“Hope” – Whole School Prayer Resources

Thank you to 7E for helping create this week’s resources!

Good morning! We invite you to begin by making the Sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Happy New Liturgical Year everyone! This week our Word of the Week is Hope! On Sunday, we began the exciting season of Advent as we begin our journey of preparation for Christmastide.

Let’s hear from 7E now, who have some exciting announcements to share about the week ahead!

As we have just heard, there is so much happening this week! Our Liturgical colour has changed to purple, so make sure to update your Liturgical flipcharts or wheels in your form rooms!

Also, thank you to everyone who completed the student voice in Youth week. It was great to hear that you have been loving the crafts and challenges like the Saint Rolls… so guess what? The loo rolls are BACK! Each week in Advent, we want you to build a figure from the Nativity, to help us welcome Jesus in our classrooms this Advent.

Hope week – create a Mary
Peace week – create a Joseph
Joy week and extended form time – create a baby Jesus and Nativity scene if you have time!

There are some resources at the front of the staffroom and students are very welcome to bring in their crafts or rolls from home.

(If you like colouring, writing or crafting, please also be aware – The chapel will be open during Mon/Wed/Fri lunchtime for Christmas cards making and writing and Advent decorations making. )

Let us pray together as we begin this new season of Advent…

Loving God,
As we begin this season of Advent,
we open our hearts to Your light and Your love.
Help us to wait with hope,
to trust in Your promises,
and to prepare for the coming of Jesus.
May our words and actions bring peace and joy
to those around us today.
Amen.

We finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross…

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

Reminder** – You and your families are invited to our Advent Evening! This Wednesday (3rd Dec) at 6pm in our school Hall and Chapel…

Good morning! We invite you to begin by making the Sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

As we heard from 7E yesterday, this Advent, we want to build a Nativity scene out of loo rolls and crafts in our form groups to help us welcome and make room for Jesus.

• Hope Week: Create Mary
• Peace Week: Create Joseph
• Joy Week (extended form): Create Baby Jesus and the Nativity scene if you have time!

Some cardboard and craft resources are at the front of the staffroom, and students are welcome to bring in their own crafts or loo rolls from home.

Reflection on Mary

Today, as we start making our loo roll Nativity scene, we are thinking about Mary and the important role she played in God’s plan.

Mary was a young woman who said “yes” and placed her hope in God’s promise even when life was uncertain. She teaches us about courage and trust in times of difficulty.

This morning we will listen to the Magnificat – Mary’s song of praise.
This is the song of praise Mary proclaimed after finding out that she had been chosen by God to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God. Mary sings about her joy and hope in God, who lifts up the lowly and fills the hungry with good things. Her song reminds us that God keeps His promises and cares for the broken-hearted.

Prayer Journal Task

Turn to the Hope page in your prayer journal and:

1. Draw an image of Mary
2. Write one way you will say “Yes” to God this Advent, just like Mary did.
   Think about things you can do inside and outside of school to bring hope to others.

Here are some examples to inspire you:

• Volunteer for a school activity or help tidy the classroom without being asked.
• Donate to our Advent Appeal for Emmanuel House to help those who are homeless.
• Come to the Advent Evening on Wednesday at 6pm to make space for prayer and reflection.
• Make time for some Advent prayer time each evening and / or make a little prayer or Nativity area in your family home to help prepare for Jesus.
• Spend time with family without distractions and listen to them.
• Pray for someone who is struggling or light a candle for them.
  
  

If appropriate, while some students work on their prayer journal, others can start creating your Mary figure.

Closing Prayer
Loving God,
Thank You for the gift of Mary, who said “Yes” to Your plan with courage and hope.
Help us to make room for You in our hearts, homes, and classrooms this Advent.
May we, like Mary, trust in Your promises and bring hope to others through our words and actions.
Come, Lord Jesus, and fill us with Your light.
Amen.

Let us finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross.

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

Good morning! We invite you to begin by making the Sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Last Friday morning, our staff met in the staffroom for an Advent quiz! Staff were split into house teams or team Becket! It’s time for us to find out the results from the staff and also for you guys to have a go at completing the Advent quiz yourselves!

Let us know in the comments below how many questions your form got correct (there is one point for each question and one point for each correct label on the Advent wreath!) – there are 13 points available on the student quiz.

If you have a team who are working on the “Mary” saint roll, they can do this whilst the quiz is taking place.

Staff results – Advent Quiz (12 points were available for staff)

B- 12 out of 12
E – 10 out of 12
N – 10 out of 12
P – 11 out of 12
R – 7 out of 12
T – 12 out of 12
Becket – 9 out of 12

CLICK HERE FOR THE ANSWERS

Make sure to let us know in the comments below how many questions your form got correct (there is one point for each question and one point for each correct label on the Advent wreath!)

If you think you need a refresh of what Advent is all about – watch this video “Advent in 2 minutes” after you have completed your quiz.

Let us pray together…

Lord Jesus,
As Advent begins, we hear Your call to prepare the way.
Help us to clear away anything that keeps us from loving You and others.
Make space in our hearts for kindness,
in our homes for peace,
and in our classrooms for friendship and joy.
May we welcome You with open hearts this Christmas.
Amen.

Let us finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross.

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

**Friday is our Voluntary Reconciliation Morning – Please see email from Ruth to see which students have appointments. Reconciliation slips will be dropped off in form rooms for staff to give out on Friday morning for those students who have appointments.

We invite you to begin by making the Sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Our “Do” days in Advent are going to be reserved for our Nativity figure crafts!

This Advent, we want your form groups to build a Nativity scene out of loo rolls and crafts to help us welcome and make room for Jesus.

• Hope Week: Create Mary
• Peace Week: Create Joseph
• Joy Week (extended form): Create Baby Jesus and the Nativity scene if you have time!

Some cardboard and craft resources are at the front of the staffroom, and students are welcome to bring in their own crafts or loo rolls from home.

Play some Advent music as we get ready to welcome Jesus in our hearts this Advent!

Please make sure you have watched the saints rolls video from last week and voted for your favourites!**

Let us pray…

Loving God,
In this season of Advent, we wait in hope for Your Son, Jesus.
We remember those who journey far from home – migrants and refugees seeking safety and peace.
May they find welcome, dignity, and hope in new communities.

We pray for expectant mothers,
that they may feel Your presence and strength as they prepare for new life.
Bless their families with love and support.

Help us to be people of hope,
opening our hearts and homes to those in need,
and trusting in Your promises even when life feels uncertain.

Come, Lord Jesus, and bring light to our world.
Amen.

Let us finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

If you missed the Saints Rolls video last week, please make sure to watch it and cast your votes this week!

A massive thank you to all the forms who entered our Saints Rolls competition – you absolutely smashed it! These creations are a true celebration of what makes our school and church community so wonderful. We’re sure the saints are smiling down and praying for us!

So, without further ado, it’s time to celebrate and watch our All Saints Catwalk…

(Make a note of your favourites for each year group, as there will be a vote via a google form after the video!)

Well done, everyone!

Now it’s time to cast your votes using our Google Form – remember, you cannot vote for your own form!

https://forms.gle/Mg5avGREyh9GwrHf7