The Catholic faith is fundamental to the life of our Academy. This guides and directs all our activities in relation to worship and assembly, the content of RE lessons, spiritual and moral development. It is at the heart of everything we do and our anchor.

 

We believe that Collective Worship in our school aims to provide opportunity for all pupils and staff:

 

• To contemplate something of the mystery of God
• To reflect on spiritual and moral issues
• To explore their own beliefs
• 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.’

 

 

 

Programme of Collective Worship in school:

Monday - Whole school collective worship

Wednesday - Hymn Practice  

Wednesday - Class based worship

Thursday - Class based worship

Friday - Class led assembly or staff led on rotation in church, including prayer.

 

Prayer opportunities

Prayers are held in all classes daily, being said in the morning, before/after lunch and at the end of the school day.

Each day, Key Stage Two children pray The Angelus at 12 noon.

During Advent and Lent, additional opportunities for prayer and worship are provided and we pray the Rosary during the months of October and May.

The children are also given the opportunity for Sacrament of Reconciliation during Advent and Lent with Fr. Bernard.

Mass

The children regularly take part in Mass both in school and within the parish, every half term. These Masses include: a Welcome Mass and Leavers as well as celebrating Holy Days of obligation. Key Stage Two children join in with the weekly Eucharistic Service in Holy Cross Church on a rota basis. The parish and parents are warmly invited to all acts of worship and these will be advertised on the school's newsletter and within the parish newsletter.

Mini Vinnies

Our Mini Vinnies also help to set up and lead acts of worship throughout the year and are a great help to staff and a fantastic example to the other children. 

Our Lady

During the months of May and October, our Mini Vinnies  lead the Rosary before school at 8:45am on Wednesdays and Fridays, all are welcome to attend, just meet in the meeting room. The Rosary will also be prayed in class based worship.

Travelling Rosary:

Each class has a 'Travelling Rosary' bag. This has a set of rosary beads and prayer cards and each child in the class can have a turn to take it home and pray with their family if they wish. Full instructions are inside.

 

Class Worship:

Children gather for class based worship during the school week. This is an opportunity to deepen their personal relationship with Jesus and can include opportunities for spontaneous prayer, song and always scripture reading. Their involvement in planning is dependent upon the age of the children.