Together, they explored how God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to offer his beloved son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. As they delved deeper into the story, they considered how Abraham responded with trust and obedience, even when God’s request must have seemed difficult to understand. They discovered that, at the crucial moment, God provided a ram to take Isaac’s place, demonstrating His provision and faithfulness.

“Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.”

(Genesis 22:13)

Through this scripture, they reflected on how God provided an alternative sacrifice and explored the significance of the ram in the story. They discussed the themes of faith, trust and obedience, considering what Abraham’s response revealed about his relationship with God.

Faith in Action

Inspired by Abraham’s example, Year 4 reflected on how they could put their own faith into action in everyday life. They considered what it means to trust God when things feel uncertain, to show obedience by making positive choices and to demonstrate faith through kindness, honesty and helping others. They explored how small, everyday actions can reflect their trust in God and how they can show courage when faced with challenges. Through these reflections, they were encouraged to consider how they could live out their faith in practical ways, remembering that faith is not only something they believe in but something they can demonstrate through their actions.

We learned that Abraham and Sarah lived a nomadic life in the desert and welcomed three unexpected visitors. Abraham demonstrated great kindness and hospitality by welcoming his guests and offering them food and shelter. We then discovered the visitors’ special message from God: Sarah would have a baby! Although Sarah found this difficult to believe, the story reminds us of God’s power and faithfulness. As the Lord said to Abraham,

“Is anything too hard for the LORD?”

(Genesis 18:14)

This powerful question encouraged us to reflect on God’s promises and the importance of having faith and trusting in Him, even when something seems impossible.

As we journey through Ordinary Time in the Church’s liturgical calendar, we are reminded that faith is lived out through our everyday words and actions. Celebrating Mass together gave the children an opportunity to listen to God’s Word, give thanks for the wonderful gift of creation and reflect on our responsibility to care for one another and the world around us.

This linked beautifully to the words of Jesus:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

(Matthew 5:9)

As a school community, we were reminded that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a difference as we strive to become peaceful, caring and responsible global citizens, living out our faith and sharing God’s love with the world.

Our Live Simply Award 

Our celebration also connected closely with our journey towards the Live Simply Award, encouraging us to live simply, sustainably and in solidarity with others. By exploring peace, kindness and compassion, the children reflected on how we can care for one another, our wider community and God’s beautiful creation. Through our everyday actions, we are learning that living simply is not just about what we do, but how we treat others and the world around us. Together, we are putting our faith into action and working towards a more peaceful, just and sustainable world for everyone.

Nursery

Nursery celebrated the International Day of Peace by exploring the importance of using kind hands every day, especially when playing and interacting with our friends. The children shared their wonderful ideas about how we can use our hands to show kindness, care and love, such as helping others, sharing toys and giving comforting hugs. To celebrate these thoughtful ideas, the children worked together to create a beautiful Kindness Rainbow, reminding us that even the smallest acts of kindness can help make our world a more peaceful and loving place.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another.”

(Ephesians 4:32)

We reflected on how God calls us to show love through our actions and how our kind hands can help make everyone feel happy, safe and loved.

Reception

Reception celebrated the International Day of Peace by exploring what it means to have a kind heart. The children discussed and demonstrated how to be kind, caring and supportive friends, while also exploring the different emotions we experience and how we can understand and express them. Through thoughtful discussions and activities, they discovered how small acts of kindness can make a big difference in helping everyone feel happy, safe and loved.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another.”

(Ephesians 4:32)

We reflected on how we can share God’s love and help create a peaceful world through our kind words, caring actions and loving hearts.

KS1

KS1 celebrated International Day of Peace by exploring the power of kind words and positive friendships.

The children discussed how using kind and thoughtful words can make others feel happy, valued and included. They also explored how simple acts of kindness, such as helping others, sharing and showing care, can help us to build strong and lasting friendships.

To bring their learning to life, the children created their very own “Peace Potions”, filling them with ideas for kind words, helpful actions and friendship qualities. They thought carefully about the ingredients needed to make a strong and happy friendship.

We reflected on the words from Scripture:

“Be kind and compassionate to one another.” — Ephesians 4:32

The children discovered that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference and help to create a more peaceful, caring and inclusive community.

Year 3

Year 3 celebrated International Day of Peace by exploring what peace means around the world.

The children discovered how people greet one another in different languages and explored how greetings can vary across cultures. From Japan and India to Italy and Spain, the children enjoyed learning about the different ways people connect, communicate and show respect for one another.

They also explored a range of symbols of peace used around the world and discussed what these symbols represent. The children reflected on how, although our languages, cultures and traditions may be different, we can all share the same hopes for kindness, friendship and peace.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9

It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to celebrate diversity, develop their understanding of different cultures, and consider how they can be peacemakers within our school and the wider world.

Year 4 

Year 4 celebrated International Day of Peace by exploring the important themes of fairness, respect and peace.

The children explored how artwork can be a powerful way to communicate important messages and inspire positive change in the world. They discovered how artists can use colour, imagery and symbols to express ideas about peace, unity, fairness and equality.

The children then took on the role of creative pioneers, using their imagination to create their own unique pieces of artwork. They were challenged with the thought-provoking question:

“If peace was a picture, what would it look like?”

The children came up with some fantastic and imaginative ideas, carefully considering how they could represent peace through their artwork. Their creations showed that peace can be expressed in many different ways and encouraged them to think about how they can contribute to a kinder, fairer and more respectful world.

“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8

This message encouraged the children to consider how justice, kindness and respect can help create a more peaceful world, and how each of us can make a positive difference through our words, actions and choices.

Year 5 

Year 5 celebrated International Day of Peace by exploring the important theme of resolving conflict peacefully.

The children explored five crucial steps that can help us manage disagreements and resolve conflict in a calm and respectful way:

STOP → LISTEN → TALK → THINK → AGREE

Through discussion and reflection, the children considered how each step can help us understand different perspectives, communicate our feelings and work towards a fair and peaceful solution.

The children then became peace ambassadors, creating colourful and informative posters to teach others about this five-step approach to conflict resolution. Their posters highlighted the importance of listening carefully, speaking kindly, thinking before we act and working together to reach an agreement.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” — Matthew 5:9

The children explored how being a peacemaker means choosing kindness, understanding and respectful communication, even when disagreements arise.

Year 6

Year 6 celebrated International Day of Peace by exploring how they can become the peace leaders of tomorrow.

The children reflected on the important role they can play in creating a more peaceful world, focusing on how prayer, hope and motivational words can inspire positive change and encourage others.

As part of their learning, the children wrote their own heartfelt prayers for peace, sharing their hopes for a world filled with kindness, understanding, unity and respect. They considered how their words and actions can make a difference, both within their school community and in the wider world.

“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” — Psalm 34:14

This powerful message encouraged the children to think about how they can actively seek peace, stand up for what is right and use their voices to inspire others. Through their prayers and reflections, Year 6 showed that they have the potential to become the peace leaders of tomorrow.

This week, we were delighted to welcome Alison to our assembly to tell us about the wonderful work she is doing to support children with albinism in Tanzania.

Alison is currently fundraising to provide prescription glasses for children who need them. For many children with albinism, clear vision is essential to accessing their learning, yet the glasses they need can cost over £200 per pair. Sadly, many children go through their school journey without access to the glasses that could make such a significant difference to their education and daily lives.

We are incredibly excited to be part of this important cause. As a school, we hope to build a lasting connection with one class in Tanzania. The children will send us a video so that our pupils can get to know them, learn more about their school and everyday lives, and hear their thanks for helping to make a difference.

To support this worthwhile cause, our pupils will have the opportunity to fundraise, with even a donation of just £1 from each child making a meaningful contribution. When we come together as a community, these small acts of generosity can have a truly powerful impact and help us begin funding prescription glasses for children who desperately need them.

Our staff will also be contributing, so that together, as one St Monica’s community, we can make a real difference.

Living Simply, Living in Solidarity

This project also links beautifully with our commitment to the Live Simply Award. Live Simply encourages us to live in a way that respects our world, cares for others and recognises that we are all part of one global community. By choosing to give, share and think about the needs of others, our pupils are learning that even small actions can have a significant impact.

Our connection with the children in Tanzania gives us a wonderful opportunity to move beyond simply learning about global issues and to take action. Through fundraising, building relationships and learning about the lives of children in another part of the world, we are developing compassion, solidarity and a deeper understanding of our responsibility towards our global neighbours. This is a powerful example of how we can live simply, care deeply and make a difference together.

Faith in Action

This is a wonderful opportunity for us to put our faith into action and live out the message of Scripture. In his letter to the Galatians, St Paul reminds us:

“Let us not become weary in doing good… Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.”
 

(Galatians 6:9–10)

These words beautifully capture what we hope to achieve through this project. By showing kindness, generosity and compassion, we can help children who live thousands of miles away and remind our pupils that being a global citizen means caring for others, wherever they may be.

At St Monica’s, we want our children to understand that even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference. Together, our pupils and staff can help provide children with the gift of clearer vision, greater access to their education and, ultimately, greater opportunities for their future.

This is faith in action. This is living simply and living in solidarity. And this is our St Monica’s community reaching beyond the walls of our school to show love and care for others on an international scale.

r your blog post here.

Our Year 3 pupils were delighted to welcome their families today for two wonderful family assemblies. Both events were very well attended and provided a valuable opportunity for the children to share their learning, celebrate their faith and showcase their confidence and enthusiasm. We are incredibly proud of all the pupils for the thoughtful way they delivered their messages and engaged with everyone present.

3G – Pentecost: The Coming of the Holy Spirit

Class 3G explored the significance of Pentecost, when Christians celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples and the birth of the Church. Through prayers, readings and reflections, the children shared how the disciples were transformed from feeling frightened and uncertain into courageous followers of Jesus, empowered to spread the Good News to people from many different nations.

The assembly encouraged everyone to consider how the Holy Spirit continues to guide Christians today, helping them to show love, compassion, courage and understanding in their daily lives. The children reminded us that, just as the disciples were called to share God's message with others, we too can use our words and actions to make a positive difference in the world around us.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth."
(Acts 1:8)

3R – Let Your Light Shine

Class 3R reflected on Jesus' teaching that each person has unique gifts and talents that can be used to bring light, hope and kindness to others. Through their assembly, the children explored what it means to be a positive influence within our school community and beyond, demonstrating values such as respect, compassion, generosity and perseverance.

The children encouraged everyone to recognise their own strengths and to use them in service of others, whether through acts of kindness, supporting friends, working hard in their learning or standing up for what is right. Their message was a powerful reminder that even small actions can have a significant impact when carried out with love and care.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
(Matthew 5:16)

We would like to thank all of our families for joining us and supporting the children on these special occasions. Well done to all of Year 3 for two uplifting and memorable assemblies that truly reflected the values and spirit of our school community.

Year 6 have been busy researching Lourdes and creating informative fact files! They discovered that Lourdes became a place of pilgrimage after St Bernadette Soubirous reported seeing visions of the Virgin Mary in 1858. The children also learned about the famous Grotto of Massabielle and the spring water associated with Lourdes, where many pilgrims travel seeking healing, hope and spiritual renewal.

As part of their learning, Year 6 explored the miracles of Jesus in the Bible and reflected on how faith can bring comfort and strength to others. They linked their understanding to the scripture:

"Jesus said, 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'"

(Mark 9:23)

They also discussed how Jesus showed compassion through miracles of healing, remembering the words:

"He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.'"

(Mark 5:34)

Faith in Action

Through their study of Lourdes, Year 6 reflected on how they can put their faith into action by showing compassion, kindness and service to others. Inspired by the example of St Bernadette and the many volunteers who support pilgrims in Lourdes, the children considered practical ways to live out Gospel values in their daily lives through acts of care, empathy and helping those in need. They recognised that faith is not only about what we believe, but also about how we demonstrate God's love through our actions.

Fantastic research, thoughtful reflection and excellent writing skills were on display throughout this topic. Well done, Year 6!

This week, we learned about the friends of Jesus and how they shared the Good News with people all around the world. We talked about how Mrs Evans is like one of Jesus' friends because she helps to spread the Good News throughout our school.

The children used a map of the school to search for different places where the Good News is shared. When they found each location, they listened to a Bible story. They enjoyed exploring the map and learning how Jesus' message spread far and wide, reaching people everywhere.

As Christians, we are called to share Jesus' love and teachings with others, just as His disciples did. We reflected on Jesus' words:

"Go and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
 

(Matthew 28:19–20)

Faith in Action

The children considered how they can be like Jesus' friends in their own daily lives. They discussed simple ways to share the Good News through their actions, such as showing kindness, helping others, being good friends, and demonstrating God's love through their words and behaviour. By following Jesus' example, they recognised that they too can make a positive difference in their school and wider community.

1T loves spending time together in our prayer garden, sharing meaningful moments of prayer and liturgy in a calm and reflective environment. We enjoy singing our favourite hymns, reading passages from the Bible, and exploring stories that help us deepen our understanding of scripture and strengthen our relationship with God. These opportunities encourage us to pause from our busy day, listen to God's word, and think about how we can live out His message through our actions and relationships with others.

Our prayer garden provides a special sacred space where children can experience stillness, reflection, and a sense of God's presence in the beauty of creation. Having a dedicated area for prayer helps pupils develop their spiritual awareness, express their thoughts and feelings, and grow in faith as part of our school community. It reminds us that prayer can happen anywhere, but setting aside a peaceful space allows us to focus our hearts and minds on God, fostering wellbeing, gratitude, and a deeper sense of belonging.

"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)

This scripture encourages us to value moments of quietness and reflection, helping us to recognise God's presence in our lives. Through prayer, scripture, and shared worship in our prayer garden, 1T continues to grow in faith, compassion, and understanding of how we are called to love and serve others.

Our Year 4 pupils recently celebrated the Sacrament of First Holy Communion, an important milestone in their faith journey. In receiving Holy Communion for the first time, the children were welcomed more fully into the life of the Church as they received Jesus in the Eucharist. Throughout their preparation, they developed a deeper understanding of the significance of the Mass, the Last Supper and Jesus' gift of Himself to us in the Blessed Sacrament. They also learnt about the importance of prayer, forgiveness, gratitude and living out Gospel values in their daily lives.

The children were beautifully prepared by our fantastic catechists, who worked so hard to support them on their journey. Through weeks of learning, reflection and prayer, they grew in their understanding of the Eucharist as spiritual nourishment and a way of strengthening their relationship with God and the wider parish community.

A scripture passage that reflects the significance of this sacrament is Jesus' promise in John's Gospel:

"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

(John 6:35)

This reminds us that in the Eucharist, Jesus nourishes us spiritually and remains present with us, guiding us to live as His disciples.

The service was a wonderful occasion. The children looked fantastic in their sashes, and families had worked hard to ensure they looked so smart and ready for this special day. Their reverence and enthusiastic participation throughout the Mass reflected the commitment they had shown during their preparation. The readings, prayers and involvement of families all helped to make the celebration especially meaningful.

After Mass, the children enjoyed a party and celebration disco with the rest of Year 4, providing a lovely opportunity to celebrate this important milestone together with their friends.

Faith in Action

Receiving First Holy Communion is not only a celebration of faith but also a call to live as followers of Christ each day. Through their preparation, the children learnt that being nourished by the Eucharist inspires them to put their faith into action by showing kindness, compassion and forgiveness to others. They are encouraged to follow Jesus' example through acts of service, caring for those in need, demonstrating respect and understanding, and contributing positively to their school, parish and wider community. As they continue on their faith journey, we hope they will carry the values they have learnt into their everyday lives, becoming witnesses to God's love through their words and actions.

"I am very proud of our children who made their First Holy Communion. They conducted themselves perfectly throughout the day. The readings, participation in the Mass, and involvement of families all helped to make it a truly special occasion."

Father Ged 

During Walk to School Week, the children at St Monica’s were encouraged to walk to school each day or use alternative sustainable methods of travel. Throughout the week, they learnt about and celebrated the many benefits of active travel, including supporting their mental health, improving fitness, and helping to protect the environment. It was wonderful to see so many children taking part and making positive choices for their journey to and from school.

Link to Live Simply Award 

This initiative also contributes towards our LiveSimply Award journey. Inspired by Laudato Si’, the children reflected on Pope Francis’ message that God’s creation is a precious gift that should be cherished and protected. By choosing more sustainable ways to travel, they recognised that even small actions can make a positive difference to the world around them. Walk to School Week helped the children understand their responsibility as stewards of God’s creation, encouraging them to care for the environment and live out their faith through practical actions that support our common home.

As part of this learning, the children reflected on the words of Scripture:

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

(Genesis 2:15)

This verse reminds us that God has entrusted us with the care of His world. Through their participation in Walk to School Week, the children put this message into action, demonstrating how simple everyday choices can help protect the environment and show gratitude for God's creation. 

We asked the children how they felt about taking part in Walk to School Week. It was wonderful to hear their reflections and see how much they enjoyed making a positive choice to walk to school. The children recognised that, through their actions, they were living out God's call to care for creation and putting their faith into practice. Many spoke proudly about the difference they were making and expressed a commitment to continuing to protect and care for the environment, becoming role models for others in safeguarding our common home.

The children were inspired by the words:

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

(Matthew 5:16)

By choosing a more sustainable way to travel to school, the children demonstrated how small acts can make a big difference. Their enthusiasm and commitment showed that they are not only caring for God's creation today but are also helping to inspire others to do the same.

This week, St Monica’s celebrated Earth Day. It was a time to reflect on the world around us—God’s creation—and to consider our responsibility to care for it. Inspired by their faith, pupils put their beliefs into action by exploring practical ways to protect the planet and live more sustainably.

 “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”

(Genesis 2:15)

Eco Warriors Big Planting Project

The school was very kindly donated a variety of plants by a loving former family. Our Eco Warriors, supported by the School Council, worked together to plant them around the school grounds, including in our new prayer garden, helping to create a greener and more peaceful environment for all. This truly showed their faith in action as they cared for the environment around them, following God’s example of stewardship, and helped to create a beautiful, peaceful space within our prayer garden for reflection and prayer.

This work also links to School Action 3 of our Live Simply Award, as we continue to use our school grounds to live more sustainably. By caring for the school environment, pupils at St Monica’s can see that their faith inspires them to take action by helping nature to flourish. It reminds us that working together is the way to build a healthy and thriving environment for all, where both people and wildlife can grow and flourish.

Year 1 Upcycling

Year 1 spent the day appreciating the environment that was gifted to us by God. They recognised how important it is not to let materials go to waste.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

(Matthew 25:40)

They demonstrated their understanding by upcycling old materials and creating wind chimes for our new prayer garden. These will be a beautiful addition to the space and a lovely way to show how even old materials can be transformed into something new and beautiful.

Year 2 Clean Up Our Local Community

Year 2 celebrated Earth Day by exploring how our world is magnificent and recognising our responsibility to care for the environment. They discussed how littering can damage our surroundings and pose a hazard to both people and animals. In response, they took positive action by helping to clean up the local area around the school. Using litter pickers, they carefully collected rubbish and ensured it was disposed of in a safe and environmentally responsible way. This showed a true dedication to living out our core values of respecting the environment. What fantastic role models they are for caring for God’s creation.

This work will also contribute towards our Live Simply Award, supporting the children in living more simply, sustainably, and in solidarity with others. Inspired by Laudato Si’ and Pope Francis’ call to “care for our common home,” the children are reminded that their actions are rooted in faith, gratitude, and hope. Through this work, they are helping to make a positive difference not only in our local community, but also in protecting wider ecosystems and wildlife that can be harmed by litter. This is an important example of Local Action 2 in putting faith into action through caring for our environment.

 “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”

(Psalm 24:1)

Year 3 Upcycling Project

Year 3 celebrated Earth Day by learning about the impact of carbon dioxide and how it contributes to climate change. They explored the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling in order to help lower our carbon footprint and care for the environment. From this, they decided to upcycle old DVDs and CDs to create beautiful suncatchers for our prayer space. They carefully decorated them, including verses from the Book of Genesis, to show their appreciation for the world that God created. This helped the children to reflect on the beauty of creation and their responsibility to protect it for the future.

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.”

(Genesis 1:31)

This work links closely to our whole-school action of developing a peaceful prayer space while living more sustainably by upcycling materials that would otherwise go to waste. It supports our Live Simply Award journey by encouraging pupils to live in a way that is simple, thoughtful, and environmentally responsible. Through this project, Year 3 are helping to show how faith, care for creation, and practical action can come together to make a meaningful difference within our school community and beyond.

Year 4 Help Us Save Water

Year 4 marked Earth Day by thoughtfully exploring the importance of the water cycle. They learned that water is a precious gift from God and reflected on how their faith can be lived out in practical ways, including helping others understand the importance of not wasting water.

“Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.”
(John 4:14)

The children demonstrated their understanding by investigating simple, effective ways to conserve water in everyday life, such as turning off taps while brushing their teeth. They then took their learning into action by working with Mr Cooney to create and place signs around the school, reminding both pupils and staff to turn off taps and save water.

Through this, they recognised that even small actions can have a meaningful impact. Every drop truly counts!

Year 5 Upcycling Project to Help Wildlife

Year 5 celebrated Earth Day by learning about the important role insects play within our ecosystems and how vital they are to maintaining a healthy environment. They showed this understanding by using their upcycling skills to make a positive difference. With the support of a local business, they repurposed old materials from their homes and around the school to create wonderful insect homes and habitats for wildlife. These will be placed in our fantastic prayer garden so that we can appreciate the beauty and importance of all living things that God has made.

“God made the wild animals according to their kinds… and God saw that it was good.”

(Genesis 1:25)

This work also links to our Live Simply Award by helping us to create and protect wildlife within our school community. By building insect homes and placing them in our prayer garden, Year 5 are helping to provide safe spaces where creatures can live, thrive, and contribute positively to our local ecosystems. This supports our commitment to living simply, sustainably, and in harmony with nature, showing that even small actions can have a meaningful impact on the world around us.

Overall, Earth Day at St Monica’s has clearly demonstrated our pupils as young activists who are committed to making a positive difference in the world around them. Through thoughtful reflection and practical action, they have shown that they are willing to take responsibility for God’s creation and work together to care for it. Their projects across each year group highlight how faith is not only something we believe, but something we live out through our choices and actions. From planting and upcycling to conserving water and protecting wildlife, the children have truly shown their faith in action, inspired by gratitude, hope, and a deep respect for the world God has given us.