils, the initiative having been inspired by Lord Alton, a former pupil of the Diocese.
This is supported strongly by the Brentwood Religious Education Service, to encourage schools to respond to Government requirements that Citizenship be included in the curriculum. Brentwood Diocese is committed, as is Lord Alton, to the idea that to be a good Catholic involves being a good citizen.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ requires all to “love our neighbour as ourselves” and that is at the heart of the Christian interpretation of citizenship.
Pupils receiving the awards are the high points and embodiment of what their schools teach and stand for and are examples of what all our Catholic schools are striving to achieve. The Catholic view of citizenship is a willingness to act for, speak for and serve the needs of those who, on their own, cannot do it for themselves. In a word, Catholic citizenship is service.
