Charlotte was overcome with emotion when John Evitt of Mission Matters Scotland came to St. Joseph’s Primary School for what she thought was an assembly on the international charity which the school supports. However, earlier this year Charlotte and her classmates had entered an art competition to mark the 170th birthday of the Catholic Church’s global mission charity and John’s real reason for visiting school that day was to present Charlotte with the Scottish prize.


As parents are often present at assemblies at St. Joseph’s school, Charlotte was not alerted by the presence of her mum in the audience. However, the school had secretly contacted Charlotte’s mum so that she could be present and join in Charlotte’s surprise and resulting joy. John finally announced that the winner of the Scottish competition was in the audience that day and then called out Charlotte’s name. The look of shock and surprise on Charlotte’s face was priceless, then John presented Charlotte with a gift of £50. However, more importantly than that, John announced that Charlotte’s winning entry was to be placed in the Scottish section of a book of drawings set to be gifted to Pope Francis later in the year.

A great day was had by all and the whole school family of St. Joseph’s celebrated with Charlotte and her mum with rapturous applause!