Prayer and Worship at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School:
At St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School, prayer and worship are central to everything we do. Inspired by the teachings of Jesus and the Gospel values we live by, we gather together as a school family to pray, reflect, and celebrate God’s presence in our lives.
Through our prayer and worship, we aim to deepen our relationship with God, grow as a community of faith, and guide each child on their spiritual journey.
✨ How We Pray and Worship Together
Prayer and worship are woven into the rhythm of our school day, week and year, helping us all to keep Christ at the centre of our lives.
🌅 Daily Prayer
Each day begins and ends with prayer in our classrooms. Children lead and take part in prayer throughout the day — offering thanks, asking for guidance, and reflecting on how they can live out the Gospel in their actions.
🙏 Weekly Collective Worship
We come together as a school each week for collective worship:
- Monday mornings: Key Stage Collective Worship, introducing the Gospel theme for the week and setting our mission focus. A focus table and candle remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World.
- Friday celebration worship assemblies: Living the Mission Awards – we give thanks for the week’s blessings and recognise pupils who have lived our mission by being ready, respectful, and kind. We also have a ‘Values in Action’ Award for those children who have actively modelled one or more of our Gospel values that week and encouraged others to do so.
- Year group worship: Children in KS1 and KS2 gather weekly in smaller groups to reflect and pray together, led by staff and pupils.
⛪ Liturgical Celebrations
Throughout the year we mark key seasons and feast days with special acts of worship and liturgies:
- Advent and Lent services, including Ash Wednesday and Advent wreath lighting
- Remembrance Day and VE Day celebrations, giving thanks and remembering those who served
- Eucharistic Adoration sessions for KS2 pupils at church and in school, offering stillness and reflection
- Dedication Masses and Parish Masses led by Father Moses, strengthening our links with the parish community
- Pilgrim days and Jubilee “Doors of Hope” projects, inspired by Pope Francis’ call to be Pilgrims of Hope in 2025
Our KS1 Nativity and KS2 choir also contribute beautifully to our liturgical life, bringing the story of Jesus alive through drama and song.
🎶 Singing as Prayer
Music and song are a vital part of our worship. Weekly “Singing Schools” sessions led by the Cathedral team help our children learn hymns and develop confidence in singing as a form of prayer and praise. Our choir regularly performs at assemblies, Masses and special events, filling our school and parish with joyful voices.
🌱 Pupil-led Worship
We encourage children to take ownership of prayer and worship, leading class liturgies, choosing prayer intentions, and creating displays and artwork that reflect our Gospel values. Our Mini Vinnies also lead prayers and reflections as part of their mission to put faith into action.
✨ A Living Faith
At St Vincent de Paul, prayer and worship are not just something we do — they are who we are. Through our daily prayer, weekly worship, and special celebrations, we grow closer to God and learn to see Christ in ourselves and in others.
We invite our families and parish to join us at various times of the year to pray and worship with us as one community of faith.
“Serve with love and strive for excellence — in all we do, to glorify God.”