RE Focus: Student formation in our school

Earlier this year in a previous RE focus, I explained formation as being the experiences we have that help us to better understand and develop a relationship with God and with Jesus.

Coming up later this week is our Year 4 formation morning is entitled “Service to Others” and focuses on ‘faith in action’ - leading towards our Year 4 class taking the lead for our Vinnies Winter Appeal beginning next week. Throughout the year, each of our primary classes have a formation day with a focus specific to each grade.

But there are many other less formal formation opportunities that all our students take part in throughout the school that help develop this relationship with God and Jesus.

School Liturgies – All throughout the year we have many liturgies and events that have a specific religious focus and help us as a school community to come together in prayer, to hear God’s words in the readings and reflections. Each class takes turns in leading these important events in the life of our school and each liturgy is a way for us to get to know and learn more about God and Jesus.

Hymn Practice – Hymns are songs that are about / dedicated to God and Jesus. Our assembly each week begins with our students joining in singing a hymn as a way of expressing our thanks and appreciation for God and for Jesus.

Value of the Week – Each week, as part of our PB4L program, we promote a ‘Value of the Week’ (this week being – “I include others”). As part of introducing this weekly value at our Friday assembly, our Year 6 leaders explain how our value of the week can relate to our students Making Jesus Real as part of our Catholic School Community.

Daily Prayers – Each day, as a Catholic school community, we take time to participate in 3 daily prayers. Our Morning Prayer as a school, our Lunchtime Prayer as a school and then our Afternoon Prayer in class. These prayers give our students opportunities to take the time to stop and think about God and about Jesus and to invite the conversation to begin.

Our morning and afternoon prayers end with the line ‘and may we live Jesus in our hearts, forever.’ This line is a reminder for us to make Jesus real each and every day and to always try to grow and develop our relationship with God and Jesus through formation.