Liturgical Year

We actively promote and engage pupils in the liturgical year through the following means:

1. Liturgical Celebrations: We participate in liturgical celebrations throughout the year, such as Masses, prayer services and sacramental celebrations . These events allow pupils to experience and actively participate in the rituals and traditions of the liturgical year. 

This year’s liturgical celebrations, can be seen in the table below:

Autumn Term 2023

DateEvent
Friday 8th September9:15am – Beginning of Term Mass – Year 6 to lead
Friday 15th SeptemberSt Alphonsa Class (Yr 4) wear own clothes to celebrate feast day
Monday 2nd OctoberRosary Assembly
Wednesday 4th OctoberSt Francis’ class (Reception) wear own clothes to celebrate feast day.
Friday 12th OctoberHarvest Liturgy in Church – Year 5 to lead – 11am
Wednesday 1st NovemberAll Saints Day – Years 1 – 6 will attend Church at 9:15am.
Thursday 2nd NovemberYear 4 Year Group Mass in Church – 9:15am
Thursday 9th NovemberPhase 5/6 Mass in Church – 9:15am
Wednesday 22nd NovemberSt Cecilia’s Class (Yr 1/2) wear own clothes to celebrate feast day
Thursday 30th NovemberNon-Uniform day. To celebrate St Andrew’s Day the children may wear blue, white or tartan clothes. We ask for a £1 donation towards the school funds via the School Gateway.
Wednesday 6th DecemberPhase 1/2 (Years 1 and 2) Christmas Play – 9:15am in the hall – younger siblings who are not school age are welcome.
Thursday 7th DecemberPhase 1/2 (Years 1 and 2) Christmas Play – 9:15am in the hall – no younger siblings.
Thursday 7th DecemberJunior Advent Service – 10:45am in the Church
Friday 8th DecemberFeast of the Immaculate Conception – Years 1 up to Year 6 go to Church.
Wednesday 13th DecemberReception Christmas Play – 9:30am – 10am
Thursday 14th DecemberNursery Christmas Play – 11am

Spring Term 2024

DateEvent
Friday 5th JanuaryEpiphany – Mass in Church – Year 4 to lead       
Wednesday 31st JanuarySt John Bosco (Yr 6) wear own clothes to celebrate feast day.
Friday 2nd February1:30pm – Candlemas Liturgy in the hall
Thursday 8th FebruarySt Josephine Bakhita Class (Year 5) wear their own clothes to celebrate feast day.
Thursday 8th February9:15am – Year 6 Year Group Mass in Church – Year 5 Maths with Teacher and TA
Wednesday 14th FebruaryAsh Wednesday Service in Church
Friday 1st MarchNon-Uniform day. To celebrate St David’s Day the children may wear red, white and green clothes. We ask for a £1 donation towards the school funds via the School Gateway.
Friday 8th MarchAll classes from Nursery up to Year 6 – Mothers’ Day class assemblies – these will be live streamed.
Friday 15th MarchNon-Uniform day. To celebrate St Patrick’s Day the children may wear green, white and orange clothes. We ask for a £1 donation towards the school funds via the School Gateway.
Tuesday 19th MarchPhase 3/4 Lent Play – 9:15am
Wednesday 20th MarchPhase 3/4 Lent Play – 9:15am
Thursday 21st MarchJunior Lent Service – 10:30am in Church
Thursday 21st March1pm – 3pm in Church – Reconciliation – Years 3-6 – Need to check that the Year 3’s have made their First Confession
Thursday 28th MarchEnd of term and Whole School Easter Bonnet Parade, school finishes at 1:15pm.

Summer Term 2024

DateEvent
Tuesday 16th AprilSt Bernadette’s Class (Yr 3) wear own clothes to celebrate feast day which is on 16th April.
Thursday 18th AprilBeginning of Term Mass  – Year 3 to lead
Tuesday 23rd AprilNon-Uniform day. To celebrate St George’s Day the children may wear red and white clothes. We ask for a £1 donation towards the school funds.
Thursday 25th AprilYear 5 Year Group Mass in church
Wednesday 1st MaySt Joseph’s Class (Reception) wear their own clothes to celebrate St Joseph’s feast day
Wednesday 1st MayRosary Assembly
Thursday 2nd MayPhase 1/2 Mass in Church
Thursday 9th MayAscension Mass in Church
Friday 7th JuneSacred Heart Feast Day Mass for Years 1 – 6 in Church at 9:15am. Phase 1/2 to lead. Whole school picnic at 12pm to 1:pm on the school field.
Thursday 13th JuneSt Anthony (Yr 1) wear their own clothes to celebrate their feast day
Monday 17th JuneAll classes from Nursery up to Year 6 – Fathers’ Day class assemblies – these will be live streamed.
Thursday 27th JunePhase 3/4 Mass in Church
Friday 28th JuneSt Peter and Paul Mass in Church
Monday 1st JulySt Peter’s Class (Yr3/4) wear their own clothes to celebrate feast day which was on 30th June.
Friday 12th JulySt Anne’s class (Nursery) wear their own clothes to celebrate the feast day of St Anne which is on 26th July.
Thursday 18th July9:15 – Year 6 Leavers Mass in Church

2. Religious Education: We incorporate teachings about the liturgical year into the religious education curriculum. Pupils learn about the significance of different liturgical seasons, such as Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time. They study the biblical and historical context of these seasons and explore their spiritual meaning and practices.

3. Prayer and Reflection: Pupils engage in prayer and reflection related to the liturgical year. Pupils are provided with prayer resources, reflections or devotional materials specific to each liturgical season. This helps them deepen their understanding and personal connection to the liturgical year. Pupils lead the rosary during October and May.

4. Decorations and Symbols: We decorate the classrooms, chapels and common areas to reflect the liturgical season. Symbols and visuals associated with each season, such as Advent wreaths, Christmas nativity scenes, or Stations of the Cross are displayed to create a visual reminder of the liturgical year’s significance.

5. Special Activities and Events: We organise special activities and events to celebrate and engage pupils in the liturgical year. These can include Advent or Lenten retreats, Stations of the Cross prayer walks, Holy Week services or service projects aligned with the themes of the liturgical seasons.

By incorporating these practices and activities, we aim to educate pupils about the liturgical year, foster a deeper understanding of the Church’s traditions and rituals, and encourage active participation and spiritual growth within the context of the liturgical calendar.