As a Catholic School, we aim to give all our children an experience of a caring Christian community that will influence and shape their future lives. It is often commented that the School has a family atmosphere. This is, we are sure, a result of the love, respect and care which Staff and pupils show for one another as they try to follow the Teachings of Jesus.
Each Class joins together in prayer throughout the school day and this is an important demonstration to all that the Christian faith is at the centre of our school community.
Click here to view the prayer service assemblies, and holy festivals timetable for this academic year
Below are examples of the prayers we say with the children each day:
Morning Prayer:
Father in Heaven, you love me
You’re with me night and day
I want to love you always
In all I do and say.
I’ll try to please you Father,····································
Bless me through the day. Amen
Grace Before Meals:
Bless us O Lord as we sit together
Bless the food we eat today
Bless the hands that made the food
Bless us O Lord. Amen.
Grace After Meals [Infants]
Father, we thank you for the food we have eaten
We thank you for all our friends
We thank you for everything. Amen.
Night Prayer:
God Our Father, I come to say
Thank you for your love today
Thank you for my family
And all the friends you give to me.
Guard me in the dark of night
And in the morning send your light. Amen.
Our Assemblies are used to unite the school. Individual and group achievements are celebrated, news from other parts of the school is shared, current issues are discussed and the need for positive qualities, such as kindness and honesty, are stressed. We are very fortunate that our Chaplain is an active member of our school community, contributing to the Religious Education Programme “Here I Am”. He gets to know pupils as individuals through being involved in classroom activities and accompanying classes on educational visits and residential experiences. He provides Pastoral support for the children and their families.
The Church’s Liturgical Year is reflected in our Assemblies and Acts of Worship. Particular emphasis is placed on the celebration of Advent, Lent and Easter. Our local Clergy regularly celebrate the Eucharist and Sacrament of Reconciliation with individual classes and the whole school community. Pupils have the opportunity to take part in special services in the Parish Churches that have close links with the school.· During Lent, the children enthusiastically organise and take part in fund-raising activities within the school. Year 5 perform a moving Passion Play for the rest of the school.
Parents of children in Year 3 should approach their local Parish Priest for details of the Sacramental preparation programme. As a school, we liaise with the Churches to ensure the children are fully prepared to receive the Sacraments. A special Mass is celebrated by the whole school community, shortly after the children have taken their First Communion in the Parishes.
A group of parents meet regularly in the school to pray for the community and request for prayers can be left in a special box in the Main Entrance Hall.
Religious Education
The aim of religious education is to encourage the growth and development of the child in spiritual terms. Of course religious education is such an integral part of the life of the school that it cannot be isolated into lesson periods only. It permeates and colours everything and creates the tolerant and friendly atmosphere of the school. However the timetabled RE lesson plays a vital role of consolidation. The core programme in use is "Here I Am". The aim of this programme is to develop a loving relationship between the child and God the Father who loves him or her.
How parents can help:
- By praying with their children especially at night.
- By talking about their own experience of God.
- By asking their children about the Gospel reading heard on Sundays.