An Introduction to Our Faith and Collective Worship

SS. Mary and John’s is a Roman Catholic School. Its central aim is to help children know, love and serve God and their neighbour. The whole of the curriculum content and methodology, especially the teaching and living of the Roman Catholic Faith, is designed to achieve this central aim.

Working together with God to achieve a better future for everyone.

• To develop a school community centered on the life of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the teachings of the Church.
• To enable each child to achieve their full potential through a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum by creating and maintaining an atmosphere where pupils feel they are well known, safe, valued, respected, challenged and happy.
• To maintain the highest standards of teaching and learning.
• Actively practise the Catholic Faith.
• Promote self-esteem and self-worth for each individual by showing respect for others and developing an understanding of self in an atmosphere of trust.
•  Involve parents, the parish and the community in an educational partnership so that all stakeholders can develop their potential in a supportive environment, recognising their gifts and talents.

 School Assemblies, Collective Worship and Masses    

All children have a daily act of worship. These take different forms.  Each week the children gather to praise God, which supports our spiritual life and preparation for Mass and assemblies.

We believe that Collective Worship in our school aims to provide opportunity for all pupils and staff to:

• Contemplate something of the mystery of God
• Reflect on spiritual and moral issues
• Explore their own beliefs
• Respond to and celebrate life
• Experience a sense of belonging and develop community spirit
• Develop a common ethos and shared values
• Enrich religious experience
• Grow in liturgical understanding and development
• Reinforce prayers which are part of the Catholic tradition
• Reinforce positive attitudes
• Participate fully
• Take time out ‘to wonder at’, ‘to come to terms with’ and ‘to give worth to.’

In order to achieve the above, Collective Worship is organised as follows:

Monday – Gospel Assembly – to focus on the Gospel from the Sunday mass

Wednesday – Whole School Mass at the start and end of each half term, KS1 Prayer Services and KS2 Masses.  All year groups take it in turns to lead the liturgy.

Friday – Congratulations /Class led Assembly – This assembly is led by members of the SLT. During this assembly, individuals selected as pupil of the week. Children are recommended for a variety of reasons e.g. sharing with others/ achievements in sport/effort shown in all areas of the curriculum.

Collective worship takes place in classes on a daily basis.  This can be focusing on the different liturgical seasons, significant Saints and commemorative days throughout the year.

Each class leads one class assembly during the year for the whole school to watch. All parents are invited to watch and be part of our weekly celebration assembly.

Any non-Catholic families who want to know more about the Catholic faith should contact our parish priest, Father Joe McLoughlin.