It’s that time of year again, something that has taken place for decades at St Bonaventure’s and is as well remembered and loved by all, yes,  it’s the Annual Sponsored Walk around the  beautiful Victorian  – and right on our doorstep  – West Ham Park.

This takes place this Friday, November 8, and Mr McCormack hopes to raise as much as the school did last year when over £7,300 was collected for various charities.

This year, in light of recent events, it has been decided that the first £500 raised will be put towards a fitting memorial at St Bonaventure’s for Baptista so his memory will live on.

With this in mind, Mr McCormack is going to ask that students wear a football shirt of their choosing over their school uniforms for the walk around the park this year as Baptista loved his football so much. Students should bring the footie shirts in with them and change in to them just before the Sponsored Walk starts.

The charity ’For Jimmy’  will receive some of the money collected this year. This charity was set up by Margaret and Barry Mizen after the loss of their son Jimmy to an act of violence in South London when he was 16 and the charity works closely with schools up and down the UK to spread forgiveness and hope to youngsters.

The Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society who have supported us with our loss as a community will also benefit this year. They will continue to support our students and staff as we move forward in hope and faith.

Every student has received a sponsor form to collect sponsors from family and friends and Mr McCormack hopes families will support this year’s Sponsored Walk again.

Students are reminded not to knock on strangers’ doors to collect sponsors or bother members of the public however.    

ParentPay can be used to pay in any sponsor money collected and  to stop students carrying cash into school as this is safer all round.

It is forecasted be cold and crisp. Ideal walking weather.