'Every pupil, regardless of their faith background, feels welcome to participate fully in the school's rich prayer life.'

Section 48 Inspection

At St John’s Catholic Primary School, prayer and liturgy are at the heart of our daily life and faith journey. We offer a rich and varied programme of worship that helps our whole school community grow closer to God and deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith.

Through prayer, reflection, and celebration, children of all ages are invited to experience the presence of God, develop their spiritual life, and live out Gospel values. From class prayers and liturgies to whole-school Masses and special seasonal celebrations, our prayer and liturgy offer is designed to nurture faith, foster a sense of belonging, and inspire our pupils to walk confidently in the footsteps of Jesus.

We are delighted to follow the guidance provided within the Prayer & Liturgy national guidance. Our Prayer & Liturgy Co-ordinator is Miss O'Mahony.

Change Makers

At St John's Catholic Primary School, we believe that every child is wonderfully made by God, filled with potential, and called to make a difference. In a world that often celebrates the loudest voices or the grandest achievements, we are reminded of the quiet strength of Jesus, who changed the world through love, service, and truth. In the same spirit, we teach our children that they, too, are called to be changemakers – not someday, but today.

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

This powerful verse reminds us that even the smallest hands can do great things. Whether it’s showing kindness in the playground, helping a friend who is struggling, standing up for what is right, or caring for God's creation, every child has the ability to influence the world around them for good.

Being a changemaker doesn’t always mean leading a protest or inventing something new (though it might!). Often, it starts with simple acts of love, courage, and compassion—values that lie at the heart of our Catholic faith. These moments, however small they seem, plant seeds of goodness that can grow into something much greater.

At school, we see changemakers every day:

• The child who comforts a classmate who feels left out.

• The child who always remembers to contribute to the Food Bank Friday collection.

• The child who chooses honesty even when it’s difficult.

• The class that prays for peace and works for justice in their community.

These are not just good deeds; they are acts of discipleship. They show our pupils  living out the Gospel in real and practical ways.

We are proud to help our children grow not only in knowledge but in faith, character, and confidence – equipping them to be lights in the world. Our mission is not just to prepare pupils for the next stage of education, but to form young people who understand their responsibility to love God, serve others, and build a better world.

Prayer Garden

Our beautiful Prayer Garden is a special space of peace, reflection, and spiritual growth, developed in partnership with our dedicated parent community. Together, we created this sacred area as a place where children and staff can pause, pray, and feel close to God throughout the school day. Thoughtfully designed with natural elements, Scripture verses, and symbols of our Catholic faith, the garden offers a quiet retreat for individual prayer, class worship, or simply to enjoy God’s creation. This collaborative project reflects the strong bond between home and school, and our shared commitment to nurturing the faith life of every child.

Celebration of the Word

At St John's Catholic Primary School all children are emersed in the rhythm of the Catholic Church's Liturgical Year. On a Wednesday afternoon the whole school joins together to celebrate the Gospel from the previous Sunday. Children are challenged to reflect on the message from the scripture and then provided a focus for that week to live out the Gospel message. 

Music is central to our offer and children sing with energy and enthusiasm. We are blessed with the adults on the team who can support us through sharing their musical gifts with singing and playing musical instruments. 

In addition throughout the year we provide creative ways for  children to develop their knowledge and understanding of faith through prayer. Please read below for just some of our examples of celebrations of prayer and liturgy.

Whole School Mass

The whole school community celebrates Mass in our local parish church with Fr Richard six times per year. We are very fortunate to be blessed with such a beautiful church close by to the school and we have very strong links with the parish community.  Parishioners and families are always welcome to attend our services and we also have online links and recordings of our Masses which supports families who may not be able to attend or live abroad.  

