Pupil Voice
We asked the children to tell us about worships at John Harrison Primary School. Here are some of their comments. We also asked them how we could make worship an even better experience for them. They asked that we shared peace with the whole world, as well as with each other and for more transition time between worship and the rest of the school day. We were very happy to implement these ideas.
Collective Worship Summer 2
Our worship focus this half term is the words of Jesus. We will also be celebrating some important events in the church calendar - Pentecost and Trinity Sunday. The Trinity is particularly important in our school because our local church is Holy Trinity Church in Barrow. We are looking forward to inviting Reverend Liz to school to talk to us about the Trinity.
Year One
Year One listened to Jesus' words, 'I am the light of the world.' They reflected on how they could be lights in the world and thought about how they let their lights shine.
Collective Worship Summer 1
Our worship focus this half term is the value of Hope.
If you want to explore this value at home, you might like to use these resources. Faith at Home video
The Rainbow: A Symbol of Hope
Reception and Year One led a wonderful worship about the rainbow, a symbol of hope. They told the story of Noah's Ark, complete with animals and a waving rainbow. They also sang The Rainbow Song and finished with a beautiful prayer of hope. Well done to all the children!
Hopes for the World
After reflecting on Isaiah 40:31, the children wrote their hopes for the world. Here are two examples.
'I hope that people spread friendship and kindness,'
'I hope that everyone has equal money and friends and a home.'
God's Dream
Year Three read the book, 'God's Dream,' by Desmond Tutu. They thought about what God is hoping for in the world.
The whole school used the book as inspiration for a rainbow display. Every child and adult in the school (including visitors) were invited to draw around their hand to make a handprint and to write something on it which makes them unique. These handprints were put together to make a rainbow. We are all different and together we can make something beautiful. When we care for others and respect them for who they are, God smiles like a rainbow.
Jubilee Working Worship
As part of our Jubilee celebrations, Year Five used their Working Worship to reflect on Queen Elizabeth's faith and how it supported her in her role as monarch. They thought about how she was a power for change and how she inspired others. They reflected on quotes from the Queen and wrote about what they would like to see change in the next 70 years.
Many thanks to the Archbishop of York Youth Trust for their supporting resources.
Hope Quotes
Year Six reflected on a variety of quotes about hope and chose the one that inspired them the most to write about.
Collective Worship Spring 2
Our worship focus this half term is lent and Easter.
If you want to explore the theme of lent at home, you might like to use this video from Faith at Home.
Exploring the theme of Lent and Easter
Here are some examples of the work that our children have produced in their working worships.
Palm Leaves
Reception made their own palm leaves and then used them to act out the story during their P.E. lesson.
More Palm Leaf Activites
Year Three reflected on the story of Palm Sunday and the emotions felt by the crowd and Jesus' followers. They made palm leaf spinners which show the words hosannah with the palm leaf when spun around quickly.
A Lenten Pilgrimage
We have enjoyed using Pilgrim Pathways from The Archbishop of York Youth Trust to take a Lenten Pilgrimage. Each week we focused on a different item which might help a pilgrim on their journey. We reflected on how these symbolise the things which help us on our life journeys and also how they can inspire us to help other people.
Reception's Reflection Display
Reception have made a display collecting their thoughts and reflections from this term.
Easter Books
Many thanks to our friends at the Methodist Church for sharing these Easter books with our children.
Collective Worship Spring 1
Our focus this half term is the value of forgiveness. We hope this worksheet is useful to you for exploring the value at home.
Epiphany
Year One led a wonderful Epiphany worship for the whole school. They talked about the meaning of the word epiphany, shared the story of the three wise men and even performed a poem. They all looked fabulous in their specially made hats and they spoke clearly and confidently. Thank you, Year One!
'When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.' Matthew 2:10
Exploring The Value of Forgiveness
In their working worships, Year Two wrote sorry poems and made their own forgiving hands. They thought of ways that they could show that they are sorry.
Year Five considered how forgiving someone can help our own wellbeing and help us to move on. They compared how it feels to hold a grudge with how if feels to forgive.
Year Six looked at the example of Corrie ten Boom. They read her story and then reflected on how she was able to forgive and debated whether or not they would be able to do the same.
Year Six made comics for the story of Zacchaeus and then reflected on how this example linked to 'wiping the slate clean.' They thought about real life situations when people might wipe the slate clean and have a fresh start.
Candlemas
The Collective Worship Leads planned a led our Candlemas worship this term. All classes completed work linked to Candlemas in their working worship. Year One made candles to remind themselves to let their lights glow so that they can be the best that they can be. Year Five thought about how they could be a light to the world.
