St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swindon

Chaplains of Catholic schools from the Samuel Partnership in Swindon and Malmesbury came together on the 20^th March to pray and take part in the Stations of the Cross.  Each school was given two stations to re-enact and it allowed the children to follow and pray with Jesus as they participated, thinking about His final journey of love.   Each school reflected on their stations so creatively, using dance, song, drama and even musical instruments to convey meaning. After each station was read out, the children were given time to reflect on their own lives and the world around us, thinking about how they can work together in solidarity, to show love to others this Lent and beyond. At the end of the service, each chaplain was given a cross and an Easter prayer card to take home as a reminder of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us and how we can continue to grow in His love. In the lead up to Holy Week, this was a wonderful opportunity to have time to reflect together and we would like to thank the chaplains who spoke and acted so reverently, and the staff who attended and enabled us to come together as a Samuel Partnership community this Lent

To conclude the celebrations of the Power of Prayer, and reflect on the joyful Feast of Pentecost, St Mary’s parish priest, Father Michael, led the school community in an International Mass. Children were invited to come into school wearing their traditional native dress and prayers were read out in many different languages, representing and celebrating the diverse and inclusive community of St Mary’s.

Children in Year 3 and 4 took the stage to retell the life of Jesus from birth to his death and resurrection in 'The Gospel Show!'. The story is told through the 4 Gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  

Our school community came together to retell Jesus' final journey to the cross. Each class took a station to freeze frame as narrators reflected on each station. It was a very moving service.