Catholic Life

Catholic life of the School

The children at St Theresa’s have many opportunities for worship including daily class worship, collective worship during Key Stage and individual class assemblies, devotion to Mary during October and the month of May. Parents are invited to join us for many of these acts of worship. The children also lead class based worship which they plan and organise. Daily class worship involves prayers said at the beginning and end of the school day, as well as before lunch and after lunch. The children are actively encouraged to think about and thank others for the gifts that they have received, as well as being asked to reflect on how they have acted on our motto of ‘We learn together, we play together, we pray together, we grow together in the love of God ’.

Children express their spirituality and their knowledge and understanding of their faith through creative means including song, musical instruments, debates, poetry, bubbles and crafts.

Topic Maps are sent out each half term which provide parents and carers with information about what their child/children are learning about in their RE lessons, as well information as to how they can help their child at home. The Wednesday Word is shared with the children and parents via the school newsletter each week.

The school supports various charities such as CAFOD, The Catholic Children’s Society, Finchley Food Bank and many more. At Christmas, children in Year 5 perform Carol Concerts at our parish church St Philip’s for their families and the parish community. Our Year 4 class perform a vry special Easter Assembly for the rest of the school and their parents and carers.

Our school enjoys welcoming visitors, including those who represent other faiths. We were fortunate to have excellent working relationships with Akiva school and learn from them about the Jewish faith as well as having the opportunity to visit the Jewish Museum located by the Sternberg Centre. The children at St Theresa’s enjoy talking about what it means to be a young Catholic in today’s society and are aware of the importance of tolerance and respect to everyone of all and no faiths.

Our prayer room gives children of all faiths a place to reflect and build their relationship with God.

The Wednesday Word

Sharing Sunday’s Gospel, connecting Home, School & Parish with the Sunday Gospel to pray for the best for our children.

“The materials produced by The Wednesday Word are already used extensively
throughout the dioceses in England and Wales – bringing remarkable graces to many.”
Cardinal Vincent Nichols. President, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales.

“The Wednesday Word is an excellent resource that can be used in the class and
at home to reflect on the issues and messages present in the liturgies.”
Taken from Catholic Education Service (CES)
‘2019 Education Sunday Form & Flourish’: Guidance for Schools and Parishes

Please click here for the latest Wednesday Word.

Click on an image below to view the relevant page.

The Synod

On October 10, 2021, Pope Francis formally opened a two-year process called “a synod on synodality,” officially known as “Synod 2021-2023: For a Synodal Church.” In brief, the process involves an expansion of an established institution, called the “Synod of Bishops.” This means that bishops around the world will consult with everyone from parishioners to monks, nuns and Catholic universities before coming together for a discussion in 2023.

As part of the Diocese we have talked as a school about what we feel the church can do to be more inclusive and think about those who may not feel truly welcomed or comfortable at Church. Here is the information shared with the children in our Assembly.

Schools and Synod 2021-23