So that our school is authentically and distinctively Catholic, we are called to witness as ‘A Worshipping Community.’ We provide rich and varied worship opportunities throughout the year, in small, class based and larger groups, including with parents, parish and wider community.  These create a strong sense of community and service to each other. Our inclusive worship helps pupils to grow in confidence in prayer and develop a personal relationship with God. The Word of God is always central to our prayers and celebrations.

 

We gather together regularly as a whole school to celebrate together and to show the glory and active presence of God in our lives. Through this worship we are led to reflect, meditate and pray, developing the spirituality of our whole school community. Celebrations of the Word are a significant part of every week and we benefit from a flourishing relationship with our parish, offering opportunities to participate in Mass regularly.

 

 

As a school we aim:

 

• To contemplate something of the mystery of God
• To reflect on spiritual and moral issues
• To explore their own beliefs
• To really ‘hear’ the Word of God
• To respond to and celebrate life
• To experience a sense of belonging and develop community spirit
• To develop a common ethos and shared values
• To enrich religious experience
• To grow in liturgical understanding and development
• To reinforce prayers which are part of the Catholic tradition
• To reinforce positive attitudes
• To participate fully
• To take time out ‘to wonder at’, ‘to come to terms with’ and ‘to give worth to.’

• Daily prayers at the beginning, lunchtime and at the end of each day
• Daily Collective Worship.  On Mondays, this is in the form of a ‘Gather’ Key Stage Celebration of the Word and on Fridays the whole school comes together.
• Once a week, a planned celebration of the Word is planned and shared in each class, following our Gather/ Word/ Respond/ Go forth structure.  All pupils are developed as leaders of prayers and there is an expectation that in KS2 at least part of the Celebration of the Word is entirely planned and delivered by the children.  By Year Six, our children have developed in knowledge, understanding and confidence and can plan and lead a reflective and responsive Celebration of the Word for their peers.  See planning scaffolds in the appendix.
• Whole school masses on significant occasions, for example  at the start and end of each term; on Holy days of Obligation and to mark/ celebrate significant events such as St Teresa’s feast day, liturgical seasons or something significant for our school family.  We also work with the parish for partnership masses.
• Class Masses are on a rota and each KS2 class will also lead a mass for the parish at least once a term.
• Additional services linked to the liturgical calendar, for example Las Posadas and Carols around the Tree in Advent, Stations of the Cross and our Easter Service are highlights of our Prayer and Worship calendar and shared with our parish community. These are often led by our GIFT team.
• Sacrament of Reconciliation for staff and pupils during Advent and Lent
• Sacramental programme events including Sunday liturgies.
• Weekly rosary with a parishioner at lunchtimes
• Our GIFT team also plan and lead small celebrations at lunch times in our prayer room and every half term lead a creative prayer station session for the younger children.

 

Prayers should be:

 

• Children should be allowed to pray on their own and in silence; Spontaneous prayers will always be welcomed including as a response during Celebration of the Word.
• Common, so said within classes,  as a school and with the parish.
• A balance of traditional prayers from our Catholic tradition and modern including our school prayer.
• Sometimes reflective and sometimes joyful. Prayers can also be supported with our singing of hymns to God.  Singing is an important part of prayer life at St Teresa’s.

All classes contain a focal point for prayer and worship, updated regularly to ensure it is in line with the RE curriculum and Liturgical Season.  It is in addition to the RE curriculum wall.

The prayer focus will always have the Word of God, a candle and a cross.  These are our three chosen common symbols that we use for Celebration of the Word. It will also have an invitation to respond to the Scripture in a personal way.

The prayer focus may also display prayers (including those offered by the children), statues, children’s work, flowers or anything that the class feels will help them to focus and/ or develop spiritually.

EYFS & KS1

Developed appropriately according to their age, experience and ability, children in EYFS and KS1 will co-plan some of the aspects of their celebration with their teacher.  This may involve them choosing different responses from a selection provided or making suggestions about how to ‘respond’ to the scripture.

LKS2:

Throughout Year 3 and 4, with the help of good adult models, scaffolds, quality resources and guidance from others the children will take responsibility for independently planning and leading part of the class celebration of the Word.  As a class or group, the teacher will support them to reflect on what they have done and how they may change it next time.

 

UKS2:

By the end of Year 6, pupils will have grown in understanding, knowledge and confidence to be able to plan and lead a celebration of the word in a small group for their class.  They will use the structure provided if they wish.  They will be guided to evaluate their thoughts and what they have done so we can continually build on the spiritual development of our whole school family.

Every Monday each key stage gathers together .  Each Monday, we listen to The Word of God.  It is a fabulous time for us to come together as a school community and is a brilliant way to start our week.

Once a week, a planned celebration of the Word is planned and shared in each class, following our Gather/ Word/ Respond/ Go forth structure.  All pupils are developed as leaders of prayers and there is an expectation that in KS2 at least part of the Celebration of the Word is entirely planned and delivered by the children.  By Year Six, our children have developed in knowledge, understanding and confidence and can plan and lead a reflective and responsive Celebration of the Word for their peers.

What a joyful time of the week!  Every Friday our whole school community gather together to celebrate.

Prayer And Worship Policy

Traditional Prayers Prayer Progression

St Teresa’s Hymnody