The challenges of leadership

This week we have been focusing on how leaders can change and influence our world. This built on our reflections about peace keepers, leaders that strove to change what they saw as unjust through peaceful means.

In looking at leadership we considered some specific leaders in the bible and considered what it was that made them effective in what they did.

Interestingly one of the first points we considered was that it was God that called these people to be leaders and sometimes they were not to keen to take up the challenge! Moses was an example of this, simply asking God to find someone else. God's response was to reinforce his call to leadership, reminding Moses that He would be with him every step of the way. This personal support of any of the leaders that we looked at by God was key to the success of what they were called to do.

Equally the next thing that we noticed was that each of these leaders devoted time to cultivating their relationship with God. Spending time in prayer, listening and talking to God about their concerns, the pressures and the challenges that lay ahead.

I am always struck by the Psalmist's call to be still and know that I am God. There is something about centring ourselves on God that enables us to carry out all the things we are called to do and be. Even within the hectic schedules that we all face, this call to be still is essential.

Jesus demonstrated this time and time again, walking away from the crowds to find a place of solitude and pray. This was at the centre of his life and ministry and so it was for all the leaders we have considered.

That call remains the same to all of us, what ever our gifts or talents and what ever our calling looks like. Remembering that God is with us and taking the time to cultivate our relationship with him is as essential now as it was thousands of years ago.

Spanish day

On Tuesday this week all of KS2 enjoyed a very special Spanish day that had been organised by Miss Kirby. It was wonderful to see such a wide range of colourful dresses and outfits as well as a day full of fun and learning.

A huge thank you to Miss Kirby and her group of volunteers that made the day possible.

St John the Baptist celebrations

Yesterday we thoroughly enjoyed celebrating our  ‘patronal festival’ as we looked at the life and work of John the Baptist. 

As ever the services were led by Sami and his team and included great songs, moments to think and consider our response to God, as well as performances by our Orchestra group and wonderful singing by the children.

The celebrations continue this Sunday when the whole community is invited to come along to St John the Baptist Church for a service of celebration, followed by a party on the school field. So lots to look forward to there.

At the end of the school day children were given the opportunity to give thanks to God through our interactive prayer boat. Wonderful to see so many childrne andadults takingthis opportunity to pray. 

Year 3 stone age day

Yesterday, year 3 had a wonderful time dressed as cavemen, carrying out lots of different activities connected with the Stone Age. The parents had obviously been very creative with the costumes and everyone entered into the spirit of the day.

The children took part in a weaving task, making a beautiful job of one of the playground fences. There was also a den building competition in our forest school area. This encouraged team work and cooperation and was a huge hit! Then there was jewellery making using beads and ‘dinosaur teeth’ as well as lots of other art activities.

The children made ‘stone baked’ pizzas and iced ‘rock’ cakes, as well as making Fred Flintstone gingerbread men.

The day ended with a party where the children played games and of course, ate some of the food they had prepared earlier.

It was such a fun day, enjoyed by us all. We would like to thank all of you for supporting our efforts and hope you enjoyed the pizzas!

The year 3 team

The precious pearl

Last week in Foundation Stage they talked about things that are precious to us, then they looked at some precious pearls and read a story called "The Precious Pearl". It is a story that Jesus told about the Kingdom of God.

They learnt that God is like the Pearl in the story and that once discovered, He becomes the most important thing in people's lives. 

They then talked about their names being special to them and enjoyed decorating their own name. 

Can you spot the precious Pearl in Violet's work?

Peacemakers

Last week in assembly we were reflecting on how important peacemakers are and considering how we, as individuals, can seek to be peacemakers every day through the little things that we do.

In our whole school assembly we considered the fact that our words and actions can make a difference and that sometimes being a peacemaker means putting others first before ourselves.

To inspire us we considered the work of a number of great peacemakers - all of whom made a difference and influenced our world for good.

A new Lighthouse

The Lighthouse theme is a key aspect of our understanding of the light that God calls us to be in this world.

Our school Artist, Miss Nurse, has been creating this over the past few days, much to the interest of the children. 

Can't wait to see it finished!

Roaring like a lion

I introduced a new song to Foundation Stage this week that reminded us of the presence of God in our lives. 

It’s actually the lyrics of one of my favourite songs by the Newsboys called God’s not dead. It has a great chorus, which I adapted slightly and then put actions to. 

It was great to hear Foundation Stage ROAR! 

God’s not dead he’s surely alive

He’s living on the inside, roaring like a lion x 3

He’s roaring !

He’s roaring!

He’s roaring like a lion! X2

ROAR

He knows me

And he loves me

And he calls me

To be brave and strong

Harvest time

These are our 'wowzer' radishes that FS2 planted just after Easter and harvested recently. One child commented "They are the biggest radishes that I've ever seen!"