Collective Worship Overviews and Parent Information Spring 2023
Collective Worship Overviews
Parent Newsletter February 2023
We begin February with the official end of Christmastide and a welcome theme of light. Just as the evenings and mornings are beginning to show signs of brightening, Candlemas, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on 2nd February, celebrates Jesus, the Light of the World.
In recent months, price rises have brought the cost of light and heating sharply into focus. Perhaps we’ve been a little more careful with our energy usage; switching off lights when leaving a room, being mindful of saving the planet and our pennies etc.
Light and salt were high-value commodities in ancient cultures, and Jesus uses these metaphors to describe the real value of our contributions to the Christian way of life. Towards the end of February, we begin the season of Lent, another opportunity to focus on our mission as followers of Jesus. By placing Jesus at the centre of our lives, we can be the valuable lights we are called to be, reflecting God’s light of love through our actions.
This newsletter shares some of the content children will experience in school throughout February and suggests ways for you to engage with them about it.
https://www.tentenresources.co.uk/prayers-for-home/parent-newsletter/
Collective Worship
Our recent Liturgies and Celebrations
Epiphany Mass - 6th January 2023
Father Michael led us in a very special Mass in our school hall to celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany. We were all called to think about what gifts we would give to our Lord Jesus.
Ash Wednesday
On Wednesday 22nd February, we joined our parish family at St Joseph's to mark the start of the season of Lent. Our Year 6 children helped Father Michael give out the ashes to everyone.
"The children are an absolute credit to you. Wonderful" Parishoner
End of Term Mass at St Joseph's Catholic Church
What a wonderful celebration! Due to Covid restrictions, this was the first time in almost 3 years we had been able to celebrate Mass in the Church with Father Michael and the parishoners.
Key Stage Two Carol Service
The Key Stage Two children led us in a wonderful Carol Service at St Joseph's Church. It was the first time in three years we could hold such an event with our whole community together and it was a truly special occasion. Thank you to the Parish who served us some wonderful refreshments afterwards.
Nativity Plays
We were very proud of our Early Years and Key Stage One children for sharing the good news of Jesus' birth with us! We all agreed there was real Christmas joy and excitement during the Nativity plays!.
Newbury Living Advent Calendar
Our Year Six children took part in the Newbury Living Advent Calendar this year. This is a wonderful community event where the importance of the Nativity at Christmas was shared with local residents by our Year Six children.
Visits to the Church
Year 6 Leavers Mass Douai Abbey
Early Years Liturgy
Good Shepherd Mass
“On Friday 20th, we went to Portsmouth to represent our school at the cathedral. There were lots of other schools. It took about an hour and a half to get there. Leo had to hold the school banner and walk down the aisle. Kitty’s job was to take the offertory up to the Bishop. The cathedral was big with lots of carvings on the wall and stained glass windows. We sang hymns and said prayers. We had a picnic outside with the students from St Finians after the Mass and then we went back to our school" Leo and Kitty June 2022
Happy Birthday to the Church!
This week the children in Reception were celebrating the Church's birthday as part of our Pentecost learning. We arranged to have a special birthday party and invited Father Michael to join us. He came in and showed us his special robes he wears for Pentecost and then he joined us for some musical statues and even some birthday cake!” Mrs Daubney May 2022
