As a Catholic school, Christ lies at the centre of all that we do. Prayer plays a very important role in helping the children to recognise Jesus and to promote their spiritual development. Our Spiritual Learning Page that is updated weekly with The Wednesday Word can be found by clicking here.
Whole School Collective Worship
Every Monday the children gather for Collective Worship which focuses on the Sunday Gospel reading. During this time of prayer, each class is presented with a weekly challenge linked to the Gospel. Our children also contribute to these times of prayer by offering readings, providing music or performing liturgical dance. Our year 6 spiritual school leaders contribute to the delivery of whole school collective worship. An example of this was our international day of peace liturgy. It was a lovely moment to reflect on peace.
Class Prayer
Our children say morning, afternoon and home time payers every day. The RE curriculum allows regularly opportunities for the children to pray around a class focal point and to reflect on key religious themes. Class liturgies are performed regularly and parents are invited into school to share key class liturgies with the children.
Our New Bishop
Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Robert Byrne as our new Bishop of the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. Bishop Byrne will be the fourteenth Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle.
Bishop Byrne was born in Manchester on 22 September 1956. He was ordained priest in 1985 and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Birmingham on 13 May, 2014. Speaking of his appointment, Bishop Byrne said: “I am deeply humbled by the trust Pope Francis has placed in me with this appointment as Bishop of Hexham & Newcastle…I look forward to making my home in the North East, with its rich Christian heritage, and also getting to know and serve the people, deacons, religious and priests of the Diocese. I ask all of you to keep me in your prayers as I pray for you.”
Bishop Seamus said: “I am delighted to welcome Bishop Byrne as my successor at a time of great challenge and hope in this Diocese.”
Church of St Mary Magdalen’s
Our children regularly visit our Parish church of St Mary Magdalen’s for whole school masses and important celebrations. The church is also used by our children for class prayer and worship. We have recently welcomed our new Parish priest: Father Marc Lyden-Smith. He will be a great asset to our whole school and parish community. We ask God to bless him during his time with us.
I have been appointed as Parish Priest of the parishes of St. Michael in Houghton le Spring and St. Mary Magdalen in Seaham Harbour, and as Dean of the St. Mary the Virgin Partnership and as the Bishop’s Advisor for Dialogue and Unity.
It will be a huge wrench to leave Sunderland, a place I have come to love and call home. A place with wonderful people in this very special parish made up of St. Mary’s, St. Cecilia’s, the Convent and the university.
Thank you all for your love, kindness, prayers and huge amount of support that you have given to me during the last few years.”
Prayer Stations & Spiritual Garden
We have introduced different prayer stations around school which allows children to focus and reflect on areas of need (personal, local and international). Councillor Bell visited school to officially open our Spiritual Garden in 2017. The garden is a perfect place for our children and parents to sit in a quiet and peaceful space, to have time for self reflection and prayer. The garden was inspired by one of our past pupils, Megan Bell, who has sadly passed away in 2016. Thank you to Councillor Bell who, on behalf of DCC, donated £1000 towards the cost of the garden. Thank you also to Mr Sinclair who did all the special wood carvings that make the garden so special.
The Season of Advent
Our Year 6 welcomed in the Advent season 2019 with a whole school liturgy in church. They lit our first Advent wreath candle and retold the Christmas message through song, dance and prayer.
The Season of Lent
We celebrate this very special season in school through our Holy Week liturgies. This season allows us all to reflect on our personal journey of faith.
2020 Easter Message from Headteacher ‘Creativity of love can overcome isolation’
Remembrance
This annual event is marked by all classes. We remember all those who have sadly died during times of conflict and war. We also remember our loved ones who are sadly no longer with us and we offer our prayers to Jesus by posting a prayer on our ’empty chair’ of remembrance.
