Joy has been a Christian all of her life but by the time she was living and working in Singapore she felt at a very low ebb, she started to question her faith and felt abandoned by God.  She started to work with a group of Catholic nuns and they encouraged her to become a Councillor in a Hospice.  Joy feels that this time reignited her faith.  When she returned to England about 20 years ago she saw an advert for a Teaching Assistant at St. Anne's School and was successful in gaining this post.  A former colleague, Anita Fildes, talked to Joy about faith and took her on many retreats and talked to Joy about becoming a Catholic.   The Parish Priest at the time, Father Brendan O'Malley, also counselled Joy and she became a member of the Church 19 years ago.  Her faith plays a very big part in how she does her job and how she relates to everyone in school.  It is central to everything she does.

Secondly, our Crossing Lady, Mrs Ann Conway, who is 70 years old has been told that she will be honoured in the Queen's Birthday Honour List with an M.B.E. Mrs Conway has been a Crossing Lady outside St. Anne's School for 40 years.  She is now crossing over children and perhaps grandchildren of children she safely crossed 40 years ago.  Many of her own children and grandchildren have attended our school.    Mrs Conway, who has worked in all weathers, to ensure our children and parents arrive at school safely has won numerous certificates and has also won the Solihull School Crossing Patrol Officer of the Year Award after being nominated by our children.  She actively supports the Kerbcraft Road Safety Scheme where she teaches children the lifelong road safety skills to remain safe on busy roads.

Our third piece of good news concerns one of our Year 6 children, Leighton Smith.  Leighton is a goalkeeper for our School team but also represents the Solihull District Representative Football Team. They won through to the English Schools Football Association under 11, 7 A-side Inter-Association Trophy.  He played last Saturday 13th June at Wembley Stadium against Southampton Schools with Leighton's team winning 2-1.  As far as we know, Leighton is the first St. Anne's pupil to play at Wembley.

We are extremely proud of Mrs Senanayake, Mrs Conway and Leighton.