Yeovil school celebrates saint from whom it took its name…

Paul JonesFebruary 21, 20260 Comment0

A YEOVIL school united for a series of events to celebrate the saint from whom it takes its name.

St Gildas Catholic Primary School marked the Feast Day of its patron saint – which falls on January 29 – with a range of events and activities.

“The Feast of St Gildas is a special date in the school calendar — a chance to honour a saint known for his wisdom, courage and commitment to truth,” a spokesperson said.

“These values continue to shape the ethos of the school and guide its mission of nurturing children who are compassionate, resilient and ready to serve others.”

During the liturgy, St Gildas student captain, Joean, shared his thoughts on the meaning of the day, and said: “St Gildas teaches us to be brave, to be kind, and to always do what is right. Celebrating this feast reminds us how important our values are, not just in school but in our whole lives.”

And vice captain, Sonam, added: “I love coming to St Gildas because days like today bring everyone together. Our liturgy made me feel calm and proud, and it reminds us how lucky we are to belong to this school family.”

The celebration also saw the introduction of two new school awards, inspired by the virtues associated with St Gildas:

Gildas Grit – recognising resilience, perseverance and determination
Gildas the Wise – celebrating exceptional academic achievement

Guests during the celebration included the Mayor of Yeovil, parish representatives, governors, former pupils, former staff members and the CEO of the Dunstan Catholic Educational Trust.

Children, along with representatives of the school community, also added their signatures to a special St Gildas art installation which, once complete, will be displayed in the school’s entrance hall.

Headteacher Andie Bartley, who took over in September, said: “St Gildas teaches us timeless values — resilience, honesty, compassion and courage. These are exactly the qualities our children need for the world they are growing into. It is a privilege to help nurture those values every single day.”