Sunday Children's Mass

Our school proudly organises the Sunday Children’s Mass at St John the Baptist Catholic Church six times a year, providing a wonderful opportunity for pupils and their families to come together in prayer and worship. These Masses are specially planned with children in mind, featuring readings, prayers, and music that help them engage fully with the celebration of the Eucharist. It’s a joyful occasion where children take an active role, deepening their faith and strengthening the connection between school, home, and parish community. Everyone is warmly invited to join and share in this special time of worship and fellowship.

Advent Penitential and Reconciliation Service

Our annual Advent Penitential Service led by Fr Richard allows the whole school to reflect together prior to embarking on the season of Advent. Our children including the Chapel Champions and KS2 leaders led us in song and prayer for the preparation of the season of Advent.   

Children in Year 4,5 and 6 are invited to attend reconciliation with three of our visiting priests during the school day.

Nativity Service

Every year our very youngest children retell the Nativity scripture in our local Church - St John the Baptist Catholic Church - and celebrate the wonderful news of the birth of Jesus! It is always a joy to witness the warmth, love and energy the children share and we are joined by parishioners, parents and extended families. 

Lent reconciliation service

Children in Years 4, 5, and 6 have the valuable opportunity to engage in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, especially during the season of Lent, a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. Through thoughtful preparation and reflection, they learn about the importance of saying sorry, seeking God’s mercy, and making positive choices in their lives.

This experience helps pupils grow in self-awareness, humility, and spiritual maturity, strengthening their faith journey as they prepare to live more fully in the footsteps of Jesus. Supported by Fr Richard and our dedicated staff the children approach reconciliation with reverence and confidence, embracing God’s love and grace during this special season.

Desert to Garden Reflections during Lent

Every year the children in Years 5 and 6 lead the whole school in our preparations for Holy Week and organise reflections to help us prepare our hearts for this special time.

Celebrating Our Mother Mary

During the months of May and October our school family reflect on the importance of Mary - a Mother to us all. We celebrate her courage and strong faith even when times may be challenging. 

Living Rosary

Our Living Rosary is a beautiful and heartfelt prayer experience, lovingly led by the children themselves. Each child holds a balloon representing a prayer bead, coming together to form a vibrant, living rosary that brings the prayers to life in a colorful and meaningful way. This interactive celebration helps deepen the children’s understanding of the Rosary and its importance in our Catholic faith, while fostering a sense of unity and reverence. Guided by faith and joy, the Living Rosary is a special moment where the KS2 school community joins in prayer, reflection, and celebration.

Pentecost

We celebrate the birthday of the church with a whole day reflecting on the events of Pentecost over 2,000 years ago and how they influence us today! We even end the day with birthday cake for everyone!

Year 5 Faith Day

Our Year 5 Faith Day held in the summer term is a special opportunity for pupils to explore Catholic Social Teaching (CST) themes in a meaningful and engaging way. Throughout the day, children participate in activities that deepen their understanding of justice, compassion, and service to others, reflecting the teachings of Jesus. The day concludes with a Mass led by Fr Richard, where pupils come together in prayer and celebration, inspired to put their faith into action in their daily lives. This Faith Day helps our Year 5 children grow spiritually and develop a strong sense of responsibility towards building a fairer, kinder world.

Harvest Service

At the end of Term 1 we celebrate our whole school Harvest Service led by the children in Year 5 & 6 - celebrating God’s gift to us of our beautiful world. Harvest is a time for saying thank you for the gifts of food and comfort that we can sometimes take for granted. We celebrate our common home and how we need to take action to ensure we look after our brothers and sisters near and far who may not have enough to eat.  

At the end of the day we gather together on the outside playground to complete our annual  ‘Harvest Cereal Dominoes Challenge’! The Year 6 children counted over 165 boxes of cereals which have now been delivered to the Trowbridge Foodbank. Thank you again to all the families who generously contributed cereals to this wonderful cause.

