Prayer and Liturgy

At St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, prayer and liturgy are at the heart of our daily life. They provide opportunities for every member of our community to encounter Christ, deepen their relationship with God and grow in faith.

Inspired by our mission to "Do the Little Things Well", we seek to create meaningful, inclusive and engaging opportunities for prayer that enable all children to participate fully, regardless of their age, background or stage of faith development.

Prayer and liturgy are not simply events within the school day; they are central to who we are as a Catholic community. Through prayer, reflection, worship and celebration, we help our children recognise God's presence in their lives and respond to His call to love and serve others.

Prayer and liturgy provide opportunities for every child to encounter Jesus Christ, experience the love of God and recognise their place within the family of the Church. Through these experiences, children are invited into a deeper relationship with God and are supported on their personal journey of faith.

Our Prayer Life

Prayer is woven throughout the rhythm of each day at St Teresa's. Children experience a rich variety of traditional, spontaneous and reflective prayer opportunities, helping them develop confidence, understanding and personal engagement in prayer.

From Nursery to Year 6, children are introduced to a carefully planned progression of prayers, including the Sign of the Cross, the Our Father, the Hail Mary, traditional Catholic prayers and age-appropriate class prayers. Children are supported to understand the meaning and purpose of prayer whilst developing their own personal relationship with God.

Throughout the school day, children gather in prayer through:

Morning prayer
Prayer before and after meals
End-of-day prayer
Class prayers
Spontaneous prayer opportunities
Reflective prayer linked to the liturgical year
Whole-school prayer and worship

Our progressive prayer programme supports children in becoming increasingly confident and independent in prayer as they move through school.

Growing in Prayer

At St Teresa's, children are supported to grow in confidence and independence as people of prayer. From the earliest years, children learn traditional prayers, explore different forms of prayer and reflection, and develop their understanding of how prayer can strengthen their relationship with God.

As pupils move through the school, they take increasing responsibility for planning, leading and evaluating prayer and liturgy, enabling them to become active participants in the worshipping life of the school and wider Church.

Celebration of the Word

Celebration of the Word is a central part of prayer and worship at St Teresa's. Rooted in Scripture, it provides opportunities for children to gather together, listen to God's Word, reflect on its meaning and respond through prayer and action.

Following diocesan guidance, our Celebrations of the Word are shaped around four key elements:

Gather

We come together as God's family, creating a prayerful environment through focal points, liturgical colours, prayer spaces, symbols and sacred music.

Listen

Children encounter Scripture and are encouraged to listen attentively to God's Word.

Respond

Children reflect, pray, discuss and consider what God may be asking of them through the Gospel message.

Go Forth

Children are challenged to live out the message they have received through their actions, relationships and service to others.

Through this structure, children learn that prayer is not simply something we do, but a way of listening to God and responding to His call.

Children as Leaders of Prayer

We believe that children should not simply participate in prayer and liturgy but help to shape it.

Across the school, pupils plan, prepare and lead Celebration of the Word, select Scripture, choose prayers and hymns, prepare focal points and invite others into reflection. Older pupils increasingly take responsibility for leading worship and supporting younger children in developing confidence within prayer and liturgy.

Through these opportunities, children develop confidence, reverence, responsibility and a deeper understanding of what it means to lead others in prayer.

Prayer Through the Liturgical Year

The liturgical year provides the framework for much of our prayer and worship.

Children learn about and celebrate:

Advent
Christmas
Lent
Holy Week
Easter
Pentecost
Ordinary Time

Prayer spaces, Scripture, symbols, colours, music and worship themes help children understand the seasons of the Church and their significance within the life of faith.

These celebrations help children recognise the story of salvation and develop a deeper understanding of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Mass and the Eucharist

The celebration of Mass is central to the life of our Catholic school community. Throughout the year, children have opportunities to participate in school Masses, class Masses, Holy Day celebrations and parish liturgies led by our parish clergy.

We are blessed to work closely with Canon Paul and Father Joseph, who regularly support the spiritual life of the school and help our children deepen their understanding of the Eucharist and the mission of the Church.

Children participate actively in Mass through reading, serving, leading prayers, presenting the offertory gifts and singing as part of the congregation. These experiences help them grow in confidence, reverence and understanding of their role within the worshipping community.

Alongside our school celebrations, we actively encourage families to participate in Sunday Mass and parish life. Through this partnership between home, school and parish, children are supported in developing a deeper relationship with Christ and a stronger sense of belonging to the Church community.

The Eucharist nourishes and strengthens us to live out the Gospel each day through love, service and care for others.

Music, Hymns and Praise

Music plays an important role in our worship. Through hymn singing and reflective music, children learn to express faith through prayer and praise.

Children become familiar with a rich repertoire of hymns and liturgical music which deepen their understanding of Scripture, support reflection and strengthen participation in worship.

Music helps to create moments of prayer, celebration and encounter that enrich the spiritual life of our school community.

Forming Children for Mission

Prayer and liturgy help children understand that worship does not end when a celebration finishes.

Through reflection and action, children are encouraged to take Gospel values into everyday life by:

Showing kindness and compassion
Supporting others in need
Living out Catholic Social Teaching
Serving their school and wider community
Becoming faithful stewards of God's creation

Prayer leads to action, helping children understand that faith is lived through service, love and commitment to others.

School, Home and Parish

We recognise parents and carers as the first educators of their children in faith.

Prayer and liturgy help strengthen the relationship between home, school and parish. Through Stay and Pray sessions, school Masses, parish celebrations, sacramental preparation and shared opportunities for worship, children develop an understanding of their role within the wider Catholic community.

Working alongside Canon Paul, Father Joseph and our parish community, we help children understand that faith extends beyond the classroom and continues within the life of the Church.

These experiences help children recognise that they belong to something much bigger than themselves: the universal Church, united in faith, prayer and service.

Together, we nurture the spiritual growth of our children and support them on their faith journey.