How to sign up for your choice of ceremony?
This year we are asking that any group that wants to come to either award ceremony signs up in advance via Eventbrite, here:
Please note: When booking you only need one ticket which represents the group you will be taking with you. This is why you can only order one ticket. Thank you.
We are going to sign in groups that arrive so you will need either a paper confirmation of the booking or an electronic version on your phone (either on the app or a screenshot saved in your photos file).
With the numbers involved this year we are going to insist that groups do let us know which ceremony they are coming to.
Both ceremonies will have a maximum capacity and it will be first come first served for the choice of ceremony.
We are basing our calculations on no group bringing more than 50 people (young people and staff combined). If you think there will be more of you then please let us know before booking your preferred ceremony time.
FAQ
What is the plan for this year?
Last year we were pleased with the new Award Ceremony, and I hope you and your young people enjoyed the day.
Once again though, we have decided to change the logistics of the day.
I know last year there were a few problems with transportation and time, this year I have tried to sort this. There will be two ceremonies taking place at Lowe House including a fun day but over a period of two days, not just one. This means that you and the pupils have a more time out of school and more time on the activities but you also have a choice of which award ceremony you would like to attend.
This year’s dates are Tuesday, 24th June 2025 and Wednesday, 25th June.
The plan would be the same for both days:
10:00am Arrivals and Doors Open
10:30 – 12:00pm Award Ceremony (With either Bishop Tom Williams (24th) or Bishop Tom Neylon (25th)
12:00 – 2:00pm Fun Day in the Garden
2.30pm – Latest Departure
For the ‘fun day’ part of the day you please bring a packed lunch or snacks for your young people and have a picnic in the garden. Soft drinks, cakes and cookies will be available.
What activities are available this year?
There is, of course, no charge to stay and be part of the fun day and play the games and use the hired equipment and have a drink and snack.
Can parents attend?
This is an obvious drawback to this plan, and we are sorry that parents will not be able to attend and it will make life a lot harder for parishes.
However, feedback and experience from previous years suggest that the vast majority of young people that attend the award ceremony come with or through a school connection. But as the ceremony was out of school time it was difficult for them to plan and lead a trip to the ceremony as a school excursion.
Although this system is not ideal for parents and parishes we believe it will enable more young people to attend through their school links.
If a parent is not working, can they still come along?
We would ask that due to the nature of the event with the Fun Day in the garden we do not want lots of adults walking around who we do not know. Therefore, as with any school excursion, we do not think it is good practice at this type of event to have parents coming along with their children. It is a shame and we know for lots of parents they would love to see their child receive an award, but as I am sure you can imagine, the safeguarding implications of not knowing who is here and why would be difficult to manage.
If a parent wishes to pick up their child after the ceremony we would prefer that they wait outside and the child goes to them rather than simply tries to walk into the church grounds.
Parking
As many of you know – Lowe House is not ideal for parking, especially for coaches. There is no parking available for coaches to drop a group and then stay in that place. We would recommend that groups get dropped off on Mill St – the street where the St Helens Sea Cadets is (it is one way so a car / coach has to enter from Duke St and leave on North Rd) and walk to the front of the Church. This street is always quiet and will make it easier for you to get a group off any transport. Parking for cars is available on small car park on Mill St, or a larger car park on Birchley St. Coaches can park on the nearby Asda or Tesco car parks.
Weather
As with any plan for the British summer time – we cannot guarantee good weather. And the ‘fun day’ does depend on good weather. As the fun day comes after the ceremony you may decide to just leave straight away. If that is not possible, or you want to keep the group out for more of the day and enjoy some time as a group, we do have space in the house for you to gather and have a drink and snack. We aim to keep the café, parish hall and the canteen and break out space free in the house. These spaces could easily hold a couple of hundred people sitting and having a snack and chat, but they would not allow for space for games etc.
Safety and Risk Assessments
Risk Assessments will be available on request. Due to the nature of the day we (Animate) cannot be responsible for groups that do come for the day. We will have helpers and adult assistance near the games and inflatables.
However, the group that you bring has to be the responsibility of the school / parish and the staff accompanying them. You may wish to bring a First Aid qualified member of staff and First Aid kit for your group.
I am not sure we will get permission to miss part of the school day
The FIA award has been supported by the archbishop since its inception and is seen as a valuable part of the life of the diocese. We would hope any Catholic school in the diocese would want their young people celebrated for living out their faith. If it would be useful, we, and the wider diocesan authorities, should be in a position to support any request for you to take pupils out of school for this type of event.
Do we need to wear a uniform?
That is entirely up to you. Some schools like to have young people in uniform. Others may prefer the day to be more like a reward day and have them in their own clothes. That is entirely your call.
How much is an award badge?
We have managed to get some external funding and so can offer badges this year at reduced price of £1.50 (down from £3.50 last year).
This is a price that we can offer if badges are ordered in advance. If anyone would like to buy a badge on the day we will have to charge £2.
When is the Faith in Action Final Piece Deadline?
Wednesday, 21st May.
How else can I help or contribute towards the award?
