The staff and children would like to wish all the parents a lovely Easter. We hope you find time to make some special memories.
The official Jubilee logo.
The logo shows four stylized figures, representing all of humanity, coming from the four corners of the earth. They embrace each other to indicate the solidarity and fraternity which should unite all peoples. The figure at the front is holding onto the cross.
This term the title of our RE topic has been Desert to Garden.
‘Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day’ (1 Cor 15:3).
In this branch, the children have studied the season of Lent and its culmination in the events of Holy Week. They have learnt about the Paschal Triduum at the heart of the Catholic Church’s Liturgy and life. The children have thought about the liturgical journey from the desert of Lent to the garden of Resurrection, but also to the Paschal journey from darkness to light, barrenness to fruitfulness, death to life.
Year of Hope: To continue celebrating the Year of Hope, each class took part in the cross pilgrimage. The cross spent a week in each class from Nursery to Year 6 and was a prayer focal point during prayer and liturgy.
The children have all thought about how they can spread hope, what they hope for and the importance of having hope. The cross will be displayed in the entrance over the next term. If you get a chance please have a look.
If you would like to put your own hopes and prayers for the future in the anchor of hope, then please do. They will be most welcome.
During this half term, the children in Year 5 and Year 6 were invited to the Life exhibition. This is free to schools thanks to the sponsorship of local churches and Counties and is aimed at Year 5 & Year 6 pupils. Whilst there the children were encouraged to question, to challenge and form their own opinions on the story of Jesus. It was interactive, educational and engaging and we all had a great time. It was the perfect trip to start our RE learning during Lent.
Our faith calls us to love God and to love our neighbours in every situation, especially our sisters and brothers living in poverty. Following in the footsteps of Christ, we hope to make present in our unjust and broken world, the justice, love and peace of God.
The Catholic Social Teaching (CST) we have been focusing on this half term is Solidarity and Peace.
To celebrate solidarity and peace. The children have thought about how they can help promote solidarity and peace within their own community.
Luke (Year 6) I could help my community by collecting donations like footballs and other PE equipment to help families who cannot afford them.
Beatrice (Year 6) I could help my community by standing up for what is right and being kind to others. It is important we remember to help those less fortunate than ourselves.
Ruby (Year 6) I could help my local community by donating to the local food bank or volunteering with a local charity. Listening to people's needs and dreams.
Holly (Year 5) I could help my local community by litter picking and donating to food banks. In school we could hold a cake sale to raise money for a local charity.
In the spirit of Solidarity and Peace within our own community, Year 5 conducted some litter picking whilst on their trip to the River Colne.
Heavenly Father, help us to see with your eyes, to judge with the loving heart of your Son, Jesus Christ, and through your Spirit to put love into action. Amen
This half term, the whole school took part in a Judaism assembly led by Mrs Probert and a workshop on the Passover Festival by Alexis and Poppy.
We learnt all about the story of Passover which is a celebration of the story of Exodus. During Passover, Jews remember how their ancestors left slavery behind them when they were led out of Egypt by Moses. Passover is celebrated with a series of rituals. Each ritual symbolises a different part of the story.
We were very lucky and heard stories about how different families celebrate the festival and we even tried some Matzo bread. This is a cracker -like food made of flour and water eaten to commemorate the Hebrew slaves' exodus from Egypt. The slaves left in such a hurry that they did not have time for the bread to rise. This is why the cracker is so flat.
In RE the nursery children listened to the Easter story. The children heard how Jesus shared a last meal with his friends which we call The Last Supper and how he died on the cross but then after three days rose again. Afterwards the children decorated crosses.
"He was put on the cross to die" says Olivia.
"He shook him and hurt him" says Jacob.
"He washed the feet" says Alessia.
"He was arrested" says Elias.
"He had handcuffs" says Freddie.
"He died on a cross" says Caragh.
"Then he come back up alive again" says Cora.
Reception have been learning about Palm Sunday and the events of Holy Week. The children made their own palm leaves and then acted out when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on a donkey. The children then learned about The Last Supper and acted out when Jesus shared the bread and wine with his friends before he died.
Year 1 have been learning about the Easter story and gaining an understanding of how Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for us, to save us for our sins. They have learnt about what a sin is, and how they will take part in the Sacrament of Reconciliation when they are older. They have learnt about the events of Holy Week and thought about what they can do as Catholic people to remember and be a part of Jesus' mission during Lent.
