Worship Round Up

Friday 25th October 2024

Our weekly round-up aims to support our parents in the conversations that they are having at home with their children. Each week, we will share the themes of each of our worships and any resources that we have been using, such as: videos, books and music, to allow our parents to access these if they wish to. Our weekly worship is structured in the following way: 

• Monday Worship Focus: Values Focus led by Mrs Evans who revisits one of our core values — Commitment, Courage and Love. 
• Tuesday Worship Focus: ‘Earth Heroes’ led by class teachers;
• Wednesday Worship Focus: ‘What’s happening in the world this week?’ led by Mrs Griffin and focusing on key events that are taking place in the world currently;
• Thursday Worship Focus: Singing led by Mrs Walker;
• Friday Worship Focus: Celebration led by a member of the senior leadership team to celebrate the team points winners for the week and achievements from both inside and outside school with the pupils.

Monday's Worship

On Monday, we looked again at British Values and focused on 'Democracy'. I shared with the children that democracy means: 'We all have thoughts and everyone matters'; 'We ask questions'; 'We make decisions together'. I told the children about a recent news story that explained that after a 10-year campaign, music exam boards have announced they will include Sikh sacred music (Kirtan) on their syllabus. I asked the children to consider how this is an example of democracy. I then asked them to consider why Dr Harjinder Lallie, who led the campaign, felt that this was so important. We talked about how this links to mutual respect and tolerance and the celebration of differences. We also talked about how significant this would be for Sikhs to feel not only proud of their sacred music but also see it recognised in an equal way to other types of music. We reflected on the message of Matthew 7:7: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." We closed worship by reflecting on the fact that this story reminds us that we all have a voice and can bring about change.

Tuesday's Worship

 On Tuesday, we Looked at Shelia Watt-Coutier. She is a part of the Inuit community in Canada. She worked to raise awareness of how global warming and climate change can impact Inuit people. We thought about how climate change could impact these communities and the changes it would cause for their living conditions. We finished by considering how we can help climate change and prayers to show we are thankful for the world.  

Wednesday's Worship

Singing

This week in singing worship, we began learning songs in preparation for our Christmas performances. We sang a beautiful version of 'Hallelujah' which tells the nativity story. We also practised 'Unto Us a Child is Born'

Thursday's Worship

On Thursday our Faith Reps led a worship on inclusion with Stammering awareness week as a starting point to discuss how we show respect and love towards all people. We reflected on the fact that 'we are all different because we all have different needs'. We considered what respect would look like for example; not interrupting, looking in the direction of people and really listening to what is being said rather than thinking we might know better. We reflected on how we work better as a team and this weeks challenge had two members of staff attempt to feed themselves with long spoons with disappointing results! A member of school helpfully suggested that they would have more success if they helped each other with their needs and the challenge was met. Hebrews 13:16 : And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Friday's Worship

During Friday's worship, we shared the team points winners for the week - Year 5 for the class winners and Rubies for the team points - awarded the 'hot chocolate awards' given for demonstrating love in our actions and celebrated some of our pupils' achievements from outside of school.  The team treat for the half term was extra play for Rubies! Well done!  We continued to explore the idea of untold stories and sharing the whole narrative for Black History Month. We looked at Laurie Cunningham (1956 - 1989), one of the very first black footballers to play for England. Laurie began his career at Leyton Orient in London and went on to play for West Bromwich Albion, Real Madrid and Manchester United. Laurie was a winger and his play was characterised by great speed and skill.  We discussed how we continued to achieve greatness in the face of tough criticism and why this makes his achievements even more significant. We thought about how football and footballers can still raise awareness about equality today and why it is still relevant to think about the barriers racism presents. We reflected on how we can call it out when we see anyone who makes judgements based on someone's differences.