Youth – Whole School Prayer Resources
Notices
See
Hear
Celebration of the Word
Think
Do
Notices
This week’s prayer resources were planned by the chaplaincy team and school council!
This week we are praying for:
- Year 11 as they take part in their mock exams
- All young people
- All people who are persecuted because of their faith
Please keep them in your prayers this week and don’t forget to add any suggestions for prayer intentions to the comments box below!
Celebration of the Word and Chaplaincy Rota:
Monday: “See” resource
Monday period 3: There is a Chaplaincy Team meeting and rehearsal for the Chaplaincy team students who met on Friday in preparation for the Bishop’s Visit (Q&A and mission teams presentation) – you should know who you are.
Tuesday: “Hear” resource
Wednesday: “Celebration of the Word” tab
This Wednesday is Red Wednesday! You may notice students and staff wearing an item of red clothing to stand in solidarity with persecuted Christians. Come and support our Red Wednesday cake sale at lunchtime to support the work of Aid to the Church in Need!
Wednesday period 3: All members of the Chaplaincy Team need to meet in the chapel for a singing practise and rehearsal for your commissioning, which will happen during Bishop Patrick’s visit on Thursday.
Thursday: “Think” resource
Thursday – Bishop Patrick and Fr Simon are visiting! If you see them around school, make sure to say hello and introduce yourself!
If you are involved in the day (e.g. The Chaplaincy team, 6th formers, worship music group) – please make sure that you know the timings for when you need to come down to the chapel – please see Ruth or Mrs Conlon if you aren’t sure!
Friday: “Do” resource
Red Wednesday – Wear Red and Donate to our Cake Sale!
As part of Youth Week, we’ll participate in “Red Wednesday” to support Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a Catholic charity helping children and families who have lost their homes and loved ones because of their Christian faith.
To show solidarity with persecuted Christians, students are invited to wear a red item with their uniform on Wednesday, such as a red tie, hoodie, cardigan, shoes, or headband.
At lunchtime on Wednesday, our Chaplaincy Team will hold a cake sale with red-themed cakes and treats to raise funds for ACN. We welcome donations of baked or shop-bought goods for the sale, and students can bring some coins to donate or purchase a treat. If you’re unable to provide red-themed items, don’t worry, our team will have red decorations to add a splash of colour to any treats. Donations can be dropped off at reception or brought to the chapel on Wednesday morning – thank you!
Youth Mass – 3pm on Saturday 23rd November at Holy Spirit Church in West Bridgford, NG2 7NT
On Saturday 23rd November at 3pm there will be a youth Mass at Holy Spirit Church and pizza refreshments after Mass!
Details for the Mass have been emailed home and we have asked parents to complete a form if they are attending. All young people and families are welcome!
There are lots of roles for young people to help lead during the Mass including reading, singing, altar serving, greeting, offertory, Gospel reflection or Liturgical dance?!
If you would like to attend the Mass and help out with a job, please ask your parent to complete the form, or speak to Ruth in the chapel to find out more!
Poetry Competition
The Tower Poetry Competition 2025 invites UK students aged 16-18 to submit an original poem (up to 48 lines) on this year’s theme by February 20, 2025. Prizes include £5,000 for 1st place, £3,000 for 2nd, £1,500 for 3rd, and ten £500 runner-up prizes. The top three winners also attend the Tower Poetry Summer School. Entry is free; more details are in the PowerPoint and on the Tower Poetry website. Please see Mr Myers in B13 for any more info.
See
We invite you to join us in making the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Hi everyone, the chaplaincy team and school council have planned this week’s prayer resources.
This week we have a very special week, with lots going on! One big event is the Trust Synod, which is taking place on Tuesday in Lincoln. Representatives from all 36 schools in our Trust are coming together to represent their communities and help to decide the direction we can take as schools and a trust. You may remember that exactly a year ago we had our first Trust Synod session, some of you might have attended to represent the Becket or one of our feeder primaries!
Skip to 7:13 on the video below to see The Becket’s summary from last year’s synod!
