The big deal is this: St Philip Neri with St Bede Catholic Voluntary Academy is a partnership for the soul. It’s a place that says you can be smart and silly, spiritual and social. You don’t have to leave your personality at the door.
If you visit the school, you might see a poster that says, “Leave your grump at the gate.” That’s pure Philip Neri. He believed that a joyful heart is the shortest path to a good life.
So whether you’re a student, a parent, a grandparent, or just a person trying to survive the week, take a cue from this unlikely duo. Crack a joke. Pop a metaphorical watermelon. And if you’re ever near St Bede, know that inside those walls, a very old saint is still making people laugh—and a very new generation is learning to live lightly.
And that? That is something to smile about.
