Infants
The season of Advent is a time of preparation for the celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas. The children have been busy preparing by listening to the special liturgies and taking part in Nativity and Carol Concerts. Well done to all the children for singing so beautifully and reading so clearly. Thank you all for the generous donations to the Reverse Advent collections, several boxes have been filled and taken for families in need within our community.
Juniors
It has been a busy half term! On the Solemnity of All Saints’, we celebrated a whole school Mass, including children from the Infant school. We thank Fr Luke for helping us to understand that we are all saints.
All classes have had a Chaplaincy Session with Mrs Norbury with a focus on the messages of Pope Francis: the juniors focused on his Beatitudes for young people; Y1 and Y2 thought about Laudato Si (live simply); and Reception thought about the meaning behind the words of the Our Father.
On Red Wednesday, we prayed the Angelus at midday, joining others around the world in solidarity with those who do not have the freedom to practice their faith as we do. Y5 went to Mass, thinking about someone who is unable to do so- perhaps in Syria.
We thank you all for your generosity and consideration of other people in our community. Donations for the backpacks for Malawi, organised with the charity Mary’s Meals, are making their way to Africa! The video we saw of children receiving these gifts made us feel very proud of sharing such happiness. https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/the-backpack-project
We started our Advent preparation for Christmas by visiting the chapel at St Philomena’s for a time of Adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament. The children found that this time of silence with Our Lord brought them peace at a time of year which is usually very busy. https://bustedhalo.com/video/watch-advent-two-minutes
Donations continue to come to school for our Reverse Advent Calendar. Instead of taking something out, we put something in… these donations go to the Food Bank at St Philomena’s for anyone in our community who might need them.
Christmas cards were designed by children at the Juniors for entry into the Diocesan Christmas Card competition. The winning entries were sent away and the Chaplaincy Team and the Faith in Action team have been busy turning the rest into cards, which will be sent to prisoners at High Down and Down View Prisons. Fr Paul will distribute these for us.
Faith in Action Award (Y6 children) started last week: this year we are collaborating with St Philomena’s High School for Girls. This group of children work towards the Award, which recognises, rewards and celebrates the active faith and service of young people.
Sunday 15th December – 3rd Sunday of Advent
Morning reflection is issued every week by our Chaplain and is available on the school’s website: https://www.smcsc.org.uk/spirituality.php-
The Chaplaincy and Faith in Action teams have been busy cutting and sticking this week to turn our entries for the Education Commission’s Christmas card competition into Christmas cards for our local prisoners. Fr. Paul will deliver them to the prisons at Banstead over the next few days. It was lovely to see the joy on the children's faces as they worked together to bring hope to others. A sample of the cards is shown.
Table
Talk Topic for this week: Could you ever learn too
much? –Just a reminder, that we have a Prayer
intention book in the Reception area of each school. Please feel free to write
your intentions in as you wish. Thank you to those who have added to it. Please
take the time to read it when visiting the school.
Sunday 8th December – 2nd Sunday of Advent
Morning reflection is issued every week by our Chaplain and is available on the school’s website: https://www.smcsc.org.uk/spirituality.php-
All children at the Junior school had the opportunity to walk with their year group to the chapel at St Philomena's this week. Deacon Errol (Chaplain of St Philomena’s) and Mrs Norbury (our chaplain) led us in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The children sang together, prayed together and spent some time in silent, personal reflection. Back at school, we reflected on how this had made us feel, and for many of the children they said they really enjoyed the time they had spent with Jesus in such a peaceful and calm environment. A Y5 child told us that he "felt really close to Jesus there, and I could share anything."
Advent started this week in school and we have lit the first candle on our school Advent Wreath. Children in the Junior School will each have a turn to take home a 'travelling crib'. Please let your child show you what is in the gift bag they bring home from school: a crib with figures, a candle, a prayer book and a card explaining what to do. The children have been told NOT to light the candle without an adult. They know too that prayers written in the book can be shared in their home language. Thank you for sharing this time with your children as we prepare for Christmas and for ensuring that the bag is put with their school shoes so that it is not forgotten the next day!
Table Talk Topic for this week –Just a reminder, that we have a Prayer intention book in the Reception area of each school. Please feel free to write your intentions in as you wish. Thank you to those who have added to it. Please take the time to read it when visiting the school.
Spirituality Sunday 1st December - 1st Sunday of Advent
Morning reflection is issued every week by our Chaplain and is available on the school’s website: https://www.smcsc.org.uk/spirituality.php-
Over the past few weeks, the junior classes have been reflecting upon Pope Francis' Beatitudes for Young People and how they are our Christian 'identity card', identifying us as followers of Jesus and showing us the way when we fail.
In addition, we have a wonderful collection of backpacks ready for Mary's Meals to collect next week. More details coming soon.
Table Talk Topic for this week – Would you rather be able to fly or be super strong? Just a reminder, that we have a Prayer intention book in the Reception area of each school. Please feel free to write your intentions in as you wish. Thank you to those who have added to it. Please take the time to read it when visiting the school.
Spirituality Sunday 24th November - Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe
Morning reflection is issued every week by our Chaplain and is available on the school’s website: https://www.smcsc.org.uk/spirituality.php-
In their Chaplaincy Sessions Y1 and Y2 have been thinking about Pope Francis's message in his encyclical Laudato Si to live simply, live fairly and live together with each other in our common home. In a time of quiet they reflected upon how they could do little things to make a positive difference in our world. Perhaps they have shared some of these with you at home.
?Reception's Chaplaincy Sessions were a reflection on the Our Father, explaining some of the tricky language and using props and actions to help the children learn the words. Please do pray this important prayer together at home.
Table Talk Topic for this week – Can a dog be kind? Just a reminder, that we have a Prayer intention book in the Reception area of each school. Please feel free to write your intentions in as you wish. Thank you to those who have added to it. Please take the time to read it when visiting the school.
