RE Latest News - Spring Term
We welcomed the new calendar year with the whole school observing and celebrating the feast of the Epiphany. Years 4,5 and 6 went to mass at St Joseph's church, whilst Reception, Year 1, 2 , 3 and 4 had a liturgy led in school by our Faith leaders with Father Tony.
We had our school Interim focus visit from the Diocese led by Anna Flood, the Primary schools advisor who came in and observed a wonderful collective worship session led by our Faith leaders and a variety of lessons. We were incredibly pleased with the outcomes of the day.
Mrs Osman has been working alongside Jan from CAFOD to present workshops to Years 3 and 4 on Catholic social teaching.
Catholic social teaching (CST) is rooted in Scripture, formed by the wisdom of Church leaders, and influenced by grassroots movements. It is our moral compass, guiding us on how to live out our faith in the world. These workshops will continue next term for all other year groups. The children thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and learnt about how to care for others, especially those in need. To care for our world. Ali in Year 4 shared with me that, ' That no matter what your religion, skin colour, race or gender you should always be included.' Following the completion of the workshops the entire school will be celebrating Catholic Social teaching day led by Mrs Osman on Tuesday 04th July 2023.
This year's Reception classes have been following the new RE curriculum. Lots of our learning is through story books and thanks to the Book Fair, we were able to purchase these new books for our Summer topic called 'Dialogue and Encounter.' It has been lovely to have been able to go into the classes and listen to and chat to them about their learning. When looking at a picture of people gathered to listen to Jesus, a child shared that ' It was like when Jesus was born everyone wanted to come and see him.' Amazing to see them making the links between different stages in Jesus' life.
Days of Celebration in March
1st March - St David's Day - Year 1 celebrated St David's day, their year group saint by leading an assembly to share with us and their families facts about him and what makes him special as a saint. They continued the celebrations by making their own welsh griddle cakes and dragons. Mrs Barnes and the Faith leaders led an assembly to the rest of the school where they gifted each class a vase of daffodils to celebrate and honour St David.
17th March - St Patrick's Day - Year 3 led us in celebration for St Patrick's day, with Irish dancers helping to share and celebrate Irish culture.
19th March - St Joseph's Day was celebrated in fantastic style in school, with liturgies for KS1 and KS2 led by our amazing Faith leaders ably assisted by Mrs Barnes. At lunch time the kitchen staff continued the celebration with biscuits baked in the shape of tools of a carpenter. The SJA had also purchased each child an ice lolly to continue celebrating our school saint.
27th and 28th March - Reconciliation - Mrs Barnes and Mrs Ogilvie did an amazing job once more coordinating reconciliation for Years 4, 5 and 6 to help children reflect and prepare for Easter. Our warmest thanks to Fr Tony and Fr Binoy for coming into the school to offer this sacrament to our children.
29th March - Stations of the Cross - Year 4 lead Stations of the Cross for the entire school, a great opportunity for the Easter story to be brought alive for the entire school community. Then in classes the children had further opportunity to visit and discuss the stations that are set up around the school site for further prayer and reflection time.
Luke in Year 4 said that, 'Just like Simon we should care for everyone.' and 'In the toughest of times always believe that God is with you.'
They have taken much of what they learnt from Catholic social teaching and applied it to how Jesus and his friends cared for us.
Lent
The season of Lent began with Year 4,5 and 6 attending mass and receiving ashes. Then at school a liturgy was held and the dispersal of ashes for years Reception to Year 3.
A big thank you to 5E for their assembly on Lent - which helped us to reflect and think of how we are preparing for Easter.
Over the course of Lent Mrs Osman has asked the children to challenge themselves and each other to take on the Big Lent Walk from CAFOD. The challenge was to walk when and where they choose over the 40 days, alone or with friends and think about how we can fight global poverty. You can find out more by Clicking on the image below.
Coming up Next Term
- On the 24th April we will be celebrating the feast of St George
- Keep an eye out on Google classroom and Parentmail for your child's assembly, we have a number of them in the Summer term.
- The Month of May is dedicated to Our Lady and the children will be looking at the rosary and the mysteries of the rosary and praying to celebrate Mary, Mother of Our Lord.
- A Whole school May procession to honour our Lady will take place on 25th May 2023 - all are welcome more information to follow.
- We will be attending mass and arranging liturgies for the feasts of the Ascension and St Peter and Paul
- Each Year group will be attending Mass at St Joseph's- dates will be confirmed - we would really appreciate your support with walking the children down to church.
- Catholic Social teaching day
- Good Shepherd Celebration service at Arundel Cathedral with Bishop Ricard and schools from across the Diocese coming will gather together.
- Thanks Once again to the generosity of the SJA, Year 6 are having the opportunity to visit Wintershall to witness the Life of Christ, 'The greatest story of all time is movingly recreated with authentic detail, outstanding quality sound and music'.
- Year 6 will be celebrating the end of their time here at St Joseph's with a prayer service on Wednesday 19th July 2023 at 2.15 pm
