Prayer and Liturgy
At St Hugh of Lincoln Catholic Primary School, prayer and liturgy is at the heart of school life. Through prayer, worship and reflection, we seek to nurture a personal relationship with God and help every child grow in faith, hope and love.
Following the teachings of the Catholic Church and the guidance of the Prayer and Liturgy Directory, we recognise that prayer and liturgy is central to our Catholic identity. They provide opportunities for our children, staff and wider community to encounter Christ, deepen their understanding of the Gospel and respond to God's invitation to live lives of service, compassion and discipleship.
Throughout each day, children are invited to participate in a rich variety of prayer experiences including traditional prayers, spontaneous prayer, quiet reflection, scripture-based prayer, singing, meditation and opportunities for personal prayer. Prayer is woven naturally into the rhythm of school life through classroom prayer, Celebration of the Word, Mass, liturgical celebrations and whole-school gatherings.
Our prayer and liturgy programme follows the liturgical year, helping children to develop an understanding of the seasons and feasts of the Church. Through Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Ordinary Time, pupils are encouraged to reflect on God's presence in their lives and recognise their call to live out the Gospel in everyday actions.
We believe that prayer and liturgy in our school aims to provide opportunity for all pupils and staff:
- To contemplate something of the mystery of God
- To reflect on spiritual and moral issues
- To explore their own beliefs
- To respond to and celebrate life
- To experience a sense of belonging and develop community spirit
- To develop a common ethos and shared values
- To develop the skills of reverence, contemplation, reflection, interpretation, empathy and meditation
- To enrich religious experience
- To grow in liturgical understanding.
- To reinforce prayers which are part of the Catholic tradition
- To reinforce positive attitudes
- To develop a sense of awe, wonder and inspiration in the person of Christ.
RE Faith Leaders
Pupil leadership is a vital part of our prayerful community. Each class elects Faith Leaders who support the Catholic life of the school and help to promote prayer and worship amongst their peers.
Our Year 6 Liturgy Leaders are commissioned at a special service at the beginning of the academic year. This role is regarded as both an honour and a responsibility. Working closely with school leaders, they receive training and support to help them lead prayer and liturgy across the school.
Faith Leaders and Liturgy Leaders:
- Lead class and whole-school Celebration of the Word.
- Help prepare prayer spaces and focal points.
- Ensure class prayer tables reflect the liturgical season and feast days.
- Support school Masses and liturgical celebrations.
- Contribute ideas to further develop the Catholic life of the school.
- Participate in parish and community events, including the Knaphill Service of Remembrance.
- Encourage their peers to grow in faith through prayer, reflection and service.
By giving pupils genuine leadership opportunities, we empower them to become active participants in the prayer and liturgical life of the school, developing confidence, responsibility and a deeper understanding of their faith.
Spaces for Prayer
Prayer is supported through a variety of dedicated spaces throughout our school. These areas are carefully designed to promote peace, reflection and a sense of God's presence.
Every classroom contains a prayer focus which changes to reflect the liturgical year and current areas of learning. In addition, children have access to prayer spaces around the school where they are encouraged to pause, reflect, offer intentions and spend time in quiet conversation with God.
These sacred spaces help to create an atmosphere of reverence and stillness, enabling everyone within our community to listen to God's voice and respond with open hearts.
Parish Partnerships
We recognise that parents are the first educators of their children in the faith. As a Catholic school, we work closely with our parish, families and the wider diocesan community to nurture each child's spiritual journey.
Through the celebration of Mass, sacramental preparation, parish events and shared acts of worship, we strive to strengthen the relationship between home, school and parish, helping children to recognise that they are part of the wider family of the Church.
At St Hugh of Lincoln, we aim for every child to leave us with a love of prayer, a living relationship with Christ and the confidence to participate fully in the life and mission of the Church.
In the summer of 2021 our children designed a new prayer garden which was created and blessed by Fr Gerard in July 2021. This garden is much loved by the children and provides a beautiful and tranquil space for reflection and prayer.
On 16th June, we were delighted to welcome Bishop Richard Moth. Bishop Richard Moth conducted a special service of thanksgiving and blessed our beautiful new garden. The Creation Garden has provided us with a much loved tranquil and reflective space for outside prayer and worship. Classes come to this space to share worship together amongst nature. We also hold our annual Stations of The Cross Service here.
Progression of prayer across the school
|
Yr |
Common Prayers |
Personal Prayer |
|
YR |
To join in saying some common prayers with the teacher with the help of a text
Daily Prayers:
|
To be able to say what they would like to thank God for or ask God for.
|
|
Y1 |
To join in confidently saying some common prayers with the teacher with the help of a text
Daily Prayers:
|
To be able to say what they would like to thank God for or ask God for. To be able to pray in silence with the help of music. |
|
Y2 |
To start some common prayers and join in confidently.
Daily Prayers:
|
To be able to extemporise a simple prayer of petition or thanksgiving To be able to pray in silence. |
|
Y3 |
To know some common prayers by heart
To join in saying some common prayers with the teacher with the help of a text
Daily Prayers:
|
To be able to extemporise a simple prayer of petition or thanksgiving To be able to pray in silence. To be able to participate in a simple Lectio Divina. |
|
Y4 |
To know some common prayers by heart
To join in saying some common prayers confidently with the help of a text
Daily Prayers:
|
To be able to extemporise a prayer of petition or thanksgiving To be able to pray in silence.. To be able to participate in a simple Lectio Divina. |
|
Y5 |
To know and be able to lead some common prayers by heart
To be able to start and join in confidently
To join in saying some other common prayers with the help of a text
Daily Prayers:
|
To be able to extemporise a prayer of petition or thanksgiving and to compose a bidding prayer in standard form with the help of a teacher. To be able to pray in silence.. To be able to confidently participate in Lectio Divina. |
|
Y6 |
To know and be able to lead some common prayers by heart
To be able to start and join in confidently with the help of a text
To join in common prayers with the help of a text Daily Prayers:
|
To be able to extemporise a prayer of petition or thanksgiving, to compose a bidding prayer in standard form and compose a collect in standard form with the support of a teacher. To be able to pray in silence. To be able to lead others in Lectio Divina. .
|
Our School Prayers
Rosary Club
In October and May, we have a child-led Rosary Club. This is held outdoors in our Creation Garden or in a classroom.
