RE and Catholic Life News

Our Mission Statement: 

‘At St. George’s Catholic School we help all our children to grow in mind, body and spirit.’

MISSION STATEMENT

The school aims:

*         To provide a broad and balanced curriculum, educating pupils harmoniously in mind, body and spirit, and placing the teachings of Jesus at the heart of all we do. We encourage staff and pupils to live out their faith, embodying the gospel values and cultivating a sense of social responsibility. ‘We ask God for the courage to put on faith, hope and love as we go out into the world and become the Word in body as well as spirit.’

Pope Francis

*         To make prayer, worship and liturgy real spiritual and educational experiences and to contribute successfully to the development of the faith of each individual in the school community.

*         To provide an environment in which children can grow in understanding and in the acquisition of skills, knowledge, attitudes and values for life.

*         To participate in and encourage interaction between the home, parish and school.  We believe that it is important that common aims be established and developed in a climate of mutual trust and openness.  Home, parish and school must together provide preparation for the pupil's entry into the wider community.

*         To develop within each child a respect for themself and their achievements and a respect and understanding of others.

Spring Update 2025 

In January , we kicked off the year with our Epiphany Assembly led by Mrs McDonnell after which Neil Peixico 

welcomed our Year 3 and 4 Chaplains to the team and walked them , with their Year 5 and 6 Chaplain buddies through the Door of Hope in the hall . 

Mrs Earp led the school in a Jubilee Assembly on Thursday 16th January in order to prepare us for the Jubilee Launch Day which was on the 24th January. 

A newsletter has been sent  home to parents informing them of the Live Simply Award and of our plans for the Jubilee Year ahead. Please look for this in your inbox if you are a parent or guardian. 

We used our staff Twilight to receive Live Simply Award training and we planned our events for the year . 

On Friday 24th January we launched the Jubilee Year with a Jubilee Celebration of the Word led by Mrs McDonnell . Children and staff then planned their Jubilee events in class and Class Five used the day to conduct their litter pick which inspired their presentations for the Catenians Public Speaking contest in March. The winning group , who will be representing the school in Frome , produced and presented an excellent PowerPoint and speech on the topic of Stewardship. 

Class Four produced a PowerPoint for their World Day of Peace assembly and Class One created some impressive plans for the summer prayer garden.  

We have had two Lunch Bunch/ Pupil Voice sessions  since the start of the year and teachers will be adding comments to the Subsidiarity Board in the hall. 

As an extra layer to our Live Simply Award , we have introduced a number of environmentally friendly initiatives in school. 

In an effort to reduce the purchase and disposal of green paper towels ( which are not recyclable ) children are being encouraged to use towels ( washed at home by staff ) and the air dryers . We are consciously not stocking the staff toilet or the busy room with paper towels to encourage the use of air dryers. 

Mrs Farthing and her eco champions ( who are KS 2 Chaplains ) are now washing out and recycling yoghurt pots used at lunchtime. 

Mrs Gordge is no longer only purchasing traditional Pritt Stick but also refillable glue sticks. In addition , we are trialling the use of white board pencils rather than buying white board pens. 

Class 2 have already planted some bee friendly flowers in the winter prayer garden in line with our Live Simply strategy and Class One have plans to do the same in the summer prayer garden. 

Mr Earp sent home an e mail to all parents and guardians to launch The Big Lent Walk. An online Just Giving page was shared in line with our pledge to reduce paper usage. The Big Lent Walk will took place on Friday 7th March. 

Mrs Gordge and Mrs McDonnell have been purchasing new signage to ensure that our Mission Statement and values are proudly displayed around the school in line with our Catholic Life Policy - look out for these. 

Our Chaplains will be commissioned on Thursday 8th May. 
We now have a flourishing chaplaincy team operating throughout KS2. 
On Thursday 13th February , Class Two held the first of our Disconnect to Reconnect days for the Live Simply Award. Lessons involved mental arithmetic;  writing a packing list for a trip to Antarctica or the Sahara; guided reading ; PE outside ; and two hours of painting. The children had a wonderfully calm and refreshing day which was much needed at the end of the half term. 

Every class ( excluding Reception ) has taken part in helping to lead a mass in church on Wednesday mornings this half term. 

Child Led Prayer has continued every Tuesday in Spring Term .  Lower KS2 Chaplains replaced Class Five prayer leaders in Spring One to ensure a busy start to their chaplaincy role.

Miss Droba has been running Chaplaincy Club after school on Thursday evenings. They have been making items to sell for charity at the summer fair. 

After half term, Mrs Earp will return to taking children to Mass on Thursday lunchtimes for Lent. 

On Thursday 6th March , Mervyn Amesbury will be explaining the impact of our donations to Cafod through a whole school assembly and workshops so the children become aware of why they are raising funds this Lent. 

Mrs Potter has been in touch with a local care home and plans are in place for a first visit before Easter. 

The Ash Wednesday services were  planned for the 5th March. KS 2 attended a church service and KS 1 were joined by Father Rajesh in school in the afternoon.