‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’

Prayer is something that supports the development of the whole child in spirit, mind and body. We encourage children to take responsibility for their own prayer life and to take the lead in the creation of prayers and this responsibility feeds into pupils overall positive behaviour for learning.

The St Edward’s Behaviour Code is ‘Respectful - Responsible - Safe’. We promote the values of Wisdom, Witness, Forgiveness and Love in order to achieve this. These themes often occur during times of prayer and are linked with the aims of Prayer and Liturgy at St Edward’s.

Aims of Prayer and Liturgy

- To develop and strengthen the child's loving relationship with God

- To create a safe sense of belonging amongst children and adults

- To share, witness and celebrate with families and parishes in the children's faith journey

- To encourage children to be actively involved in preparing and participating in prayers and liturgies

- To enable children to take a more knowledgeable part in Prayers and Liturgies beyond school

- To support non-Catholic staff with a program of induction

Prayer

Prayer is a central part of our life at school and the children and staff, are encouraged to pray in different ways: praying together, praying silently, writing their own prayers, praying their own prayers aloud. To develop a sense of prayer, it is necessary to have places of reflection (some quiet, some not).

Prayer and Celebrations of the Word

Full school assemblies, is a time when the whole school can gather together for prayer and Celebrations of the Word, as a community. These focus on the feasts and seasons of the liturgical year and other topical events e.g. Cafod etc. The Head Teacher leads the school in a Gospel assembly on Monday. Pupil Parliament leaders will lead assemblies as and when required. Daily prayer is integral to the life of our school. Our assembly schedule is as follows:

- Monday: Gospel Assembly (Celebration of The Word and Prayer)

- Tuesday: Singing assembly (Prayer)

-Wednesday: Class Prayer (based on Ten:Ten resources)

- Thursday: Class Prayer (based on Picture Prayer resources)

- Celebration Assembly (Prayer)

Children’s Prayers

We begin and end each day with prayer and share grace before lunch. Each class has a liturgically-based prayer table which acts as a focus for their prayer. Children learn a selection of traditional prayers (see below) in each year group but are also encouraged to write their own prayers.

KS2 (Lower)

- The Apostles Creed

-The Act of Contrition

-Angel of God

-Come Holy Sprit

-The Prayer of St Richard of Chichester (Thanks be to you……Day by day)

KS2 (Upper)

- The Rosary

- A Morning Offering

-The Magnificat

-Act of Faith/Act of Hope/Act of Love

There are many opportunities for the children to plan and lead different types of Prayers and Celebrations of the Word in school. The children work together to plan and deliver personalised prayer, following the structure: Gather, Listen to The Word, Respond and Mission. Children are especially encouraged to plan and lead class prayer, at the end of each RE topic.

Staff Prayer Life

All staff, Christian and non- are encouraged to participate or support those who participate in Prayer sessions (sessions that have a Christian and a non-Christian response element). The responsibility of staff to observe good practice and then model it for children is emphasised for all staff so that those that witness our good model, have confidence that we are providing appropriate prayer times for the children in our care.

- Monday briefing prayers

-Friday staff prayers before school (KS2)

- Prayer at Staff and Governor meetings

- Joint Catholic school Mass annually

- Diocesan/SCAT training opportunities

Liturgical Celebrations

The liturgical life of the school will focus on the seasons of the liturgical year which includes:

Eucharist

- September Term begins with a whole school Mass (Masses are shared between St Joseph’s Infants and St Edward’s).

- Visits to parish church for Mass

- Holyday of Obligation celebrations

- Feast of St Edward celebration (October)

- First Holy Communion celebration Mass

- Leavers' Mass (July)

Y6 Mission Team members will assist with the above, as and when required.

Seasonal Celebrations of Word and Liturgies

All parents are invited to these celebrations. At our major liturgies of Advent and Easter, invitations are also extended to include parishioners and all those who have supported our school in any way.

- September: Welcome Mass

- October: Feast of St Edward Mass, Harvest Assembly

- November: Remembrance Assembly

- December: Advent Wreath Blessing, Carol Service- February: Candlemas

- Ash Wednesday: Distribution of Ashes

- March/April: Feast of St Joseph’s Mass. Easter Assembly. Holy Week: Stations of the Cross

- June: Year 3 Eucharistic Celebration

- July: Leavers' Mass