ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL Learning and Growing Together, Unique in God s Eyes Policy For: COLLECTIVE WORSHIP Policy Reviewed by Governors: 8 December 2011 Policy Reviewed by Staff: December 2011 RE Co-ordinator: RE Governor: Laura Allen / Tina Davidson Trish Nugent 1
LEARNING AND GROWING TOGETHER, UNIQUE IN GOD S EYES The Children s Ideas This is what our children want to have achieved when they leave St John the Baptist School. Strong friendships and good relationships. To be responsible and always willing to try our best. To remember to keep on praying and never forget our faith. To be strong, determined, optimistic people. To have achieved our goals and to know what we would like to achieve in the future. To have learnt the rules of life. To believe in ourselves. To be able to express our feelings. Our Vision At SJB we are privileged to have the most amazing views a constant reminder of the wonder and beauty of God s creation. Our vision is inspired by this, and by the ideas expressed by our children. We will work together to ensure that they develop the confidence, knowledge and skills, to expand their horizons and reach for the stars. We want our children to believe that with trust in God, and with the help of the whole school community, they can achieve what they aim for and have a fulfilling life; rich with the rewards that faith and learning bring to heart, mind, body and spirit. Our Mission To achieve our vision, we are committed to creating a learning community, where each person feels welcomed, trusted, valued and supported; and where every decision that s made is centred on our children, their education, their future. We will: Lead by example, by striving to live the message of the gospels in our interactions with each other, and in our commitment to prayer and worship. Create learning opportunities that will inspire our children to have the strength of spirit, courage of mind and the knowledge and skills to achieve their goals. Develop in our children a deep understanding and respect for the different groups represented in society, and a desire to become proud, interested and responsible citizens of the future. Foster the continuing development of staff, parents and governors in serving this school and this community. 2
COLLECTIVE WORSHIP AT ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL Whenever two or three of you gather together in my name, I am there in the midst of you (Matthew 18:20) We believe that collective worship in a Catholic School is concerned with giving glory, honour, praise and thanks to God; and with providing children with opportunities to grow and develop their personal faith and spirituality. All children at St John the Baptist School will experience worship and liturgy, with an emphasis on involving them actively in ways that are appropriate for their age and stage of personal, social and spiritual development. The place of Collective Worship in the Life of our School Worship in this school is an integral part of school life and central to the Catholic tradition. It is an experience to which all can contribute and from which all can gain. Celebrations take various forms, all of which attempt to help children understand some of the elements of liturgy, such as greeting, silent reflection, and community praise and prepares them to share in the liturgical life of the Church. To develop as a Christian community, children and adults participate in school Masses, assemblies and celebrations. Parents and carers are invited to attend all religious celebrations. Opportunities are provided to involve children in a variety of meaningful experiences: Celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist in whole school / KS2 Masses in school or church. Celebrations on special saints days, holy days Opportunities to reflect silently on the word of God (school assemblies, assemblies within the classroom, at Mass and in quiet areas). An opportunity for spontaneous and formal prayer (school assemblies, assemblies within the classroom, at Mass and in quiet areas). Use of music, song, art, drama and the gifts of young children (during Mass, assembly, Christmas and Easter liturgies and within all lessons). Contributing to prayers and displays around the school in response to local events or national / international disasters etc. Assembly A whole school assembly, led by the Headteacher, takes place on Mondays. The focus for this is either the gospel of the day or the Sunday gospel or a special feastday. KS2 have an assembly on Tuesday morning and KS1 on Wednesday morning, led by a member of staff. The focus for these assemblies may be a new Here I am or SEAL topic or prayers and reflection 3
on an issue that has arisen or on a special event / feast day that has taken place. Rejoice assemblies take place every three-four weeks at the end of each Here I Am topic; these provide opportunities for the children to share their learning with others and with their family members. These are led by a senior member of staff. A celebratory assembly for the whole school led by the headteacher, takes place each Friday; parents and carers are always invited to attend. These assemblies give thanks for individual gifts and talents and celebrate special occasions such as birthdays, first communions, good news etc. When not attending assemblies, the children take part in daily class worship. Masses Celebration of the Eucharist takes place at St John the Baptist Catholic Church and at the school at various times of the year. Prayer Children are encouraged to develop their prayer life in different ways. They are made aware of the many ways in which God makes Himself known: through creation, other people, the sacraments and through his Word. We aim to help children go beyond seeing prayer as a petition, and help them to explore the prayers of thanksgiving, praise and repentance and also develop their own personal ways of talking with God. Prayers are said at the beginning and end of each day and before and after lunch. Spontaneous prayers and reflections may take place during the school day, during RE lessons and when there is a particular intention to pray for. All teaching and support staff are expected to take part in worship and prayer with the children. Each class has a prayer table, which is linked to the current Here I Am topic. These are interactive and the children are encouraged to take responsibility for displaying the artefacts, statues, flowers, and fabrics. Displays in the school entrance and in the hall reflect the changing liturgical seasons, the Here I Am or SEAL topics. These are regularly updated by the Headteacher with small groups of children from each class. Resources Each class has a prayer area box which contains coloured fabric, pictures, artefacts, statues, flowers, candles and other special objects. The children choose items from these boxes to decorate their class prayer table (appendix 1). Books, music, candles and other items which support collective worship, are kept with the RE resources in the staffroom and hall. These are monitored and updated annually by the RE subject leader. Monitoring and Evaluation This policy is monitored by the RE subject leader together with the Head Teacher and RE link governor. 4
Appendix 1: Classroom Prayer Tables and Displays Class prayer tables should be current, interactive and belong to the children. The prayer `table should: be accessible for the children. reflect the current liturgical season / current topic. have a bible, candle and other religious object. have a class prayer box / envelope for children to contribute their own prayers and petitions. have some artefacts chosen by the children. RE Displays should reflect the current topic and be bright, interesting and child friendly. Displays should include: The title of the current topic The key words linked to the current topic Children s writing / drawings / prayers from the current topic Resources Each classroom has a resources box that contains a variety of Religious artefacts and special objects. Children should choose from this when preparing the prayer table. Children should be encouraged to suggest other special objects they would like to include or to bring artefacts from their own countries. November 2011 5