Worship
School Prayer
Dear Lord
Bless our school with faith, hope and love
So that we may all thrive
In a nurturing, Christian community
Amen
Our School Song
Class Worship Areas
Each classroom has a Christian Worship area, which are changed every half term and added to regularly as part of classroom learning and reflection. They are a place where the children can come and ponder, ask questions, reflect and pray.
The areas have our school vision and values prominently displayed and a cross as its focal point. It will include other artefacts, pictures and Bibles to engage the children in thought and prayer.
The worship areas usually follow the same theme as collective worship to enable the children to deepen their understanding and thoughts behind each Christian message.
The school also has a prayer area in the school library which can be accessed by pupils during the week. This was put in place after a very successful Prayer Space event in summer 2019.
Gospel Values and Collective Worship
Our school Gospel Values are based on the Bible.
“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—
and the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians chapter 13 verse 13
Faith, Hope and Love.
Faith - To believe in one another. To trust, inspire, develop and encourage each member of the school and wider community. To help develop spirituality and theological understanding for all.
Trust in Father Son and Holy Spirit Matthew 28:19
Hope - To aspire to greater things. To reach for the stars and be the best we all can be. No excuses - aim high! To promote positivity, solutions focussed problem solving and courageous advocacy.
‘I knew the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future’
Jeremiah 29 v 11
Love - To be aware of the importance of emotional wellbeing and the need for understanding and compassion. To promote a nurturing and caring environment where all members of the school community feel valued and can flourish.To ensure that the curriculum reflects Gods love for us all.
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart. Love your neighbour as yourself’ Mark 12v 30
Also see our school values page: https://www.holytrinityeightashgreen.co.uk/school-values/
Each term we focus on a different value including, Faith, Hope, Love. Additional gospel values which we deliver as branches from our key values tree, include: Forgiveness, Respect, Trust, Service, Courage, Justice, Perseverance, Truthfulness, Generosity, Friendship, Compassion and Thankfulness.
Each half term we will send home a newsletter all about our current Gospel Value.
Gallery
Please also see our school gallery: https://www.holytrinityeightashgreen.co.uk/gallery/
Gospel Values Newsletters
What is collective worship?
Collective Worship is a creative, reflective and spiritual experience.
1 A candle is lit as a focus and reminder that Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” John 8v12
2 A child leads the worship with a phrase such as, “The Lord is here – His Spirit is with us.”
3 Children enjoy a wide range of worship songs often linked to our Christian values.
4 A Bible story may be told, chosen to be related to the Christian value as well as the relational needs of the children.
5 There is opportunity for children to read a few well known verses from the Bible or a Psalm such as Psalm 23 or Psalm 100.
6 Often there is a challenge to practical action – encouraging children to decide / choose to put God’s love into practice. For example children may be encouraged to support the Colchester Food Bank charity or Operation Christmas Child shoe box appeal.
7 Children have an opportunity to respond in prayer. We use the school prayer or the Lord’s Prayer and also encourage spontaneous prayers which may be led by the children.
8 In a busy school day we make “Time for reflection.” Maybe a quiet time or using music as children take time to consider what they have heard.
8 Finally we often share the peace – Enabling pupils to demonstrate their love and care for one another. “May the peace of the Lord be with you – and also with you.”
Please also refer to our Worship Policy, located in the school policy section of the website: https://www.holytrinityeightashgreen.co.uk/church-school/