School Christian Vision and Values
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Dear God thank you for our school
We thank you that each one of us is special and amazing
We pray that our school is a palace of peace
Full of happiness, epic adventure and big dreams
A place where we encourage and bring out the best in each other.
Help us to be kind, work hard, be grateful and to see
the awesome wonders of the world all around us.
Let us be a shining light in our community
And proud to be part of our school.
Amen
Our school prayer- written by our pupils
At St Cuthbert’s Junior School, daily collective worship is an integral and important part of school life. It is a time where we come together and share in God’s love, reinforce our vision and values, interact with the community and celebrate our successes. The contributions of staff, pupils, church clergy and other visitors are valued highly as well as the interactions of the children themselves. Our worship reflects our Christian beliefs and values. However, we are also committed to respecting other faiths and cultures, showing tolerance and understanding regardless of pupils’ beliefs. Children are encouraged to discuss and share their own beliefs and those of others in an atmosphere of tolerance, trust and compassion.
Mondays usually involve community visitors such as “Open the Book” who role play bible stories supported by the children or Rev Sam Denyer from our very supportive St Cuthbert’s Church, Wells.
Tuesdays reflect on what is occurring in the church at this time or significant festivals from other religions.
Wednesdays are a cacophony of sound as the children are led by Ruth Jenkins in an extended singing assembly. This always has a hymn focus and reflects what is happening in the church calendar.
Thursdays are led by our head teacher and help the children reflect on the ethos of the school including our vision and values.
Friday is all things celebratory! The children share their successes from inside and outside the school. Parents are notified in advance if their child is due to receive a certificate so that they have the opportunity to be there for their special moment.
Collective worship always includes a time of prayer and reflection. A range of prayers are used including the Lord’s Prayer, and prayers written by the children and others. They are introduced in an appropriate manner with a short time of quiet. The school is actively developing the children’s confidence in reciting simple liturgy. At the beginning of whole school worship, a time of reflection and quiet is encouraged by the lighting of a candle. A cross is also displayed on the table.
Collective worship does not just happen as a whole school. We take little opportunities every day to come together in peace to reflect. We return to our classes and have quiet reflection, led by the children, using prayers and thoughts that they have written. Or before meals in the hall, we will give thanks for our food by saying Grace.
We also frequently have the opportunity to drop everything and join together when we have unexpected visitors. For example see “The Book of Ruth”. And we have developed strong links with St Cuthbert’s Church in Wells where we go to worship, share our learning and take part in special events.
