Reception Class have settled well into school and are quickly learning routines and expectations and getting to know each other. Henrietta the hedgehog delivered two of her favourite books, 'How to Catch a Star', by Oliver Jeffers and a non-fiction…
Bob and Val started up lunch time gardening club again today, much to the appreciation and excitement of the children. There were lots of jobs that needed doing to tidy up and prepare the garden before winter-weeding, pruning, digging over…
Year 4 are learning about sound in their science lessons this half term. They began by investigating how sounds are made and learnt about vibrations and sound waves. The children especially enjoyed the practical elements to their science learning and…
Reception Class have settled well into school and are quickly learning routines and expectations and getting to know each other. Henrietta the hedgehog delivered two of her favourite books, 'How to Catch a Star', by Oliver Jeffers and a non-fiction…
Bob and Val started up lunch time gardening club again today, much to the appreciation and excitement of the children. There were lots of jobs that needed doing to tidy up and prepare the garden before winter-weeding, pruning, digging over…
Year 4 are learning about sound in their science lessons this half term. They began by investigating how sounds are made and learnt about vibrations and sound waves. The children especially enjoyed the practical elements to their science learning and…
Summer Term – JUDAISM During multi-cultural week, Year Three learnt about Judaism. After finding out about the origins and beliefs of the Jewish people, we researched the different parts of a Synagogue and created booklets and posters about these. Take a look at some of these here:
During our classroom worship sessions, we said part of the Shema, which is an important prayer for Jews. We also researched the weekly festival of Shabbat and took part in a role play based upon our learning: Here the mum is welcoming Shabbat and praying over the Shabbat candles: The dad (wearing a tallit and kippah) then blesses the children and wine, saying a special prayer over the wine: We then wished each other “Shabbat Shalom” and ate the special Challah bread and drank some wine (fruit juice). Finally, we said goodbye to Shabbat for another week, by smelling the sweet spices as part of the Havdallah ceremony (the end of Shabbat). Summer Term – FIRST HOLY COMMUNION On Sunday 23rd June, seven children from our class made their First Holy Communion. In preparation for this we spent the day on Thursday 20th June, thinking about how they might be feeling, why God would want them as a follower and how making their First Holy Communion might help them to “Change the World”. Take a look at the posters we (and they) all made about this:
We all wrote prayers to ask God to help them on their special day and held a prayer service in our prayer garden: Take a look at our prayers here:
Dear God,
Please help the First Holy Communion children not be scared and to believe in themselves,
Please help them to be brave,
Help them to enjoy their day and let them be happy.
Amen
Dear God,
We pray for the First Holy Communion children, as they deserve to be cared for. Please help them on Sunday to get it right. They are going to be part of your family, please help them to be confident.
Amen
Dear God,
Please help them not to be anxious and please make their day really good.
Please help them to be brave and not be scared.
Please help them not to be nervous and enjoy their First Holy Communion.
Amen
Dear Lord,
Please help the First Holy Communion family. We ask you to be with them as they take their First Holy Communion. Make them happy to be with God, give these children courage and bravery, help them to make a difference to our world.
Amen
Dear God, Please protect me on the day. Amen
Dear Lord, Help me to have strength to help people after my First Holy Communion. Amen
Dear God, Help me to be brave for my Holy Communion. Amen
Dear God, Give me strength and the word of the Lord and also love. Amen
Dear God, Please help me to be happy on the day. Amen
Dear God, Look after me on the day I’m making my First Holy Communion. Amen
God, Please help me when I make my First Holy Communion. Amen
CONGRATULATIONS to all of you on your special day. Summer Term – PENTECOST In the second half of the summer term we have been learning about how the disciples received the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. We imagined their thoughts and feelings, as they waited for the Holy Spirit and also after receiving the gift. We acted this out using our own sound effects for the wind and some dramatic music, as we told each other what the Good News is…… On Wednesday 5th June, we were very lucky because two of the Year 5 girls held a special class worship for us. We sang songs, said and listened to prayers and wrote acrostic prayers in groups. Take a look at us here:
Summer Term – EASTER In the first half of the summer term we read stories of the risen Jesus returning to reveal himself to his friends and followers. We thought about how the travellers on the the Road to Emmaus felt at different stages of their journey and we re-told the story in our own way.
