Centenary Garden

18th November 2024

Cultivating and creating the St Louis Centenary Garden - a bespoke space and place celebrating the interconnectedness between faith, ecology, and education.

In the spirit of Pope Francis' call to care for our common home and inspired by ‘Laudato Si', our school community has embarked on a transformative journey to repurpose a space where our nuns were once laid to rest.

The genesis of this project lies in the recognition of the interconnectedness between faith, ecology, and education. Staff and pupils convened to discuss the creation of a space that would serve multiple purposes – a place for quiet prayer/reflection, an avenue for ecological spirituality, and an outdoor classroom for learning and teaching experiences whilst marking the centenary of the school.

A work in progress.

The decision to repurpose the space where our nuns were previously buried symbolises a transformative shift from a place of resting to a living testament of our commitment to caring for our common home,

A space and place, transformed.

The creation of the St. Louis Garden aligns with the Beatitudes of Pope Francis, specifically the fourth one that emphasises the blessedness of those “who protect and care for our common home”. This project contributes to the faith development and formation of our Catholic school community by embodying the principles of ‘Laudato Si', and fundamentally incorporating the Seven Goals of ‘Laudato Si’. The garden will become a space for reflection, prayer, and communion with nature, fostering a deeper spiritual connection among pupils, staff, parents, the parish, and the wider community – those who use it.

As we tread on this ground, we hope to inspire others to join us on the path of environmental stewardship and the building of God's Kingdom.