Prayer and Reflection
March 2025
Lent is a time for preparation and the children are encouraged to make prayer, fasting, and almsgiving part of their Lenten journey.
This Lent, Chaplaincy are leading a time of prayer and reflection in church during breaktime. Children have been asked to think about what they want from this Lenten journey and with the theme of Hope in this jubilee year the children are asked to write down anyone they feel might need hope and we will think about and pray for them.
Special prayer boxes are in each class on their prayer tables for children to put in their prayer intentions. These are then collected by chaplaincy before we go to church so that these intentions are included in our thoughts and prayers.
Take a few minutes out of your busy day to think of others and how Lent can be a change for you.
Lent Retreat
Feb 2025
The Lent Retreat was a good chance to take time to have reflection time with God.People got to learn about
what Jesus did in his past. Everybody in the chaplaincy worked hard to do the lent retreat. The children and adults got to learn more about God and Jesus. The chaplaincy team had been preparing for the lent retreat and
when it came the chaplaincy did a great job. The children got to learn about Jesus and his miracles.
Bella and Joni
prayer bags
January 2025
Prayer Bags
With the start of the new year and to celebrate The Jubilee Year the contents of the class prayer bags are all related to this and to becoming Pilgrims of Hope.
Enjoy the activities enclosed.
January 2025
Prayer Table for home
Charlotte, one of our Yr 3 chaplaincy team members, wanted to share her prayer table with the whole school to celebrate the beginning of The Jubilee year..
'Because it's Jubilee for 2025 I decided to make a prayer table because I wanted to worship God and Jesus throughout the year. This is how I made it,
I used a cardboard box which I covered with Paper. One piece of paper I drew the Pilgrims of Hope logo on it and the other had 6 six prayers about Catholic social teachings.
I used one of my teddy's to represent animals,
My little sister;s doll to represent humans,
I used some prayer beads to pray the rosary
and I used a candle that represents Jesus being the light of the world and I used two conkers and a tree represent the world.'
January 2025
Jubilee Year 2025 Pilgrims of Hope.
We start the new term welcoming in the start of the Jubilee Year and becoming Pilgrims of Hope.
What does it mean for us? This is something in Chaplaincy we can help children in our school to think about and put into action.
There are new displays up in the entrance for children and visitors alike to look at and think about.
The Pilgrims of Faith display was made by Reception with help from the Yr4 chaplaincy team who looked at the symbols used and the meaning behind them.
On the prayer table under the display is the word HOPE. We are asked to stop for a few minutes by the table to look at what others have written inside the word as to how we can give Hope or who helps us give others hope. I hope we can fill this up over the next term.
December 2024
Help give HOPE to others this Christmas
As we enter into the season of Advent and our new liturgical year where we have been asked to be Pilgrims of Hope the children have been preparing for this by writing prayers for hope for others this Christmas. It is a time for the children not only to think about the birth of Jesus and preparing for that but also to think about those who are not looking forward to Christmas and feel that life is hard for them .By our faith and trust in God we can let others know God in there for them.
Each day a new prayer from our tree is taken around the classes for the children to say together. Thankyou chaplaincy team for such lovely, thoughtful prayers.
Advent Retreat
November 2024
Thank you to my wonderful Chaplaincy team for our Advent retreat this year. They set up their stations during their lunch hour practiced their words so that they were able to speak clearly and show an understanding of the stations they were leading.
Comments made by the children
'We liked that the Rosary children joining with us' Eliza
'I enjoyed leading the children in prayer and helping others with their activities' Ella
The children listened well and behaviour was good' Austin
I enjoyed acting out the station I was on ' Julia
We were joined with other schools in our MAT to have a photo alongside Bishop Bosco.
November 2024
Chaplaincy Commissioning
'I really being able to meet Bishop Bosco, I also liked that we got to meet other chaplaincy teams from the LWP.
'I enjoyed seeing all the school banners going around the cathedral and the beautiful glass windows which we had a photograph in front of.'
I was a bit nervous before we went but calmed down as everyone was new. I was scared but when I sat down I was very happy when I got my badge. I felt very special. I love chaplaincy.'
Hebe Yr5 and Rosie Yr3
November 2024
Chaplaincy Commissioning
'On the way to Clifton Cathedral it felt long yet meaningful. When we got there we felt a strong connection to the Lord not only because of the grand and beautiful, cultural structure but also the amount of fellow Chaplaincy members ready to be commissioned. We gave thanks to the Lord for giving us the chance to follow and teach others in his and Jesus' foot steps.
After, we were commissioned we felt a closer connection to God than we had before. we left felling proud and honored to be in chaplaincy. '
Annabel and Alice Yr6
an image for the Yr3 prayer book that is taken home by a different child each week
Oct 2024
One Million Children praying the Rosary.
18th October has become known as the day for Unity and Peace on which the ACN ( Aid to the Church in Need) encourages children from around the world to join together to pray the Rosary. This event is called the One Million Children Praying the Rosary. It is an event supported by Pope Francis and Bishop Bosco and we took part in this this year.
As we pray a decade of the Rosary we asked the children to think about the fact that we live in a world where prayers for peace and unity are needed.
During the children REACH time they took time to think of others. Yr 6 prayed with their buddies in Reception class and chaplaincy lead prayers in the other classes.
