Spirituality
As a church school we believe that our role is to educate the whole child and that the spiritual growth of our children is as important as their academic development. The themes developed each week through our assemblies underpin all we seek to achieve in the lives of our children and are central to our vision for the whole school family. Getting people to think for themselves and ponder ultimate questions is the integral ingredient in our recipe for spiritual development. We like to see assemblies as a service station on the motorway of school life. A place to be refreshed, entertained and challenged away from the crush and clamour of the main curriculum. It is a time enjoyed and anticipated by staff and children alike but this is only achieved by careful planning and resourcing. We believe we have a formula that adds up to something that really multiplies spiritual awareness for everyone in the school.
Each term we have a theme that develops week by week, for example The Parables of Jesus. Around the title there are always related sub themes and complimentary ideas that expand the ‘Thought of the Week’, like healthy eating or recycling. This encourages links to be made and lateral thinking and also allows for an element of predictability. This magazine format is enjoyed and anticipated by the children who always have their particular favourite bits. Nothing is long or boring, attention is held and children are introduced to the idea of ritual and liturgy in a modern setting! The Monday Assembly kicks off the theme of the week and sets the thought agenda. As the children come in there is a contemporary song playing that links to the theme, often with lyrics to make you think. There is also a fitting extract from some secular literature with deeper levels of meaning. Winnie the Pooh is great for this, as is Harry Potter! The assembly usually starts with some sort of visual grabber… the weirder and funnier the better. It may be a tie being cut or a singing fish. Laughter and fun are essential to shared experience. Involving children and staff in demonstrations or drama helps this. There is always a chance to join in a song and share a time of reflection or prayer. | Later in the week usually on a Wednesday the children have Thoughtful Time in their classroom where they ponder ideas and thoughts inspired by the theme of the week. Each class has a Thoughtful Spot where the Thought of the Week is displayed and interesting objects displayed as a dynamic and ever present focal point for the spiritual curriculum. The children are encouraged to write their thoughts and ideas and some of these are read out in the Friday Feedback Assembly. This rounds off the week and is often the highlight, reminding everyone of the theme and allowing the children to feel involved and valued. Indeed it often provides poignant insights and encouragement showing that spirituality is alive and well in our young people. Rabbi Grin says spirituality is like a bird- ‘if you hold it too tightly it chokes, if you hold it too loosely it flies away’. At The Chandler we hope and pray our hands are gentle but firm and that our children will truly learn to fly, aware of their own spirituality and God’s love for them. Through our approach to spirituality we try to inspire and challenge our children, nurturing a positive attitude that leaves a legacy that remains with them as they leave us… |
You can find out about our Thought of the Week and read some of the children’s responses each week in The Chandler Chat. You are always welcome to come and enjoy an assembly for yourself! They usually start at 9.05am…