Youngsters across the diocese win citizenship awards

Young people from 40 schools across the diocese who have shown outstanding citizenship within their communities were honoured recently at a Mass in Brentwood Cathedral.

Posted: 6 May 2007

On Friday 4 May at 11am in Brentwood Cathedral, the Rt Rev Thomas McMahon, Bishop of Brentwood, presented good citizenship awards to youngsters from 40 schools across the Diocese. Schools from Essex, Thurrock, Southend and the East London Boroughs of Newham, Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge and Waltham Forest took part.

The young people were nominated by their peers and their schools for their commitment to helping others and their contribution to the school community.

The Catholic Schools Citizenship Awards were inaugurated in 2002 by Professor Lord Alton of Liverpool, a former pupil of the diocese and Director of The Foundation for Citizenship at Liverpool John Moore University.

The awards are part of a nationwide scheme designed to encourage children to think about being good citizens. Each year more and more schools have become involved in the venture.

Bishop Thomas says: “In the ‘Common Good’ the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales affirmed that: ‘There are ways of structuring society which facilitate human development and correspond to moral principles and demands.’ I see the Catholic Schools Citizenship Awards as a very practical way of implementing that teaching. It enables young people to have an informed conscience and through their daily acts of love and justice be good citizens. This event holds the promise of a future bright with committed Catholic citizens.”

At the end of the presentations, Bishop Thomas presented Alan Whelan, who had acted as Master of Ceremonies, with a surprise gift.  In April Alan retired as headmaster of St Benedict's College in Colchester after 14 years at the helm.  Bishop Thomas said: "I am so pleased to have this opportunity to thank Alan Whelan for the outstanding service he has given to St Benedict's.  He will be greatly missed by all.  We wish him every blessing in the years ahead."