“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”- Matthew 25:40
The Catholic life of the school provides many opportunities for children to encounter God and build their connection with Him as a loving, compassionate Father. We do this through prayer – both traditional and informal – liturgies, and Religious Education lessons, where children receive direct teaching of the faith, and also through the relationships that children, staff, and parents enjoy within the school community.
As members of the wider Catholic Church, we at St Peter and St Paul commit ourselves to serving the common good in our community and around the world. We want to go out and do good in the local area by introducing community members to school and, using our God-given skills and talents, to assist and support those in need. Our Headteacher, Miss Peters, is the Catholic Representative on the Islington Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) which advises the Children’s Services Authority on matters relating to collective worship in community schools, and on religious education given in accordance with the locally agreed syllabus. The SACRE monitors the effectiveness and appropriateness of the agreed syllabus, which is formally reviewed every five years. We are also delighted that Miss Peters, our Headteacher, has been appointed by Cardinal Vincent Nichols to serve on the Education Commission of the Diocese of Westminster.
You can read the appointment letter here Letter Cardinal Vincent Nichols Nomination To Education Commission
Book of Remembrance
As part of commemorating the faithful departed we welcome you and your family and friends to visit the School Chapel with your child to write a loved one’s name to be included in our prayers during mass.
Wednesday Word
The Wednesday Word can be used in the class and at home to reflect on the issues and messages present in the liturgies. Every Wednesday a ‘word’, inspired by the coming Sunday’s Gospel, will be suggested for families to talk about in the home. We have structured The Wednesday Word around the Sunday Gospel, because evidence shows that Gospel values really do help family relationships to thrive.
Below are some examples of the activities our children are involved in throughout the year.
Caritas – Option for Poor
Caritas Internationalis is a confederation of over 160 members who are working at the grassroots in almost every country of the world. When a crisis hits, Caritas is already on the ground. Inspired by Catholic faith, Caritas is the helping hand of the Church – reaching out to the poor, vulnerable and excluded, regardless of race or religion, to build a world based on justice and fraternal love.
In our school, The Caritas Ambassadors are a selection of students who are witnesses to God’s faith by putting prayers into action and supporting those who are less fortunate than themselves.
The Green Team – Care for Creation
In his encyclical letter ‘Laudato Si’: Care for Our Common Home,’ Pope Francis calls on us to be ecological citizens, to join forces to deepen our commitment to preserving the goodness and beauty of God’s great gift. The Green Team work tirelessly to persevere God’s creation and to look after our natural surroundings.
Our Green Team are responsible for ensuring that we are looking after the earth and our ambassadors for sustainability throughout our school. Wherever possible we reuse, reduce, recycle. Our Green Team work to ensure that these beliefs are carried through every class, every day.
St John’s Ambulance Garden Club
Each Thursday, a group of 10 students attend the Garden Club either based in school or outside in the Museum of the Order of St John or Charterhouse. In each session, the children have to work collaboratively to design, discuss and make new and exciting things, ranging from bird boxes to bird food to locating new green spaces in our school playground. For many, this helps their communication skills as they take time and listen to what each other has to say.
As our school is an inner London city school with limited green space, the children have to adapt and learn new skills. They have to learn how to look after plants and flowers and how to increase the green spaces in order to attract more wildlife to the area.
The children thoroughly enjoy learning these new skills and cannot wait to tell others the next day in the classroom. This inquisitive and rewarding approach to learning improves concentration inside the classroom. Furthermore, children learn about the environment and sustainability and about insects and how they have an impact on the development of plants and vegetables.
Getting outside and into nature gives children the opportunity to learn in a hands-on way, encouraging them to move their bodies and develop their gross and fine motor skills; for example, digging, carefully separating tiny seeds and handling delicate seedlings.
Helping others at Christmas
This year, we organised gift boxes for the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal.
The Peel Centre
As part of our Caritas Ambassador programme our pupils go to visit the Peel Centre which is a centre that caters for the elderly. Our children spend time talking to the older people in our community and sing carols for them. In return, some of the ladies made head bands and bracelets, which they shared with the children.
Catholic Children’s Society
Every Lent, we give out the Lenten boxes from the Catholic Children’s Society for the classes to take home and fill with any loose change. The Catholic Children’s Society supports disadvantaged children and families across London, Hertfordshire and the South East. They work with individuals of all faiths and none, and their sole aim is to help those in the greatest need.
The Passage
Every year during Advent we raise money for The Passage, a charity with the mission to prevent and end homelessness, acting with compassion and urgency. They provide wrap around support and a platform for people to share their experiences. We try to raise vital funds to help support people who have nothing.
Poppy Appeal
To help those returning from the First World War, the Royal British Legion established the Poppy Appeal. Every year, we contribute to this appeal through students selling poppies in the playground. A century after the conflict began, the RBL is still assisting today’s Armed Forces in similar ways, whether coping with sorrow, living with disability, or finding jobs.
Odd Socks Day
Every year during anti-bullying week, we celebrate what makes us unique. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn about one another and appreciate our differences, and children are encouraged to participate in Odd Socks Day to emphasise the significance of recognising and embracing individuality. This year, Odd Socks Day is 12 November. As a school, we are constantly looking for ways to highlight what makes us unique, while also ensuring that we all learn and play in a safe environment.
Mufty days for disaster zones
Whenever a disaster, such as an earthquake or a flood, happens in any part of the world, we would have a Mufty Day to raise money for all those affected. Most recently we were thinking of all those affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkey.
Children’s Mental Health Week
Each year we take part in activities related to Children’s Mental Health Week. This raises awareness of such an important issue and helps children understand more about looking after themselves, mentally as well as physically. To find out more about the Young Minds Hello Yellow project, click here.
