Spring - First Half Term
The Feast of the EpiphanyFor behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
Song of Solomon 2:11-12
At Our Lady of the Rosary, we marked the Feast of the Epiphany as a joyful celebration of faith, generosity and service. The Epiphany reminds us of the Adoration of the Magi, who travelled from afar to recognise Jesus as King and offer their gifts with love and humility. As a school community, we reflected on what it means to recognise Jesus in others and to respond with generous hearts.
Children came to school dressed in white and gold, symbolising light and joy, alongside the colours of the Spanish flag, recognising the strong Catholic traditions associated with Epiphany in Spain. Through this, pupils were able to explore how faith is lived and celebrated across different cultures within the universal Church.
As an act of charity, pupils brought gifts for the new-born baby Jesus. These were gathered by the school crib before being shared with families in need through Home-Start Spelthorne and Baby Basics. This act of giving helped children to understand that faith calls us to action, especially in serving the most vulnerable.
The day was further enriched by flamenco workshops, celebrating Spanish culture and allowing pupils to experience joy, expression and community through music and movement.
Through prayer, learning and charitable action, our Epiphany celebration reflected our mission to live out the Gospel values of joy, excellence and service, helping children to grow as compassionate, faith-filled individuals.
Chaplaincy Team and the Feast of the Epiphany
Members of the Chaplaincy Team gathered on the Feast of the Epiphany to share Epiphany blessing prayers and reflect on the visit of the Wise Men and the revelation of Jesus to the world. As part of this tradition, blessed chalk was used to mark the school’s front entrance and classroom doors. The doors were inscribed with 20 + C + M + B + 26, with the letters referring to the Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, and also standing for Christus Mansionem Benedicat – May Christ bless this house. The numbers represent the year and remind us that we ask God’s blessing on all who enter and leave our school throughout the year ahead.
This prayerful practice provided a visible expression of faith and helped to strengthen our shared understanding of Epiphany as a celebration of welcome, protection, and God’s presence within our school community.
Celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany with Our Parish Community
As part of our Epiphany celebrations, pupils from Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 joined the parish community for Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, led by Fr. Jim, to mark this important feast within the life of the Church.
The Mass provided a meaningful opportunity for our children to worship alongside parishioners, strengthening the close relationship between school and parish and reinforcing the shared mission of faith formation.
Pupils took on a range of active liturgical roles, demonstrating reverence, confidence and a strong sense of service. Members of the school chaplaincy team proclaimed the readings, helping the congregation to reflect on the Gospel message of the Magi recognising Jesus as light for the world. Our altar serving team served with care and respect, supporting Fr. Philip and modelling quiet leadership within the liturgy.
Music for the Mass was led by the school liturgy band, whose joyful leadership helped to engage the whole congregation in worship. Their contribution supported active participation and reflected the celebration and hope at the heart of the Feast of the Epiphany.
Celebrating the Feast of the Epiphany through parish Mass enabled our pupils to experience the Church as a living community, where faith is shared, celebrated and lived out together. It also reinforced the message that every member of the community has a role to play in recognising and responding to Christ’s presence in the world today.
Launch of 'Voices of Hope' Oracy Project - Our Jubilee Pledge
As part of our active response to the Jubilee Year of Hope, Year 5 and Year 6 launched the Voices of Hope project through drama workshops that focused on using spoken language to promote justice, dignity and hope.
Rooted in our Catholic Life and commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, the workshops encouraged pupils to reflect on how their voices can be used to speak up for others and respond to the needs of the world around them. Through drama-based activities, pupils explored how voice, tone and body language can communicate messages that inspire positive change.
Year 5 focused on care for creation, developing persuasive speeches about climate change and rising sea levels. This work was rooted in the message of Laudato Si’, which calls us to care for our common home and recognise our responsibility for both people and the planet. Pupils explored how the Care of Creation theme of Catholic Social Teaching challenges them to act responsibly and advocate for environmental justice.
Year 6 explored issues of injustice and inequality, creating public arguments that promote fairness, solidarity and hopeful action. Their work encouraged them to consider how faith calls them to respond to injustice with courage and compassion.
Both workshops supported pupils in listening respectfully, expressing ideas thoughtfully and recognising the power of their voices in living out our school mission. Pupils engaged with the sessions with maturity and creativity, demonstrating faith in action and hope put into practice.
