The Governors of the new community school based at St James, Bootle, have announced the new name of the school. It is to be called ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, BOOTLE, and will open on 1st January 2007. It is the amalgamation of two existing schools at St James and St Joan of Arc; the third partner school closed down last year at St Winefride's & St Richard's. The Governors chose this name after consultation with children and families in the various parish communities that will make up the new school. It is a way of moving forward and building something new based on vibrant traditions.

The School was awarded Targeted Capital Funding and building will begin on the fields opposite St James' Church in February 2007, with a planned opening in September 2008. The school will operate as a split site until then, under the leadership of Stephen Sanderson. Steve goes to Buckingham Palace next week to collect his CBE which he was awarded in Her Majesty's Birthday Honours for Services to Education. The Leadership Team of All Saints attended the recent Salesian Teachers' Conference in Manchester, an indication of how the school sees its future in a Salesian context.

The opening of All Saints is very much part of the parochial renewal that is going on in the parishes of St James and St Winefride under the Leaving Safe Harbours programme. It has given us fresh impetus and drive for the future. The Bootle Community asks for your prayers as we move into these new unchartered waters and are forced to leave our comfort zones.