Church & Worship
Please scroll down for:
- Our Christian Ethos
- A Christian School
- Collective Worship
- Worship Diary
- Reflection Rangers
- Policies
- Prayer Groups
Our Christian Ethos
We work closely with our local and associated church, St Thomas a Becket as well as with our local community. We value the contribution that everyone makes to school
life, placing importance on the welfare of individuals. It is our aim that at the end of our pupils’ time at Northaw Church of England School they will have developed a sense of achievement and self-esteem as a result of their experiences here
and will leave us for their secondary school, happy, effective learners, with a positive attitude to life long learning.
We have an Ethos group who are representatives of the Governing Body and school staff. For more information please click here.
For our RE policy please click here.
A Christian school
The school’s aims form its objectives both in relationships and through the curriculum. Whilst we have a Christian foundation, our school is not merely a school for Christians and we welcome children from other religious denominations, faiths and world views.
We are proud of our strong links to St Thomas a Becket Church and with our Vicar Reverend Christopher Kilgour, who spends much time working with the Head Teacher, the teachers and the children of our school and who is a member of our Governing Body. In the context of this, all children will receive teaching in Religious Education which, whilst having a multi-cultural element, which will be based on the beliefs of the Church of England.
Theology and philosophy are explored through a range of faiths and worldviews. We build on our understanding and interpretations as we grow and learn throughout the school and the children learn through an enquiry based approach using 'ultimate questions' and philosophical debate as a foundation.
Collective worship
Worship in our school is inspirational and uplifting with carefully planned themes based firmly on the Bible and Christian values. Revd. Kilgour, the Head Teacher and all staff are keen to ensure pupils have a meaningful experience where God, Jesus and the Trinitarian nature of Christianity is at the heart of worship. Prayer and reflection are central to the experience of our collective worships and in addition pupils are offered a deeper and more personal experience in class through teaching, discussion and further reflection. Consequently, our pupils talk articulately, confidently and enthusiastically about their beliefs and ideas about faith.
For our Collective Worship policy please click here.
Worship diary
4th May 2020
I have chosen this image because it is a beautiful picture of God’s colourful world.
Whilst out walking, I have enjoyed the sights and sounds of spring time! ‘The National Trust commissioned the album Tweet Music after academic research found that listening to birdsong, one of our 50 things to do before you’re 11¾, not only makes us calmer but boosts positivity. Apparently, three quarters of us feel more connected to nature in spring, while the sounds of spring bring back happy memories of childhood for many.’
Click here to listen to the Tweet Music.
I have encouraged my grandson to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. He borrowed my daughter’s phone to take photographs in our garden. This one shows how the busy bee in our garden uses it strength to collect the nectar, to make the honey, which nourishes us.
27th April 2020
People will be inspired by different things, but maybe we can agree that God Himself is our inspirational source because He is the basis for everything good and everything worth imitating. These inspirational Bible quotes can bring you guidance when times are tough.
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
20th April 2020
Mary . . . sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. — Luke 10:39-40
Mary and Martha met Jesus. If you describe yourself as a “doer” or an organiser, you can understand where Martha was coming from. She welcomed Jesus and his disciples into her home—a wonderful thing to do. But she made herself so busy with the preparations and the work of hospitality that she didn’t slow down and pay attention to Jesus. In fact, she got upset with her sister, Mary, for doing just that.
Do you ever make yourself so busy (even with good things) that you miss out on hearing the voice of Jesus in your life? Jesus told Martha not to be worried and upset but to focus on the main thing that is important.
Perhaps, in the context of all that we a coping with today, we should try not to be too worried or upset but take the time and opportunity to focus on what is important.
Stay safe and well.
30th March 2020
In the Old Testament, people presented the first fruits of their harvest to God in gratitude for his provision. It was choice produce; in short, the best! This act was originally about food, specifically GOOD food and sharing it with others.
