Collective Worship

Collective worship at St. John’s Primary School is an integral part of who we are and what makes our school such a special place.  Children and adults in school look forward to our daily times of worship together.  There are many occasions in our times of praise and worship when we know and sense the presence of God in a real way, helping us to focus on God.  Opportunities are available for us to think about and develop our own sense of spirituality.

Collective worship is not something we do, but it is something we are part of – enabling us to respond in our own way.  We think about the following questions: 

  • What have we seen?
  • What have we heard?
  • Has it changed us?

We are drawn together as God’s children as we worship God the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  To help us think about and develop our own spirituality in school, we think about the wows, ows and nows.

  • The wow moments – these are the awe and wonder, breathtaking moments.  We make sure we have opportunities to share and celebrate achievements and excitement each week.
  • The ow moments – these are the times in our lives when we find things challenging and hard going.  Recognising and talking about these times are important, so we can help and support each other through them.
  • The now moments – these are the everyday moments.  We value opportunities for stillness and reflection as part of our busy everyday life in school.

This is how we organise our daily collective worship sessions each week:

  • Monday – Whole school praise and worship
  • Tuesday – Whole school collective worship led by Revd. Carol (vicar), Revd. Emma (curate), Mrs Pallister (HT) or Mr Kay (DHT)
  • Wednesday – Whole school collective worship led by class teachers
  • Thursday – Catherine Simpson (our school chaplain) with our Worship Warriors
  • Friday – Whole school Celebration Worship

In addition, we are occasionally joined by friends of our school – Revd. David Payne, the Methodist Minister in Shildon, and Pastor John Campbell, a retired minister from a local church.

    ‘Come let us bow down in worship.’

    (Psalm 95:6)