St Mary’s Catholic Voluntary Academy Derby Breaking Ground Ceremony

On Monday 6th February Bishop Patrick McKinney visited the site of the new St Mary’s School on Broadway in Derby. The old School was tragically destroyed by arsonists in October 2020 and the children are currently being educated in a converted office block a mile away. However, the planning permissions and other legal formalities are now complete and a brand new eco-friendly bio-philic school is due to be built on the old site, and be opened by the end of the year.

To mark the beginning of the building project, Bishop Patrick led a ‘Breaking Ground’ blessing ceremony. He was accompanied by Fr Simon Gillespie, and representatives from the diocesan education service, the St Ralph Sherwin Trust, school staff, parish, governors and most importantly the children were present and took part in the service. The inspiring ‘Be Still For the Presence of the Lord’ was sung and those present had time to reflect on how God has guided and supported them during this difficult time. Everyone was kitted out in full safety equipment as a sign of the hard work that lies ahead of the building team. At the end refreshments and hopes for the future were shared: the school community have finally begun their journey home.”

Fran Wickes