Collective Worship
At St.Mary’s the children take part in an act of daily collective worship.
Our invitational collective worship is a special time for our school to gather together to:
- Be still and reflect
- Engage with and explore big questions
- Affirm Christian values and our school vision
- Celebrate special times in the Christian calendar
- Foster respect and deepen spiritual awareness
- Flourish
- Express praise and thanksgiving
- Share each other’s joy and challenges
- Respond together and as individuals
- Reflect on learning
- Sing!
When we arrive for collective worship, we light our Easter Candle (which is kindly donated by St. Mary’s church every year) and the worship leaders declares that ‘The Lord is here’ and the children are invited to respond with ‘The Spirit is with us.’ As the children leave, the worship leader states ‘May the light of Christ’ and the children are invited to respond with ‘Shine in our hearts’.
The relationship between our parish church, the local community and St. Mary’s School is strong and highly valued. Once a fortnight, the children take part in collective worship at St. Mary’s Church. The journey to church is an act a worship of its own; admiring God’s Creation as the children walk though the beauty of Oak Hill Park. We also visit Brookside Methodist Church at least once a term.
Click to view our Collective Worship Policy. This contains details of the shape, purpose and impact of Collective Worship at St. Mary’s.
Every Thursday, the children in Year 6 help to lead collective worship, by sharing a Bible reading and prayers. Our intercessory prayers always show an awareness of current school or World events, or significant dates in the calendar.
Children and staff are invited to a Holy Communion Service as a celebration of the Eucharist, either held in school or at St. Mary’s Church. All children and staff are also offered a Blessing to ensure that they are purposefully included in this special act of worship. Click to view photos of one of our Eucharist services.
The Rector, Rev. Dr. Alec Corio works closely with the Headteacher to help shape the collective worship plan across the school year.
Focus Values:
Each half term, our collective worship focus is on a chosen Christian value. We hear Bible stories and learn memory verses that exemplify these values for every day.