Worship Round Up
Friday 8th December 2023
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: ‘Legacy…’ led by class teachers or the senior leadership team who explore people who are excellent role models within their field and consider the impact they had on our world today;
- Tuesday 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;
- Wednesday Worship Focus: ‘Bible Stories’ led by Luke Wickings (the vicar from St Paul’s) who is working through the stories of the Bible and exploring the lessons that can be learnt from these;
- Thursday Worship Focus: Singing led by Mrs Griffin and Mrs Walker;
- Friday Worship Focus: Values and Celebration led by Mrs Evans who revisits one of our core values — Commitment, Courage and Love, along with celebrating the team points winners for the week and achievements from outside school with the pupils.
Monday's Worship
Stormzy
On Monday, we learnt about Stormzy who is a musician. We heard about the hard work that it has taken him to become incredibly successful and how he has reflected on those who went before him and the changes that they encouraged in the industry that have supported his journey. Stormzy became the first black British rapper to headline at Glastonbury, performing on the Pyramid Stage. He is keen to leave a legacy for others so has funded scholarships to Cambridge University for two black British students annually and has also begun a partnership with ten well known brands to provide work opportunities for young adults based in the UK of black heritage. His work aims to increase the diversity seen within these brands and to continue to develop this over time, leaving a legacy for future generations. You can find out more about him in 'Legacies: Black British Pioneers by Lania Narjee'.
Tuesday's Worship
Christmas 'Sing Off'
On Tuesday, we had a Carol and Christmas song ‘sing off’! Each key phase took turns to share their songs with the other and children considered the messages in the songs. We talked about how we can appreciate the voices God gives us and use these to build one another up.
Wednesday's Worship
Why were the Magi in the nativity story so important?
On Wednesday, Luke spoke to us about the nativity story and the role of the three wise men or the three kings as they are sometimes known. We looked at the detail in the bible where they are referenced only as Magi from the East; we do not know their specific location or their origin or even their names. We discussed that they had studied the stars to find Jesus and that the wise men were foreign and not native. We reflected on the fact that Jesus's birth united us all. We discussed that Jesus's love is for all of us and that we are all welcome to be part of God's family.
Thursday's Worship
Singing Practice
This week, KS2 rehearsed their concert songs in 2 parts:
- The Holly and the Ivy
- Advent Calendar
- Because of Him
KS1 continued to practise for their Christmas Nativity - "Hey Ewe"
Friday's Worship
Advent 2 - Peace
On Friday, we lit the second advent candle - Peace. We talked about what 'Peace' means: "A state of tranquility; freedom for disturbance or agitation; calm; repose." We reflected on the message gven to the shepherds by the angels about Jesus's birth: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14). We reflected on why the angels brought the message that Jesus's birth would bring peace and considered how it did this: Jesus gives us inner peace - the knowledge that we will be shown forgiveness and the chance to do better; Jesus encourages us to be at peace with others - to celebrate difference and treat others as we would wish to be treated; Jesus encourages us to remember that God is always there and to trust in His love in times of challenge as Jesus trusted in His plans. We closed worship with some reflections read by members of the school council created by Year 3, Year 4 and Year 6: 'Peace is calming candles flickering in the wind; peace is forgetting all of your worries; peace is taking time to calm your mind; peace is prayer and worship – taking time to talk to God.'