“…they broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” Acts 2 verse 46.
But social distancing has created a whole new perspective on how we might share what we have with those around us. Basic items are still in demand after many bought far more than their share. How can we turn the tide and show selflessness instead?
16th March 2020
In worship last week we discussed the aspect of ‘hopes and dreams’, principally with a focus on Jacob and his dream. Children were asked to think about the future, tomorrow, next week or the dreams that they were currently reflecting upon. They were reminded to use the pebbles when asking for God’s special guidance.
On Friday, Miss Barker updated the children on news from Uganda and the dreams of our Ugandan community and Mrs Burton introduced another of Paddington’s Postcards.
9th March 2020
In worship last week, the children heard about Jacob’s dream. As he was dreaming, he had a vision of a ladder between heaven and earth. God’s angels were on it, ascending and descending. Jacob saw God standing above the ladder. God repeated the promise of support that he had made to Abraham and Isaac. He told Jacob his offspring would be many, blessing all the families of the earth. God then said, “Behold, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” (Genesis 28:15, NIV)
2nd March 2020
In school we are following the Diocese of St Albans Lent 2020 programme, God in this Place. Over the next six weeks, we will think about us and our Vision, ‘Loving for Today, Learning for Tomorrow, Forever in faith’. We will think about how we can flourish and help others to flourish in our ‘Giving back for Lent’ programme and we will be praying for our families.
We will also be looking at the character of Jacob from the Bible and exploring a number of themes together. Last week we focused on Jacob’s conflict with his brother, Esau.
Our Prayer
Lord, we thank you that you are in this place.
In our relationships…
In our learning…
In our banter…
In our happy times…
In our lowest times…
As we support each other…
Both in school … and out…
In who we aspire to be…
In what we aspire to do…
In what we aspire to change…
In our shared life together…
Helping each other to flourish…
We pray that over the next six weeks you can help us to learn more about ourselves and you as we explore the story of Jacob’s dream together. We pray for other schools in our diocesan family also, that they may grow in understanding alongside us.
Amen
24th February 2020
The arrival of Lent is characterised by pancakes! Shrove Tuesday, a day highly anticipated by all pancake lovers, is traditionally a day of preparation before the season of Lent begins. In some countries Shrove Tuesday is celebrated with Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) parades. These are usually ‘carnival’ parades. ‘Carne vale’ means farewell to meat in Italian. The 40 days of Lent represent the 40 days that Jesus spent in the Wilderness at the start of his ministry. Jesus fasted during his time in the wilderness, and so Christians identify with his suffering by abstaining from particular foods during this time, including meat, fish, milk and egg products. Here at Northaw, we encourage our children to ‘give back for Lent’.
Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of ‘shriving’. This 1,000 year old practice involves a person confessing their mistakes, and receiving absolution for them before Lent begins.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, a day of penitence or cleansing of the soul. Many Christians will attend Lent services, and be marked with a cross of ashes on their forehead. This is a sign of mortality, based upon the idea from the book of Genesis that humankind came into the world from dust and will return to it. It is a time to express sorrow over sin, and a reminder that Jesus brings freedom from sin. The following 40 days are an opportunity to remember Jesus’ death.
10th February 2020
Last week, the children and I talked about the Christian festival of Candlemas and the role of Simeon and Anna, when Jesus, as a tiny baby was presented to them in the temple. We looked at the beautiful picture The Presentation painted by John August Swanson, which depicts Jesus surrounded by light. The scene being set at night emphasises the light of the moon and the angels, recalling the words that Jesus would be ‘a light that would reveal God’s will to the world.’
3rd February 2020
Last week in worship we looked at the work of Jesus’ disciples, particularly Nathaniel (Bartholomew) who was clearly dumbfounded that Jesus had miraculously seen him several miles away sitting underneath the fig tree.
Being a member of the community of learners who would accompany Jesus for the next three years, would have a profound effect on this humble fisherman and on the countless others who, through him, would learn about God’s love for the world.