October 2024
The Rosary 1 million children spraying the Rosary
' On Friday 18th October we prayed the Rosary, with our Reception buddies, praying with 1 million other children around the world. We taught them what the symbols meant and how to pray. We prayed to a statue of Mary, the saint of the Rosary. The Receptions found it interesting and learnt quickly. We pray the Rosary to talk to the mother of the Lord. Mary'
Maya and Grace Yr6
October 2024
Prayer written by our Reception class
Dear God
Thank you for the animals
Hail Mary, full of grace,
Thank you for looking after the world,
Thank you I love the world we live in,
Thank you Mary for looking after Jesus
Amen.
Reception class joined us for the Rosary last week and they sat and listened beautifully. Remembering the Rosary during class prayers they then made their own prayer.
A lovely picture painted by Maya for our prayer table for Mary
October 2024
The 8th October is the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary and the first activity for the Chaplaincy team (after collective worship) was to lead the school in saying a decade of the Rosary together.
With the help of Cafod and focussing on Creation and Covenant, the beginning and Gods promise to us we prayed a decade of the Rosary concentrating on the Joyful mysteries for the care of Creation .
Our Year 3 girls assisted by holding the large school rosary beads.
Sept 2024
A great big thank you to Maya for a super present she has given to Chaplaincy but in fact it's a book that all ages of children will enjoy.
'Jesus' Day Off' by Nicholas Allen .
It was hard work performing miracles, making up stories for free and spreading joy throughout the world. So when the miracles start to go wrong, Jesus is told to take the day off, relax, have some fun... and he does!
Now we know what he got up to when he was relaxing !!
Sept 2024
Our Chaplaincy Prayer,
Dear Lord Jesus and Mary,
Please help our Chaplaincy this year to be
resilient in trying to deepen their faith in you.
Guide us on the right path as we journey
through our lives.
Please help us when we read in assembly
and serve in mass,
Guide us while we pray the Rosary to show
respect and love.
And help us follow St Therese and her
Little Ways.
In your name we pray
Amen.
Sept 2024
Welcome to our new members of chaplaincy, it's great to have you on the team.
It was sad to say farewell to our old Year 6 but I am pleased that my year 5 children from last year have stepped up and also encouraged others to join. I'm pleased that I have some year 3 girls starting with us for the first time and hope they enjoy the next year.
September 2024
Thank you for all the wonderful letters I have received from children wanting to join Chaplaincy this year to help the children in our school follow in Faith Hope and Love.
I have put a sample here but there are so many I could have chosen.
The children are all given a book to write ideas in once they have joined chaplaincy and already I am getting art work, prayers and even a song from Rosie in Year 3!
September 2024
Calling all children it is time to write your letters for Chaplaincy
How can you show others in the school how to grow in Faith Hope and Love?
What can you do to encourage children to think more about God and to follow in Jesus' footsteps?
In this coming Jubilee year of HOPE, to be launched on 24th December, how can we be Pilgrims of Hope as requested by Pope Francis.' HOPE knowing that we are loved by God, hope that we can bring to those in need and the HOPE we can bring to our common home, the earth.'
Our wonderful sunflowers that we planted in May as part of the LWCET fundraisers for CAFOD.
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The sunflowers were a lovely sight to see when we returned to school after the summer break
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CHAPLAINCY
2024-2025
July 2024
Chaplaincy Partnership Day
It was very fun because we played bingo with other schools. I enjoyed when we did the sign language with schools and their teachers. We liked eating our lunch with the other schools and the break the ice games.
It was fun to meet and talk to other schools and find out what they do in chaplaincy. We especially like learning the song Allelluia.
WE look forward to another day next year.
Ella and Amberlee Yr3
Hail Mary in sign language
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painting stones
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learning a dance
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prayer chains
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All teams together
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July 2024
Alice was inspired by our Gospel reading of 24th June Mark 4 v35-41 The Calming of the Storm.
This is a lovely thought - when you are feeling the storm is rising and you cant control it yourself God will always be there to help you.
Thankyou Alice
June 2024
This prayer table is made from things in our garden. We made the cross out of sticks from our garden and we put some petals around the cross.
Then when we finished it. we said a mass for our mum using the bread and wine ( ribena for the wine!) and prayed with our mum.
We put a candle in the middle of our table to represent Jesus being the light of the world.
We used a green cloth because it is ordinary time in the liturgical year. It was in our garden which was very peaceful and quiet.
Hebe and Jemima.
June 24
Prayer life of our school
Prayer is very important to us at St Joseph's whether its during the school day for assemblies, mass, our morning, lunch and evening prayer and when saying the Rosary altogether.
But there are times when you need to have a few moments on your own to have a quiet time of reflection and to ask God for help. Our prayer corner has been set up for you to do this. Take time out of your busy day to stop and think and pray.
A beautiful piece of work from Alice in Yr5.
Words important to her that symbolises our school.
Words important to her that symbolises our school.
Sharing prayers
As a special treat, Ella and Amberlee offered to teach Reception a new prayer that they have been singing in Year 3. The girls came several times this week and did a wonderful job leading the children.
May 24
The Rosary
After a wonderful assembly led by our Yr 3 chaplaincy team on the Rosary we have many children wanting to spend a few minutes out of thier day ( and break time) to go visit the church and say a decade of the Rosary with members of the chaplaincy team.
The Rosary has also been said during class prayers in this month of May.
Yr 6 finally finished their Sats today and they spent time with Yr5 in church saying a decade of the rosary led by two members of Yr 5 and thanking God for his help this week in quiet time with other members of our school community.
Sats have finished and Yr5 and Yr6 spent a quiet few minutes in church saying the Rosary together.
