Our Learning
Our school celebrated All Saints Day by considering how the Saints had hope, our living and learning statement for the half term. During our assembly time, the children were introduced to St Jude - the patron Saint of Hope. Each class spent time in discussion and about why hope is important and what the world would be like without hope.
Lent 2022
Lent starts on Ash Wednesday lasting for 40 days (not Including Sundays) representing the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness. This 40 day period is a time for us to pray, give up, and give in preparation for the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday. This term we are learning all about and taking part in the traditions associated with Lent.
Events of Holy Week
Using a map of Jerusalem and the scripture associated with Holy Week, Year four have plotted the events of Holy Week. Children have been exploring Jesus' experiences in Jerusalem. They have walked in His footsteps and identified the key moments of the final days of His life.
Jerusalem
"When the days drew near for Him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem" Luke 9:51
In preparation for the events of Holy Week. We have been learning about Jesus' journey to Jerusalem. We considered the feelings that He must have felt, knowing that this would be the last journey on earth that He would ever make. We explored Luke's Gospel and discovered that many of the stories that we know were told during this journey and we found many that we hadn't yet heard - but were keen to know more about. We chose two of these to focus on during one of our guided reading sessions. So that we could develop a 'sense of place' we explored maps and located where in the world Jerusalem was and looked at images of Jerusalem today.
Stations of the Cross
As part of our preparation for Lent and in recognition of the season’s tradition of praying the Stations of the Cross, we have created a display throughout our school of the journey of Jesus’ last day on earth. The Stations of the Cross are a focal point to help us to pray and meditate upon Christ's sacrifice for us. Although we are fortunate enough to be able to visit these within our own church grounds, we are learning about the different types of Stations and hope our children will recognise the differences between the ones we have prepared in school and the ones we visit in our Church grounds.
Ash Wednesday
Listen to the Gospel and be good.
Fr Paul visited us today to lead our Ash Wednesday service. Each class prepared prayers for peace, as we joined the global call to Prayer for Ukraine. Our Lenten Promises were offered in recognition of us starting this season of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter.
We also surprised Fr Paul at the end of our service by wishing him a very happy birthday!
Traditions
Year 4 have been learning about the tradition of using ashes at the start of Lent. They have explored the significance of ashes in the Bible and came up with their own reasons as to why ashes are used. To support their learning they explored the story of Jonah and the Ninivites from the Old Testament. To find out more about the significance of using ashes watch the clips to hear the children explain!
Preparing of the Ashes
This year we are excited to be able to take part, once again, in a tradition that we started a couple of years ago, preparing our own ashes for our Ash Wednesday Service. We use the previous years Palm Sunday palms to create our own ashes. This year, as Fr Paul was unavailable, Mr Armellino led our service.
Jesus in the Wilderness
Reception listened to the story of Jesus in the wilderness and how he didn't give in to the temptations he was offered, as his belief in God didn't need to be proved in these ways. They decided to dress up and act out the story in class.