A celebration of our mission, our people, and our shared call to help every child become fully alive.

On 13th April, colleagues from across St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust will gather for a day of reflection, inspiration and unity. The One Hope - Fully Alive Conference brings together staff from every school and service across the Trust—one community, one family, one shared purpose.

Rooted in our mission, “The glory of God is a human being fully alive,” the day invites us to pause, reconnect with our vocation, and deepen the values of Faith, Hope and Love that shape every corridor, classroom and interaction across our schools.

Why One Hope?

The One Hope journey began as an opportunity to look more deeply at who we are and why we serve in Catholic education. Guided by David Wells, staff across the Trust have spent the past two years reflecting on the themes of the global synod—Communion, Participation, and Mission—exploring what they mean for our schools and our shared life together.

Today’s gathering marks the final stage of that journey: a celebration of our Mission and the work that continues long after the conference ends.

It is a moment to renew our commitment to nurturing fully alive communities where every person—child and adult—flourishes academically, spiritually and personally.

Highlights From the Day

Opening Welcome & Liturgy

The conference begins with a shared welcome and liturgy—a space to centre ourselves in prayer, gratitude and unity before stepping into a day filled with learning and celebration.

Contributions From Our Schools and Trust Leaders

Throughout the programme, we hear from leaders, colleagues and performers whose stories and experiences ground the day in our shared mission. From welcoming remarks to school celebrations, the day reflects the beauty and diversity of our one family of schools.

Keynote Reflections With David Wells

Renowned speaker, author and storyteller David Wells returns throughout the day to explore our core values:

• Faith – What anchors us and inspires our calling
• Hope – What we believe is possible for every child
• Love – What we model, share and cultivate in community

His reflections invite us to reconnect with the heart of our vocation and rediscover the joy within it.

Meet Our Speakers & Guests

David Wells

A globally recognised speaker and writer, David Wells has presented at more than 2,000 events worldwide. With a background in teaching, diocesan leadership and formation, he brings humour, honesty and deep theological insight, inviting us to see our work through a renewed lens of hope and joy.

Harry Clark

Former Army technician and winner of BBC One’s The Traitors (Season 2), Harry shares his story shaped by his Catholic education in Slough and his journey into public life. His experiences offer a powerful reflection on resilience, identity and the values that shape us.

Juhaim Choudhury

Best known for his role as Nugget in EastEnders, Juhaim first discovered acting while a student at St Joseph’s Catholic High School. His story of creativity, representation and purpose speaks to the power of believing in young people’s gifts.

Jo Boyce (CJM MUSIC)

Singer, songwriter and co-founder of CJM MUSIC, Jo Boyce brings her passion for liturgical music and ministry to the day, reminding us of the power of music to deepen faith, connection and worship.

RISE Theatre

A professional Christian theatre company engaging audiences with inspiring original productions. Their contributions offer creative moments of reflection woven throughout the day.

CAFOD & SVP

Representatives from CAFOD and the St Vincent de Paul Society join us to share stories of hope, service and the wider mission of the Church—reminding us that our vocation extends beyond our school gates.

Our Mission: Fully Alive

A fully alive community is built on:

Faith

Rooted in Christ, shaping who we are and how we serve.

Hope

Seeing the potential within each person and nurturing it with high expectations and love.

Love

Creating belonging, connection and joy—because when we are loved, we flourish.

This mission threads through every part of the One Hope Conference, strengthening our commitment to ensure every child becomes the best of who they are created to be.

A Celebration of Our Trust Family

Today brings together colleagues from every school across Luton, Slough, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire—each with its own history, identity and community, yet united by the same hope-filled mission.

Throughout the day, we celebrate the stories, milestones and growth that make our Trust what it is:
a constellation of schools, each shining brightly, and together forming something greater than the sum of its parts.