Prayer and worship are central to the daily life of our school. We aim to provide opportunities for children's spiritual growth and development through participation in a variety of forms of worship and through experiencing all forms of prayer: formal, informal, spontaneous, private, shared, petitionary and worship through song. 

 

Worship Leaders

Our Worship Leaders are chosen from across Key Stage 2 and play an important role in the faith life of our school. They are commissioned during our special Mass at the start of the school year, and it is considered a great honour and responsibility to take on this role. As Worship Leaders, they help to plan and lead prayer and worship both in class and in whole-school settings. They also lead school Masses by reading prayers and Bible readings, and by helping to set up the altar in preparation for Mass.

Worship Leaders also take responsibility for ensuring our class prayer tables are kept tidy and reflect the liturgical calendar. They meet regularly with Mrs Simpkin for training and to share ideas, and they work together to prepare exciting RE-focused activities for the whole school to enjoy. In the summer term, the Worship Leaders visited Westminster Cathedral, which was a special opportunity to deepen their faith and strengthen their commitment to their role.

 

Our School Prayers

Prayer is woven into the rhythm of the school day; we have prayers that we say in class each day as well as a school prayer.  We also teach the children the prayers of the Catholic Church. 

Morning prayer

O my God, I give you today,

All that I think and do and say,

And I offer it up, for all that was done

By Jesus Christ, your holy Son

St Clement, help us to grow together

In Faith, Love and Learning

Amen

 

Prayer before lunch

Bless us, O God, as we sit together,

Bless the food we eat today,

Bless the hands that make the food

And bless us O God.

Amen

 

End of day prayer

God, our Father,

We 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

Harvest Assembly

In Year 6’s Harvest Assembly, the children reminded us of the hard work that farmers do to plant, nurture, and harvest crops, fruit, and vegetables. They helped us remember how fortunate we are to have enough food to eat and reminded us that many people around the world go hungry. The assembly encouraged us to be thankful for the food we have and to think about ways we can help others, showing how we can put Catholic Social Teaching into action by caring for those in need and promoting justice and fairness in our world. The food donations were given to the local foodbank.

Advent Service

Our Key Stage 2 Advent Service is celebrated at the local parish church and is a very special part of our school year. During the service, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the most precious gift of all, through scripture readings, prayers, reflections, beautiful carols, and a wonderful tableau of the Christmas story. It is a joyful and meaningful celebration that reminds us why Christmas is such an important time for Christians and helps us to reflect on the true gift of Jesus’ love.

Walk for Water

Easter Service

Our Easter Service is a very special celebration held in school. During the service, we retell the events of Holy Week, beginning with Palm Sunday when Jesus was welcomed into Jerusalem, and continuing through the Last Supper, where He shared His final meal with His friends. We remember His Crucifixion and how Jesus died for us so that we may have new life in Him. This service helps us to reflect on the importance of these events and the great love Jesus showed, giving us hope and reminding us of the new life we have in Christ.

Rosary Club 

In October and May, we have a child-led Rosary Club. In Rosary Club, children take time to reflect on the life of Mary through the Mysteries of the Rosary. We learn about her special role as our Mother and how we can ask her to pray for us and guide us. It is a peaceful and meaningful time to grow closer to Mary and think about the example of faith, love, and trust she gives us. Parents are invited to join our Worship Leaders to say the rosary before school on Fridays in May and October.

 

Crowning of Mary

 During the month of May, which is dedicated to Mary, our Mother. The whole school comes together to celebrate with a Crowning of Mary procession. Children bring flowers to decorate around the statue of Mary, and we pray a decade of the Rosary and sing hymns in her honour. It is a very special time for us to show our love and devotion to Mary and to grow closer to her example of faith.

 

Jubilee Year – 2025

This year is a special Jubilee Year, when Pope Francis asked us all to be “Pilgrims of Hope.”  This hope comes from knowing that God loves each one of us, whoever we are. In school, we will be thinking about how we can be pilgrims of hope and acting upon it.

Luce, the Mascot of the Jubilee year, travelled from Rome to join us on our pilgrimage and has attended class collective worship, school celebrations, the Year 5 trip to Wintershall for the Life of Christ. She even travelled on the Arundel and Brighton pilgrimage to Lourdes in July.

God of life, you call us all to share your good news. May we do all that we can to answer that call.  We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.