Ascension and Pentecost Spirituality Day - Summer Term

Pre-school Spirituality Afternoon- Summer term

In Pre-School, we learnt about Pentecost and talked about why it is often called the “birthday of the Church.” The children enjoyed making a special birthday card for the church and practised writing their names inside it.

We were also very lucky to have a visit from Rev Ben. The children were excited to show him the beautiful card they had created and he absolutely loved it! It was a lovely opportunity for the children to share their learning and feel proud of their work.

Year 1 Spirituality Afternoon - Summer Term 

Year 1 learnt about the stories of Ascension Day and Pentecost and why they are so important to Christians. We wrote prayers thanking God for the events of Ascension and Pentecost and what it means for our lives today. We then created story wheels to retell the events of Ascension and Pentecost. 

Year 3 Spirituality Afternoon - Summer Term

Year 3 had a great spirituality afternoon where we explored ascension and Pentecost. We explored how the Holy Spirit filled the disciples and they spoke in tongues of flames. We then made our own flames of the spirit showing how we represent the Holy Spirit and our school vision. We created our own flames and wrote this in the middle. 

Year 4 Summer 1 Spirituality Afternoon.

In Year 4, we explored the events of Ascension and Pentecost and what they mean to Christians. We thought about the gifts that God gave to the apostles and to us all during Pentecost and how the apostles used them to help others. We identified the gifts and talents that God has given each of us, linking this to our school vision ‘As God’s family together we achieve.’ We thought about how we could live out our vision using our gifts through our school Christian Values. We shared ways that we could demonstrate each of our 12 values and worked together to create some bunting to show this. 

Year 5 Spirituality Afternoon - Summer Term 

Year 5 reflected on how to share love with absolutely everyone, as Jesus intended. We came up with ways to improve the inclusivity of church for those with disabilities. We learned some British Sign Language to be able to communicate the message of Jesus to people who are deaf or hard of hearing. 

Year 6 Spirituality Afternoon - Summer Term

To celebrate Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, we took inspiration from his COP 26 speech to write our own speeches about the environment. We also linked it to our Spirituality Day learning.

https://stpaulshoddlesden.primarysite.media/playlist/year-6-2526-2 

St Paul Spirituality Afternoon - Spring Term

This term, the children took part in a reflective and meaningful Spirituality Afternoon, beginning with worship led by Rev Ben. This time of worship helped set a calm and thoughtful tone for the afternoon. Throughout the afternoon, children across the school explored the story of St Paul and reflected on how people can change, grow, and respond to God’s call. The focus was not simply on learning facts, but on helping children think about who they are, the choices they make, and their place in God’s story. Classes revisited our school vision, “As God’s family, together we achieve,” and reflected on how this vision is lived out in everyday school life. Children spent time in stillness and reflection and responded through art, writing, and prayer, exploring themes such as identity, behaviour, courage, kindness, and personal growth. They considered how listening to God can lead to positive change and help them make good choices. The afternoon gave children a valuable opportunity to connect faith with everyday life and reflect on how, as God’s family, working together, they can continue to grow, achieve, and support one another.

Pre-School Spirituality Afternoon - Spring Term 

Pre-school children took part by writing their names on heart-shaped cards and decorating heart biscuits. Through this activity, they discussed the importance of their names and reflected on how God knows and values each of us by name, helping them understand that they are a special part of God’s family.

Year 1 Spirituality Afternoon - Spring Term 

Year 1 explored the story of St Paul, learning how he was originally a Jewish Pharisee called Saul, who behaved unkindly and travelled to Damascus. They listened to how Jesus spoke to Saul on his journey, how a bright light caused him to lose his sight for three days, and how Ananias prayed for him, leading to a complete change in Saul’s life. Saul became Paul.

The children discussed how our school is named after St Paul and learned that Paul wrote letters to new Christians to help spread the word of God. They reflected on the changes they have made in their own lives and what choices are right in the eyes of God. To respond, the children created collages using eyes, pictures, and words to show the good choices they have made.

Year 2 Spirituality Afternoon - Spring Term

Year 3 Spirituality Afternoon - Spring Term

In Year 3's Spirituality Afternoon, we learnt about how Paul was blinded, what he began to understand during this time and how he grew as a person. We sketched eyes to represent how Paul lost his sight but was able to see more once he became at one with God. In the centre of our work, we drew examples of seeing the school vision in action.

Vision Spirituality Afternoon - Autumn 2025

As part of our Autumn term Spirituality Afternoon, children across the school explored our Christian vision statement and how it helps them flourish as individuals and as a community. Each class reflected on our vision statement, learned about St. Paul and his message in Romans 12:4–8 and discussed how everyone has different gifts that work together for the good of all. They also learned about St. Carlo Acutis, a modern teenager known as "God’s Influencer," who used his talents to serve God through digital media. Classes reflected on how they have lived out the vision this year, sharing real examples of kindness, teamwork, and growth. The afternoon was a meaningful opportunity for children to connect faith with everyday life and celebrate the unique gifts each person brings to our school family.

Year 2 Spirituality Afternoon Autumn 2025

Year 3 Spirituality Afternoon Autumn 2025

Prayer Spaces Spirituality Afternoon - Summer 2025 

During our summer term Spirituality Afternoon, the children built on their knowledge of prayer by designing and creating items for our outdoor prayer space. These thoughtful contributions were planned by the children and used in St. Paul’s 24/7 Prayer Tent, linking closely with our Year of Prayer. The experience not only deepened their understanding of prayer but also gave them the opportunity to create something meaningful that will be used in our own school prayer spaces throughout the year.

Prayer Spirituality Afternoon - Spring 2025

Our spring term Spirituality Afternoon focused on the Lord’s Prayer, with each class learning and reflecting on its meaning. Every class explored a different line of the prayer in depth, helping children to understand its message in a personal and meaningful way. Some classes created videos to share their reflections, while others wrote their own prayers in response. It was a special opportunity for children to engage creatively and spiritually with one of the most important prayers in the Christian faith.

Big Frieze Spirituality Afternoon - Autumn 2024

As part of our Spirituality Afternoon in Autumn 2024, each class started their panel of God's Big Story. All of our pieces have now been put together to create one big piece of art to show God's Big Story. The seven panels have been created by:

• Creation - EYFS
• The Fall - Year 6
• People of God - Year 5
• Incarnation - Year 1
• Gospel - Year 4
• Salvation - Year 2
• Kingdom of God - Year 3

The Big Frieze is designed to give teachers the opportunity to make children aware of the wider context of each Christian concept. Reminding pupils regularly of where a particular text occurs within the ‘big story’, by pointing it out on the Frieze, helps to build up a coherent understanding of the core concepts and the relationship between them. The artwork illustrates these concepts, from Creation to Kingdom of God, presenting a Christian view of the Bible as more than a collection of different texts – one which has an overarching coherence and story.

Holy Week Spirituality Afternoon - Spring 2024