We wrote our own prayers about Jesus walking with us on our life journey. In one of our class worship sessions sang songs and decorated crosses to show Jesus is risen.
Spring Term – HOLY WEEK During the last two weeks of the Spring term, we learnt about some of the events of Holy Week. We imagined we were part of the crowd on Palm Sunday and acted out a procession. Following on from this we wrote about what it might have been like being part of the crowd. Take a look at some of writing below:
Palm Sunday
By Tamra
Jesus came to Jerusalem on a donkey and I saw him and I dashed from my house excitedly to see him. I saw the crowd and I heard people saying Hosanna. I tried to get to the front of the crowd and when I did I got palm leaves off a palm tree. Some people in the crowd put coats on the floor to make a royal path for the donkey to step on. People were shouting “Hosanna!” and I felt overjoyed and excited because Jesus our Saviour is finally here. Lots of people were welcoming Jesus and I thought Jesus was amazing.
Palm Sunday
By Levi
At the start of the Passover I was cheering because Jesus was here. People were waving palm leaves so I picked the nearest palm leaf and join in with the rest of the crowd. I shouted “Hosanna!” then I laid my coat to make a royal road for Jesus’ little donkey. I said “Here comes our Saviour!” I felt overjoyed because Jesus was finally here. I thought it was a dream. We compared the words of Jesus at the Last Supper to those that the priest uses during the Mass. We also researched different words given to the bread and wine and decorated these for our display, which you will see in the school hall. Spring Term – LENT After our Ash Wednesday Mass we talked about how we have changed since joining Year Three. We also wrote our Lenten Promises and made ash crosses, using powder paint.
We read the story of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness and created booklets and posters to tell the story. We talked about how knowing what Jesus did when he was tempted can help us when we are also tempted. Take a look at our class worship about this:
We also held a class worship about how Jesus changed the life of the Widow of Nain and thought about how we could turn tears of sadness into tears of joy. We wrote “Fasting and Feasting” prayers. Isabella was WRITER of the WEEK for her prayer. Take a look at it here: Dear Heavenly Father, This Lent I will, Fast from snatching and feast on sharing, Fast from telling lies and feast on being honest, Fast from selfishness and feast on thinking of others, Fast from ignoring and feast on listening, Fast from being ungrateful and feast on being grateful, Fast from bad words and feast on saying kind words. Amen By Isabella Spring Term – RECONCILIATION In our topic of Reconciliation we thought about different choices that we can make. We discussed and sorted choices into those that are good and bad and thought about how we feel when we make good and bad choices. We created our own role play scenarios to illustrated good and bad choices, making these into Puppet Pals films, which we included in our class assembly Through the stories of the Prodigal Son and Zacchaeus, we learnt about God’s love for us and how God will forgive us if we say sorry. We also learnt about the different parts of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, have written our own sorry prayers and learnt the Act of Contrition. We concluded our topic with our Spring term assembly on Friday 15th February. Take a look at some of the pictures from the assembly and the film clips that we showed:
20p for toastMum washing up Christmas As part of our topic about Christmas, we have spent time thinking about the thoughts and feelings of the shepherds when they were visited by the angels and when they first saw Jesus in the stable. Take a look at some of our illustrations of the manger scene:
Read some of our descriptions of the manger scene, from the viewpoint of a shepherd, below: As I opened the door of the stable, I slowly tiptoed in. Then I saw Mary holding Jesus very tightly and I saw and heard animals breathing. Then I said in my head, “Thank you God for letting me see this wonderful Lord.” When I saw a shining beam of light behind Jesus I felt filled with joy because Jesus is a gift to me. I also felt very special because I saw the new born King! By Sophie When I arrived at the stable I tiptoed over to Jesus. I heard the baby Jesus crying softly in his manger. Then I saw a light shining down and I was amazed at the light. I heard the donkeys, cows and sheep. Then I stared into Jesus’ eyes. Then I saw Mary hugging and smiling at Jesus and Jesus asleep in Mary’s arms. By Adam As I opened the wooden door I heard the hay rustling under my feet. I looked up and felt the sheep nuzzling me. Mary and Joseph greeted me. Just then