This year, The Becket school will be sending representatives again and we want you to pick atleast one of the three questions below to answer as a form. If you have time to talk about all three questions and write down your ideas then that would be amazing!
Discuss in pairs or as a form and write a summary (bullet points is fine) what you have discussed in your form. What would you like to “see” change or happen?
Please let us know which form you are in the comments box below! Our Becket representatives will take these comments to the Synod in Lincoln on Tuesday and your ideas will help to form the final report and hopefully shape how we grow and journey together as pilgrims of hope.
1) How can we, as members of the school / Trust community, deepen our relationship with Jesus and with each other, and how can we better show God’s love to those around us?
2) How can we, as members of the school / Trust community, become better listeners and decision-makers, and how can we work together to discern God’s will for our school / Trust?
3) How can we, as members of the school / Trust community, create a more welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and loved, especially for those who may feel excluded or marginalised?
Thank you for your comments!
We pray together: Lord, Help us to listen to each other and discern God’s will in our lives. 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
Hear
We invite you to make the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
This week’s work of the week is youth. Young people have a vital role to play in the life of the Church and in the world. They offer hope, inspiration and courage. The Church needs young people’s voices, involvement, and leadership for it to grow and we are all called to be young in our outlook and our attitude so we can live life to the full.
Lord, help us to be an example to other young people. Amen
We invite you to make the Sign of the Cross as we finish this time of prayer together…
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Celebration of the Word
Celebration of the Word – Youth!
We invite you to make the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
We invite you to make the Sign of the Cross as we finish this time of prayer together..
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Think
We invite you to make the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
The voice of young people is more important than ever and at The Becket School, your School Council, is there to listen and to act on your behalf!
“Hello from Mrs Ralfe and the School Council!…We are pleased and honoured to represent you to our School and Trust leaders for this academic year. We meet on Fridays in B11 during registration. You will see some of us over the course of the year when we visit form groups to hear your views.
The School Council for 2023-2024 did an excellent job in making the case for a water fountain for student use; it seems we all agree this has been a positive step and a big tick in the box for student action! The Council for this year will be fundraising via the festive non-uniform day in December; all money raised will go directly to renting the water machine for another year.
The Council have also heard and shared student viewpoints about toilet facilities, canteen and food options, lanyard clip quality and numerous other things. All of these issues are important to the Council and we will keep you up to date on any changes we are able to action. We are meeting with Mr Greig soon and we are also meeting with Aspens later in November. Sometimes, just knowing the justification or context for something you experience as an issue can be really helpful, so we’ll do our best to keep you informed and to keep the communication open between students and staff.”
……………………………………………………………………
The School Council want you to think about some questions that you’re about to hear (in a the video below) and they want you to leave your thoughts and comments in the box below so that they can share your voice and their own voice, to make positive changes around school.
Please label your comment “school council” so that the comments don’t get muddled with the Trust Synod questions!
Lord, help us to speak out for what is important. Amen
We invite you to make the Sign of the Cross as we finish this time of prayer together…
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Do
We invite you to join us in making the Sign of the Cross. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
At the beginning of the month we launched our Chaplaincy house competition—Rolling with the Saints!
Today is your chance to finish what you’ve started (there are some big plans from some forms!) and if you need some inspiration, take a look at this example for 11E!
Just a reminder, this is a competition between forms, with exciting prizes for the winning group, so get creative!
Let us pray together…
Lord, help us through our actions to remember those who have gone before us. Amen.
We remember that God is with us throughout our day as we make the Sign of the Cross…In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
20 Comments
7R
– Making posters around the school to show that everyone is welcome
– Make sure to include everyone in break times or lunch times to ensure they are not alone
– Buddy system – older students to help the younger students
8B thinks that celebrating our differences more often would encourage a more welcoming environment. Isla thinks that a whole school culture day would be beneficial in fostering this.
We like the idea of a culture day mentioned by Josh in the video.
9E Question 3
Find ways for people with other faiths to be able to explore them in school – maybe through a discussion on BeInspirational?
