Our Mission statement at St Peter’s
We, the family of St Peter’s, united by our faith in God, love, learn and grow together.
Our School Saint
Peter, whose name was originally Simon, was a fisherman along with his brother Andrew. Andrew introduced his brother Simon to Jesus. The name Peter, meaning ‘rock’, was selected by Jesus to indicate that he would be the rock-like foundation on which the Church would be built. Jesus loved him dearly, even after Peter denied knowing him during the passion. Peter was imprisoned three or four times. Finally, in Rome, where he was spreading the Gospel, he was sentenced to death by crucifixion. Out of respect for Jesus he asked the guard to fasten him to the cross upside down.
St Peter’s emblem is the crossed keys to show he has the keys to heaven.
“And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”
(Matthew 16: 18-19)
RE at St Peter’s
RE is taught through the “Come and See” programme where we are invited to explore through the themes of the Church, Sacraments and Christian living. RE is an integral part of every experience during the school day from praying together as a school or class community, to how we should follow and promote Jesus’ example of loving and caring for everyone around us. We expect and encourage all members of our community to show respect for everyone as members of God’s Family.
We encourage our children to help their friends, members of the local community and those further afield. This is achieved through fundraising events to raise money for such agencies as CAFOD and our local hospice. This enables the children to learn about the needs of others, which are different from their own needs and experiences and to begin to learn about Catholic social teaching.
We learn about the teachings of the Catholic Church and also about other World faiths such as Judaism and Hinduism. We attend school Mass both in school and at St Peter’s Church in Dagenham as well as reconciliation services in order for the children to take time to reflect and to say they are sorry. We also use our prayer area for class liturgies.
Sex and Relationship Education (SRE) is taught through the “A Journey in Love” programme. An aspect of the mystery of love is explored in each year group to enable the children to develop and progress their understanding of how we show love as Christians.
Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Social Teaching is based on the belief that God has a plan for creation, a plan to build his kingdom of peace, love and justice. It holds that God has a special place in this story for each of us, whoever we are
At St Peter’s, the principles of Catholic Social Teaching are taught through the RE curriculum and in whole-school and Key Stage assemblies. The children have a good understanding that when we raise money, or pray for others, we are following Jesus' words: "Love one another, as I have loved you."
We are committed to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
Our school prayer
This is our school, where we are all
stars in God’s eyes,
where we try our hardest in
our work and in our play.
With Jesus in our hearts, help us to
treat each other with respect, even
when we find it hard.
Help us to follow His example so that
at St Peter’s we can all live in peace
and harmony as part of one big family.
Amen
Religious Education |
