Collective Worship and Christian Values
‘Within the love of God, working together, growing together for all to flourish.’
Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” In other words, Jesus wanted us all to ‘flourish’. (John 10:10)
Collective Worship at St. Michael’s
At St. Michael’s Primary, Collective Worship is an important part of our school day when we come together to worship, reflect and flourish.
Our Collective Worship happens daily and takes many forms including coming together as a whole school, in our key stages and as a class. Throughout the year, there are also opportunities for year groups and the whole school to come together to worship and celebrate in our local church -St. Michael’s Church
All of our worship times are based upon our Christian values and teachings, often referring to the Bible and relating the message to how we live our lives.
Our six Christian values of Friendship, Perseverance, Compassion, Justice, Courage and Love are reflected upon and celebrated.
Click on the image below to find out more about our Christian Values:
Every Friday, we have a Celebration Worship where we celebrate special events and achievements during our school week and also recognise children from each class who have shone throughout the week; showing our Christian Values and working hard. Children are also invited to share achievements and certificates from outside school so that we can recognise and celebrate these achievements together.
Many people lead our Collective Worship throughout the week, including the staff, children, Father Mark and Reverend Goddard. Whenever the opportunity arises we also invite visitors to take part in worship.
A timetable for our worship this term can be found here.
It is a legal requirement for schools to have a daily act of Collective Worship. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from these and any parent considering this should have early discussions with their child’s class teacher or the Head of School.
Exeter Diocese Withdrawal Policy
Schools within the United Schools Federation Collective Worship aim to:
- Strengthen and support the school community and celebrate each unique individual member as made in the image of God
- Give expression to reaffirm and practise the values of the school community
- Allow reflection and response to fundamental questions of life and those things that are of eternal concern and value to human beings
- Celebrate and give thanks for achievements within the school, local and international community and occasions of significance, including festivals
- Contribute to the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of pupils
- Foster and enable a concern for the needs of others – recognition of the vulnerability of self and others
- Lead pupils to a deeper knowledge and understanding of different faiths and world views
- Provide members of the school community with the opportunity to;
- Praise and reach out to God
- Experience stillness and quiet
- Experience a variety of forms of music, art, drama and story that lead to personal reflection
- Provide a foundation for a mature understanding and practice of worship in the future
OUR SIX CHRISTIAN VALUES ARE:-
Each value is linked to a story from the Bible. This will help to explain what each value means.
Click on the story link below each value to find that story and an activity that you can print.
AUTUMN 1 – FRIENDSHIP
Luke 15: 17 – 26
Jesus heals paralysed man.
Some men came carrying a paralysed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
DOWN THROUGH THE ROOF
AUTUMN 2 – PERSEVERANCE
Luke 15:1-7
The parable of the Lost Sheep
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?
THE LOST SHEEP
SPRING 1 – JUSTICE
Jonah 1
Jonah the Groaner
“Pick me up and throw me into the sea,” he replied, “and it will become calm. I know that it is my fault that this great storm has come upon you.”
JONAH THE GROANER
SPRING 2 – COMPASSION
Luke 10:25-37
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii[e] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
THE KIND STRANGER
SUMMER 1 – COURAGE
1 Samuel 17
David and Goliath
David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”
DAVID AND GOLIATH
SUMMER 2 – LOVE
Ruth 1-4
Ruth and Naomi
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.