Year 1 

Year 1 began their learning by thinking about the Catholic Social Teaching topic of Community and Participation, and they reflected on what communities they belong to, and how they can help people within these communities. They learnt about Jesus being tempted in the desert and how this links to what Catholics do during Lent. The children wrote their own Lenten promises to create our class Lenten promise tree, reflecting on the 3 pillars of Lent- prayer, fasting and Almsgiving. They also learnt the story of the Widow’s Mite and thought about how they could also be generous just like the poor widow. They learnt all about Holy Week and created some artwork to represent Good Friday. The children also took part in a workshop focusing all on Judaism. 

Year 2

This half term Year 2 have thought about forgiveness and how Jesus forgave everyone even when he was on the cross. We recognised that Lent is a time for reconciliation and when we make bad choices, we turn away from God. 

We discussed the events of Holy Week starting with Palm Sunday when Jesus entered Jerusalem and thought about how Jesus was preparing to return to His Father. 

In Lent we also prepare to get closer to God

the Father. It is time of reconciliation and forgiveness for Christians because they want to restore their relationship with God and be ready to celebrate the resurrection. 

We have looked at some religious art centred on Holy week and wrote a diary entry from the perspective of Judas or Peter.  

Year 3

This half term, Year Three’s topic has been ‘Desert to Garden.’ We have explored how Jesus’ feeding of the multitude prepares for the gift of the Eucharist and reflects God’s care for his people in the desert. Year Three focused on the Liturgy of the Eucharist as the second main part of the Mass, revisiting the Mass as a whole and understanding it as a celebration of Jesus’ death and Resurrection and a great act of thanksgiving. We learnt what happens during the Eucharistic liturgy, including key prayers and responses, and how Catholics participate through word, gesture, and song. The class have deepened their understanding of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and reflected on how receiving Holy Communion transforms believers, calling them to live as part of the Body of Christ in the world.

We also learnt about Judaism. We got to play games, write using the Hebrew alphabet and see how the Torah is read from right to left.

Year 4 

This half term, in year four we have covered the topic ‘Desert to Garden.’ We have been learning about parables such as the parable of the prodigal son as well as the parable of the judgement of nations which we enjoyed learning about. We learnt why being forgiving is important and why it is important to help those who are in need in our society as we will be helping Jesus as well. We also learnt about Judaism. We got to play games, write using the Hebrew alphabet and see how the Torah is read from right to left. We learnt about what happens in Holy week and why the Easter holiday is celebrated. We sympathised with the pain Jesus went through but we understood that He died so that our sins can be forgiven. 

Year 5 

This half term, Year 5 have been looking at the Ash Wednesday mass and have explained what happens using religious vocabulary to demonstrate their understanding. They then wrote out scripts for a conversation between two people who were discussing what happens at the Ash Wednesday mass and acted this out. To further develop this understanding, they read scripture about Ash Wednesday and created a map about the journey of Lent beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending with Easter Sunday. Their next focus was on sin and how these relate to the Ten Commandments. To finish off their learning for this half term, they created leaflets to guide people on how to resist temptation when asked to sin and they discussed what a conscience is and how it can guide us to make decisions in different situations.

Year 6 

This half term, Year 6 have continued to study John’s Gospel, looking closely at the events of Holy Week, leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion.  They read and responded to scripture, showing an understanding of how John revealed deeper meanings about Jesus as the Messiah.  They also debated whether Jesus received a fair trial and looked at how the cross is shown as Jesus’ throne and the greatest sign of his love. Finally, Year 6 presented a very thoughtful and reverent performance of the Stations of the Cross to the school community.