Collective Worship at Huby

“Let your light shine for all to see.” – Matthew 5:16

Collective Worship is an important part of life at Huby Church of England Primary School. It is a time when we come together, pause from the busyness of the school day and create space to reflect, wonder, pray, sing and consider how we can let our light shine for others.

As a Voluntary Controlled Church of England school, our Collective Worship is inclusive, invitational and inspiring. It is wholly or mainly of a Christian character, while also giving children opportunities to encounter and learn about other faiths and worldviews with respect and curiosity.

Our worship helps children to explore our Christian values and consider what they mean in everyday life. Through stories from the Bible, parables, current affairs, Picture News, music, prayer, reflection and discussion, we encourage children to think deeply about who they are, how they treat others, what is fair and how they can make a positive difference in the world around them.

Worship Together, Every Day

We meet for Collective Worship every day, either as a whole school community or within our classes.

Our weekly pattern includes:

• Values-led worship – exploring our Christian values and considering how we can put them into practice.
• Singing Worship – coming together through music, creating a joyful shared experience and exploring the meaning behind the songs we sing.
• Picture News Worship – exploring current events and issues affecting our world, encouraging children to ask questions, consider different perspectives and think about justice, responsibility and compassion.
• Celebration Worship – celebrating the achievements, kindness, courage and contributions of our children. Parents and families are warmly invited to join us as we celebrate together.

Throughout the week, children are encouraged to take an active role in worship. Our Values Champions help to plan and deliver Collective Worship, lead discussions and reflections, and celebrate the ways in which members of our school community are living out our values.

Living Our Values

Collective Worship is not simply something we do each day; it is an opportunity to consider how our Christian values shape the way we live.

Our core values of Curiosity, Connection and Courage encourage children to:

Be Curious – to ask questions, explore ideas and wonder about the world around them.

Build Connections – to care for others, recognise our shared responsibility and understand that we all have a part to play in our community and wider world.

Have Courage – to try new things, learn from mistakes, stand up for what is right and speak up when something is unfair.

We also explore a range of Christian values including love, forgiveness, friendship, generosity, thankfulness, hope, peace, wisdom, humility, service and responsibility.

Our worship encourages children to ask important questions such as:

What is fair?
Who needs our help?
What is our responsibility towards others?
How can we make a difference?
How can we let our light shine?

A Time to Reflect and Respond

We want Collective Worship to give every child space to develop spiritually. Children are encouraged to reflect on themselves, their relationships with others, the beauty and wonder of the world and the bigger questions of faith, meaning and purpose.

Our Mirrors, Doors, Windows and Candles help children to explore spirituality:

• Mirrors – Self: reflecting on who we are, what matters to us and how we are growing.
• Doors – Others: developing empathy, compassion, relationships and responsibility.
• Windows – Beauty: noticing beauty, awe and wonder in the world around us.
• Candles – Beyond: exploring faith, meaning, purpose and questions beyond ourselves.

Sometimes worship is joyful and energetic; sometimes it is quiet and reflective. There is space to sing, think, question, pray and simply be still.

Worship in Our Community

Our Christian vision encourages us to look beyond ourselves. Through Collective Worship, charitable giving, service and community action, children learn that their choices and actions can make a difference.

We are proud of our links with All Hallows Church in Sutton-on-the-Forest and Huby Methodist Church, and value the opportunities these connections provide for worship, celebration and service within our wider community.

Our School Prayer

Our children have worked together to create our school prayer, inspired by our Christian vision and values.

Dear God,

Thank you for our school. 

Help us to be full of curiosity, ready to learn and explore.

Help us to build connection, showing kindness, friendship and care.

Help us to have courage, trying our best and doing what is right. 

May our light shine brightly in al that we do.

Help us to learn, grow and flourish together. 

Amen.

A Shared Invitation

Collective Worship is a time for everyone to come together, regardless of their individual faith or beliefs. Children are invited to participate, reflect and respond in ways that are meaningful to them.

Parents and carers have the right to request that their child is withdrawn from Collective Worship or Religious Education on the grounds of religious belief or conscience. If you would like to discuss this, please contact the Headteacher so that we can talk together about your request and the appropriate alternative provision.