Our Worship Themes & Values

Worship Themes

We have termly themes that form the basis for our school and class worship.These themes enable St Mary's to have a discussion and learn about important moral, religious and social ideas together as a whole school community.

Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural Development (SCMC) and British Values

The Worship Themes build on Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural Development (SMSC) and also our British Values.

Spirituality

We aim to seek out the spiritual in our learning at St Mary's. See our Class Pages for some of the ways spirituality will be explored in this term's topics.

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Term 1, Autumn 2019: Forgiveness & Peace 

This term we will be looking at the values of Forgiveness and Peace.

We will be considering the strategies we have in place to encourage children to appreciate quietness and opportunities for quiet reflection; to be able to acknowledge that we all make mistakes and we all need forgiveness from each other.

We will be encouraging the children to solve their differences in a constructive way and develop their skills as peacemakers, looking at opportunities to introduce children to issues of peace and justice both locally and internationally.

Children will also be encouraged to understand that forgiveness and acceptance builds the life of the school community.

A Christian Perspective:

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the means by which damaged relationships are restored. It is an act of the will, motivated by love.

For Christians, Jesus’ death on a cross it the ultimate revelation of God’s all forgiving love, and his sacrifice stands a source of inspiration to forgive others, no matter what the cost.

Peace

Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9).

Peace-making actions can range from helping to resolve conflict to creating space for stillness. Peace, in the sense of total well-being, is God’s intention for the whole of creation, and is a promise that awaits ultimate fulfilment.

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's PEACE and FORGIVENESS activity sheets. Click the titles to download your copy.

Term 6, Summer 2019: Perseverance

As we develop this term’s value of 'perseverance' as a school community, we will consider the following:

• How are we encouraged and given skills to persevere through difficult times?
  
  
• How does our learning and teaching encourage and motivate children and adults alike?
   

• Do we all understand that hard work and perseverance in all aspects of our lives is worth the effort?

A Christian Perspective on Perseverance:

Jesus frequently encouraged his disciples to “endure patiently” the difficulties and obstacles they encountered and to persevere in the face of adversity. He himself trusted in God even when his enemies tried to stop his work and plotted his death.

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's PERSEVERANCE activity sheets. Click here to download your copy.

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Term 5, Summer 2019: Wisdom

As we develop this term’s value of Wisdom, we will consider the following:

• How all members of our school community are encouraged to act responsibly and think about the wisdom of their words and actions;
• How we can appreciate and respect the wisdom of others.
• How we understand the difference between 'being clever' and 'being wise'.
• How we recognise our spiritual wisdom.

A Christian Perspective on Wisdom:

Christians believe that true wisdom comes from God. As a believer grows in faith, so wisdom will increase. In the Bible, wisdom is seen both as a gift from God and a characteristic of God. In his parables, Jesus taught that placing trust in God and recognising what is of value in life brings fulfilment.

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's WISDOM activity sheets. Click here to download your copy.

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Term 4, Spring 2019: Humility

As we develop this term’s value of Humility, we will consider the following:

• How all members of our school community be of service to one another;

• How we can be empathetic and sympathetic to the experiences of others;

• How we create an ethos in which children and adults are confident to ask for, and receive, help from others.

A Christian Perspective on Humility

Christians believe that Jesus was both servant and king. He demonstrated this through His life, death and resurrection. Jesus taught his disciples what it means to be truly humble.

Christians believe that they can serve God by demonstrating humility through their attitudes and actions. This approach to life often runs contrary to many role-models presented to children in the media and popular culture.

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Term 3, Spring 2019: Respect and Reverence

As we develop this term’s value of Respect and Reverence, we will consider the following:

• seeking out opportunities to experience feelings of awe, wonder and mystery;
• explore the places and objects we have around school that are “holy or sacred” and which help us reflect and wonder;

•  experience how special words, sacramental actions or religious symbols are used to challenge and inform children’s understanding of God; 

•  to encourage children to value and respect their own and other people’s belongings.

A Christian Perspective on Respect and Reverence

The nature of God, as revealed in the Bible, expects all people to respond with respect and acknowledgement of God’s greatness, authority and involvement in the world.

This extends to respect for the created order, including for every other person, who, the Bible says, is made in the image of God. Reverence takes this response a step further and will include aspects of worship such as awe and wonder, surrender and sacrifice.

