St Aidan’s High emerged from the arduous lockdown conditions when the school celebrated the Confirmation of some of our new First years.
Seen as one of the final steps in their path as a Catholic, this is a task usually conducted in Primary Schools. However, with the issue of Covid-19 a number of students from St Brigid’s Church had missed this opportunity.
Fortunately, the high school was glad to take on the task and assist the First Years through the process. It was a new experience for the schools RE department, yet they went to great lengths to do this for the students. Speaking to Ms. Hynes, the RE teacher who took charge of the confirmation, she said. “It’s something quite different and maybe it will have an effect on how they engage with RE here at High School.”
When asked about how the First years seemed to be handling all the preparations it seemed the first years were quite nervous but were enjoying the attention. Throughout the process they got to know many people throughout the school including the teachers, the school Chaplain’s as well as getting to know their buddies.
The buddies, who were taken from the S6 CARITAS class, were glad to help the younger students. The CARITAS students advised the S1s through the process helping them to remain calm and not to get too overwhelmed as they got prepared. We spoke to some of the buddies, one of which said, “It’s very important that they’re getting to do it, and I’m grateful for the fact I’m a part of that.” Another one of the buddies also replied saying. “It built relationships between First and Sixth year that ordinarily wouldn’t be there.”
Ultimately the students enjoyed the process which took them another step closer to God and helped them create connections and relationships.
