Prayer Life at St Mary’s

As a Catholic primary school prayer plays a fundamental part of our daily school life and enables us all to join together as one as we worship.

Children are introduced to a variety of different ways of praying:

• quiet reflection / meditation
• spontaneous prayer
• praying together
• writing our own prayers
• prayers through music
• learning traditional Catholic prayers

School Prayer

We thank you for our school,
staff, children, one and all.
We pray Lord that you be at our centre,
our guide, our tutor and our mentor.
Help us to work hard in our learning,
be good friends, be fair and caring,
to be the very best we can in all we do and say,
growing together in your love and care each day.
Amen.

Growing Closer to God

In its simplest form, prayer is defined as “talking to God.” It is a personal time where we open our hearts to our Heavenly Father; bringing everything in our hearts to Him.

Prayer can be a powerful force for change in our lives, and the importance of doing it on a daily basis should be instilled in our children.

Communication is the foundation for success in any relationship. When we communicate openly and freely with each other, we learn to know each other as individuals. This principle also applies to our relationship with God. By talking to God, we can learn more about who He is and what plan He has for us.

Classroom Worship

This takes places each Monday and Tuesday. Each week, different children in each class prepare and lead their class in worship. In key stage one the children are guided by adults to prepare for this. In key stage two the children independently plan their own worship.

Hymn Practice

Each Thursday morning, the children from Reception to Year 6 gather together to sing songs of praise to God and practise hymns and songs that we use for our assemblies and Masses.

Gospel Assemblies

Each Wednesday morning, the children from Reception to Year 6 gather together for our Gospel assembly that is led by the Headteacher. The theme of this assembly is determined by the Liturgical calendar and the Gospel.

Celebration Assemblies

Each Friday the whole school community comes together for a time of celebration and collective worship. We celebrate the achievements of the school with our Star of the Week certificates being distributed alongside house points, attendance awards and green sticker awards. We end each week together by thanking God for all He has done to help us achieve and learn.

Mass

Throughout the year we have the joy of celebrating the Sacrament of the Eucharist in Holy Trinity Church on Brook Green.   Children help to prepare and lead the Mass through Altar Serving, reading and bringing up the gifts. On different occasions parents are invited to join us for Mass.

Liturgies

Throughout the year, to mark important events in the Church’s liturgical year, we hold special Liturgies.

Year Group Prayers

Please follow the links below to see the progression of prayers learned in each year group.