I saw a bright light and Jesus in a manger full of golden hay. I stood there in amazement, feeling excited. I crept towards him and I fell to the ground. This is the best day and I will never forget it I thought to myself. By Louis When I arrived at the wooden stable I saw little Jesus smiling gracefully at me. I heard tiny baby Jesus crying softly and I felt blessed and holy. I said “This baby is holy and a gift to me. I thought I would never see this.” I prayed, sung and glorified the Lord. I was not startled anymore, I felt more important than anyone. When I said, “The baby is a light” Jesus smiled at me. By Levi As I tiptoed slowly into the stable I saw tiny baby Jesus sniffling softly and his mother Mary gazing at him. I could hear the hens clucking loudly, donkeys neighing quietly and sheep baa-ing busily. I felt protected because I knew God was with me. I also felt like he was in my heart. As I walked to the manger, golden hay rustled under my feet. I dropped to my feet as I saw the wonderful sight and tears of happiness poured down my cheeks. I said to myself “How wonderful God is!” Suddenly I looked up at the sky. As I did, I noticed a large, bright start shining upon Jesus and his mother and father. I also saw white and gold angels in the roof praising God. Then Jesus started to cry and Ii went to touch his cheek. I thought, this is our true King I praise him. By Madeleine We have also written prayers about how we can be a child of God.
Holy Child, Born under a special star, Sent to take away our sins, I will be like Jesus by helping the poor and being loving Amen By Olaf
Messiah, You were born under a golden star, Laid in a manger full of hay, You were sent to bring joy and love to the world, I will be a child of God by giving money to charity and giving food to the food bank. Amen By Levi
Messiah, Born under a golden star, You were sent by God to bring peace to the world, Sent to teach us about your heavenly Father, I will be a child of yours by helping other children if they fall over in the playground, I will also be a child of your by giving money to charity Amen By Patrick
King of Kings, Born in a stable under a glorious star, You were sent to help the poor, I will be like you by helping the poor and my family. Amen By Sophia
Take a look at our display in the school hall: Advent 2018 During Advent we have remembered the stories of The Annunciation, when Angel Gabriel tells Mary she will be the mother of Jesus, and the Visitation, when Mary goes to tell her cousin Elizabeth her good news. We re-told these stories through role plays, puppet shows and letter writing. We also thought about how we could get ready to welcome Jesus during this season and created prayers, which we wrote out on paper chains:
King of Kings, You were sent by God to look after us and give peace to the world, I will welcome you by being nice and I will forgive people. You were sent to bring joy to the world, To welcome you I will pray more at home Amen By Sophie
Promised King, You were sent by God to bring peace and happiness to the world, I will welcome you by helping the poor and lonely. Amen By Anastasia
Messiah, You were sent by God to shine light in the darkness, I can welcome you by being kind and compassionate to others, You were sent to save us from our sins and to bring peace and joy to the world. Amen By Patrick
Holy Child of Bethlehem, You were sent by God to bring joy and happiness to the world. I will welcome you by loving people even if I don’t know them. You were sent by God to heal the sick people, I will welcome you by being nice to my sister and doing what I am told. Amen By Maegan
Christ the King, Sent by God, ruler of heaven and earth, to comfort us and be a light in our darkness, I will welcome you by noticing if others are lonely in the playground. I will set an example for the younger ones and forgive others. Amen By Madeleine
God’s Son, You were sent to wash away the sins of the world, I will welcome you by helping others, You were sent to bring peace. You were sent to show kindness, You were sent to bring joy. Amen By Jeremy
Take a look at some of our Advent candles from the whole school retreat day on Wednesday 12th December:
Loving and Compassionate During classroom worship sessions we thought about acts of love and shared these with the class:
We also thought about what being compassionate is and how we could mend broken hearts:
We Give Thanks – Liturgy of the Eucharist: Autumn 2018 Year Three thought about things we are grateful to God for and created posters of our ideas.
We also learnt about the structure of the Liturgy of the Eucharist and took part in a role play of this part of the Mass. The Offertory Singing the Holy Holy Remembering what Jesus said and did at the last supper. Joining in with the Lord’s prayer Going to the altar to receive Jesus.
