Although we are a Catholic school, we welcome people of all faiths and none.  Most parents send their children to St Anthony’s to receive a Catholic education so the prayer life of our school is very important to us.

On a Monday morning, the Headteacher leads whole school prayers, and on a Friday afternoon, we have Celebration Assembly where prayers of praise and thanks are incorporated. On the other mornings, class teachers will lead liturgies in class. 

From as early as Year R and through to Year 6, children are encouraged to help with their class liturgies.  This might be to prepare the prayer table on the carpet, to read aloud a chosen piece of scripture, to read a pre-prepared prayer or even to share a spontaneous prayer out loud with their class.  Older children are encouraged to lead collective worship in their class.  

Prayers are said in the morning, lunchtime and at the end of the day.  The wording of these prayers follows below.  Prayer life in the school reflects the rhythms and traditions of the Catholic Church with appropriate preparation promises being made in Advent and Lent, celebrations of Mary in October and May and parents and parisioners are invited to our nativities and passion play at Christmas and during Holy Week.

Each year every class from Year 1 upwards has the opportunity to lead a Mass in our school hall, which is attended by the rest of the school and we invite parents and parishioners to join us.  Children enjoy leading the Masses by reading, preparing bidding prayers, taking part in the offertory and altar-serving.   "I have really valued the religious gatherings and Mass with parents. I have found them to be really spiritual and have been a core part of our experience (as parents) of the school." (Parent Survey)

Our morning prayer

Oh my God you love me

You’re with me night and day.

I want to you love you always:

In all I do and say.

I’ll try to please you, Father,

Bless me through the day.

Amen

Grace (Prayer before lunch)

Bless us oh God, as we sit together,

Bless the food we eat today,

Bless the hands that made our food,

Bless us oh Lord and help us not to waste our food.

Amen

Years 5 & 6 say the ‘Angelus’ before lunch instead of the ‘Grace’ recited by the rest of the school.

Closing Prayer (said at the end of the day before going home)

God, our Father, I’ve come to say

Thank you for your love today.

Thank you for my family

And all the friends you give to me.

Guard me in the dark of night,

And in the morning, send your light.

Amen