Caritas Ambassadors: Putting Faith into Action
The Caritas Ambassadors carefully organised all of the gifts brought in as acts of charity for the new-born baby Jesus on The Feast of the Epiphany. They then met with volunteers from Home-Start Spelthorne and Baby Basics to formally hand over the donations, which have now been collected and shared with families in need.
This experience allowed pupils to see the direct impact of their generosity and to understand that faith is not only something we celebrate, but something we live out through action. Meeting the volunteers helped deepen pupils’ understanding of service, responsibility and solidarity with others, reinforcing the message that even small acts of kindness can make a real difference.
Through this process, pupils were able to reflect on how the message of the Epiphany calls us to respond with compassion, particularly towards the most vulnerable in our community.
Class Masses This Half Term
This half term, pupils in Years 3 to 6 have taken part in class Masses as part of our ongoing Catholic Life. These celebrations have given pupils the opportunity to gather in prayer, listen to the Word of God, and participate fully in the liturgy as a class community.
Class Masses support pupils in developing a deeper understanding of the structure and meaning of the Mass, while also encouraging reverence, reflection, and active participation. Pupils have taken on roles such as reading, serving, and leading prayers, helping them to grow in confidence and responsibility within worship.
Celebrating Mass in smaller class groups allows time for shared prayer and reflection, strengthening pupils’ sense of belonging and helping them to recognise the importance of faith in their daily life at school.
Voices of Hope: Year 3 and Year 4
As part of our active response to the Jubilee Year of Hope, pupils in Year 3 and Year 4 continued to engage in the Voices of Hope project, exploring how hope is lived out through community, respect, and participation.
Rooted in our Catholic Life and commitment to Catholic Social Teaching, the work encouraged pupils to reflect on the importance of every voice and the shared responsibility we have to listen to and value one another. Pupils were supported to recognise that hope is built through relationships and that participation in community life requires respect, understanding, and care for others.
Year 3 focused on Community and Participation, reflecting on what it means to belong and to play an active part in a community. Through shared activities, pupils explored how working together, encouraging one another, and contributing positively can help build hopeful and inclusive communities. This work supported pupils in recognising that everyone has a role to play and that hope grows when people are included and valued.
Year 4 developed this further through a workshop that encouraged pupils to think deeply about Diversity, Inclusion, and Respect. Through a range of creative activities, pupils explored how meaning can be communicated through body language and tone of voice, reflecting on how messages are received by others. Pupils were invited to consider what hope means to them personally and to recognise that, while people are different, they often share common values and hopes.
This work forms the foundation of a wider project in which Year 4 will prepare and conduct interviews within the local community. Pupils will explore what diversity, inclusion, and respect look like in everyday life and what people hope for the future. Pupils will be challenged to listen carefully, draw out thoughtful responses, and share their discoveries, recognising that hope can unite people across differences.
Across both year groups, pupils engaged with the project with maturity and confidence, developing an understanding of hope that reflects our Catholic values and the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. Through this work, pupils are learning that their voices matter and that they are called to use them to build community and promote hope.
Altar Server Training
New altar servers from Year 4 took part in altar server training, where they learned the key roles and responsibilities involved in assisting in the celebration of the Mass.
Pupils had the opportunity to learn from experienced altar servers, receiving hands‑on practice and guidance. This session was a valuable opportunity for all altar servers to renew their skills and continue to serve with confidence, reverence, and service.
The training provided the children with a deeper understanding of the Mass, helping them grow in their faith, while embracing their important ministry within school and parish life.
Candlemas Celebration of the Word
Our Candlemas Celebration of the Word brought together pupils, parents, carers, and members of the parish for a time of prayer and reflection, led by our pupil Chaplaincy Team. The gathering included hymns, prayers, and a focus on the themes of light, hope, and the presentation of Jesus in the temple.
Fr. Philip had previously blessed a candle for each class, which was then distributed during the celebration as a symbol of Christ, the Light of the World. The Chaplaincy Team encouraged everyone to think about how we can carry Christ’s light in our lives and share it with others.
This time of prayer allowed us to reflect on the meaning of Candlemas and brought our school and parish communities together in faith.