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The Rosary
May 2024
On Tuesday 14 th May and Wednesday 15 th May 2024,children and adults went to St Josephs church. Grace (Yr 5) and Pearl ( Yr 3) read an introduction and instructions on the Rosary. We felt close to God during this celebration, especially in the month of May, we would to do it again.Grace Yr5
The competition has begun . Year 4's seeds have begun to grow
Our beautiful CAFOD sunflower display displaying prayers written by the children
April 2024
Sunflower Competition
Students across the LWCET partnership schools will plant sunflowers to brighten their schools and to raise money for CAFOD. The cost is £2 to enter and seeds and compost will be provided.
This is also a competition as sunflowers from all 6 schools will be measured during the final week of June and the child with the tallest sunflower will win a £50 Amazon voucher!
Please join us in raising money for CAFOD, brightening up the school and also having a chance of winning!!!
Little Lights week 3
This week in Little Lights club, children learned about the friendship between David and Jonathan from Samuel chapter 20. We had a lovely time make pictures to give away as gifts to friends or to keep as reminders of the importance of being a good friend. The children discussed why they love their best friends and how they can be better friends to those around them.
Little Lights Week 1 - 2
Children in Reception and KS1 have been invited to join the Little Lights club this term as an alternative to their REACH activity. This term's focus is friendship and caring for others, and we've been learning about different friends from the Bible. Children heard the story of Ruth and Naomi, from Ruth chapter 1. They made beautiful pictures while they listened to the story and were then encouraged to consider giving the pictures away to a close friend to let them know how much they appreciate their friendship. It was really lovely to hear the children share who they would give their pictures too and why.
Hail Mary
During the Celebration of the Word, we have been learning to sign the Hail Mary. The year three chaplaincy team have created a PowerPoint to help teach their peers the sign language in preparation for praying the rosary in May.
Stations Of The Cross
March 2024
This is a journey leading to Jesus' death. It is a very sorrowful time for us. I had a wonderful time acting out the different stations for the school. I felt that the children responded and listened beautifully. I was nervous at first but, then I began to relax the more times I did it.
Bertie Yr5
Every year Chaplaincy team help act and read an hour long reflection of Jesus' death. There are fourteen stations and the children walk around the various classrooms on a time-line leading up to Jesus' death and resurrection. It was a peaceful time where we had time to reflect on Jesus' journey and our own journey through Lent.
Grace Yr5
Lent Retreat
March 2024
During Lent retreat we learn about when Jesus rises from the dead. We learn about when he rides to Jerusalem on his donkey and people laid palm leaves down in honour of the king. This is a happy time as he is alive! I think it is good for the children to learn about this for a happy time before Jesus is ressurected. I enjoyed speaking in the retreat. Every year, Yr 3 and up do this. i hope that when Receptions have a chance to do this they will enjoy this as much as I do.
Maya Yr5
Prayer at home
March 2024
Maya made a prayer table when she came home from school and mum sent in some photos of it as she wanted to share it with us.
It was really beautiful and thoughtful which I agree with. It is always lovely to see when the wonderful children of this school show how the prayer life of our school is important to them here and at home.
The rainbow symbolises HOPE for the future, the candle is for the light of the world, the heart for love, the cross for our faith and the flower and plant for life - which is very appropriate as we come to the end of Lent and the beginning of Easter.
Thankyou Maya.
The Lotus Flower Charity
This week, three members of the chaplaincy team are hosting a fundraiser for The Lotus Flower Charity. To raise money, the year six students are holding a raffle with prizes including handmade bags and badges. They shared their goal and purpose in assembly and are excited to announce the winners of the raffle on Friday at the school disco.
Rosalie, Bella and Amelia said "we want to support the Lotus Flower Charity because it’s something we really care about. The charity helps women and girls our age who have been through wars and displacement and have lost the chance or the right to learn to read, go to school, and learn a trade. The Lotus Charity helps these vulnerable girls and women learn to read, speak English, and learn a skill that will help them become self-sufficient. Most of these women and girls live in refugee camps and do not have access to this kind of education, which is why we’d really like to help them and give them some hope and confidence too."
Lord. teach us to pray.
Luke 11 v1
This is the year of prayer and during Lent I asked the children to think about how they could encourage others to use prayer in their lives.
We all lead busy lives but maybe take time out for a few quiet minutes and talk to God .
Lent in a Bag
February 2024
Today I led class prayer I used the lent in a bag.
I was in year 2 on my own to lead it. The children listened to me even though I have a quiet voice! my activity was using the rock to represent Jesus in the wilderness and tempted by the desert.
I enjoyed the activity and working with the children .
Pearl Year 3
Lent in a Bag
Lent in a Bag
Feb 2024
During Lent our class prayers are focusing on Jesus', journey from being in the wilderness to his crucifixion through our Lent in a Bag.
The Chaplaincy team will share the contents of the bag each week to the children with activities to complete to help them go on their own journey through Lent.
Lent Retreat
Feb 2024
We begin our Lent journey with our Lent retreat led by the Chaplaincy team.
It was another peaceful, prayerful time to spend with each other in school .
The children gave thoughtful answers to questions asked by chaplaincy and completed their activities helping each other when needed.
The retreats are a very important time in the liturgical year as it helps the children on their own journey through Advent and Lent.
Little Way Catholic Educational Trust
Jan 2024
As a school family and part of the Clifton Diocese and Little Way partnership we celebrated becoming part of the Little Way Catholic Educational Trust on 1st January.
