Prayer and Celebrations of the Word follow a call and response structure. God calls us and we respond to him. When God speaks to us through his words (scripture), it is the response of the heart to respond with love, whether that be a prayer of praise, adoration, thanksgiving, repentance or intercession.

When this conversation with God happens within the formal liturgy of the Church, this pattern is repeated back and forth. We want to support our children in understanding the call and response pattern. 

We follow the 4 W’s structure:

Welcome (Gather) – We gather together. We use candles and other religious artefacts to show we are preparing for worship.

Word (listen) – We listen to scripture.

Worship (Response) – We respond to the reading with reflection and prayer.

Witness (Mission/ Go forth) – We choose a way to go forth, sharing the Good News and following God's mission in our everyday lives.

• Prayer is at the heart of life at Christ the King Primary School. It nurtures our relationship with God, strengthens our faith community and helps us to live out our mission each day. We pray in a variety of ways throughout school life:
• Throughout the week, pupils from all year groups gather for collective worship, liturgies and whole-school celebrations.
• Children pray at regular points during the day, including morning prayers, before meals, at the end of the school day and during important moments of reflection.
• Weekly class prayer and liturgy sessions provide opportunities for children to gather in faith, listen to Scripture and respond through prayer.
• Every classroom has a dedicated prayer focus area, displaying Scripture, liturgical colours, religious artefacts and prayers that reflect the Church’s liturgical year.
• Pupils are given time and space for personal prayer and quiet reflection, helping them to develop their own relationship with God.
• Classes regularly celebrate Mass throughout the liturgical year, allowing children to participate fully in the sacramental life of the Church.
• Our Peace Garden provides a special outdoor space where children can pray, reflect and appreciate God’s creation.
• All children are encouraged to take an active role in leading prayer, reading Scripture, writing intercessions and participating in worship through music and song.
• Prayer leaders and pupils work together to plan and lead meaningful acts of worship that are relevant to their faith journey and school community.
• The seasons and feasts of the Church are celebrated through prayer, liturgies and special events, helping children grow in their understanding of the Catholic faith.

   

To support and enrich the faith life of our school, we are blessed to have a beautiful Peace Garden. This special outdoor space provides a calm and welcoming environment where children and adults can spend time in prayer, reflection and quiet contemplation.

Accessible to all members of our school community, the Peace Garden offers an opportunity to step away from the busy school day, connect with God's creation and find moments of peace and stillness. Classes regularly use the garden for prayer and liturgy, while individuals and small groups are encouraged to visit whenever they would like time to reflect, pray or simply be with God.

The Peace Garden plays an important role in nurturing spiritual wellbeing and helping our pupils develop a deeper appreciation of God's presence in both nature and everyday life.