Class Assembly: 28th September 2018 Year Three took part in their first class assembly of the year on Friday 28th September. The assembly was based on the work they have completed on being a disciple of Jesus and Baptism. Take a look at some pictures from this and a video clip of them singing:
I Belong to the Family of God BELONGING – We Gather as God’s Family: AUTUMN 2018 Year Three have discussed different groups that they belong to and created illustrations to show what they do in the group and why they enjoy them. We created a class book with all our illustrations. We have also learnt about how Jesus called the disciples to follow him. We thought about how the disciples might feel when Jesus asked them to be his special friends and why he chose these particular twelve. Take a look at our ideas about what sort of person we think a disciple would be: We used the symbol of the Baptismal candle to write prayers about how we could shine like Jesus. Take a look at some of these below:
Christ, my Lord, you shine in the darkness, Sent by God to wash away the sins of the world, Please help me to be nice to the Reception children when they get hurt, And to help people when they are poorly. Amen (Tamra)
Lord, you are the light of the world, Sent by God to save the world, Help me to be kind and forgiving. Amen (Pryce)
Lord, you shine like a diamond, Jesus you shine like a star, You were sent by God to show us an example. God, help me to be a good son to my parents Amen (Alex)
Christ, my Lord, you shine in the darkness, You were sent by God because we were bad, Help me to be loving and caring, Guide me to be trustworthy. Amen (Anastasia)
BAPTISM After learning about the Baptism of Jesus, we thought about what the sacrament of Baptism means and what special things happen at a Baptism. On Wednesday 19th September, Year Three were lucky enough to visit the church for the Baptism of Rebekah Eve. Deacon Pat helped us with the ceremony , which celebrates a person being welcomed into God’s family. Here, Father Xavier welcomes the parents and God-parents.
The parents are then asked what they are asking of God (Baptism) and the name they have given to their child. The parents had chosen two names from the Bible – Rebekah and Eve. The parents and God-parents then make the sign of the cross on Rebekah’s forehead. After that, Father Xavier baptises Rebekah by pouring water over her head three times. “I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” The water is a symbol of washing away our sins. Rebekah is annointed with the oils of Baptism and Chrism. Towards the end of the ceremony Rebekah is wrapped in a white garment to show that she is dressed as a new follower of Christ. She also receives a Baptismal candle to guide her on her journey as part of God’s family. We say some prayers for the newest member of God’s family and bless the parents
REBEKAH EVE, WELCOME TO GOD’S FAMILY!! We have created posters and booklets about the symbols of Baptism. Why not come to our class assembly on 28th September and see some of them on our hall display? CLASSROOM Worship Nativity of Mary – September 2018: We sequenced the Hail Mary prayer and made a birthday card for Mary.
Being loving – September 2018: We thought about how Mary showed love to Jesus and how we could be loving to other people.
Being a disciple – September 2018: We talked about what the disciples of Jesus had to do and wrote our own prayers about how we could be a disciple. “I can help children in Reception class” – Elana “I can help people when they are upset” – Charlie “I can try my best at being kind” – Lydia “I can help my dad” – Alex “I can help people who find their work hard” – Louis
Take a look at one of the R.E. topics that last year’s Year Three children completed LITURGY of the EUCHARIST – Summer 2018 Year Three have learnt that, during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we thank and praise God for all that he has done through Jesus. We began by reading the story of Jesus curing the ten lepers and found out that only one of them came back to thank him once they were healed. We talked about why it is always important to remember to say thank you to God and have written our own thank you prayers, as well as created posters to show what we are grateful to God for.
We read the Eucharistic prayer and found parts of this that thank and praise God. Take a look at some of the things we found: On Thursday 28th June, we took part in a role play about the Liturgy of the Eucharist. First we brought the gifts of bread and wine to the altar. The priest begins the Eucharistic prayer and we all join in with the responses. Priest: The Lord be with you Us: And with your Spirit Priest: Lift up your hearts Us: We lift them up to the Lord Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God Us: It is right and just The priest holds up the bread and wine and remembers what Jesus said and did at the Last Supper. We hear a bell ring when he does this to help us remember how important this is. “This is my body. Take it and eat it to remember me” At the end of the Eucharistic prayer we all say the Our Father prayer, then offer one another a sign of peace. After this we go up to the altar to receive the Body of Christ or a blessing.
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