Chaplaincy lead a celebration assembly to celebrate.
The LWCET motto is
LITTLE ACTS, GREAT LOVE, BIG DIFFERENCE
and the LWCET prayer is to St Therese:
St Therese, help me to always believe, as you did, in Gods great love for me,
so that I might imitate your 'little way' each day.
Amen
Be The Light Yr3
I enjoyed writing the prayers because the children liked reading the prayers. Molly
I liked the prayers that we wrote because they were about 'Being the light'. Amberlee
I think the children really liked the prayers especially the ks2 because they could read them properly. Eliza
I think the children understand it as the ks2 listened to what they needed to do and understood it. Lucy
Yr3 girls using their playtime to update our page
Be The Light - Advent
Dec 2023
During this season of Advent the children are asked to 'Be the Light' for others, To think of how they can help, guide and give comfort to others. Encourage , show kindness and compassion and to be more like Jesus and follow in his footsteps of being 'The Light of the World'.
Chaplaincy Team have written prayers to share daily with each class throughout Advent. These prayers are to ask God to will help children to think about what they can do through this season.
They have been written on stars to represent the light that guided the Shepherds, the Magi and us to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
The children will have a chance in their classes to write down each day hoe they have followed the light.
Receptions daily prayer book
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Reception showing how to 'Be the Light'
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Decorating our prayer stars
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WE even had stars hanging from the ceiling in the corridor reminding children to' Walk in the Light and Be the Light'
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Pre-loved toy sale
Everyone was asked to bring in some pre-loved toys, so that we could give world gifts to people around the world using CAFOD. We were hoping to raise £100 but we raised £314 which is a lot compared to what we thought we would raise. We are thinking about what other world gifts we can buy, we are already thinking about buying the mother and baby heath check and home for life. We were all really pleased at what we brought and what everyone brought in and how well looked after the toys were. There was so many toys that we thought we would have to sell them after school, however everyone brought things so there were no toys left. It was great fun! The year 4 ,3 and 5 chaplaincy set the hall up and year 6 chaplaincy sold all the toys.
By
Lauren and Pippa
CAFOD Pre-loved Toy Sale
Earlier in the year, the Chaplaincy team met to share ideas for how they could bring the teachings of Pope Francis' encyclical letter, Laudato Si, to life in our school. They agreed to hold a fundraiser to benefit the CAFOD World Gifts programme, and the idea of a pre-loved toy sale caught their interest.
Students set themselves a goal of raising £100, which would be enough to: supply one family with the tools and training needed to produce their own tree nursery, provide a family with chickens and the training to look after them so they can produce eggs to eat or sell, deliver a goat to family, providing them with milk to drink or sell and fertiliser for their crops, help a pregnant mother and new-born baby receive medical treatment and provide extra food for children who are at risk of becoming malnourished, and to provide emergency drinking water to families who have been affected by natural disasters.
Parents generously donated hundreds of toys, and the Chaplaincy team made posters and held a special assembly to spread the word about what they were trying to achieve. On the day, the Chaplaincy team set up the hall for the sale, supported younger students and ran the cash table. They were very efficient!
The sale was a fantastic success and the goal of £100 was more than tripled! The Chaplaincy team will be meeting after Christmas to discuss the best way to bless others with the money that was raised. It was a meaningful expression of Christian love during the season of Advent, and a wonderful way for the children to learn how to reduce waste, give to others and learn more about how they can be global citizens.
Members of the chaplaincy team getting their tables ready - so many decisions to make
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A member of the chaplaincy team getting her table ready - it looks fantastic1
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Members of the chaplaincy team getting their tables ready - wonderful team work throughout the year groups
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Members of the chaplaincy team getting their tables ready - they were very excited!
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Members of the chaplaincy team getting their tables ready - so many wonderful gifts to purchase!
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Members of the chaplaincy team getting their tables ready - well done, girls!
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Members of the chaplaincy team getting their tables ready - let the show begin!
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Members of the chaplaincy team getting their tables ready - much discussion took place at this table!
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A happy customer
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Advent Retreat -Yr3
Before we began there were loads of people coming in I felt nervous but after I felt really good. I knew what my activity was about and could speak clearly about it. Julia
I liked it because it was my first time doing it. I liked that iIcould speak infront of the class I liked that I could teach children about the activity and story of Christmas. Ella
I was really scared as I don't like speaking in public but this gave me lots of confidence . Pearl
Dec 2023
Advent retreat
At the end of November the school came together for our Advent retreat. Five stations were set up for the children to visit and have a quiet time of reflection during what will b a busy month ahead.
Each station followed an important event or theme in the Christmas story.
It was led again by our chaplaincy team with the older ones helping the new year3 children with setting up, reading and understanding each station.
we had new parents join us for the retreat and we hope they enjoyed it as much as the children did.
Nov 2023
The children are now in full swing planning activities for school. We are also involved with Whole school worship where the children will read from the gospel, talk about the meaning of it and ask questions of the children.
After a successful inset day training with our LWP schools we are now introducing a new way of reading and understanding of the gospel.
The children listen to the gospel and are then asked to talk quietly with the person next to them about what the story was about, what does it mean to us and ho we should live our lives. This is encouraging other children to participate more fully with the theme and gospel reading.
Some of the Chaplaincy team this is their first time leading whole school prayer
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Children discussing the Gospel
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Chaplaincy Commissioning
12th Oct 2023
I liked all the singing that we did and when we got our badges and the photos for the Little Way Partnership.
