RE at English Martyrs
A Partnership
We encourage our parents to support all of our children in their journey of faith. Our parish Church of St Joseph's is an extension of our school and all families are welcome to worship God in this Church. The meaning of life as understood in the Catholic faith is explored and experienced by all those taking part in the life of the school whether they are Baptised Catholics or not, practising their faith in their own Parish or not.
Religious Education
In the life of faith of English Martyrs CVA, Religious Education plays a central and vital part, it is the foundation of the entire educational process. RE is a core subject in our school which occupies ten percent of our timetable and the majority of classroom teaching is delivered through the Diocesan 'Come and See' Programme. A termly newsletter is sent home with more information about what is covered within lessons across each key stage.
For more information about RE at English Martyrs, please take a look at the Parent Booklet.
Examples of Catholic Life in Our School
English Martyrs Day
We had a wonderful day on Friday celebrating English Martyrs Day at school. We started off with Mass led by Father Stephen and children from EYFS and Y3. A special mention to the EYFS children who learnt their words off by heart and spoke beautifully. Our English Martyrs Bake Off was back with amazing entries once again and we managed to raise £90.80 at the sale. Thank you to Mrs Archer, Billy Ivory and Rutland Radio for judging. In the afternoon, the children were split into groups and took part in a number of challenges around Route to Resilience. Thank you to family members who came along to support the event.
Ash Wednesday
Father Stephen came into school on Ash Wednesday to deliver Mass to the children and staff. We were also joined by families and parishioners.
Lent Liturgy
The little lights have been busy preparing the Lent Launch for the school which they delivered beautifully. All the children will be busy preparing for Lent which starts on Ash Wednesday 6th March. Father will be in school at 11am for Mass . The children have taken home a 40 day challenge to have a go with parents if they wish to, there are certificates connected with completion of the challenges.
Happy Birthday Father Stephen!
Before Christmas we presented Father Stephen with a special birthday card for his 70th birthday. All the children drew a picture and wrote a message in the card.
Congratulations to EYFS and KS1 children for putting on fabulous performances of their Nativity play ‘Christmas around the World’. They worked really hard learning all their lines, dances and songs and they did an excellent job. Thank you to all the staff who worked behind the scenes too!
Christmas around the World
The children in EYFS enjoyed learn-ing about Christmas traditions from Portugal, Italy Spain, Hungary and Poland. Thank you to the parents who came in to talk to the children and for the delicious treats too!
Christmas Jumper Day—Reverse Advent Calendar
On Friday 14th, children can come dressed in a Christmas Jumper in exchange for a wrapped gift (toiletries , chocolates/sweets etc) for the residents of local care homes. Last year the residents were overwhelmed with the children’s generosity and we look forward to giving them the gifts again this year.
You may have heard on Rutland Radio today that Sam in Y4 was named as the Hero of the Week. He was very brave and quick to act when his mum was choking. Well done Sam!
What a fabulous day we’ve had raising money for Children in Need! We’ve had a spotty cake sale, spotty clothes, a car wash, table stop sale, sweet tombola, sponsored hoopathon and a staff virtual duck race!! Thank you to everyone for all their donations, support and a special thank you to the house captains for organising and running the events.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Harvest Liturgy and refreshments. The children did a wonderful job delivering the liturgy.Once again, your generous donations for the Foodbank have been over-whelming and we thank you for your support. Thank you also for the Cafod donations and to Mrs Thomas and Mrs Martin for helping with the refreshments.
Harvey and Maddison in their roles as Head Boy and Girl represented the school at the first joint Mass across the 16 schools in our new CMAT. We celebrated the feast day of St Thérèse of Lisieux who is our patron saint for our new trust. Harvey and Maddison introduced the Mass and then received a rose bush from Louise Wilson, our new CEO, to plant in our new outdoor prayer garden. St Thérèse was often referred to as the little flower and therefore this white rose is symbolic of the great work she did in her very short life. The children have been finding out how she did small acts with great kindness which fits in very well with our school mission of opening our hearts to others this year.
On our RE day at the beginning of the 2016 Autumn Term each class contributed to our RE Board displays in the Main Hall - you will see St Patrick, St David, St Andrew and St George (with his dragon!)
The children have also made Spiritual Promises for this acaemic year...'we may all be different fish, but in this school we swim together'