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Posted on: 18/09/2024

Visit from Leonard Silver - Other Faiths - Judaism

This term, as part of our "Other Faiths" curriculum, we are studying Judaism. We were delighted to welcome Leonard Silver, a guest speaker, who led engaging workshops for children in Years 1-6. Each year group explored different aspects of Judaism: Year 1: Jewish symbols and the celebration of Hanukkah. Year 2: The Torah and the significance of Shabbat. Year 3: The story of Abraham's covenant and the role of the synagogue. Year 4: Jewish naming ceremonies and the Bar Mitzvah. Year 5: The role of sacred texts and how Judaism influences daily life. Year 6: Jewish identity in the modern world, including a focus on the Holocaust and its impact. It has been a meaningful experience for the children, providing them with a greater understanding and appreciation of Jewish traditions and culture. Here are some of the things the children had to say: St David: He explained the importance of the Jewish symbol: the Star of David.  Mr Silver also showed us and lit the menorah, he sang the prayer and told us the importance of Hanukkah.  We all enjoyed Mr Silver's visit.” St Joseph: We enjoyed taking part in the role play celebrating Shabbat as his family. We enjoyed Mr Silver’s visit today St Teresa: We enjoyed the talk yesterday as I found it fascinating learning about other religions and comparing it to ours! We loved the answer that Leonardo gave us to our questions. The fact that Jewish people have different opinions was very interesting. We really liked the workshop because instead of learning just about Christianity. It gave me a chance to learn about different religions from all over the world. St Elizabeth: Learning about the Torah was really interesting. I didn’t know how important it is to Jewish people and how it guides their choices every day. It’s like a special rule book that helps them know what’s right and wrong. We learned how the Torah teaches about kindness, helping others, and respecting family, which is something they still follow today. It made me think about how different religions have texts that shape their lives too St Oscar Romero: Leonard gave our Year 6’s a chance to ask some great questions, with some of us asking why Jewish people didn’t believe in Jesus and how they were able to understand and read the Torah. At the end of our session, Leonard spoke about the Holocaust and why it was so vital that we learnt about it and never forgot that period of History. Mr Silver also sent us a lovely message after his visit:   “I was so happy to be able to relate to all the pupils on the various subjects and to answer their excellent questions.  What a pleasure it was to see your disciplined and beautifully behaved children.  Their attention , keenness and interest was a breath of fresh air! It gave me great satisfaction imparting my knowledge of Judaism and our traditions  by role play and demonstration involving them  in “live action” both with Chanukah and Friday night Shabbat.”    
Posted on: 16/09/2024

CSI Outcome From July 2024

Catholic Schools Inspection Report 2024 Dear Parents and Carers, I hope this letter finds you and your families well. We are delighted to share with you the wonderful news regarding the outcome of our most recent Religious Education inspection. The report reflects the dedication of our staff, pupils, and the wider school community in ensuring that the values of faith, kindness, and inclusivity are at the heart of everything we do. The inspectors were deeply impressed by many aspects of our school life, particularly the following highlights: Warm and Welcoming Community: Our Lady of Grace Catholic Primary School is recognised as a nurturing environment where both children and families feel valued. As the report beautifully stated, we provide ‘a kind and supportive environment in which children thrive’. This is something we are incredibly proud of. Fruitful School-Parish Partnership: The close and supportive relationship between the school and parish was highlighted as one of our key strengths. Staff, families, and parishioners alike cherish this partnership, which plays a significant role in the faith development of our children and the overall sense of community within our school. Exemplary Behaviour: The behaviour of our pupils, both in and out of the classroom, was identified as exemplary. Parents acknowledged the leadership of our head teacher, who ‘sets an incredible example of respect,’ fostering an atmosphere of mutual care and consideration. Our pupils continue to impress us with their kindness, respect, and commitment to one another. Embracing Diversity: At Our Lady of Grace, we take pride in our diverse community, where all are welcomed with open arms, regardless of faith or background. The report noted how we work collaboratively to ensure that every individual feels included and supported, reflecting the inclusive values of our Catholic tradition. High Expectations and Resilience: Finally, the inspectors recognised the high standards we set for our pupils. At Our Lady of Grace, we encourage every child to strive for their best, supported by the belief that if they give their all, ‘God will do the rest’. This combination of resilience, effort, and faith is at the core of our educational philosophy. This glowing report is a testament to the hard work of our entire school community – from our dedicated staff and supportive parents to our enthusiastic and talented pupils. We are incredibly proud of this recognition and will continue to build on these strengths as we move forward. Thank you for your continued support, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about the report. Yours sincerely, Mr Small Head Teacher Our Lady of Grace Catholic Primary School

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