Spirituality, Reflection and Prayer
Children’s spiritual development is key at St Mary’s School. We want children to develop a clear sense of themselves, others and the beyond this by the time they leave our school. At St Mary’s School we give children and adults the opportunity to articulate and explore their spiritual development to enable them to flourish in this area. We aim to give all children opportunities to think about themselves, others, creation and the world beyond. We encourage children to become independent thinkers and wonderers through modelling an environment of inclusion and respect.
What is meant by Spirituality?
Spirituality concerns a person’s relationship with themselves, with others, with God (or the transcendent), and with nature and the environment. These four elements: self; others; transcendence and beauty form the basis of our work with children in developing a strong sense of spirituality.
It is also vital that all of the adults in school see the need to develop their own spirituality for their own well-being, so that they can effectively support and help our children and each other.
The Four Elements
Self
- Awareness of feelings; ability to reflect and express
- Awareness of our uniqueness; happiness with who we are
- Gratitude for the things we have and the person we are
- Exploration of personal faith
- Development of imagination and creativity
Others
- Empathy and understanding; respect, tolerance
- To love and be loved.
- Making a difference; duty
Transcendence (Beyond)
- Encountering/experiencing God (having a sense of what lies beyond the material/physical)
- Ability to formulate and discuss the ‘Big Questions’ (e.g. about life, death, suffering, nature of God)
- Opportunities for prayer, connecting with God
Making sense of the world
- Wonder and beauty
- Developing a sense of awe and wonder
- Enjoying the miracles of everyday life
- Taking time for what really matters
- Appreciating beauty in art, music, nature
Prayer
“Call to me and I will answer you” Jeremiah 33:3
Children at St Mary’s School are taught that prayer is a vital part of a Christian’s relationship with God. Assemblies include opportunities for children to pray or sit in silence and reflect. Prayer is a central part of our Christian distinctiveness at school. Children are taught about what prayer is and given opportunities each day to engage in collective prayer, reflection and silent prayer and their own personal prayer if they choose to. Each class has a reflection area for the children to pause and take time to reflect.
As a church school all children say Grace before lunch and finish the day with a prayer.
Our vision tree encourages children to develop an understanding of their own spirituality in relation to themselves, others, the natural and God-given world and the ponder things which are beyond understanding.
Extended Worship
Three times a year we are fortunate to be able to spend up to a day exploring a key question with members of the church working alongside the classes. These are always popular events with the whole school coming together to share their experiences at the end of the day with each other as well as parents.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours.
Now and forever.
Amen
School Prayers
Dear Lord
Help us in this school to be patient, loving and kind.
Help us to think of others and not hurt them by the things we say or do.
Help us always to tell the truth and do what we know is right.
Amen
Dear Lord, bless our school. That learning together and playing together we can learn to serve you and serve one another in Jesus’ name.
Amen