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's RESPECT AND REVERENCE activity sheets. Click the image below to download your copy.

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Term 2, Autumn 2018: Generosity

As we develop this term’s value of Generosity, we will consider the following:

• Do we truly understand the concept of giving without seeking any reward?
• How do we encourage one another to act with generosity in both their words and action?
• Do we consider the importance of being generous not only with material objects but also with time.

A Christian Perspective on Generosity

God’s generosity is best described as “grace”: to give freely without limit or conditions. This generosity, once experienced and acknowledged by an individual, can in turn release a generous spirit towards others.

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's GENEROSITY activity sheets. Click the image below to download your copy.

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Term 1, Autumn 2018: Responsibility

The value for our first term of the school year is responsibility.

As a whole school community, we will be considering areas such as...

• When do we act responsibly?
• Where does responsibility lie for ethical issues?
• Do we recognise that responsibility for learning and achievement lies with each of us as individuals? 
• How do we take responsibility for our environment?
• Are we given responsibility to help make decisions for our school?

A Christian Perspective on Responsibility

The Bible teaches that life is a gift from God and that it is our responsibility to use our talents and abilities in the best way we can.

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Term 6, Summer 2018: Compassion

As we develop this term’s value of Compassion, we will consider the following:

• In what ways, as a school community, do we encourage how to show kindness and respect to one another? 

• What are the links we have with charities for those in need and how do we support these?

• How do we help and encourage our pupils to understand and empathise with members of our community who have suffered traumatic experiences?

A Christian Perspective on Compassion

Christians believe that their attitudes and actions must reflect the kindness, mercy and compassion of Jesus and the love of God for everyone. We will be reading and discussing Bible stories that have a relevance to Compassion, such as:

• Jesus Heals a Leper
• The Good Samaritan
• The Lost Sheep
• The Baby in the Bulrushes

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's COMPASSION activity sheets. Click the image below to download your copy.

Term 5, Summer 2018: Truthfulness

As we develop this term’s value of Truthfulness, we will consider the following:

• How does our school encourage all members of the school community to be truthful in their dealings with one another?
• How do we help our pupils to understand that life is about a search for truth and meaning?
• How does our school community understand the concept of being true to ourselves? (i.e. standing up for one’s own beliefs)
• How, as a school, we can help our children make informed moral choices?

A Christian Perspective on Truthfulness

Christians believe that truth is revealed in the Bible and supremely in the person and life of Jesus Christ. Through Jesus’ teaching we are given an insight into the nature of God and the way in which He means us to live.

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's TRUTHFULNESS activity sheets. Click the image below to download your copy.

Term 4, Spring 2018: Service

As we develop our understanding of the value of Service this term, we will be on:

• How are pupils encouraged to serve one another?
• How are acts of service celebrated in school?
• Are school members encouraged to be active in service in the wider community?
• How do children show their appreciation to those who serve them? 

A Christian Perspective on Service

Jesus exemplified in person, in his ministry and in his relationship with God, what is was to be called the “servant king”. Christians believe that their calling is to follow Jesus’ example according to their gifts or abilities. They believe that through serving God in others, “perfect freedom” will ultimately be found.

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's SERVICE activity sheets. Click the image below to download your copy.

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Term 3, Spring 2018: Justice

This term we will be focussing in school on the value of Justice. Some of the things we will be considering are:

• How does St Mary's make children aware of global justice issues?
• How do we support charities?
• What strategies are in place to ensure that rules and procedures in school are fair and just?
• Encouraging pupils to take responsibility for each other in the school community

A Christian perspective on Justice: The justice revealed in the Bible is always seen in the context of love. It includes the call to take responsibility for one another, especially the poor and oppressed, and to see that no-one is excluded from the essentials of life.

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's JUSTICE activity sheets. Click the image below to download your copy.

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Term 2, Autumn 2017: Friendship

Friendship is always an important aspect of life at St Mary's - after all, our motto is 'working together'! This term we have chosen to make 'Friendship' our worship theme.

This will lead us to focus on the British value of 'mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs' as well as many aspects of Spiritual, Moral, Social, Cultural Development (SCMC) such as:

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's FRIENDSHIP activity sheets. Click the image below to download your copy.

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Term 1, Autumn 2017: Tolerance

This term, our theme of Tolerance leads us to focus on the social development aspect of SMSC, and the British value of 'mutual respect', as we learn how to demonstrate tolerance and respect to other people, their beliefs and opinions.