Let us think about our school Vision, ‘Loving for Today, Learning for Tomorrow, Forever in Faith’ and how here at Northaw, we embrace our own community of learners by Loving for Today.
27th January 2020
Last week, Mr Napoleon and the Reflection Rangers recounted the temptation of Jesus as described in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke.
According to the scripture, after being baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights in the Judean desert. During this time Satan, the Tempter, appeared to Jesus and tried to tempt him towards sin. Jesus refused each temptation, the Devil then departed and Jesus returned to Galilee to begin his ministry.
In school we talked about Resilience, one of our 6Rs and how resilient Jesus was during those 40 days. In LOVING FOR TODAY AND LEARNING FOR TOMORROW, we put our FAITH in Jesus.
20th January 2020
Last week I wrote about the Christian value of resilience and its connection with the story of Noah. This week our school Vision ‘Loving for Today, Learning for Tomorrow, Forever in Faith’ encompasses the value of respect. The picture here depicts the baptism of Jesus by St. John the Baptist. Last week in worship, we heard about the about how he saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and alighting on him.
In school, the children use ‘respect’ as one of the 6Rs. They showed respect to our visitor last week, Fr. Demetrianos from the Greek Orthodox Church, who talked to the children about baptism in his church.
13th January 2020
In worship last week, the children and I discussed the Christian value of courage through two Bible stories: Zacchaeus the tax collector who had the courage to admit that he was wrong and gave his money back to those who needed it and Pauls’ shipwreck on the island of Malta. In both cases we talked about how they had been courageous and how we could show courage with our friends in school. This linked with two of our 6Rs: responsibility and respect.
For Autumn term 2019 Worship Diary please click here
Reflection Rangers
Spring 2020
In Northaw C of E primary school, our Reflection Rangers work hard to teach us important lessons from the Holy Bible. On the 23rd January, the Reflection Rangers did a story called the Tempter. The whole school really enjoyed it because the acting they did was brilliantly presented. I would give the quality of the Reflection Rangers in our school a definite five stars!
Autumn 2019
Each week the Reflection Rangers meet up to discuss about how to deliver worship. We do it to teach the younger children about Jesus and what the Bible says about him. Our assemblies are all about our Christian value and sometimes the 6Rs. This term we did the Rainbow Fish. The story represents generosity. We also choose a song to sing for assembly for example: Thank your lucky stars, Harvest samba and Shine Jesus Shine. We choose prayers from the prayer tree that children have written themselves. Sometimes, we need volunteers. We always pick different people so it is fair. We do quizzes. Once we told a story to see who was listening and for fun. We also help church services like Harvest Festival, Christmas and spring. By Miley. H, Martha. P and Grace. T
Summer 2019
Reflection Rangers this term taught us how we should look after our world. They connected this to the Bible text in Matthew chapter 6 about Jesus using the natural world to illustrate his stories. Everyone sang, Don't Build your house on the Sandy Land and the Rangers connected the worship to the value of 'responsibility' which is one of our 6Rs.
It was good worship because the lady from Save the Children Fund talked about how children in other countries do not have the resources that we have and that we should be thankful.
Policies
Prayer Groups
Parents Prayer
Parents Prayer is a small group of Christian parents and carers who support the school by praying together. We believe that God cares for all children, and loves us to bring our cares for our children and everyone at our school to him in prayer. There are post-boxes in the school hall and the front lobby, to enable children, parents and anyone else connected with the school to ask us to support them by praying in specific ways.
Twice a term, all parents, carers and small siblings are welcomed to a local parent's house for drinks, snacks, chat and some time praying. We would love to see you there! Please contact the school for dates and other details.
Prayer Groups in school
Click here to learn about our prayer corners and reflection areas
Click here to learn about how we introduced Prayer Bear in order to encourage our children to involve their families as part of our school community.
