Values Firmly Rooted in Biblical Teachings
Our collective worship rota at John Harrison Church of England School follows a varied programme of opportunities for all children and adults to engage with God, if they so wish. These are centered around 7 Christian values which the children, staff and governors voted on during the summer of 2015 which are: Compassion, Endurance, Respect, Friendship, Peace, Hope and Forgiveness.
These are primarily centered around the Values for Life (Jumping Fish by the Diocese of Gloucester) which are rooted in Biblical teaching, as well as recently purchasing the 'Roots and Fruits' by Imaginor resource to further inspire creative worship.
Values for Life and Roots and Fruits
Starting with the canvasses created by each class to display each value in 2015, we decided in 2018 we needed to go one step further. CWL took a shortlist of Bible quotes to each class and the whole school voted for the ones that were the most meaningful to them. Each value is now rooted in Christian scripture and story and here are the end designs as displayed in our foyer.
For the development of this pictorally please see the 'Vision' section.
The Way We Worship
Monday is a whole school worship where we are lucky to have many regular visitors (see below).
Tuesday is Choral Worship with our Music lead and Wednesday is our classroom 'Working Worship' whereby the theme from Monday is followed through and explored through quiet, classroom reflection activites using pebbles and candlelight to provide atmosphere.
This work is shared by the children in 'Spotlight Worships' on the Thursday on a rota basis (formerly Key Stage Worship) so that the theme for the week can be brought together and reinforced once again. The children enjoy seeing the other classes help prepare these and deliver these to the rest of the Key Stage, which embeds everyones learning and provides further opportunity to reflect.
Friday is our chance to all come back together and celebrate our achievements, giving thanks to God with the Lord's Prayer.
Every classroom has a worship table with corresponding liturgical cloths whereby, the Collective Worship leaders select and rotate focus items to represent the theme and Bible passages.
At the end of each half term, a 'Wow' Worship' (whereby all children are seated in a special circle) around a candle so that we can reflect together on the theme for the half term.
Over the school year, each class leads one major church service in line with the anglican church calendar including: Harvest, Remembrance, Christingle, Christmas, Epiphany, Candlemas, Lent and Easter.
Made in the Image of God
Genesis 1:27 'So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
At the heart of the Christian truth is this message, such that we want all of our children to know this and be loved by Him if they so wish. Together, each class has shared the story of 'You Are Special' by Max Lucado and selected and painted their own unique stone to surround each class candle.
As the candle is lit during Working Worship, each child should know that they are unique and wonderful as each of their stones are indeed unique and that, at the centre, is Jesus Christ - Light of the World.
Our Church School Community and Friends
Mr Derek Carr and Mr Jeff Higgins are from Barton Evangelical Church, Rev Nichola Jones and Deacon Helen (Barton Trinity Methodist Church), Angela Kipling (Bishop's Visitor), Mr John Pullen (Methodist Lay Preacher) Mr Ahmed (Pakistan Islamic Centre) and of course the Rev. Liz and Gospel Gang (Holy Trinity Church).
Can you spot how Mr Pullen from the Methodist Chapel taught us a great way to remember the 3 parts of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. An impressive sight!
Rooted in the Rhythms of the Church - September 2018
A gift from the outgoing Year 6 in July 2018, this lovely new wicker cross adds prominence and helps remind children when to change their class liturgical cloths. New coloured scarves have been purchased and the CWL have the responsibility of changing these. A super new addition.