I liked meting Bishop Declan.
I enjoyed the guitar playing and listened to the music while we received our badges.
I liked the candles and the flowers in the Cathedral. It was very fun going to somewhere new. It was big modern church. we had our photograph taken in front of a beautiful stain glass widow.
I liked when the Bishop opened up the mass and we all sang st our school banner went by.
Ella.
It was fun to leave school early. i liked meeting the children from other schools.
Ava
A day out!
12th Oct 2023
We had a wonderful morning at Clifton cathedral with 17 new chaplaincy members. For many of the children it was their first time at the cathedral. It was a reflective time shared with other children in the diocese. The children were asked by Bishop Declan to share in a promise that they would be good chaplaincy members and lead their school by being peacemakers. Bishop Declan asked the children to renew their baptismal promises and to join him in the Act of Dedication to support their commissioning. The children enjoyed the many hymns and prayers led by children from other schools and were delighted to receive their chaplaincy badges.
Maya helping Yr2 with their Rosary
4th October The Rosary
During the month of October, Yr5 and Yr 6 Chaplaincy will lead the classes in a decade of the Rosary.
This first week the children looked at the Joyful Mysteries.
It was a chance for the new children who joined Chaplaincy this year to lead the children in other classes on their faith journey.
Thankyou to the Year 3 chaplains who wrote some lovely prayers to Mary which we added to our display
Our Mary Display. Year 3 children wrote prayers to Mary which are on our display
Bertie did a great job leading Yr1 in the Rosary
25th September
I was delighted to be in Year one this week when Sam returned the class prayer bag.
His mum wrote a little message about ho they had used the prayer bag as a family and took a picture of their prayer table. Sam wrote a lovely prayer which he shared with the class.
Thank you Sam for such a thoughtful prayer to start you class payer book off with.
September 2023
Application Letters
To join the Chaplaincy Team, the children are asked to write a letter explaining why they want to join and how they can help with the prayer life and faith of the school. Every year we receive letters from the children which show how important the Chaplaincy Team is to our school. Thank you for all the letters that were written, please enjoy reading through a sample of them.
21st September - Welcome!
It was a very exciting morning here at St. Joseph's! During the past week, students were given the opportunity to apply to join the chaplaincy team, and today the new children were welcomed by existing members and took part in their first meeting.
Current and new members were encouraged to submit their goals for the year and share the ways they feel that they can help others around them to grow in faith, hope and love.
Students in year three were very keen to help Mrs Barron by writing prayers for a special Rosary display, while students in years four, five and six are working on identifying a saint that inspires them and looking for ways they can apply what they've learned from their chosen saint in their own lives.
It was a fantastic start to the new school year; we are delighted with the commitment and enthusiasm of the new members and look forward to their official commissioning on the 12th of October at Bristol Cathedral!
Some of the members of the 2023-2024 chaplaincy team
14th September - Celebrating the beauty of Creation
Thanks to the help of year six students, St Joseph's has a vibrant display designed to help students think about the wonderous beauty of the natural world.
Lyrics from the hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth" by Folliott S. Pierpoint surround the photos and remind us all that God is worthy of our thankful praise.
"For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon and stars of light:
Christ, our God, to Thee we raise
This our Sacrifice of Praise."
CHAPLAINCY
2023-2024
13th June - Little Lights Club
We were delighted to have some new students join us at Little Lights this week! The new girls jumped right in and they all enjoyed a game of racing against the clock to find the missing patches from Joseph's richly decorated robe.
While the girls listened to the first part of the story of Joseph from Genesis 37:2-36, they began weaving their own patches. We hope to make a beautiful and personal piece of art at the end of the year, combining all of the different patches that the girls are making.
Inspired by the sunshine and the opportunity to meet outside, some of the girls shared some very special prayers for our world and their families as we closed for the day.
Weaving beautiful patches for a special project
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Modelling Joseph's richly ornamented robe following game time
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May - June 2023
Little Lights Club
In May, we introduced a new after school club called 'Little Lights' for children in Reception and Key Stage One.
Each week we sang the song 'Give Me Oil in My Lamp,' which has beautiful lyrics that the children found easy to visualise. The children also enjoyed making up actions to accompany the music.
We listened to a different Bible story every week and played a game or made a piece of art related to the story. Some of the children's favourites were the parable of the Lost Sheep from Matthew 18:12-14, and the story of David and Goliath from 1 Samuel 17. The children's responses to the stories were always intriguing and inspirational and we had some wonderful conversations.
We closed each week in a circle of prayer, and the children were invited to pray if they wished to do so. It was very special to see the children pray with confidence and respect.
Thankyou to all the parents who sponsored their children on the good deed challenge. You were very generous. We raised £151 which will be shared between Cafod and the prayer garden.
Our chain links are now up in the ks1 corridor
May 2023
Rosary Assembly
Well done to the Yr5 chaplaincy team who have planned, organised and delivered the Rosary assemblies during the month of May.
They split into two groups and chose which mysteries they wanted to concentrate on and researched information regarding these mysteries. As well as the prayers associated with the Rosary, they also wrote their own to begin and end their assemblies .
Well done team.
