Collective Worship 

‘With God all things are possible’ Matthew 19:26

Collective worship is an important part of St Thomas’s which supports the Christian identity of our church school. It gives the children the opportunity to deepen, grow in their own spiritual journey as well as encouraging them to inspire, believe and achieve throughout everything they do.  We believe that all children are made in the image of God and worship has a vital role in helping children achieve their full potential by exploring their own faith journey.

Collective worship takes places daily at St Thomas's Primary school including our praise and sign sessions and end of week celebrations. Each half term we have a core value that we examine to help build an understanding of who we are and where we are going 

1. Trust:
 Biblical Connection:Trust is a fundamental theme in the Bible. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding."
  School's Aim:Trust is essential to believing that, even in the face of adversity, anything is possible. Trusting in God's guidance and support underpins the school's vision.
   - Collective Worship:Trust can be a theme for collective worship sessions, where students learn to trust each other and trust in the values and guidance provided by faith.

2. Friendship
   - Biblical Connection-The Bible emphasizes the importance of friendship. Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
   - School's Aim-Friendship is integral to achieving together as a community. It fosters a sense of support and unity among students and staff.
   - Collective Worship- Collective worship can focus on fostering strong, supportive friendships among students and the importance of being a good friend.

3. Respect:
   - Biblical Connection- The Bible teaches respect for others. In Matthew 7:12, Jesus says, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
   - School's Aim- Respect is a core value that helps students understand the importance of treating others as they would like to be treated.
   - Collective Worship-Collective worship sessions can emphasize the Golden Rule and the significance of respecting every individual.

4. Kindness
   - Biblical Connection-Kindness is promoted in the Bible. Ephesians 4:32 states, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
   - School's Aim-Kindness is essential in building a learning community that supports and uplifts each other.
   - Collective Worship-Collective worship sessions can focus on acts of kindness, sharing stories from the Bible where kindness was practiced, and encouraging students to be kind in their daily lives.

5. Learning Community
   - Biblical Connection: The concept of a community is central to the Bible. Acts 2:44-45 describes the early Christian community, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need."
   - School's Aim-The school's learning community promotes inclusivity, shared values, and collaborative learning.
   - Collective Worship-Collective worship can emphasize the importance of working together as a community, learning from one another, and supporting each other in the pursuit of knowledge and spiritual growth.

Partnerships with local churches and community organisations can support these collective worship sessions by providing resources, speakers, and additional perspectives on these themes. These partnerships can enrich the spiritual and educational experiences of students and help connect the school's values to real-world practices.