Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust celebrates the European Day of Languages
The Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust (BHCET) marked the European Day of Languages with creativity, enthusiasm, and a shared sense of community, proudly embracing this year’s theme: “Languages open hearts and minds.”
Across the Trust, schools came together to celebrate the richness of language and culture, highlighting how language learning can connect people, broaden horizons, and nurture empathy across communities.
Celebrating language and culture across the Trust
The day was filled with activities designed to bring languages to life:
- Cultural menus: Catering teams served dishes inspired by French and Spanish-speaking countries, supported by Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) departments who translated the menus into French and Spanish.
- Classroom connections: Teachers across subjects greeted students in different languages at the start and end of lessons, giving pupils a taste of Europe’s linguistic diversity and beyond.
- Prayers in many voices: Students from diverse national backgrounds led prayers in their home languages, either live or through recordings, celebrating the cultural and spiritual diversity within the Trust’s communities.
- Trust-wide poster competition: Pupils designed posters celebrating the European Day of Languages’ 25th anniversary motto, “Languages open hearts and minds.” Winning entries from each school received prizes, and the most creative designs will be showcased in future International Day of Languages celebrations.
Launching “Languages 4 Life” at St John’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College
As part of the celebrations, St John’s Catholic School & Sixth Form College launched its exciting new Languages 4 Life Programme, a unique enrichment initiative for Sixth Form students and staff.
The programme offers opportunities to study any language, at any level—whether to enhance skills, gain a qualification, or prepare for travel or work abroad. Supported by Dr. Penny Johnson from Durham University’s MLAC department, participants benefit from access to native speakers, online tutorials, taster sessions, and bespoke Teams workshops in a range of languages.
A celebration of diversity and connection
Sarah Marshall, Director of MFL for BHCET, said: “It has been wonderful to see our pupils and staff across BHCET experience a range of languages and cultures on a day designed to celebrate diversity and open hearts and minds.”
Reflecting on the success of the event, Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, added: “It’s inspiring to see schools across our region celebrating the power of languages to unite communities and broaden young people’s horizons. Initiatives like these show the real value of collaboration and creativity in education.”
Schools North East was delighted to see schools across the Trust come together in celebration, sharing food, language, and culture, and demonstrating how learning languages truly opens hearts and minds.
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