Catholic Life of the School
At St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School, as our Mission Statement suggests, we are learning to become more like Jesus Christ. We follow his example and try to do what He asks us to do. In short, we try to live our lives following Gospel values. These Gospel values can be summed up by the 'Sermon on the mount' where Jesus explained to those present how they should attempt to live their lives.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven”
Values: Faithfulness & Integrity
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”
Values: Dignity & Compassion
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”
Values: Humility & Gentleness
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied”
Values: Truth & Justice
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy”
Values: Forgiveness & Mercy
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God”
Values: Purity & Holiness
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God”
Values: Tolerance & Peace
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter
every kind of slander against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice for your reward
is great in heaven; they persecuted the prophets before you in the very same way”
Values: Service & Sacrifice
Religious Education is central to our whole school curriculum and is about the development of a way of living which improves the quality of life for all.
The Religious Education scheme followed at St Thomas’ is the ‘Come and See' Scheme recommended by our Diocese. It is supplemented by other RE schemes and materials and accounts for 10% of the entire curriculum time excluding liturgies, assemblies and collective worship.
Through these schemes the children are taught the basis of the Catholic Faith, spirituality, morality and social issues which are constantly related to their own life experiences. Children are helped to come to a fuller knowledge and love of God which will develop into mature Christian living. On Holy Days of Obligation and at the beginning and throughout each term, we celebrate the Eucharist in School. Fr Stephen visits school to say mass and takes time to visit the children in their classes.
Other faiths are taught in keeping with Diocesan requirements.
There are weekly school assemblies and liturgies, when groups of pupils take it in turn to lead the rest of the School in prayer and reflection. The pupils are fully involved in the preparation of both Mass and Liturgy. Each day pupils pray together as a class.
There is an open invitation to all parents to celebrate any school Mass with us.