St Albans pupil presents mural to his old school

Thomas, Mr Jakszta, his Mum & sister

Thomas Crowley, a Year 7 student from Nicholas Breakspear School in St Albans, worked hard over the past year to create a large mural of St Philip Howard in his own time in the art rooms. He presented the mural to his old primary school, St Howard's Catholic School in Hatfield, during their Year 6 Leavers Mass on 19 July, with Mr Phil Jakzsta, Headteacher of his school, Mr Barry O Sullivan, the school's Spiritual Director, and Mr Paul Hearn (Assistant Head and Art Teacher).

Thomas said: "I have really good memories of St Howard's, and it's a really good school - so I think it's nice to give them back something."

The headteacher, Mrs Mairead Waugh, was delighted with the large painting. She said: "I knew Nicholas Breakspear were doing a mural for us, but this is much better than anything we expected. We have given it pride of place within our school."

Thomas added a few very personal touches to the painting, including part of a firework, as his dad does a lot of firework displays for the school. You have to look really hard to spot it.

Thomas didn't hesitate to choose the design of St Philip. He said: "I remember seeing the original in Arundel during a school trip. St Philip Howard was one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. He was imprisoned (with his dog) for his religious beliefs.

Mr Hearn said: "We would like to paint a number of murals for our local primary schools. This is a really good way of letting them know that our pupils haven't forgotten them."