Latest News

There's always something happening at Bowdon Church School

• BBC Radio 2 - 500 Words

  Thu 07 May 2020

  There were 138,000 applicants for the BBC Radio 2 ‘500 Words’ competition this year and only around 5000 went through to the Reading Agency for the second round of judging. In addition to Erin in Y4, the following children from Y5 also got through the first round of judging: Edgar, Holly and Sam.

  Remi’s story has gone one stage further and his story, ‘The day football saved the world’ has made it through to the final! 

  The final is scheduled to be held live from Buckingham Palace on June 12th. 

  You can listen or read Remi's story on the BBC Radio 2 website or using the link below: BBC Radio 2 - 500 Words - The Day Football Saved the World!!!

  Many congratulations to all of you!

  

• Uganda Update

  Thu 07 May 2020

  An update from Patrick - thankfully he was in touch last weekend briefly to say that he has found accommodation with friends who own a big shop in his hometown, and in return for helping them with sales, he is staying there and having regular meals now too. Thank you from Patrick to those that prayed for him, it had an immediate effect!

  I have also had an email from Alice Babirye, the Headteacher at our partner school, Walukuba East PS.  They have shut down completely for the time being, but unlike schools in the UK, are unable to provide work for the children due to resources and internet access.  She said they could not even photocopy enough work to send home for one day’s work!  Unfortunately, most of the children will not even have the opportunity to read during lockdown either.  Here is part of her email for the children, if you could share it with them please:

  “May you please send this message to the children of Bowdon Church School that we are very excited to receive and learn more about what happens at your school. The children were very happy for the pens, pencils and books which they had just received and unfortunately the lockdown intervened. Here, the weather is quite rainy with a chilly atmosphere and many people are busy in the gardens. I know we shall be having a lot of food at the end of the lockdown. I will be sending you photographs showing the children receiving the pens, pencils and books when the lockdown is lifted. Today is labours day but we weren't allowed to celebrate due to this lockdown.”

  I will keep you informed of developments from our students in Uganda, and be sure to let you know if I hear from anyone else.

  Mr McCarthy

• Uganda Update from Mr. McCarthy

  Fri 01 May 2020

  Since lockdown began in Uganda on March 24, Nile Vocational Institute (NVI) has shut and all 1500 students have been sent home.  This has very different implications for students as many of them are orphans or do not have secure, safe and loving homes to return to, which is why the opportunity presented to them to study at NVI is very often life-changing.  I have been in touch directly with one of our school-sponsored students, Patrick, but have unfortunately been unable to make contact with any of the other students sponsored by school or staff.  

  Thankfully, with some of the money I raised, I left each student the equivalent of £50 to use in case of emergency (via the pastoral team at NVI).  Patrick has withdrawn this and used it to get home and help his family buy food, but has since been asked to leave the house as they cannot afford to feed everyone and he is not viewed as a dependant.  Unfortunately at this time, there is no way of getting money to him to help with food and accomodation, although I am currently waiting to hear back from the pastoral team at NVI to see if it is in any way possible.  In the meantime, he simply asks that people pray for him and forgive him any wrongs he has done (which personally I find so sad) - his only hope is that some day soon he will be able to return to NVI to complete his studies.  

  While life in the UK has changed beyond recognition, at least most of us can be thankful for a roof over our heads and food on our plates in these strange times.  This is not the case for everyone, both at home and abroad, as Patrick can attest. Please do think of those less fortunate than ourselves during this difficult time and be thankful for what we do have - life could be a lot worse.

  Mr. McCarthy