Student buddies to help show around new and unconfident students
Culture Day once a year where you dress in things representing their culture (e.g . the colour of their flag or traditional clothing)
9P believe the church and trust should make sure that everybody feels included and valued.
8P- Representation- Posters around school representing marginalised groups. Learning about people from different marginalised groups in COTW / form time/ lessons.
7B Feedback on Q3
– Safe spaces in school that people can go to
– Welcoming new people into friendships
From 7E:
We chose question 3 and thought about the following –
1. Team building activities to get different forms chatting
2. Clubs for people who feel excluded at lunch times and break times
3. Buddy benches
4. Social club at break
5. A day where we can celebrate our differences.
6. Culture day
8N – read the bible. Do more liturgies about Jesus. In RE, have more time for reflection to deepen our connection to Jesus. More non-uniform days to support causes and giving. Bible study club for those who are interested.
for school council:
Atrium to cold to socialise in and the windows and doors are open.
Culture day – other schools do it – why can’t we? It is a way to celebrate the diverse cultures within our community.
Earrings – what is the difference between a plain pearl stud or a butterfly shaped stud? do they need to be plain gold/ silver?
only one earring ? Can we wear more? and a nose stud?
Issues raised by 10P – Price of food in the canteen is too high
Quality of food in the canteen is not always good, especially chicken
Toilets are too packed and people don’t always have the time to use them
State of toilets – toilets don’t always flush correctly or stocked with toilet roll
Frustration over lack of choice at GCSE – being forced to do 1 language and 1 humanities restricts other options
Desire for more time to revise prior to learner checks/mocks
School council questions:
Please can we open the toilets on A/B/C floor
Can the toilets be flushed on weekends/ holidays to reduce the bad smell as the water sits in the toilet
Any chance we can have the mirrors back
Please can the hand sanitisers be filled up.
Please can we go back to the old food options- Hotdogs/ old style wraps/ burritos/ barbeque wraps? (difference of opinion on this one), Radnor splash,
More non- uniform days.
More culture days
Student council – 7R
– toilets – door don’t lock, doors have been graffitied
– Snack bar queue is crazy! – improved to make calmer
– no benches on the tennis courts
– Limited food options – not very healthy
– Why do Year 9 and 10 have better food options and plates?
– Wet break options – board games
– More clubs at lunchtimes
– Taps in the toilets are too hot / soaps have run out
–
School Council suggestions from 8R – we discussed toilet facilities, jumper rules and blazer/coat rules. Will feedback to Council.
Student Council: Please can we wear PE kit home after p5 PE lessons? Student Councils: More toilets please on each floor? Student Council: Please can underneath the tables be cleared of chewing gum? Student Council: Please can doors be checked in the toilets as some doors don’t lock? Student Council: Please can graffiti be removed? Student Council: Please can teachers make sure people don’t push in dinner queue/push in?
8N – Can we have more variety and salads in the canteen, also the make sure the food is cooked thoroughly. It would be good to be allowed to go to the toilet when we want to. More break less becket reads (!) 20/20?
School Council (from 7E)
1. Boys toilets – there’s no locks!
2. A review of toilet passes – there isn’t enough time to go at break time, so we spend a long time without being able to go, and if you don’t have a toilet pass, you can’t do during a lesson.
3. Either a homework diary or a timetable card. Can we review the amount of equipment we need?
4. More teachers monitoring lunch queue’s – lots of people pushing in.
5. Generally not enough time outside at lunch time. Takes a long time to get food and then eat as queues are so long etc.
6. Bring back the one way system for the corridors! Us little year 7’s get squished on staircases!
8p
hooks in toilet to hang things, vote Becket reads books, lanyard in pockets instead of sting, extra PE lesson.
School Council 7N,
Really appreciate,
Homework diaries, equipment sheets, timetable cards,
Would really like,
Benches on tennis courts to sit down,
Less cutting in the year 7 Line for lunch,
Half day Friday once a month,
Later starter/ Later Finish
So many great comments that 9T agree with above. One thing we would love to see is a space for everyone to play sports at lunch or break. A number of students have said they’d love to play football but can’t is this possible?
9T