“Respect” – Whole School Resources

Gather

Every prayer time begins with us gathering together.
To help us focus, you might dim the lights, light a candle if you have one, or move a cross or religious object to the front to focus on. As students are entering the room this morning, you might like to play this instrumental music to help create a calm atmosphere.

Welcome everyone. Today is our “See” Day. As we gather, let us quiet our minds and open our eyes to recognise the value and dignity in every person around us, and in the world we share. Our Word of the Week is Respect.

Respect isn’t just about being polite or using good manners; it is about recognising that every single person has unique worth, gifts, and a voice that matters. True respect means treating others the way we wish to be treated, listening when others speak, and valuing differences rather than judging them. As we continue our celebrations and learning for Black History Month, respect takes on an even deeper meaning. This month gives us a vital opportunity to see and celebrate the incredible contributions, histories, and achievements of Black individuals, past and present, who have shaped our communities, science, arts, civil rights, and culture. Looking back helps us acknowledge how a lack of respect and equality has caused hurt, while inspiring us today to champion fairness, honour diversity, and ensure that every voice is truly heard and valued.

Let’s watch our video focus for today, which explores what respect looks like in action.

• Turn and Talk: In your pairs or small groups, discuss one moment from the video (or a real-life example) where someone showed deep respect—or where respect was missing.
• The “See” Action: Think of one specific person in school or in your wider community this week whose contributions often go unnoticed, or who works hard to support others.
• Your Mission: Before the end of the week, write a quick thank-you note, offer a genuine compliment, or perform a deliberate act of kindness to “show that you see” them and value who they are.

Let us close our time together in prayer.
Loving God, Open our eyes to see the dignity in every person we meet. Give us the courage to show respect through our words and our actions, honouring the diverse gifts and backgrounds that make our community so vibrant. As we learn about inspiring figures during Black History Month, help us to stand up for fairness, listen to one another with open hearts, and build a world where everyone is valued.
Amen.

We end by inviting you to make the sign the cross

In the name of the Father and of Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen

Welcome back to day two of our focus on Respect. Yesterday was our “See” Day, where we opened our eyes to recognise the unique value and dignity of every person around us. Today is our “Hear” Day, a time to open our ears, listen deeply to the stories, challenges, and perspectives of others, and explore how genuine respect can radically transform the way we treat one another.

We begin our time together in prayer and stillness: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

As we settle into this space, take a moment to reflect on what it truly means to listen. Respect isn’t just about using surface-level manners or following polite rules. At its core, real respect comes from a willingness to hear others, especially those whose experiences, backgrounds, or viewpoints might be different from our own.

To help us explore this idea, today’s focus centers on a compelling conversation between Sister Liz and Tom from the Nun the Wiser podcast. In this episode, they dive into what respect really meant in the life and ministry of Jesus.

As Sister Liz and Tom explain, Jesus didn’t practice a safe, quiet kind of politeness. He practiced a radical, courageously respectful love that broke down barriers. When Jesus met people who were ignored, excluded, or judged by society, he didn’t turn away. He encountered them directly, listened to them on their level, and restored their dignity.

True respect requires us to be like Christ: willing to listen beyond surface-level politeness, challenge unfairness, and ensure everyone feels seen and valued for who they genuinely are.

Now it’s time to put today’s message into action through our “Hear” Day activity.

Take a moment to discuss with the person next to you: What is the difference between simply being polite to someone and showing them deep, authentic respect? Think about a time when you spoke to someone and felt truly heard and valued. How did that change your relationship with them?

Your challenge today is to practice active listening. The next time a classmate, friend, family member, or teacher speaks to you, give them your full attention. Put down what you are doing, make eye contact, and listen—not just to figure out what you want to say next, but to truly understand their point of view.

Let us quiet our hearts and bring our reflections to God in prayer.

Loving God,

Open our ears and our hearts today.

Help us to listen beyond the surface words and truly hear the needs, feelings, and experiences of the people around us.

Give us the courage of Jesus to stand up for fairness, to challenge unkindness, and to treat everyone we meet with deep, authentic respect.

