The Jesuit Profile Virtues

Grateful and Generous.  At our school, children are grateful for their own gifts, for the gift of other people, and for the blessings of each day; and generous with their gifts, becoming men and women for others.  As a school we will help our pupils to by encouraging them to know and be grateful for all their gifts, developing them to the full so that they can be generous in the service of others.

Attentive and Discerning.  Children at our school are: attentive to their experience and to their vocation; and discerning about the choices they make and the effects of those choices. As a school we encourage  the practice of attentive reflection and discerning decision making: in teaching, prayer and retreats; and through the practice and example of school staff.

Compassionate and Loving.  Our children are compassionate towards others, near and far, especially the less fortunate; and loving by their just actions and forgiving words.  As a school support our pupils  by being compassionate and loving in the way children are treated, especially when a child is in trouble; and by opening eyes of children to those who suffer poverty, injustice or violence.

Faithfilled and hopeful: Our children are faith-filled in their beliefs and hopeful for the future.  As a school we work together by passing on the living and faith-filled tradition of Jesus Christ; by having persevering faith in the pupils, and by encouraging them, in turn, to have faith and hope in others.

Eloquent and truthful: Our children are eloquent and truthful in what they say of themselves, the relations between people, and the world.  As a school, we develop an eloquent language which pupils can use to understand and articulate their emotions, beliefs, and questions, encouraged by the example of their teachers to be truthful in the way they represent themselves and speak about the world.

Learned and Wise:  Our children are learned, finding God in all things; and wise in the ways they use their learning for the common good.  By the breadth and depth of our curriculum; the high-quality teaching, and the creation of opportunities, we aim for our children to become more learned and wise.

Curious and Active:  Our children are curious about everything; and active in their engagement with the world, changing what they can for the better. We help our children to grow by by leading children to be curious about the universe and all human activity, and to take increasing responsibility for their own learning, and by providing opportunities for them to be active in the life of the school,  the Church, and the wider community.

Intentional and Prophetic:  Our children are intentional in the way they live and use the resources of the earth, guided by conscience; and prophetic in the example they set to others. We aim to be a school community which is intentional in its way of proceeding to build-up quality of life; and which is prophetic in the way it offers an alternative vision of education and the human person rooted in the gospel.

Catholic Life Events

School of Sanctuary Award

In September 2022, we were awarded the School of Sanctuary recognition.  We have been celebrating how we are a school of welcome to others from across the world.  Our pupils and staff work hard to ensure that children, including refugees, feel safe when they are a part of our school community.  We have language buddies, resources for the EAL children to access, a welcome video and resources in different languages for our children and parents to access plus much more. 

Walk for Hunger

As part of our Lenten fundraising, our Key Stage 2 children took part in a 'Walk for Hunger' round our school playground.  The activity was completed to help support the event planned by CAFOD and with the hope that we can make a difference to our communities across the globe.

Shoe Boxes Appeal (Christmas 2021)

Just before Christmas, we asked for our school community to help young migrants by providing them with something special to open on Christmas morning.  With donations from our families, we were able to fill 52 boxes with toiletries, toys, hats and gloves and stationery.  I am sure that there were many smiles from those children on Christmas morning.

Christmas in our community

As a school, we have thought of many ways to share with our local community our Christmas wishes.  We have sent Christmas cards to all our schools within our MAC and made Christmas decorations for the parishioners of SS. Mary and John's Catholic Church.

Carol Service

Our Key Stage 2 children led a beautiful carol service on Wednesday 18th December for the parents and parishioners.  They retold the Christmas story through readings, carols and the creation of a character tableau on the sanctuary.  Everyone sang beautifully and definitely reminded us about the importance of the Christmas story.

Nativity

Our EYFS children led us beautifully in the 'Wriggly Nativity' on Tuesday 3rd December.  The children spoke with confidence and sang with such enthusiasm.  They were able to tell the important story of Jesus' birth.

Rudolph Run  Our children took part in a charity run around the playgrounds to raise money for John Taylor Hospice.  Every child wore reindeer antlers and participated with great enthusiasm.

Advent Service

We had an Advent Service on both sites.  The Chaplaincy Team led the service on Key Stage 2 and encouraged the children to think about how the light of Christ is going to work within us during the season of Advent.  Key Stage One helped to create the school Advent altar and were able to explain the importance of the different parts. 

Remembrance

During this month we had many opportunities to gather together to remember those who have died and those who have fought for our country.  We placed on our altars the names of people we wanted to remember during this month.

Harvest Mass.  This year we have been collecting different food products ready to distribute to our local food-bank.  The children have enthusiastically been bringing in as many items as they can.  We will then offer our donations at our Harvest Mass on Wednesday 23rd October.

The canonisation of Blessed John Henry Newman.  The children were informed about this important event in the life of our Catholic church.  On Sunday 13th October, John Henry Newman will be canonised by Pope Francis.  The Chaplaincy team informed their classes about the reasons why this man will become a saint and presented each child with a prayer card.

Extraordinary Missionary Month.  During October, the month of the Rosary, the Archbishop led a diocese reflections where all schools gathered for a live stream.  This enabled the children to complete a decade of the Rosary with a focus on the Joyful Mystery -The Annunciation.  This was a special moment for our pupils as we gathered together in the knowledge that all children across the diocese were praying with us.

School Prayers

At SS. Mary and John Catholic Primary School, the children are taught traditional Catholic prayers. These prayers can be used at home to pray with your children. It will help develop their knowledge of prayer and  what the words mean to us as Christians today.

The Sign of the Cross (Reception)
In the name of the father,
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Hail Mary (Reception)
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is
the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Our Father (Reception)
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be
Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done,
on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Morning Prayer (Reception)
Father in heaven, you love me,
you are with me night and day.
I want to love you always
in all I do and say.
I'll try to please you, Father,
bless me through the day.
Amen

Evening Prayer(Reception)
God our Father, I come to say
thank you for your love today.
Thank you for my family
and all the friends you give to me.
Guard me in the dark of night
and in the morning send your light.
Amen.

Grace before Meals Prayer (Reception)
Bless us, O God, as we sit together.
Bless the food we eat today.
Bless the hands that made the food.
Bless us, O God.
Amen.

Grace after Meals Prayer (Reception)
Thank you, God, for the food we have eaten.
Thank you, God, for all our friends.
Thank you, God, for everything,
Thank you God.
Amen.

Glory Be (Y1)
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.

Prayer to the Guardian Angel (Y1)
Angel sent by God to guide me,
be my light and walk beside me;
be my guardian and protect me;
on the paths of life direct me.

Eternal Rest (Y2)
Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.

The Angelus (Y3)
The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: and she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary... Holy Mary...
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to your word.
Hail Mary... Holy Mary...
And the Word was made flesh: and dwelt among us
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord,
your grace into our hearts,
that we to whom the incarnation of Christ, your Son,
was made known by the message of an angel,
may be brought by his passion and cross
to the glory of his resurrection,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Act of Sorrow (Y3)

O my God, I thank you for loving me.
I am sorry for all my sins:
for not loving others
and not loving you.
Help me to live like Jesus
and not sin again.
Amen.

The Memorare (Y4)
Remember, O most loving Virgin Mary,
that it is a thing unheard of,
that anyone ever had recourse to your protection,
implored your help,
or sought your intercession,
and was left forsaken
Filled therefore with confidence in your goodness
I fly to you, O Mother, Virgin of virgins.
To you I come, before you I stand, a sorrowful sinner.
Despise not my poor words,
O Mother of the Word of God,
but graciously hear and grant my prayer.
Amen.

The Magnificat (Y5/6)
My soul glorifies the Lord,
My spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
He looks on his servant in her loneliness;
henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me.
Holy his name!
His mercy is from age to age, on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength and scatters the proud-hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant,
remembering his mercy, the mercy promised to our fathers,
to Abraham and his sons for ever.

Nunc Dimittis (Y5/6)
At last, all powerful Master,
you give leave to your servant to go in peace,
according to your promise.
For my eyes have seen your salvation
which you have prepared for all nations,
the light to enlighten the Gentiles
and give glory to Israel, your people.
Give praise to the Father almighty,
to his Son, Jesus Christ, the Lord,
to the Spirit, who dwells in our hearts,
both now and forever.
Amen.

Benedictus (Y5/6)

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty saviour,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.
Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit (Y6)
O Come, Holy Spirit,
fill the hearts of your faithful,
and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you shall renew
the face of the earth.
O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful
by the light of the Holy Spirit,
grant that by the gift of that same Spirit
we may be always truly wise
and ever rejoice in his consolation.

Apostles Creed (Y6)
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by
the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into Hell; the third day He arose again from the dead;
He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of God
the Father Almighty, from thence He shall come
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church,
the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen.