ST ANTONY’S TREE PLANTING CEREMONY INSPIRED BY POPE FRANCIS

By: Ariana and Tega - St Antony’s Pupil Pilgrims of Hope to Rome (Catholic Social Teaching Jr leaders)

St Antony’s Catholic Primary School’s Pilgrims of Hope who recently returned from their audience with Pope Leo XIV in Rome, proudly stand in support of the youngest pupils of the school planting a Flowering Cherry Tree (Prunus 'Accolade' ) gifted to the school by His Holiness, The Late Pope  Francis. 

The Early Years pupils of St Antony’s Catholic Primary School in Forest Gate were very excited to get their hands dirty as they participated in the Tree Planting Ceremony on Thursday 10th July 2025 on the grounds of the school’s 2 Year Old Provision: Viridis @ St Antony’s. Head Teacher Mrs Angela Moore did the honours of securing the tree in the ground, the children looked on with great delight as EYFS Lead Mrs white carefully covered the roots of the tree with the earth previously excavated for the ceremony.

EYFS Lead Mrs White started proceedings with the opening remarks in which she declared:

“Today, we honour the life and legacy of Pope Francis with the planting of a tree by the youngest members of our school. Pope Francis was a man who championed kindness, care for all creation, mercy and compassion especially for the poor and disenfranchised; as well as love for our common home and all our brothers and sisters (Fratelli Tutti). Pope Francis has left behind a mission of love and service through true stewardship for us all to proudly uphold.”

 

Mrs Moore invited all the EYFS Staff and children as well as the Year 6 Jr leaders gathered to pray with her saying:

Prayer and Blessing

“Heavenly Father,
We thank you for the life and witness of Pope Francis, a humble servant of your word. May this tree, planted in his honour, grow strong and beautiful—reminding us of his joy, wisdom, and his call to care for each other and the Earth. Bless our little ones who have planted it, to continue to grow and bloom with it. Bless our school community to continue to be like a tree rooted in Christ. 
Amen.

Four curious but capable children  securely planted the wooded plaque featuring the name of Pope Francis and the name of the tree, which will remain as a memorial of the occasion for future pupils of St Antony’s to enjoy.

Jhon, Shawin, Latavia and Inayah proudly placed the plaque by the tree for all to see.

Pupil Voice
Ariana:

“This was such a wonderful way to celebrate the life and legacy of His Holiness Pope Francis. Having recently been invited to Rome for an audience with Pope Leo XIV, I feel really blessed to be a part of this tree planting ceremony initiated by our beloved Pope Francis. From my knowledge of  two of his encyclicals ( Ladauto Si and Fratelli Tuti) which we have explored as a school,  I know that Pope Francis is challenging us to be better stewards of the planet as he has asked us to take care of our common home-the Earth” 

Tega:

“For Pope Francis to have had the vision before he died, to donate trees to schools across the world is simply inspirational. This action reflects his principles and teachings of taking care of the planet on which we live. He is reminding us by his actions, even beyond the grave, that we are all accountable for what happens to the earth and that we should, like him, plant more trees, show more mercy and be kinder to our brothers and sisters across the world ” 

Our little ones were applauded for their efforts by all in attendance

All the children in attendance from both EYFS and Year 6 applauded the children who participated directly in the planting of the tree and the cementing of the plaque. The children felt very proud to have been a part of this process.

They will have the next eight years to watch the tree grow and flourish as they continue to grow and bloom here at St Antony’s for the future. 

Staff Reflections:

Mrs Hamilton:

“Our responsibility now is to keep this tree alive and healthy. We need to take care of it, like God takes care of us.” 

Mrs L. White, EYFS Lead:

 “Pope Francis believed in the power of young people to lead change…and here they are, planting something beautiful for the future. Watching their little hands gently press the plaque into the earth, marked a significant moment of meaning fertilised with care, and commitment.”