With Christ at our side to guide us,
we shine in all that we do.

Islam – Eid celebrations in Year 4

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One of our classmates shared her family’s experience of fasting during Ramadan and celebrating Eid, and we joined in the celebrations together in class today with a delicious feast of watermelon, melon, pineapple, mangoes, brownies and cakes.

We enjoy exploring other religions in school and are very respectful of each other’s faiths.  All the children were keen to find out more about Ramadan and Eid and asked our friend lots of interesting questions.  She brought in some activity books that she had received as a present from her auntie to help her learn more about Ramadan, Salah and Miracles performed by Allah.  She also shared some stories with us, and we drew parallels with the story of Yusuf and Joseph being put in the well by his brothers.  As part of the preparations for Eid celebrations, many people have their hands intricately decorated with beautiful Mehndi designs using henna – aren’t they beautiful?

Thank you for sharing your faith with us!

Year 4 visit Fr Bill in church

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Year 4 has been learning about the celebration of Mass as part of the Eucharist topic.  We visited Fr Bill in church who took us into the chapel to explain in more detail the parts of the Mass and what happens at each stage of the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Fr Bill showed the children some of the books used throughout the Liturgy of the Word and the sacred vessels used in the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  They were even allowed to taste the unconsecrated host.

The children were very knowledgeable and asked lots of good questions.

 

Mrs Brown visits Year 4

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Year 4 invited Mrs Brown, a member of the parish and former dinner lady of St Bede’s, to come and talk to them about the role of the laity in St Bede’s parish.

Mrs Brown talked to the children about what she does in church and the role of the laity in the parish.  She also gave the children a Mass sheet and talked them through the various roles that parishioners undertake throughout the Mass.

Mrs Brown spoke to the children about the various roles within the parish.  These include:

  • Sacristans – People who get the altar ready for Mass.
  • Welcomers – Someone who greets people at the door of the church.
  • Altar servers (there are 2 servers who carry the candles and 1 who carries the crucifix).
  • Readers – the main reader (who processes in with the priest and altar servers). The 1st person reads the First reading and psalm and the 2nd persons reads the Second reading and the Bidding Prayers.
  • Offertory – parishioners who take the gifts of bread and wine to the priest.
  • Parishioners who do the collection during the Offertory – money raised goes towards raising money for the church.
  • Eucharistic Ministers – who share the body and blood of Christ with the congregation.
  • Catechists – People who help children and young people prepare for their First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
  • Stewards – show people where to sit.
  • Choir and Organist
  • Bulletin preparation – people are involved in preparing, printing and folding the newsletter.
  • Flower arranger
  • Volunteer – takes food and money that has been collected from parishioners in the coffee mornings to the food bank
  • Funeral Server – Master of Ceremonies – carries the cross at funerals

Reception Visit Church

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This afternoon the children visited Father Bill to find out all about celebrations that take place in a church. The children listened carefully to Father Bill explain how different parts/artefacts in church are used during these celebrations. The children then got the opportunity to look around the church themselves, ticking on their ‘I Spy’ sheets when they found the; font, pews, church door, lectern, alter, hymn books, candle and cross.

 

Y1’s Christingle Celebration

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Year 1 explored the story of the Christingle and created their own as part of our Advent preparations. We began by learning about Bishop John de Watteville, who shared the first Christingle with children in his village to teach them about God’s promises.

Through the story, we discovered that:

  • The orange represents the world, created by God and full of goodness.
  • The red ribbon wrapped around the orange symbolises God’s love encircling the world.
  • The four sticks symbolise the four seasons, and the treats on them remind us of the gifts God provides.
  • The candle signifies Jesus, the Light of the World, shining in dark places.

The children thoroughly enjoyed making their own Christingles, carefully assembling each part and reflecting on its meaning. We concluded our lesson with a special Christingle Celebration of the Word, where we shared the story of the Christingle and talked about how we can share God’s love with others.

The flickering light of the candles reminded us all of the importance of kindness and hope, especially during this season of Advent.

Year 3 Advent Drama- Preparing For the Visit of Jesus!

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After reading scripture from the prophet Isaiah, Year 3 have been working in drama groups to demonstrate how we should behave during Advent, as we prepare for Christmas. We explored and depicted giving alms to the homeless, looking after the elderly, praying regularly to talk to God, showing love in our friendship groups and showing understanding with our friends. All of the children collaborated and showed excellent oracy skills with their friends.

Year 1 Visit to St. Bede’s Church

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This week, our Year 1 class had a wonderful visit to St Bede’s Church, where they met with Father Bill. As part of our RE topic on baptism, Father Bill explained the importance of baptism and how it welcomes people into the Church. The children were fascinated as he showed them some of the special signs and symbols used in the ceremony, including the font where the baptism takes place, the holy water, and the shell used for pouring it. They also learned about the significance of the baptismal candle and the oil of chrism. It was a meaningful experience that helped the children understand the role of these symbols in the sacrament of baptism.

Reception Visit Church

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Yesterday we walked to church to meet Father Bill who talked to us about baptism. He showed us all of the symbols used in a baptism including the font, baptismal candle and the holy oil. The children then asked Father Bill some excellent questions like, “Why do you light the candle?” We would like to say a big thank you to Father Bill for a lovely morning!

Father Bill Visits Nursery

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Father Bill visited nursery to show us how a priest baptises a baby. We talked about our own baptism.

© 2025 Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust.