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Catholic Life
At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School we always work to provide a stimulating and interesting environment where children have the ability to develop their talents to their full potential.
We strive to develop each child’s religious formation by widening it within the life and work of the school, in partnership with parents and the parish community. This is done in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church. We ensure that children know how to follow the example and teachings of Jesus.
We encourage children to ask questions about the teachings of Christ and to develop enquiring minds. We are aware that children’s needs and levels of understanding in RE change and develop. We adapt to these needs through the following aims which are underpinned by our school’s mission statement.
We promote concern, consideration and respect for all others regardless of race, culture, gender or disability. This is further strengthened by our links with charities such as CAFOD and Father Hudson’s Appeal in which we try our hardest to help those children in other countries who may not receive presents that Christmas.
We create a happy, purposeful and caring environment which fosters the intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual development of each child.
We continue to fully develop the talents of each child through a balanced RE curriculum and by providing work suited to individual needs.
Christ is at the centre of all that we do at St Mary's.
Section 48
Our Last S48 Inspection, we were given the rating of 'good'.
Please see our full report below.
Mini Vinnies
The group is part of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is an international Christian voluntary organisation dedicated to tackling poverty and disadvantage by providing practical assistance to those in need. ‘Mini Vinnies’ are children aged between 7 to 11 who, with the permission of their parents and the support of their Schools, are encouraged to embark on their first steps as possible ‘Vincentians for life’. As Mini Vinnies, the youngsters have their own ‘treasured’ Prayer, Pledge and Badge, a dedicated website and a range of bright and colourful documents which guide them in their formative steps – helping and enabling them to become in every sense, young Vincentians – or ‘Mini Vinnies’. They will decide which worthy cause they would like to help each year and of course how they will do this.
Our group help people less fortunate than us by raising money, praying and doing things for lonely people. At St Mary's our ‘Mini Vinnies’ group are all pupils from Class 4. We pray together each week and meet to discuss ways we can help others. We collect food and create food parcels at different times of the year and donate these to local families.
Our group help to lead the worship in school and they will be building on this throughout the year.
Collective Worship
Our Collective worship sessions will be supported by ten ten resources, which can be found HERE.
The 5 Strands of Prayer and Liturgy
- Weekly Prayer and Liturgy - rooted in the Sunday Mass readings, each Prayer and Liturgy provokes discussion amongst the pupils, both with the St Mary's community, and throughout the Our Lady of the Magnificat academy schools. Joining together for this Multi-Academy collaboration allows us to deepen and strengthen our faith as key part of a larger faith-based organisation.
- Daily Classroom Prayer - a period of prayerful reflection throughout the day brings together the whole class, whilst allowing our pupils to reflect on their own individual prayer intentions. Each classroom's prayer station is the focus point of our daily prayers, and pupil creation of these special spaces leads to a sense of ownership during these times of reflection.
- Links to Home - our weekly newsletter has a Catholic Life page, devoted to religious reflections and prayer.
- Staff Prayer and Liturgy - prayer is at the heart of our school community, and as such our weekly staff briefing and staff meetings begin with a group prayer.
- Other Resources - including teacher training materials, guided meditation, the Examen for children, liturgies, resources for special occasions, etc