On Wednesday 31st January, Salesians all over the world, celebrated the feast of the founder, St John Bosco. Here we share how our Salesian Schools marked the occasion.

At the Salesian Academy of St John Bosco, they held a special careers event, which was attended by Fr Gerry O'Shaughnessy SDB, Sr Pauline Clark FMA, and Br Solomon Tivlumun SDB. Students got to speak to them about their lives as Salesians. Fr Jakub Ruszniak SDB also spoke to students about how they could live out the dream of Don Bosco. And there was also an opportunity for some students to visit the Plaza community theatre.

In Farnborough, at the Salesian College, Fr Pat Sherlock SDB led a special Mass service for the feast day. Also in attendance was Mark Chatterton, a trustee of the Sean Devereux Children's Fund. He was presented with the cheque from the fundraising event 'Run for Sean' that took place before Christmas. They also hosted their inaugural Salesian College Farnborough Alumni Dinner with about 100 in attendance with guest speaker, former Bath and England Rugby Union player, Gareth Chilcott.

At Salesian School, Chertsey, lessons stopped for the day and the fun fair arrived at the school. There were plenty of activities for the young people to get involved with such as; archery, dodgeball, rock climbing, boccia, disc golf... to list but a few. There was also a trip for some to go to bowling or play in the arcade. And another trip to a local Ninja Warrior centre.

At Thornleigh Salesian College, students again were given the day off to take part in extra-curricular activities. Students were able to dance and take part in a silent disco. There was also a circus skills workshop, where students could learn how to juggle and spin plates. Some students were given a trip to the Trafford Centre, and others went on a wellbeing walk to Smithills Hall.

Finally, at St John Bosco Arts College, Fr Tony Frain SDB led the whole school in a Mass Service. For the rest of the day, year groups participated in different activities. The girls in year 7, designed Salesian superhero masks, which they then paraded on a catwalk. Those in years 8 and 9, went to the cinema to watch the new Wonka film. Those in year 10 competed to create a form mascot, and played 'Bosco bingo'. Year 11 pupils played with inflatable games, and created personalised dream catchers, and those that were in the Sixth Form were taken to Hollywood Bowl for bowling and arcade games.