Collective worship is a time for the whole school to gather and for everyone to be given the opportunity to grow spiritually, and be given a ‘time to breathe’. It should be a central element of school life and be an enjoyable and uplifting time for adults and young people alike.

The law requires that ‘…every pupil should have a daily act of Collective Worship which is ‘wholly’ Christian for church schools’.

Collective worship gives pupils and school staff the opportunity to: 

• Engage in an act of community 
• Express praise and thanksgiving to God
• Be still and reflect
• Explore the big questions of life and respond to national events
• Foster respect and deepen spiritual awareness
• Reflect on the character of God and on the teachings of Christ
•  Affirm Christian values and attitudes
• Share each other's joys and challenges
• Celebrate special times in the Christian calendar

The impact of collective worship and the ways in which collective worship is an expression of a school’s distinctive Christian vision is at the heart. Therefore, it should be inclusive, invitational.  and inspiring for those of all faiths and none, giving pupils the opportunity to lead and evaluate, as well as staff and visitors. It should embody the school’s distinctive Christian vision and ethos, allowing for the celebration of this within the school community and those wider relationships.

At its heart we believe that collective worship offers pupils and staff the opportunity to experience the presence, power and peace of God through prayer, reflection, singing and sharing. It is important that the there is an opportunity to appreciate and respond to a variety of styles found in the diversity of the Christian church while enabling all taking part to develop an understanding of Anglican liturgy and the Trinity.

 

The beginning of Collective Worship is always marked by the lighting of a candle and the saying together of the following liturgy:

Our School Prayer

Our School Prayer, which has been written by the children, is said at the end of the Collective Worship. 

       Dear God,

 Thank you for our school and all the learning opportunities we have.

 Thank you for our caring community.

 Help us to remember that

With Success, we achieve our goals and dreams,

With Happiness, we create a happy school,

With Inspiration, we help ourselves and others shape their future,

With Nurture, we help to care and protect those around us,

And with Everyone, we work together to build a better school for all.

 

May your spirit SHINE on us all at Dunston St Peters

 Amen

 

Collective Worship is the 'heartbeat' of the school