St John's House Saints

Every opportunity is grasped to deepen the children's understanding of those that have gone before us and how we can learn and reflect on the lives of saints. Knowing that the late Pope Francis reminds us "It is by living with love and offering Christian witness in our daily tasks that we are called to become saints… Always and everywhere you can become a saint, that is, by being receptive to the grace that is working in us and leads us to holiness."

At St John's we have adopted four House Saints and we celebrate and learn from their lives and legacy across the academic year. Our House Saints include:

 -St Carlo Acutis

- St Francis

- St Don Bosco

- St Mother Theresa

We have created our own House Saint Prayer to allow the children and adults alike to  reflect on our mission in life. 

Loving God,

Thank You for our school, A place of faith, learning and friendship.

Guided by the example of St. Francis, May we be instruments of peace, caring for all creation.

Inspired by St. Mother Teresa, Teach us to serve with love, Seeing You in everyone we meet.

Following St. Don Bosco, Help us to live with joy and kindness, Always encouraging and supporting one another.

Like Blessed Carlo Acutis, May we seek You in all we do, Using our gifts to share Your light with the world.

Bless our school community, That we may grow in faith, wisdom, and love, Becoming Pilgrims of Hope, people You call us to be.

Amen.

House Saint events have included prayer reflections, musical challenges, sporting events including the 'Mr Smith Orienteering Shield' and our annual whole school sports day. 

Our school community is central to allowing us to continue to flourish and we are proud to invite parents and extended families to our House Saint celebrations. It is always wonderful to join together as the St John's family.

Leavers Mass

Our Year 6 Leavers’ Mass is a special and meaningful celebration held in partnership with Clifton Diocese and other local Catholic schools. This joyous occasion marks the end of their primary journey and offers pupils a chance to reflect on their growth, achievements, and the friendships they have made. The Mass also provides spiritual preparation as they prepare to move on to secondary school, reminding them that God’s love and guidance will continue to support them in this new chapter. Together with staff, parents, and the wider Catholic community, we celebrate our Year 6 pupils with prayer, thanksgiving, and hope for their future, encouraging them to carry their faith confidently as they step forward on their journey.

Year 5 Faith Day

Every summer children in Year 5 are invited to a Faith Day on our school site. It is a time for the year group to focus on prayer and living a life of faith - with lots of laughter and fun included! The children take part in a range of activities including crafts and have a go at some physical challenges. On the Friday evening the children prepare their Mass which is celebrated outside and Fr Richard leads the celebration. 

EYFS Welcome Service

Our EYFS Welcome Service is a joyful celebration that warmly welcomes our youngest children and their families into the St John’s family. This special event marks the beginning of their faith journey with us, as we come together to pray, sing, and share in the excitement of starting school.

Our House Captains and Chapel Champions play an important role by supporting the youngest children, especially with reading and helping them feel confident in their new environment. This service reflects our strong sense of community and belonging, ensuring every child feels valued and loved from their very first day.

KS1 Class Liturgies

KS2 Class Mass

In Key Stage 2, every class has the wonderful opportunity to prepare and organise a Class Mass centered around a theme from the liturgical calendar. Supported by Fr Richard, who leads the Mass with warmth and guidance, pupils engage deeply with their faith by planning prayers, readings, music, and reflections that connect with the Church’s seasons and celebrations. Parents and families are warmly invited to join these Masses, creating a special occasion to come together as a community in worship and support. Through leading these services, our children develop confidence, leadership skills, and a greater understanding of the richness of our Catholic tradition.

Our Class Mass recognised and celebrated the work of St Don Bosco

Our Weekly Chapel Time

Our Parish Community

Every year our Year 6 leavers gather together with many other primary schools in the Clifton Diocese to celebrate Leavers’ Mass at Clifton Cathedral in Bristol with Bishop Bosco.

This beautiful occasion is a memorable occasion, celebrating the children’s time in primary education and offering guidance in preparing for the next stage in education.

The children often share a mixture of pride and anticipation but together live out our catholic social teaching theme of family and community - knowing we are stronger together and a communion of people.