Amen.

Let us finish by remembering God is with us throughout this day by inviting you to make the sign the cross…

In the name of the Father and of Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen

Gather

Every prayer time begins with us gathering together.
To help us focus, you might dim the lights, light a candle if you have one, or move a cross or religious object to the front to focus on. As students are entering the room this morning, you might like to play this instrumental music to help create a calm atmosphere.

Welcome to day three of our focus on Respect. Over the past two days, we have opened our eyes to see the dignity in every person and opened our ears to listen deeply to their stories and perspectives. Today is our “Think” Day a moment to pause, quiet our minds, and reflect deeply on how listening to personal stories builds a culture of genuine respect and understanding.

Let us begin our time together in prayer and quiet reflection: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

As we settle in, take a slow, deep breath. Today is about stepping back from the busyness of the school day to think. True respect means taking the time to pause, reflect on the lived experiences of others, and appreciate the unique journeys that shape each person in our community.

To guide our thoughts today, we turn to a personal reflection for Black History Month featuring Wreh-asha sharing her story.

In this video, we are invited to pause and reflect on the power of personal narrative. When someone shares their background, culture, and experiences, they are offering a piece of who they are. Respecting one another means taking the time to think about those stories rather than rushing past them. It reminds us that behind every face in our school or community is a rich story, a unique heritage, and a valuable perspective that deserves to be acknowledged and honored.

Now it is time for our “Think” Day activity. Find a quiet space, or turn to the person next to you, and ponder these three reflective questions:

• Why is it important to take time to think about and reflect on other people’s personal stories and backgrounds rather than making quick assumptions?
• How does hearing someone else’s experiences help us grow in empathy and show them deeper respect?
• What is one way I can show thoughtfulness and respect to someone whose background or experiences are different from my own this week?

Take a few moments of silent reflection to hold these questions in your heart. Let your thoughts guide your understanding and respect for all people.

Let us bring our quiet thoughts and reflections to God in prayer.

Loving God,

In the quiet of this moment, help us to pause and think deeply.

Give us open minds and compassionate hearts to value the stories, heritage, and experiences of everyone around us.

Help us to build a school and a world defined by empathy, understanding, and deep respect for all.

Amen.

Let us finish by remembering God is with us throughout this day by inviting you to make the sign the cross…

In the name of the Father and of Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen

Gather

Every prayer time begins with us gathering together.
To help us focus, you might dim the lights, light a candle if you have one, or move a cross or religious object to the front to focus on. As students are entering the room this morning, you might like to play this instrumental music to help create a calm atmosphere.

We gather together as one community by making the sign of our faith the sign of the cross….
In the name of the Father and of Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen

To celebrate Black History Month, we invite you to take part in this fun quiz which highlights the lives of nine inspiring black Britons…as you take part, think about who your black heroes are…Quiz –  Black History Month | Blue Peter quizzes | Black Britons | BHM 2026 – CBBC. Click the link below

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/quizzes/bp-uk-black-heroes-quiz

If you have time, here are a couple more black heroes with their own quizzes and horrible histories song you can have a boogie to on this happy Friday:

• HH Quick Quiz: Mary Seacole facts: Mary Seacole was a healthcare pioneer in the 1800s but how much do you know about her life? Watch the song and then see how much you can remember by answering eight questions.
• HH Quick Quiz: Rosa Parks facts: Rosa Parks helped spark the Civil Rights Movement in America, but how much do you know about what she did? Watch the song and then see how much you can remember by answering eight questions.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/quizzes/horrible-histories-song-quiz-mary-seacole-crimean-war-nurse

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/quizzes/horrible-histories-rosa-parks-song-quiz

Discuss with your form – who are your Black heroes?

We want to hear about the black heroes in your life – whether it’s a family member, a close friend, a teacher, or anyone else who inspires you.  Every person and story has an impact, so share yours in the comments below! 

As we are in the month of October we end by praying together the Hail Mary reminding us that Mary is a mother to us all as we prayer

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

In the name of the Father and of Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen