RE Blog

14.11.2025

Year 6

This week in RE, Year 6 have continued their learning about women in the Old Testament, focusing especially on the remarkable figure of Deborah. The children explored her significance as both a leader and a prophet, discovering how she guided the Israelites with wisdom, courage, and faith during a time of great difficulty. They discussed why Deborah is remembered as a strong role model and how her leadership continues to inspire people today.

On Tuesday 11th November, as part of our reflections for the Month of Remembrance, Year 6 also spent time thinking about the importance of human dignity, honouring and continuing the work of those who have gone before us. The children learned about three key figures whose lives demonstrate courage, compassion and selflessness:

St. Maximilian Kolbe – A Polish priest who gave his life to save another man in Auschwitz, showing extraordinary love and sacrifice.
Edith Cavell – A British nurse from World War I who cared for soldiers from both sides and helped hundreds to safety, showing that every human life has value.
Dr Martin Luther King Jr – A civil rights leader who fought peacefully for equality and justice, reminding us of the dignity and worth of every person.

The children created detailed fact files about each of these inspirational individuals. They reflected on:

how each person showed dignity to others,
what they found inspirational about their actions, and
how we can honour their memory today through kindness, justice and respect.

It has been a thoughtful and meaningful week in Year 6, filled with deep discussions and powerful examples of faith, courage and dignity in action.

Year 5

Year 5 enjoyed a wonderful chance to take part in the deanery Mass at St. Mellitus Parish Church, an experience that will stay with them. From the moment we stepped inside, the whole space felt calm, welcoming, and full of reverence. Pupils from many schools came together, creating a warm atmosphere of shared belief and celebration. The children sang with great energy, and the blend of young voices brought a bright, uplifting spirit to the liturgy.

A particularly special moment was watching three of our pupils—Tiffany, James and Asher—proclaim the Responsorial Psalm. They spoke with assurance, clarity, and heartfelt respect, enriching the service for everyone present.

When we made our way back to school, the children carried with them a deep sense of joy and calm. The hymns, the prayerful silence, and the feeling of togetherness reminded us how much strength comes from gathering in faith. We look forward to many future opportunities for our school community to celebrate, reflect, and shine as one.

Year 4

This week in Religious Education, Year 4 explored some rich and meaningful themes that helped us deepen our understanding of Scripture, faith and caring for others.

We began by comparing the Gospel stories of John the Baptist from Mark and Matthew. The children noticed that although both Gospels describe John as preparing the way for Jesus, each writer includes different details. Mark focuses on John’s message and mission, while Matthew adds more about John’s conversation with the Pharisees. We discussed why the Bible includes different perspectives as each writer saw and understood events in their own way. Together, these viewpoints help us build a fuller picture of God’s message.

We then learned about prophecies in the Bible and how prophets were chosen to share God’s promises with His people. The children read several prophecies that spoke of the coming of the Messiah. They identified how these messages connect to the life of Jesus and show God’s faithfulness through history.

On Remembrance Day, Year 4 took time to reflect on the bravery and service of those who worked to protect and care for their communities - soldiers, nurses, ambulance workers and many others. After discussing how their actions reflect Catholic Social Teaching principles, especially solidarity and the dignity of the human person, the children wrote heartfelt letters of gratitude. These letters thanked community heroes for the sacrifices they made and the love they showed through their service.

Today, the children dressed in the colours of the Jamaican flag to raise money for people in Jamaica. We reflected on the impact of the hurricane on the Jamaican people and discussed how our money can support them. The children reflected on how we can show respect for every person’s human dignity, no matter where they live. They wrote about the importance of helping others, recognising that every act of kindness builds a more compassionate world.

Year 3

Reflecting on The Birth of Jesus Foretold (Luke 1:26–38)

This week in Year 3, we have been learning about a very special moment in the Bible, The Birth of Jesus Foretold. They listened carefully to the story from Luke 1:26–38, where the Angel Gabriel visits Mary to tell her that she will have a very special baby, Jesus, the Son of God.

After listening to the Scripture, the children spent some quiet time reflecting on the story. They thought about how Mary must have felt when she received such amazing news - surprised, scared, and joyful all at once! Some children also chose to share their personal reflections with the rest of the class, speaking confidently about their thoughts and feelings.

Today, the children also took part in Jamaica Day, wearing the colours of Jamaica. We discussed the recent hurricane in Jamaica, thinking about what happened and how it affected people’s lives. Many homes were damaged, families were left struggling, and whole communities are now in great need of support. The children thought about how everyone deserves human dignity, and we linked this to Catholic Social Teaching, the belief that we are all called to help those who are suffering or in need.

We talked about how our actions today, such as wearing Jamaican colours to raise money and show solidarity, help us live out our faith in a practical and meaningful way.

The children also shared what they have learned about helping others and why it is important. They spoke about showing kindness, giving support, and bringing hope to people who are hurting. Together, we remembered that even small actions can make a big difference.

Year 2

Saying “Yes” Like Mary

This week in Religion, Year 2 have been learning all about the Nativity story and why this moment is so special for Christians around the world. We talked about the visit from the Angel Gabriel and how Mary said “yes” to God, showing bravery, trust, and love. The children reflected on how we can follow Mary’s example in our own lives by trying to say “yes” to God through kindness, helpfulness, and making good choices.

To help bring the Nativity to life, the children used technology to create their own Nativity scenes. They selected characters, arranged settings, and added details to show their understanding of the story. It was wonderful to see their creativity shine as they retold this important moment in a modern and imaginative way.

The children showed thoughtful reverence during our discussions and great enthusiasm during the creative task. What a lovely way to begin preparing our hearts for the Christmas season.

Year 1

Our Wonderful Nativity Journey at Lambeth Palace

This week, Year 1 had the incredible opportunity to visit Lambeth Palace and step into the story of the Nativity. It was a truly special experience where the children were able to explore the events surrounding the birth of Jesus in a meaningful and interactive way.

During our visit, the children met key figures from the Nativity story. They saw Mary and Elizabeth and learned about their joyful meeting. They also heard about the roles of the Wise Men and the Shepherds, who travelled from near and far to welcome Baby Jesus. The children loved seeing the manger scene and imagining what it must have been like on that holy night.

We were incredibly proud of how our Year 1 pupils showed their knowledge and understanding. Throughout the tour, they made thoughtful links to what they have been learning in school. They connected the characters, the setting and the events to the values of Catholic Social Teaching.

Many children noticed the donkeys and sheep in the Nativity scene and remembered that all animals are part of God’s Creation, which we must care for and respect. They also made beautiful connections to Human Dignity, explaining that people helped Mary and Joseph by giving them a donkey to travel on and offering a safe place the stable where Baby Jesus could be born. The children recognised that everyone deserves care, kindness and support just as Mary and Joseph received.

It was truly wonderful to see their learning come alive. Their curiosity and kindness made the trip even more special.

Thank you to all the adults who supported the trip and helped make this experience unforgettable.

Reception

This week, we learned that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in a stable. We began with a discussion around the questions: “Who do we celebrate at Christmas?” and “Do you know where Jesus was born?”. The children learned that a long time ago, Mary and Joseph had to travel a long distance to a town called Bethlehem. When they arrived, all the rooms were full, and there was nowhere for them to stay. They found shelter in a stable, and that night, baby Jesus was born.

The children were able to make lovely connections between this story and their own Nativity lines and songs! Afterwards, we made our own stables and enjoyed role-playing with figures of Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, and the animals.

It was also Remembrance Day this week. We shared how on the 11th November, we remember loved ones and all those who may not be with us any longer. We also discussed how a long time ago, when many countries were at war, brave men and women, like soldiers, had to go and fight to protect their homes and families. At 11am the whole school took part in a 2-minute silence. Then, we made our own poppies using pipe cleaners, tissue paper and paint!

Nursery

A Special Messenger in Nursery

The children were very excited to start their learning about The Christmas Story this week. Our learning Objective for our first lesson for our ‘Promise’ topic was: To know that Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus.

We sat the children sit in a circle and told them know that today’s lesson is about Mary and some special news from God.

We showed the children an angel figure and told them the story of the Angel Gabriel appearing to Mary in the Bible. We looked in the bible and read a very short version of Luke 1:26–31.

We passed the angel around the circle and said together, “Do not be afraid, Mary.”

We brought out the baby Jesus doll wrapped in a cloth, and the children took turns gently holding or wrapping the baby. We said a simple prayer thanking God for Mary and Jesus and ended the carpet session by listening to and joining in with the carol: ‘The Angel Gabriel.’

We then made some beautiful angels on the creative table and talked about the special message from Angel Gabriel.

We role-played the story with puppets, figures and costumes.

When outside we relayed the special message from Angel Gabriel using large tubes:

“Don’t be afraid Mary! You’re going to have a baby…the son of God!”

Little Gems

This week, we have spent time learning about Remembrance Day and the children made their own poppies using sponges and red paint.

We also learnt how baby Jesus was born in a stable. The children role-played being gentle with a doll and the nativity figures. They also made their own stables using half a paper plate, yellow paper as hay and placing a picture of Baby Jesus in the stable.