CATHOLIC LIFE - Our School

St Margaret Ward Catholic Primary School is a place where the Spirit of Christ lives through us and in us. 

Our Catholic Life blog illustrates many of the wonderful events which take place in our school on a daily basis in classrooms, assemblies and in the wider community.

You can also view details of our Sacramental Programme in a separate section of our website.

In addition, here are some more of the many other ways in which the Catholic Life of our school is celebrated every year.

Crowning of Our Lady's Statue

May is traditionally the month when we especially pray to and honour Our Lady and so on the first day of the month, we hold a special service in the hall to celebrate together as a school family.

The service is led by children in Year 5 who share a Bible story and prayers about Mary. It is moving to see all the children sign as well as sing the Hail Mary.

Each child is asked to bring a flower which they carry in procession and as the children sing hymns, our school statue of Our Lady is crowned with flowers by two of our Year 3 children who will shortly be making their First Communion. We thank Mary for all she does for us and ask her to continue to guide and bless us.

 Easter Service

Our Easter Reflection is always a very moving and spiritual experience for all present. The Reflection is a re-enactment of the events of Holy Week leading up to the joyful story of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Well done to the actors and readers from Year 4 who move everyone with their emotional performance and to all the Key Stage 2 children for their wonderful singing.

Visiting the Laudato Si Centre

 

 

Our Year 3 and Year 6 pupils visit the Laudato Si’ Centre to enjoy time in nature, prayer and friendship. Year 3 children reflect on their preparation for First Forgiveness and First Holy Communion, while Year 6 pupils prepare for their transition to high school. Through these special experiences, the children are reminded that Jesus is with them throughout their journey of faith and life.

 

Year 6 and Reception Buddies Mass

The children in Year 6 and their buddies in Reception join together to celebrate Mass each year.

They ask for God's blessings on the school community and the theme of the mass is Friendship. The children in Reception read brilliantly and appreciate the support of their buddies in Year 6.

Not only is this a great opportunity to reflect school and spiritual values, but it also highlights the importance of the buddy system as a way of developing confidence and friendships between pupils.

Nursery and Year 5 children now also buddy up, and they celebrate their friendship during a service later in the year.

Other year groups also celebrate Class Masses, led by Father Ned and attended by parents, grandparents and parishioners.

KS2 Advent Service

The children in Year 5 lead a beautiful Advent service for the rest of the school and parish community. Through their acting, they tell the story of Christmas in a reverent and emotional way. The children in Years 3, 4 and 6 have the important job of leading the singing - this is always done in an inspiring and joyous manner.

Later in Advent, the whole school and Parish community come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Children from all classes lead the reading and the singing is awesome.

Advent Stations

Year 6 prepared Advent Stations for the children in Upper Key Stage 2. They work hard as a team to consider how their station would contribute to the spiritual journey that their classmates were participating in during the season of Advent.

The children in Year 5 and Year 6, as well as staff members, embrace this opportunity to reflect and pray during this special time.

Fundraising during Advent and Lent

The children, staff and wider school community respond wonderfully to our fundraising activities, especially during the seasons of Advent and Lent.

 The classes organise fundraising activities including penalty shootouts, cake sales, movie afternoons, sponsored walks and bike rides to support a variety of charities. This reflects the Catholic Social Teaching principles of Solidarity and the Option for the Poor, encouraging pupils to care for others and contribute to the common good.

 

Faith Leaders.

Our Faith Leaders play a vital role in living out the Gospel values and promoting the mission of the school. They lead Celebration of the Word, organise prayer opportunities for pupils and families, including inviting families to pray to Mary during the month of May, and encourage the school community to grow in faith. Through their fundraising efforts for charities, they put Catholic Social Teaching into action, particularly the principles of Solidarity, the Common Good and the Option for the Poor. They also demonstrate love and service to others by building links with the local community, singing for residents at Christmas and spring events, designing and sharing Easter cards, and spreading kindness and hope to those around them. In doing so, they are witness to Christ’s message and inspire others to serve with compassion, dignity and respect.

 

Mini Vinnies

 

Our Mini Vinnies group meets weekly and provides pupils with opportunities to put their faith into action by living out the Gospel values and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Following the Mini Vinnies motto of “See, Think, Do”, children identify the needs of others, reflect on how they can help and take positive action to make a difference. They organise fundraising activities for a range of charities, demonstrating the Catholic Social Teaching principle of Option for the Poor and Vulnerable. Through leading a parish community Christmas event, which includes performances from the school choir, and designing and distributing cards to parishioners and members of the wider community throughout the Liturgical Year, they promote Family and Community and Solidarity and the Common Good. By showing kindness, compassion and respect to others, they uphold the Dignity of the Human Person. Through these activities, the children grow as responsible, caring citizens who recognise their responsibility to serve others and make a positive contribution to their school, parish and wider community.

 

Harvest Collection

During our Harvest Assembly, we are reminded of all the good things that God gives us and how important it is to share with others who are not so fortunate. We donate the items to  Cornerstone in Manchester and the foodbank at Sale West Community Centre. Thank you to everyone for your support.