Praying the Rosary with Chaplaincy at the Convent
Yr2
I think that it was realty calming and I like to reflect a lot and it made me really happy. Joni
It was quiet and fun to see Mary. It was a surprise to see the statue of Mary and it was nice to say the Rosary with the Sisters. Bea
Yr1
I was excited to go as I have never been to the Nuns house. I got a pink rosary bead to hold and it's my favourite colour. We held the rosary when we said our prayers. I thought Mary was in a good spot and we said lots of prayers with Mary as she says lots of prayers. Charlotte
Because it was my first time there it was exciting. We said lots of prayers we had to keep saying the Hail Mary . We said it 10 times. I like the statue of Mary. it was hiding when we first came in, then you went around the corner and then you could see it. I like the hole it was in. Two of the nuns came to pray with us. Blake.
May 2023
Break time Rosary
At breaktime each class at a time have been to invited the nuns prayer garden to pray the decade of the Rosary. Children can decide if they want to come to the garden to pray but it was great to see so many children wanting to give up their break time to spend a little time in prayer.
I think that when the classes go to pray the rosary in the nuns garden, it is a great way to communicate with the nuns and expand our friendship with God. The nuns are really kind and great to chat to because they give us good advice and knowledge about God. Today when we went to the garden, the nuns helped the year 1's pray the rosary and they kept on reminding them to move on to the next bead. They were very encouraging when we prayed they helped the year 1 to remember the words.
The prayer garden /reflection area was so peaceful.
Imogen and Rosalie
May 2023
Prayer for SATS
During our Liturgical Prayer today, Grace yr 4 wrote a prayer for the Yr 6 children and their SATS
Dear Lord,
Help the Year 6 to be confident in their SATS,
Help them to remain focused and calm,
Bless them to succeed in their learning and to be the best we can be,
Help us to inspire everyone to REACH through Faith, hope and love,
AMEN
May 2023
May is often referred to as the Month of Mary – a month where Catholics across the world pay special devotions to Our Lady, Mary. This includes, reading scripture associated with Our Lady and praying the rosary.
For the second year we have signed up to ACN Maisy milk rosary for peace and pledged to say 700 decades as a school. https://acnuk.org/resource/maisy-milk-rosary-for-peace-and-plant-pot-fundraiser/
The children have said a decade of the rosary in class during class prayers and the yr5 chaplaincy team have planned, written and will lead the school in saying the Rosary before hymn practice for the next two weeks. They will introduce the Joyful and Luminous mysteries.
Finally, we are so lucky to have the Convent next to our school and the sisters have invited us to use their reflection area for prayer until our prayer garden is ready. Children from each class will have the chance to go with the chaplaincy team to say the Rosary during break each day in their Reflection area.
Advert already for next year.
Come on boys we need you as well!
Come on boys we need you as well!
Prayer Garden update
April 2023
We held another meeting along with the school council and invited Mrs Howells to view the plan drawn up for us using ideas given by the children.
Ideas from the children;
- pergola, a covered areas for small classes to sit under,
- Path in shape of a cross,
- hedge/ fence,
- clematis around the pergola,
- gate leading into prayer garden,
- benches,
- trees ( with bench around),
- sensory plants,
We have sent plans to a landscaper for ideas of pricing so that we can begin our fundraising and sourcing materials. We would like to recycle as much as possible from paving stones, plants and wood ( to build the pergola).
Any help would be appreciated.
April 2023
Class Prayer in Reflection book.
We encourage the children in all the classes to participate in the faith and prayer life of the school from reading in mass, liturgical prayer, leading prayers, setting up and looking after their class prayer table and writing prayers to share with their class or the whole school. Chaplaincy have written some beautiful prayers this last year which can be seen on their chaplaincy board. Many prayers written by other children are written in their prayer book in their class prayer bag or their reflection book. I was shown a thoughtful prayer written by one class during their reflective time in class prayers.
Dear God,
Let us live in harmony and choose good over bad, and move in your mercy.
Thank you for all the work put into us.
Thank you for making us.
Thank you for guiding us through darkness.
Thank you for Jesus' love and we pray for God to inspire us every day.
Guide us through Faith, Hope and Love to help one another.
We pray for you to help us through tough times and always make sure we REACH.
Give us guidance through our work and here at ST Joseph's and in their Little Ways Partnership.
Thank you for our forgiveness.
Thank you for giving us life, and the Servant King who shows us love.
Thank you for the land and we pray we are good stewards of the earth.
Help us to be faithful and love others.
Thank you for Jesus' light.
Amen.
March 2023
Lenten Good Deed Challenge
We did it!
52.6 m long and 962 links.
March 2023
Stations of the Cross
On Friday the 31st March Y5 led the Stations of the Cross. There were 14 different stations , each one of them depicts the different events of Jesus' final journey before he was crucified . Year 5 enjoyed practicing and learning the different stages of Jesus' journey as well as explaining to other the pupils in our school community the different stages of Jesus' last hours and what they meant. Our prayers were linked to our schools values and virtues (faith, hope and love) we wanted to show the other pupils how to mirror God's image and likeness. we would like to finish with a prayer.
O Lord ,
Help us to thank Jesus for the sacrifice he made for us he died for our sins under Pontius pilot's wish and command , Jesus was reborn through us and continues to love and guide us through darkness and when we need help to forgive or say sorry to someone even if it is hard or something that you don't want to do
Amen
Orla, Bella and Pippa Yr 5
March 2023
Stations of the Cross
by Orla and Isla Yr4
We enjoyed the Stations led by Year 5 this morning.
It was quite interesting how they did the actions/mimes along with the readings. The children sounded confident as they knew it off by heart.
I liked that we were in a few rooms and not having t go upstairs. The children moved around quietly and as there was quiet music playing it seemed to settle us. I felt that I was in the presence of the Lord.