There are many children’s books that teach tolerance and encourage their readers to be respectful of all types of people regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexuality. Here are some top quotes:

A person’s a person no matter how small.

Dr Seuss, Horton Hears a Who!

We all live with the objective of being happy: our lives are all different and yet the same.

Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

What was it about the differences in others that scared some people so much?

Malorie Blackman, Noughts and Crosses

Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving.

Kingsley Shacklebolt via JK Rowling, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

What exactly was the difference? he wondered to himself. And who decided which people wore the striped pyjamas and which people wore the uniforms?

John Boyne, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas 

This planet is for everyone, borders are for no one. It’s all about freedom.

Benjamin Zephaniah, Refugee Boy

Any problem can be solved between people if only they can trust each other.

Michael Morpurgo, War Horse

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Term 6, Summer 2017: Hope

The value hope is about much more than just wishing as hard as we can that things will be different. It is about believing that the world can be better and being prepared to do something! Noah (in the story on the activity sheets) was willing to look silly in front of his neighbours by building a huge boat even though he lived miles from the ocean, because he hoped and believed that God had a plan. 

As a family you may want to talk about:

• your hopes and dreams for the future
• what you can do to make them happen
• what others need to do

There are lots of interesting things to do on this term's HOPE activity sheets. Click the image below to download your copy.

Term 3, Spring 2017: Courage

Our Value for this term is Courage. We will be looking at the Christian perspective on Courage, the claim that God is always present in every situation. This belief has led to great acts of courage that have included facing danger and opposition, overcoming fear, making a stand for what is right and encouraging others to persevere.

Try our Courage activities at home by clicking the image below:

Term 2, Autumn 2016: Forgiveness

This term our Collective Worship value is Forgiveness. We will be looking at how Forgiveness is the means by which damaged relationships are restored.

As a whole school community we will be looking at how adults and children are helped to acknowledge that we all make mistakes and we all need forgiveness from God and each other. Also, how do we make amends for our mistakes and how does the school celebrate the idea that God’s love is so treat that forgiveness is always possible?

Try our activity sheets here! 

Term 1, Autumn 2016: Trust

This term our Collective Worship value is Trust. We will be looking at the Christian perspective on Trust, being the bases of all stable relationships. Also reflecting as a whole school community on how we show children in practical ways what it means to have trust in others, how we can demonstrate sensitively the repercussions when trust is broken and how role models can show us different kinds of trust that work in our school community and the wider world.

Try our Trust activities at home here!

Term 5, Summer 2016: Wisdom

Try our Wisdom activities at home here!

Term 4, Spring 2016: Humility

Try our Humility activities at home here!

Term 3, Spring 2016: Respect

Try our Respect activities at home here!

Term 2, Autumn 2015: Generosity

Try our Generosity activities at home here!

 Term 1, Autumn 2015: Responsibility

Becoming responsible means being a person who can be trusted to do their best.

Being responsible means being prepared to stand up for others.

An irresponsible person acts in a way that hurts others, doesn't care about their feelings, and just does what pleases them.

An irresponsible person refuses to face up to the damage or hurt that he or she may cause.

Responsibility is thinking about what's best for everyone, not just what suits one individual.

You'll need to think about responsibility at school and at home when:

• you are given a job to do in the class/school on behalf of others. For example, acting as a school council representative, classroom monitor or learning buddy
• you are prepared to own up to something you have done wrong
• you care for a younger sibling or friend
• you represent the school as part of a team on a special occasion
• you have the job of looking after a pet

 Some Bible story links to find and think about:

1. God gives human beings the responsibility of caring for the world and of naming the animals - see Genesis 2:4-20.

2. The story of Cain and Abel - see Genesis 4:1-16.

3. Jethro advises Moses to share the heavy responsibility of leadership - see Exodus 18:13-27.

4. Moses hands over his responsibilities to Joshua - see Deuteronomy 31:1-8.

5. Jesus gives responsibility to 72 followers to carry on his work - see Luke 10:1-9

6. The church at Antioch gives Barnabas and Saul the responsibility of being missionaries - see Acts 13: 1-3; and they report back on a job well done in Acts 14: 27.

7.God gives human beings a job to do - see Psalm 8:5-9.

