Catholic Life
Catholic Life of our School
Proverbs 22:6 ‘Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.’
In Catholic schools, as in any school, Religious Education is taught as an academic subject. However, the whole life of a Catholic School has to be an expression in practice of Catholic belief and Catholic tradition. As they grow, the children are encouraged to put their faith into practice in their own lives.
In class, the children help to prepare and participate in masses and assemblies. Not only in the teaching, but also in the daily practice of the faith, our children are helped by the personal example of the staff.
However great the opportunities given and examples set, they will have little lasting value without the support and encouragement of parents. We try hard in school, but we can only do that with your support and with what you do at home. In handing on the faith, parents are the first and best teachers. By working together for the children, parents and teachers make this school a place where we can truly live out God’s command to:
“Love one Another as I have loved you”
Home/School/Parish Partnership
We believe that the school alone cannot undertake a child’s religious education. Religious Education begins at home at Baptism; the parents are the child’s first teachers and support the child with his/her first religious experiences. The school works in partnership with parents and parish to enrich the lives of our children.
We distribute the Wednesday Word each week for you to use with your child to help you spend special time together. Every Wednesday a ‘word’, inspired by the coming Sunday’s Gospel, is suggested for families to talk about in the home. It is structured around the Sunday Gospel, because evidence shows that Gospel values really do help family relationships to thrive.
At Sacred Heart we regularly support Parish events and fundraising such as CAFOD, Mary’s Meal’s, Boxes of Hope.
Our School regularly attends Church - a different class each week will prepare and lead the Mass for other parishioners. In addition, we celebrate School Masses at the beginning and end of term and on other significant occasions such as Holy days of Obligation and feast days.
Liturgy and Collective Worship
Our Catholic faith is central to day to day life of our school and all aspects of the curriculum, and pupils are encouraged to recognise the importance of their faith and they respond to all forms of liturgy and collective worship with respect and reverence.
We have a rich liturgical life in that the experiences we provide are wide ranging and take place in school, out of school, in Church and the wider community, and engage and involve pupils, parents, staff, governors and the parish.
The Celebration of the Eucharist and prayer are central in our school.
Our Parish Priest – Fr Manny, makes regular visits to classes which further enhances children’s knowledge, skills and helps them to develop a deeper understanding of their faith.
Mission Statement
At Sacred Heart we strive to create a stimulating environment so that by learning, playing and working together, we openly follow Christ’s teachings. We seek to offer every person the opportunity to be a unique and valued individual, sharing and developing belief in the teachings of Jesus through everyday relationships and mutual respect in our dealings with one another.
At Sacred Heart School we are called to:
- Grow in the knowledge of our God, so we may trust his love and his forgiveness throughout each day.
- Nurture the preciousness of each individual, so they may cherish their gifts and their potential throughout their lives.
- Serve the needs of our community, so we may share Christ’s love and Christ’s message, throughout the world.
Through this page we aim to share with you and celebrate many of the elements which make our Catholic school so special.