Collective Worship Autumn 2
Our focus this half term is advent and Christmas.
Mrs Curtis leads our worship every Monday and introduces the bible story and value. Here is her worship from the last week of term when we were focusing on the birth of Jesus. Our value for the week was community and we have shared a resource to help you to explore this value at home.
Open the Book
Reception and Key Stage One enjoyed worship with the Open the Book team who told them the story of creation. It was wonderful to be able to welcome visitors again and enjoy a bible story told in a different way.
Remembrance Day
Our Remembrance Day worship was written and led by Year Six. They presented their research about the Royal British Legion and read poems they had written about poppies. The Year Five Collective Worship Leads said that the poems made them stop and think and that they were inspired by the stories of soldiers helped by the Royal British Legion.
At eleven o'clock, the whole school stood on the playground for a two-minute silence, started by the sound of the church bells. It was a very moving experience and the children showed great respect for those who lost their lives in war. Afterwards, the Head Boy and Head Girl visited church and left a poppy collage (in the shape of a cross with a soldier's hat) and a copy of some of the poems to share with the community. The collage included poppies made by children in all year groups and a second one is on display at school.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.
The Annunciation
This week, we read the story of when the Angel Gabriel visited Mary to tell her the news that she would give birth to God's son. We were pleased to welcome Rev Liz to speak to us about this story - it was lovely to have her visit us in school again. We linked this week's story to the value of dignity. Year Six looked at these pictures and thought about the symbols which were in them. They then discussed how the artists showed Mary's dignity in their drawings.
This activity sheet can be used to explore the value of dignity further if you wish to use it at home.
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HSV-DIGNITY | [pdf 1MB] |
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Mary Visits Elizabeth
We focussed this week on the value of Joy. Here are some examples of the work the children produced in their working worship. You might want to explore this value further using the activity sheet below.
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HSV-JOY | [pdf 1MB] |
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Christingle
This year, our Christingle worship was led by the Collective Worship Leads. Although it had to take place in bubbles, the whole school joined each other virtually and the event was a really special occasion. Children from each class contributed to the worship, telling us about the work of the Children's Society and the symbolism of the Christingle, and Reception led the makaton sign of peace at the end. Each individual had made their own Christingle craft (for example, bookmarks, badges, 3D Christingles) to share at the worship and the class Christingles were lit for a moment of peaceful reflection, followed by the Christingle song.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5.16
The Long Journey to Bethlehem
After listening to and reflecting on the story of the Long Journey to Bethlehem, Year One wrote about long journeys which they have been on. They discussed how this made them feel and how Mary and Joseph might have felt on their long journey.
Working Worship
In their working worship, Reception have been retelling the Christmas story with their knitted crib.
Christmas Worship
Year Three led an inspiring Christmas worship at the end of term. The dressed up to retell the Christmas story, shared their reflections and prayers and even played the glokenspiels. Reverend Liz and Mrs Leah joined us as their special guests and Reverend Liz gave a special Christmas blessing. Even though we had to stay in bubbles, Year Three managed to make it very special.
'When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child and all who heard it were amazed.' Luke 2:17-18.
Collective Worship Autumn 1
Our focus this half term is our value of Peace. We hope that this activity sheet is helpful to you for exploring the theme at home.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6: 24-26.
Hiroshima Peace Cranes
We welcomed Deacon Helen to our Key Stage Two worship and she spoke to us about the story of the Hiroshima Peace Cranes. Two of our year three children were inspired to go home and learn how to make them. We are very impressed with the results.
International Day of Peace
For our International Day of Peace worship, the collective worship leads asked if we could gather in the Peace Garden. They planned and led a beautiful service which reflected on the theme of 'Recovering better for a fair and sustainable world' and shared the story of Jesus Calms the Storm (Mark 4:35-41).
We enjoyed a minute's silence to experience the peace of the garden and then each class brought forward a dove with their names on to show their commitment to peace. We finished with a prayer from Tanzania (where our partner school, Mitengo, is located) and the Makaton sign of peace which ends all our worships.
Harvest
Year Four led a fabulous harvest festival worship, teaching us about how harvest is celebrated around the world and sharing things which they are grateful for.
The whole school collected donations for the foodbank. After the worship, year four gave these to Deacon Helen, who delivered them to Barton Foodbank. We were overwhelmed by people's generosity in donating food to help local people. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.' Matthew 25:35
Year Two's Worship Table
Year Two's worship table reflects the different activities which they have completed whilst thinking about peace.
