Students from Salesian College Battersea, Savio Salesian College Bootle, St John Bosco Arts College Croxteth, Thornleigh Salesian College Bolton and Salesian College Farnborough met from 19th-21st March 2010 at Savio House, Bollington for the 5th Salesian Student Leadership Gathering. Mr Stone from Farnborough, Ms Adams from Bootle, Ms Kendall from St John Bosco, Mr Regan and Mr Georgiou from Battersea and Mr Hockenhull, Fr Waller and Ms Roach from Thornleigh accompanied their respective students.

These gatherings, organised by Fr Jim Gallagher and Kevin Regan, are now firmly established to develop the work of Student Voice in each of our Salesian schools in England. These leadership weekends seek to develop skills in the students which they can put to good use in undertaking service for the benefit of the students in the school, to foster links between our Salesian schools in England and worldwide and to encourage service to the community beyond the school. They also seek to encourage students to play an active role in creating a true Salesian atmosphere or ethos in each school and in celebrating the Salesian spirit which they share with students in Salesian schools throughout the world.

The weekend was divided into 4 working sessions with Mass being celebrated on Saturday evening.

The students were exemplary, working and collaborating with maturity and growing confidence. They were all impressive representatives of our schools. Fr Gallagher and Kevin Regan are delighted that they have been able to co-ordinate 5 gatherings in 4 years and greatly look forward to maintaining the momentum of these leadership opportunities for our Salesian students.

One of the students summed the weekend up in the following way:

I thought that the trip made me feel like I am part of the Salesian Family. It also made me realise that there are many other people in the world like me who are part of the Salesian Family and share the Salesian Mission. Furthermore, the trip made me realise what qualities are needed to be a good leader. Finally, I thought that the trip was very enjoyable because there were many other young people there from the other Salesian schools and we had a great time together! (Dahlin Mony, Salesian College, Farnborough)

Thanks to Mr Kevin Regan for the Report and photograph.