Pilgrims of Hope
‘Pilgrims of Hope’ is the theme for the Jubilee Year 2025. this year offers an opportunity for spiritual renewal through prayer and pilgrimage. Year 5 and Year 6 embarked on a pilgrimage to St Hilda’s Church as part of the Pilgrims of Hope Jubilee. This special journey allowed the students to explore the spiritual and historical significance of the church reflecting on the themes of faith, community and hope. The pilgrimage was an important part of their learning experience connecting them with the Jubilee celebrations. Liz Bolam BCCET Chaplain joined us for this very special event.
Lunchtime Lenten Prayers in the Chapel
The pupils regularly prayed together in the Chapel during Lent.
The Cafod Big Lent Walk
The whole school enjoyed taking part in The Big Lent Walk raising vital funds for communities around the world. The children certainly put their Faith in Action!
Holy Toast – A breakfast club staple
During Lent the children enjoyed eating Holy toast.
Ash Wednesday
The children were marked with the Blessed ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of penance and remembrance, marking the beginning of Lent.
Jubilee 2025 Pilgrims of Hope – English Martyrs’ Holy Door
Christmas Mass 2024
The whole school, family, friends and parishioners enjoyed taking part in the Christmas Mass with Fr David. Our visitors enjoyed teas, coffees and mince pies afterwards.
Our Christmas Mass was also very special for a long term member of our teaching staff. Mrs Taylor is happily retiring after 33 years of loyal service to English Martyrs’ pupils and community.
Christmas Productions 2024
Year 5 and Year 6 ‘Hosanna Rock’ Christmas production 12th December 2024.
Year 3 and Year 4 ‘Christingle’ Christmas production 11th December 2024.
Year 1 and Year 2 ‘Everyone Loves a Baby!’ Christmas production 10th December 2024.
Nursery and Reception ‘Whoops a Daisy Angel’ Christmas production 6th December 2024.
More Than Dance
Year 5 enjoyed their session with More Than Dance focusing on the events of Good Friday to Easter Sunday.
Royal British Legion Poppy appeal
Our School Counselors facilitated the annual Royal British Legion Poppy appeal.
Rosary Prayers in the Chapel at lunchtimes
Children enjoying praying the Rosary in the Chapel during the month of October.
Fr David blessed and opened the Peace Prayer Garden.
On 20th September 2024 after a informative assembly about International Day of Peace Fr David blessed and opened the schools Peace Prayer Garden.
International Day of Peace
To celebrate International Day of Peace 21st September 2024 Year 5 lead a whole school assembly informing children how special the day is.
Preparing the Peace Prayer Garden
Pupils from each year group helped Mr Massey prepare and plant a variety of flowers, plants and bulbs in the Peace Prayer garden.
On 18th October 2024 Key Stage 2 enjoyed a visit from More Than Dance. Each year group focused on a special time in the Churches Liturgical Year; Advent, Easter, Pentecost and Mary.
Year 5 Celebration of the Word – Harvest Festival
On 3rd October 2024 Year 5 celebration of the word focused on Harvest Festival this half term with all donations given to the Southwick branch of the Salvation Army food bank.
Macmillan Coffee morning
On 27th September 2024 the whole school supported Macmillan coffee morning. We were joined by some of our wonderful friends, families and parishioners.
International Day of Peace Celebrations
On 20th September 2024 the Live Simply Group delivered an assembly to the whole school celebrating International Day of Peace.
First Holy Communion meeting with Fr David
On 19th September 2024 Father David, Mrs. Cornell and Mrs. Pescod welcomed the parents of the children who will be making their First Holy Communion this academic year.
Welcome back whole school Mass
On 18th September 2024 Father David celebrated a welcome back to school mass with our fabulous friends, families and parishioners.
Year 6 Leavers 2023/2024 Mass
On 17th July 2024 we enjoyed a celebratory Mass for our Year 6 Leavers. We were joined by our fabulous families, friends and parishioners.
Bishop Stephen visits English Martyrs’
On 3rd July 2024 we were honored to welcome Bishop Stephen Wright to our school. Each class preformed a song or dance to the Bishop who then visited all classes. Bishop Stephen presented the Faith in Action group with their Bronze pin badges. We presented Bishop Stephen a bouquet of crisps which we know are his favorites and all the children where treated to an ice lolly.
Live Simply – local area litter pick
Our Live Simply group enjoyed putting their faith in action carrying out a local litter pick around the local area. We were joined by Mr Massey and local councillor Steve Foster.
At English Martyrs’ we are given many opportunities to pray together. We always start each prayer by making The Sign of the Cross. We begin our day by saying our Morning Prayer, then before lunch we say Grace Before Meals. We say thank you for our food by saying Grace After Meals.
We have our own School Prayer where we pray for everyone in our school family. We say the Our Father and the Hail Mary and before we go home, we say our Night Prayer. Click on any of our images below to view in the gallery.
Click on any thumbnail to view the slideshow:
Easter Mass
The whole school enjoyed taking part in Mass with family, friends and parishioners. Fr David explained the special Easter symbols decorating his specially made vestments. Our visitors then enjoyed tea, coffees and hot cross buns together.
The Stations of The Cross
Pupils walking the journey of the Stations of the Cross.
A selection of students paste egg entries
Lunchtime Prayers
Praying the Rosary in October.
Lunchtime Lenten Prayers
Lunchtime Lenten Prayers in the chapel
4th May English Martyrs’ Feast Day
To celebrate the brave Martyrs’ our school is named after, Mrs Cornell gave a whole school assembly based on some of the Martyrs’ stories at the end we were all given a chocolate bar from the Mini Vinnies to celebrate.
More Than Dance
KS2 enjoyed sessions with More Than Dance – the children learned how to perform the Our Father in sign language, to depict the symbolism and true meaning of the Cross during our journey through Lent.
Year 5 and Year 6 attending weekly Mass at St Hilda’s Parish
Cafod Big Lent Walk
The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Morning Prayer
O my God you love me,
You’re with me night and day.
I want to love you always
In all I do and say.
I’ll try to please you, Father.
Bless me through the day.
Amen.
Grace Before Meals
Bless us O Lord, as we sit together.
Bless the food we eat today.
Bless the hands that made the food.
Bless us O Lord.
Amen.
Grace After Meals
Thank you, God for the food we have eaten.
Thank you, God for all our friends.
Thank you, God for everything.
Thank you, God.
Amen.
Our Father
Our Father who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary, full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners now,
And at the hour of death.
Amen.
Night Prayer
God our Father, I come to say,
Thank you for your love today.
Thank you for my family,
And all the friends you give to me.
Guard me in the dark of night,
And in the morning send your light.
Amen.
Holy Rosary
In October, the month of the Holy Rosary, we met in the Chapel during lunchtimes and prayed the Rosary to Our Lady. Click on any thumbnail to view the slideshow:
English Martyrs’ Prayers for Children
Hymns & Songs
Here are some YouTube links to the many hymns and songs that we love to sing in class or together!