The miming and pictures gave me a better idea of each station.
It was dramatic. Isla Yr4
It helped us to put ourselves in Jesus' shoes, knew and understood how he felt and what was happening.
I am looking forward to doing it next year in Year 5 - Orla Yr4
March 2023
A prayer by Austin in Yr2
It is always lovely to be given prayers by children not in Chaplaincy. Austin wrote a prayer in his quiet time at home and wanted to share it with his class and me.
Thankyou Austin
Dear Father,
Please help us to inspire everyone to REACH through FAITH, HOPE and LOVE.
Help lead us out of the darkness,
and have time to pray with Faith Hope and Love and do what he wants us to do.
AMEN
Austin said he wanted to include our school virtues as we should always try and follow them to be more like Jesus.
Austin reading his prayer at the end of day
March 2023
Lenten Good Deed Challenge
In our Liturgical Prayer, we have been watching a British sign language video for GIVE ACT and PRAY. We have been working on good deeds and have been focusing on our virtues ( faith, hope and love). Every little good deed we do, we write on a link to make a prayer chain. We are sponsored to make the longest link possible. We are hoping that by the end of Lent we will have done enough good deeds to wrap the paper chain around our school family.
The money we raise will go to Emmaues, Cafod and our prayer garden, which will be for the use of our whole school community.
We try to do little things like St Terese did alongside our Little Way partnership schools.
Bella, Orla Lucy Yr5
Feb 2023
Thinking Day
Every year Guides and Scouts celebrate their organisations by connecting with each other, having fun together, learning about and taking actions on the global issues that affect their communities and fundraising for their organisations around the world.. This is known as World Thinking Day.
Traditionally all members of the guiding and scouting movement wear their uniforms to school, this helps them to identify with other children who may be members in groups other than their own; maybe making new friendships.
This is a great way for children to follow our Catholic Social Teachings by being part of a wider community, raising funds for poorer countries and also, to make others aware of Gods creation and be Stewards of the Earth.
Members of chaplaincy and other children in school in the guiding and scouting community led an assembly for the school encouraging other children to join them.
Well done all.
Lent Retreat 2023
Jesus Dies on the Cross.
We were doing station twelve(Jesus dies on the cross). We helped set up with guidance from the class teacher. We did most the talking but if the children were stuck on the questions the class teacher would help. Our activity was making little crosses with red thread wrapped around it to represent the blood of Jesus. We think our station went really well and overall I think the Lent retreat was amazing .Everyone enjoyed the different activities and different stations . We think the activities helped the children understand what Jesús had been through for us.
By Amelia and Pippa Yr 5
January 2023
Liturgical Prayer - The Chosen one of God
Today we presented the Liturgical Prayer in front of the whole school. It was about Revelations - God the Chosen One. I was part of a drama about Prince Albert visiting a school. He looked scruffy so that we didn't know he was Prince Albert. We were expecting a fanfare and someone wearing smart clothes.
The message was that important people don't always need to look special. knowing who people are changes us.
I felt nervous and so were my friends but it turned out very well.
I look forward to do the next one!
Grace Yr4
Prayer Bags.
The children are excited each week to be given the prayer bag to take home. The children really think about how they are setting up their prayer tables at home and the prayers and activities they do as a family.
Jan 2023
Epiphany
On Friday, (if you are a Catholic) you might have gone to church. We went to church to celebrate Epiphany, when the three kings were on their journey to visit baby Jesus. George said a reading from the gospel about the Magi. We shared a quiet moment of reflection to think about what we are grateful for. At the end we all said a prayer then sat to reflect on the message of the reading.
Epiphany is celebrated on the 6th January every year to remember what happened when the kings went to visit the baby Jesus. The three kings studied the stars and after visiting Herod to ask where the new born King was, they followed the star to Bethlehem. They stayed at the stable to worship him until God came to them in a dream telling them not to go back to Herod.
As with Christian tradition, to mark the occasion of Epiphany we made signs to 'chalk the door' People create signs above their door asking God to bless their house. We made signs asking God to bless our classrooms
20+C+M+B+23.
2023 is for the year we are in .C,M and B are the initials of the Three Wise Men, Caspar, Malchior and Balthazar.
By Beatrice and Safia
The Three Wise men came to church with us.
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our display, with the gifts given by the Three Wise Men
2/4
Jan 2023
It is lovely when the children use their own time to think how they can continue to help others.
This was written by Rosalie and is a lovely poem to start the new year off with.
A Poem about Chaplaincy
Chaplaincy is kind and loving,
we help when someone has really been struggling.
We are honest and kind,
never steal, always find,
and show love wherever we go.
We have had communions, commissioning and grateful care,
knowing God will always answer our prayer.
We give generous donations, always help, always care,
hoping when they get it they will continue to share.
For people in the world need us now more than ever,
pollution, wars, battles and poisoned air,
So know this now and remember it forever,
When we need him God will definitely be there.
Written by Rosalie
Dec 2022
Daily Prayer
During this season of Advent, our Chaplaincy team have taken inspiration from the Advent wreath and the four candles that are lit each Sunday to help remind the children that Advent is a time of expectation, celebration and hope connected to the birth of Jesus.
Each week a new candle is lit:
- week one - candle symbolises HOPE;
- week two - candle symbolises FAITH;
- week three - candle symbolises JOY;
- week four - candle symbolises PEACE.
