Catholic Life
Catholic life of the School
Pupils have daily opportunities for worship through class-based prayer, collective worship at Key Stage level, whole-school liturgies and individual class assemblies. Devotion to Mary is fostered during October and the month of May, and parents are warmly invited to join many of these acts of worship. Pupils also take an active role in planning and leading class-based worship, developing confidence, reverence and understanding of liturgical prayer. Daily prayer includes traditional Catholic prayers at the beginning and end of the day, and before and after lunch. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their day, give thanks for God’s gifts, and consider how they are living out our school motto: “We learn together, we play together, we pray together, we grow together in the love of God.”
Pupils express their spirituality and their understanding of faith in a variety of creative and meaningful ways, including music, drama, debate, poetry, art and practical tasks. These approaches support pupils in making personal connections with Scripture, Catholic teaching and the wider world.
Curriculum Maps are shared each half term so that parents are informed about the Religious Education being studied and how they can support learning at home. The Wednesday Word is shared with families via the school newsletter, enabling Gospel reflection and prayer within the home.
The school demonstrates Catholic Social Teaching in action by supporting charities such as CAFOD, The Catholic Children’s Society and Finchley Food Bank. Pupils are encouraged to recognise their role as agents of change and to respond to the needs of others in practical ways. Our Year 5 pupils lead a Carol Concert at our parish church of St Philip’s each Christmas, and Year 3 and Year 4 lead a reflective Easter Assembly for pupils and families, strengthening home–school–parish links and the proclamation of the Gospel.
We are committed to promoting respect and understanding of people of all faiths and worldviews. The school welcomes visitors from other faith traditions and maintains strong links with Akiva School, enabling pupils to learn about Judaism and develop religious literacy through meaningful encounters. Pupils enjoy discussing what it means to live as a young Catholic in contemporary society and understand the importance of tolerance, dignity and respect for those of all and no faith.
Throughout the school, each classroom has a dedicated prayer area which provides a focal point for worship and reflection. These areas include a prayer table and prayer board, and are presented with traditional prayers, Scripture and resources linked to the current unit of learning from the new Religious Education Directory (RED) and the relevant Branches. Key vocabulary, key questions and class Bibles are displayed and accessible, supporting theological understanding and engagement with the Word of God.
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.
Assemblies and Celebrations
Classroom RE
Our Daily Prayers
Our House Saints
Racial Justice, Equality & Diversity (RJED) at St Theresa’s
At St Theresa’s, we are committed to promoting racial justice, equality, and diversity within our school community. Our aim is to help pupils understand, respect, and celebrate the richness of God’s creation and the contributions of people from all backgrounds.
We support this through a variety of activities and initiatives, including:
- Annual Celebrations: Black History Month and “This is Us” Day, exploring achievements, identity, and inclusion.
- Curriculum Links: Learning about diverse saints, historical figures, world faiths, and stories from different cultures in RE, History, and Literacy.
- Pupil-Led Initiatives: Mini Vinnies projects
- School-Wide Awareness: Assemblies, cultural celebrations, and international days that encourage understanding and empathy.
- Parent & Community Engagement: Workshops, talks, newsletters, and partnerships with local charities to foster a sense of shared responsibility.
- Reflection and Prayer: Pupils engage in prayers, liturgies, and classroom reflection that highlight justice, equality, and peace.
- Celebration of Achievements: Displays, awards, and opportunities for pupils to share their learning and reflections on diversity.
Through these activities, pupils develop a strong sense of fairness, social responsibility, and understanding, preparing them to be thoughtful, compassionate members of the wider community and faithful followers of Christ.
On Friday, the school community at St Theresa’s, came together to mark Racial Justice Sunday through prayer, reflection and shared worship.
Our Mini Vinnies led a celebration of the Word with the whole school, helping us to reflect on the dignity of every person and our call, as followers of Jesus, to treat everyone with respect, fairness and compassion. Through Scripture, prayer and reflection, the children explored how we can challenge injustice and show love for others in our daily lives.
The Mini Vinnies reminded us that even small actions — welcoming others, speaking up for what is right and choosing kindness — can help build a more just and inclusive community.
We are very proud of our Mini Vinnies for leading such a meaningful celebration of faith in action.
Learning About Other Faiths
At St Theresa’s, we learn that God calls us to respect and understand people of all faiths and beliefs.
As part of our Religious Education curriculum, the children study Judaism, Islam and Hinduism over a three-year cycle.
Through lessons, discussions and visits, pupils learn about different places of worship, beliefs, celebrations and traditions.
We are proud of the visits our pupils have taken part in:
- July 2025: Visit to the North London Synagogue at Akiva School, where the children learned about Jewish worship and the Torah.
- 2024: Visit to the Hindu Temple in Neasden (BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir), exploring Hindu prayer, music and beautiful artwork.
- 2023: Visit to the Mosque in North Finchley, discovering how Muslims pray and the importance of community and peace.
These experiences help our pupils to grow in respect, curiosity and understanding, and to recognise that faith is a source of love and goodness in many different communities.
Living Our Faith Together
We are proud of the way our children live out their faith in school — through prayer, kindness, care for others and a love of learning.
Together, we strive to make our school a place where everyone feels valued, respected and loved, following the example of Jesus.
North London Synagogue
Hindu Temple