Sacred Heart School welcomes Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham

Mayor Andy Burnham visited Sacred Heart RC Primary School

Sacred Heart RC Primary School in Rochdale were thrilled to receive a visit from the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham last week in response to a letter sent by some Year 6 pupils.

Year 6 pupil Pheobe Leonard wrote to Mr Burnham as part of a whole class project on The Dignity of the Human Person, outlining her concerns about homelessness and loneliness.

Mr Burnham, Maeve Glenn and Councillor Kieran Heakin were given a tour of the school by Phoebe, who is also a school chaplin, and Clemence Lumbala who is school councillor. 

He met each year group, even playing outside with the nursery and reception children before speaking to the Year 6 class about their work. Mr Burnham addressed some of their questions and concerns by demonstrating the very practical work he is involved in with the homeless in Greater Manchester. 

Each class presented Mr Burnham with a 'Blessings Bag' – a practical bag of personal hygiene items to be given to a homeless person and our Year 6 children also presented him with a donation of £100 for GTMCR Mayor’s Homeless Fund from fundraising efforts in school during Lenten observances.

The visit coincides with Lent, the time leading up to Easter, where the children are learning to consider others. 

Headteacher Mrs Dungworth said: “We were delighted that Mr Burnham responded to Pheobe’s letter and the concerns of her class. We were very pleased to welcome him as guest in our school and he provided a great deal of insight into the situations faced by homeless and how we can combat loneliness in our own community. 

“We are called to love one another, share with those in need, live in peace and this visit has certainly given us plenty to think about and spurred our children into action in their role in school, with our neighbours and  beyond.”