The children have written prayers connected to a particular candle and these are given to each class every day while we are at school during Advent. We hope that the children will think about how to prepare themselves and others leading up to Christmas.
The prayers themselves have been written by Chaplaincy , two versions; one that is placed on the advent candle in Reception and the other has been written on a decorated candle which is put in the class prayer book.
November 2022
Advent Retreat
What a wonderful afternoon shared by the whole school. Chaplaincy, for the first time in two years, were able to lead each station in the classroom rather than on video.
They were put with children from other year groups to enable the older ,experienced chaplaincy members to help and encourage the new ones.
They were all amazing and their confidence grew with each new group of children who came into their class so by the time the last group of children came through they were like mini teachers.
Advent Retreat by Lucy and Pippa
On Monday we had the Advent Retreat . The whole school were put into groups and everyone went into the hall in their groups where we listened to Mrs Howells introduced the story of when Jesus was born. Chaplaincy then lead a group out to each class room. Each class room had a different station representing the journey of Advent. Each station was led by a members of Chaplaincy.
Lucy : ``I was in year 6 , we were learning about the promise and what we would give Jesus as a gift as an activity.``
Pippa: ``I was in reception,we were learning about the journey and we had to write about a time where we needed Jesus alongside us.''
Pippa and Lucy
preparing Yr 1
1/9
Ready to start setting up Yr 5
3/9
Reception,
4/9
Yr2
5/9
Yr4
8/9
November 2022
Advent Prayer bags
All change for Advent;
Purple cloth, candle, prayer book, prayer sheet, Christmas strory/ Nativity book and activity .
November 2022
Commisionning
On Friday, we went to St Peter's Catholic Primary school in Glouster to be commissioned by Monsignor Liam. We joined the Little Way partnership and we got to meet a wide range of different Chaplains across lots of schools. After our lovely welcome from Mrs Mac Donald we were sure we would have a lovely time with
her at this school. Then we went outside for a breath of fresh air and we were offered a biscuit and a drink.
The first activity we did after the commissioning was a getting to know activity where we walked around the room asking people questions about themselves so we were able to get to know everyone in the little way partnership. We were excited by this next activity where we needed to throw a bean bag to one another and remember who we passed to so we got to know there names. After that we sat down for lunch with a range of people as well as some of are friends. We enjoyed getting to know the other schools in the little way partnership. It was great fun and we enjoyed the experience of getting to know all different people and teachers with in gods community.
Following on from that we happily left with warm hearts and smiles wide on are faces. It was great!
Emily and Flo
lunchtime
3/7
Finding our about each other
4/7
Receiving our badges
5/7
snack time!
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Little way partnership
7/7
November 2022
1st November is All Saints Day . This is a Holy Day of Obligation and we were lucky enough to join the Sisters of Mercy at the convent to celebrate with them.
It was an enjoyable mass with plenty of singing.
Well done team, you read and sang beautifully.
Outside the convent
Oct 2022
Awe and Wonder
Hinduism
It is important that the children learn about other faiths in our school. The children examine different religious groups, helping them understand the similarities and differences between faiths and that of the Catholic faith.
Oct 22
Prayer Bags
Encouraging families to sit and pray together is important to us. We hope by re introducing the prayer bag to the children will enable this.
Inside the bag we have placed items that children could set out as a focal point at home; liturgical colour cloth,candle, rosary beads, prayer book and crucifix.
We have put in a prompt sheet with a scripture reading , questions and ideas for children to think about, aswell as a class book for the children to use to draw a picture, add a photo or write a prayer.
Enjoy using the bag.
Prayer bag contents
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Sorting out the prayer bags
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Introducing the Prayer bag to Yr3
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Yr4 girls sorting out their prayer bag
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Oct 22
Exciting time ahead.... for many years the children in both School Council and Chaplaincy have wanted to create a Prayer garden on the school field but many things have prevented this. but today ,both groups had their first meeting together to discuss it. The children had many ideas to put forward .
I think they are all excited to get started!
Oct 22
Yr 5 girls lead class prayers and the Rosary
Oct 2022
Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
The Liturgical prayer was led by Chaplaincy this week to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
While the children said a decade of the Rosary they were asked to think about how they could follow Mary's example in the Joyful mysteries to say yes to God and become Carers of Creation.
It was a peaceful and thoughtful assembly.
Our Creation display
based on the song ' What a Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong
based on the song ' What a Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong
Sept 2022
Welcome to our new Chaplaincy Team, I am excited to work with them all. I had some lovely letters from the children, who really thought about what they could do for the children and the school as well as the community.
it was important to me that the children showed how they could follow the principles of the Catholic Social Teachings and lead by example. Many of their letters gave examples of this.
Bella - " I want to be in Chaplaincy because I care about God's creation and how he wants us to look after it. I will try my best to help as much as I can."
Rosalie - " I am a good role model, help people come closer to God, I believe and trust in God, helpful in hard times."
Sadie - "I want to encourage younger children throughout the school to follow in Jesus' footsteps, I want to meet other people who she my beliefs and help spread God's word"
Florence - " I know how greatful we should be, aware of the many different types of faiths."
Sept 2022
It's great to be back for a start of a new school year. It was sad to say goodbye to my Yr6 Chaplaincy team as many have been part of this team since Yr3 and helped encourage more children to think about their faith and what it means to follow in Jesus' footsteps.
I look forward to setting up our new team, the letters requesting to join have already started to roll in.
CHAPLAINCY
2022-2023
January 2025
Pilgrims of Hope
Prayer Tables
Prayer Tables