(Suggestions adapted from http://www.barnabasinschools.org.uk/)

Term 6, 2015: Compassion

This term we are exploring what living our lives with compassion means.

 Talk at home about the 'Footprints' poem and the Bible passages below. Can you decide what they each teach us about 'compassion'?

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord
Scenes from my life flashed across the sky,
In each, I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints;
other times there was only one.

During the lowest times of my life
I could see only one set of footprints,
so I said, "Lord, you promised me,
that you would walk with me always.
Why, when I have needed you most would you leave me?"

The Lord replied, "My precious child,
I love you and would never leave you.
The times when you have seen only one set of footprints,
it was then that I carried you."

Footprints

The Lord will always walk with you
Along life's blessed beach,
His footprints there beside your own,
Always within reach.
Two sets of footprints, side by side,
From dawn to setting sun,
Yet there may come a day, my child,
When you'll see only one.
But do not think the Lord has left you -
Nothing could be more wrong.
It's just that he has picked you up
To carry you along.

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Find these bible passages - what do they teach us about 'compassion'?

Term 5, 2015: Truthfulness

This term we are exploring what truthfulness means.

Year 6's acrylic artwork in the stairwell

Do you agree with these ideas?

• It takes courage to be honest.
• Lies don't hurt.
• It's much easier to exaggerate, pretend and put on a false front in order to be liked and respected.
• Telling lies can help get someone out of difficult situations.
• If we use lies, the truth often comes out in the end and then the fall-out can be terrible.
• People respect those who are truthful.
• I don't mind people lying to me.
• Small lies are ok.
• An honest friend will tell the truth and this builds up the friendship.

Can you find these Bible verses?

What do they teach us about truthfulness?

1) 'Do not tell lies about others' (Exodus 20:16).

2) 'It is better to be honest and poor than dishonest and rich.' (Proverbs 16:8).

Term 4, 2015: Serving Others

This term we are exploring what it means to serve others.

 Talk at home about what you or your family members would do in each of the following situations.

• You are on your way to a football game. You are in a hurry, but as you walk down the street to the playing field you see an elderly woman drop a bag of groceries. What do you do?

• You have been at a friend’s house playing. You are very tired. As you walk into your garden, you see your dad hard at work with the gardening. What do you do?

• You come into the kitchen to get a drink and you see your brother washing the dinner dishes. What do you do?

• You are walking home with some friends. You see that a dog has knocked over a rubbish bin in front of a neighbour’s house and has scattered the rubbish around. The neighbour is away and won’t be back for a few days. What do you do?

• You see a new girl in school and introduce yourself. The new girl asks you where you eat lunch. You had planned to eat lunch with your friends. What do you do?

Term 3, 2015: Diversity and Difference

Have you seen the  challenge at the bottom of the page?

You can find out more about Nelson Mandela in this Newsround video.

Diversity means how things vary or are different. Just as there are lots of different designs of cars, bikes, washing machines, balls - or just about anything you can think of - so there is diversity among people.

Whilst most people have the same general structure - two legs, two arms, two eyes, etc. - we are actually all very different to each other:

• skin, hair and eyes can be many different colours and shades of colour,
• the size and shape of our faces and our bodies varies,
• amazingly, our DNA and our fingerprints are different to every other person's,
• in fact, each one of the billions of people in the world is quite unique!

Diversity is not just about our bodies, though. Where we are born in the world, our race and our culture can make for a great deal of diversity too. There are differences in:

• languages
• religions
• beliefs
• cultural traditions
• types of houses where we live
• schools
• jobs
• things to do in our spare time

You don't have to go far to find diversity. Just look around at your family and friends and you will find it. Every single person you know is different. How about your brothers, sisters and cousins? They might have some similarities (e.g. the same colour hair) but they'll have lots of differences too:

• Do they all look alike, sound alike, have the same skills and talents, share the same interests?

And the great thing about diversity is that it makes the world such an interesting place to be, because diversity fills it with interesting, different people.

How good is that? And how boring if everything and everyone was the same!

(adapted from Child and Youth Health website, Australia)

... what these people did to change how people are treated?

Father Trevor Huddleston & Bishop Desmond Tutu

TIP: You can find out here (this is a page on the BBC News website).

Arsène Wenger & Thierry Henry

TIP: You can find out here (this is a page on the BBC Newsround website).

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