Faith Beyond the Classroom
At our school, we believe that faith is lived and experienced beyond the classroom. Throughout the year, our children have many opportunities to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith through visits to our church, celebrating Mass and the Sacraments, and meeting with our priest and members of our wider parish community.
We also welcome visitors from other faiths, giving our children the opportunity to learn about different beliefs and traditions first-hand. These experiences help our pupils to develop respect, understanding and curiosity, while strengthening their own faith and appreciation of the diverse world around them.
Through these opportunities, our children are encouraged to learn, celebrate and live out their faith, putting the teachings of Jesus into practice in their everyday lives.
Visits with Fr. Keith
We are fortunate to be situated so close to our parish church and to have the wonderful support of our Parish Priest, Fr Keith. He plays an important role in our school community, supporting our children’s learning and helping them to deepen their understanding and love of the Catholic faith.
On Monday 29th June 2025, our EYFS classes had the wonderful opportunity to visit our church as part of their Religious Education learning. Fr Keith welcomed the children and showed them around, helping them to learn about the different altars and the important role and duties of a priest.
The children were fascinated to explore the church and enjoyed asking lots of thoughtful questions. It was a lovely opportunity for them to build on their classroom learning and experience our Catholic faith within our church community.
Year 3, visited the Church to learn about Baptism. They learned about each step of the Sacrament of Baptism to the class and even baptised a doll to show the steps. When they returned to school, they created some fantastic art work based on Jesus’ baptism.
Other Faiths
On January 26th 2025, we once again were delighted to welcome our friend Leonard Silver, who visits us each year to talk to the children about the Jewish faith, its traditions and how faith plays an important part in his life.
Our children once again demonstrated the core values of St Mary and St Michael by warmly welcoming Leonard, listening respectfully and asking thoughtful questions. They gained lots of valuable knowledge and enjoyed learning about another faith through Leonard’s personal experiences.
Thank you, Leonard, for visiting us once again and sharing your faith and experiences with our school community!
On October 21st 2024, we had the privilege welcoming back Leonard Silver who hosted a Jewish Workshop. Children had the opportunity to learn about the rich traditions of Judaism and the importance of interfaith dialogue.
Year 1 & 2 students explored the celebration of Chanukah, learning about the significance of the Festival of Lights and the story behind it. Year 3 & 4 students deepened their understanding of Jewish faith practices, discovering the role of the synagogue, daily prayers, and the special traditions of Shabbat. Finally, Year 5 & 6 students focused on the observance of Shabbat, learning about its rituals, customs, and the importance of rest and reflection.
This workshop was a valuable opportunity to build bridges between faiths, promoting respect, empathy, and understanding among our students. By learning about each other’s beliefs and traditions, we strengthen our commitment to living in harmony and working together to create a more compassionate world.
Judaism Workshop November 2023
On Thursday 16th November, Leonard Silver visited the school for a Judaism Workshop. Leonard told the children all about his faith and how Jewish people worship. The workshop was engaging and delivered through a vibrant blend of storytelling and interaction that explained Jewish culture and traditions.