Year 2 have been learning that Lent is a time for Reconciliation and Forgiveness. The children have been preparing for Easter by reflecting of the importance of saying sorry to God and to others. We made our own Forgiveness Tree in the classroom and each child added their own leaves to the tree explaining what they could do to show forgiveness.
Year 2 have also been learning about how Jesus teaches people to forgive and how Jesus invites us to be 'Easter people' -living in a way that shows Jesus is the light of the world for us.
We discussed how we can sometimes make a bad choice and listened to the gospel, learning about the Apostle Peter who denied Jesus three times. Alfie played the role of Peter and the children took it in turns to ask Peter questions about this denial and how it would have made him feel.
Year 3 had fun writing non- chronological reports all about Mass.
We thought about the different signs and symbols and the different prayers said in Mass.
Year 4 have completed lots of work this half term. They have been making links between the Last Supper and Mass and created some excellent pieces of art to show these connections. They have recalled and explained different parables including the Prodigal Son and Judgement of Nations. Both of these parables have allowed the children to make personal links to their own lives. They have also looked at the events of Holy Week. They recalled the events and retold the story of Holy Week through the eyes of St Peter. They acted this out and produced some thoughtful and detailed scenes to represent the connection between St Peter and Jesus. To finish off their learning this half term, Year 4 looked at the corporal 'Works of Mercy' and discussed and explained why these are important and how we complete these in our day to day lives.
In Year 5 this half term, we have been looking at what happens during the Ash Wednesday Mass and how Christians mark this day. We thought about how we all have a choice of which path to follow and if we choose the right one it will lead us to Jesus.
We have looked at how Lent is a time to reflect, repent, return and repair. A time to be thankful and the importance of prayer.
We have also thought about what the word 'conscience' means and how if we listen carefully we can hear God's voice. We read St Paul's letter to the Corinthians and discussed the importance of spreading the good news, so we can have eternal life with God.
Year 6 have had a busy half term learning about John’s Gospel and the Stations of the Cross. The Stations of the Cross is a form of prayer used traditionally in Lent. Each of the 14 Stations retells part of Jesus’ Passion (his suffering and death) through images and words. These Stations of the Cross introduce children to Jesus’ Passion, breaking it down into stages that they can reflect upon and remember. The Stations are more than the retelling of a story: they are a prayerful participation in the event that lies at the heart of Christianity – Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
At the end of term, they performed a very reflective and powerful representation of the stations to the school and parents.
Year 6: Stations of the Cross
Jesus arrested, judged, found guilty and condemned to die
is held captive overnight.
If I were arrested and held this night what would I be found guilty of?
That I made friends with people irrespective of their colour, creed or class….
That I shared my bread with the poor….
That my words… and actions… brought healing and forgiveness….
That I made justice and didn’t count the cost ….
That I sought the truth and then spoke of it….
That I recognised my neighbour and loved them as my very self…
That I met God along the way in the healing and forgiveness I received….
That I accepted hospitality at many different tables….
That I was changed by the lives of others….
…. and often repented my arrogance and foolishness
in encountering their wisdom …
That friends and strangers sometimes paid the price for me….
That I never sought out suffering...
….. but journeyed with it to the best of my ability...
That the love of those about me taught me to love myself before God...
You call us out of brokenness
to mend and remake your creation.
Grant us the courage to stay
with all those who are held captive this night.
In the name of Jesus who is good news, Amen.
Pat Pierce/CAFOD
A prayer for 3 o'clock - Good Friday
Jesus, you are my Lord and my God,
you endured such pain and suffering for me,
you died for love of me.
I kneel beneath your cross
and beg for mercy.
Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
O blood and water flowing from your side,
sanctify and cleanse me.
Lord, I love you with all my heart
and place all my trust in you.
Amen.
Prayers for Easter Sunday
Walk with us
Jesus, you know what it's like
to feel abandoned
lost and afraid.
Walk with us
And show us how to walk with others,
who live in fear,
who face death
through hunger or war.
Show us how to pray
for those we do not know
and will not meet,
but who are always loved by you.
Walk with us Jesus, Amen.
Linda Jones/CAFOD
Jesus, in the darkness of the tomb,
you were surrounded by love,
by grief and by fear,
as your body was prepared for burial.
Walk with us
May we feel the comfort
of your love for us.
And may we turn outwards
to share that love with others,
with the same generosity and gentle loving kindness
that you showed to all.
Walk with us Jesus, Amen.
Linda Jones/CAFOD
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.
This bothered me because I noticed
that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from
anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.
So I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during
the most trying periods of my life
there have only been one
set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints,
is when I carried you.”
Mary Stevenson