Curriculum: Religious Education

St. Ambrose Preparatory School is a Roman Catholic primary school firmly and explicitly centred on the Love of Jesus Christ and his Gospel (the ‘Good News’).

Our Mission Statement is:

“At St. Ambrose Preparatory School, we strive together to do our very best and to make this a safe, happy place, with Christ the centre of all we do.”

The dedication and commitment implied in this statement forms the foundation, the bedrock, of all our activities in school. The knowledge, and conscious remembering, of the presence of Jesus Christ in everything we think, say and do is what gives meaning and purpose to the relationships we enjoy and the educational endeavours we undertake.

CTS Religious Education Scheme of Work

The CTS (Catholic Truth Society) material, used throughout the school, is based on the Religious Education Curriculum Directory for Catholic schools, produced by the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and provides a clear framework for effective, systematic and rigorous teaching and learning. Three essential elements are present, ensuring the material is authentically Christian, these are:

• that every human event is marked by the creative activity of God which communicates goodness to all beings;
• that the reality and power of sin limit and numb every person;
• that the life, death and resurrection of Christ, communicated by the Holy Spirit, give believers the hope of a definitive ‘fulfilment’.

Other faiths are addressed as a consequence of, and in the context of, Catholic teaching. Catholic teaching about the action of God in the world requires an informed and respectful approach to other faiths. By a study of the action of God in these faiths, Catholics can come to a deeper appreciation of the revelation of God in Christ. Catholics can also learn from the practices of other faiths.

An Edmund Rice Education

Edmund Rice, the founder of the Congregation of Christian Brothers, provides a vision and an inspiration for our school and indeed for a network of schools which stretches across the world. We are proud to be part of the Edmund Rice tradition and aspire to the highest ideals laid out in the charter document, “Reaching Out – The Essential Elements of Edmund Rice Education”.

Click below to download a copy of the document.

• Reaching Out

The Edmund Rice ideals are also succinctly expressed in the Edmund Rice Prayer, which is said in school each day.

Edmund Rice Prayer

O God, we thank you for the life of
Edmund Rice. He opened his heart
to Christ present in those oppressed
by poverty and injustice. May we
follow his example of faith and
generosity.  Grant us the courage
and compassion of Edmund as we
seek to live lives of love and service.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen

Meditation

The practice of meditation is well established in the school and allows children and staff to rest fully and deeply in God’s presence. Meditation is, of course, a universal tradition found in all the great religions and as such offers important common ground and a basis for peace in the world.

There is an essential balance to be found in life between ‘doing’ and ‘being’. Meditation, with regular, gentle practise brings peace, harmony, precision, efficiency, deep inner contentment,  joy and unity, which can be felt and experienced by the individual and by the whole school community and beyond.

Meditation begins by consciously dedicating the fruits of the practice to the good of every human being and the whole of God’s creation. This is true inclusivity!

Liturgy

Regular school Masses are held in neighbouring Holy Angels Church and Fr. David Roberts, the Parish Priest, is our Chaplain. He provides tremendous support and he is loved and appreciated by staff, pupils and parents.

The school day begins with prayer in the classroom or assembly in the hall. There is also prayer before and after meals and at the close of the day. A moment’s silent prayer helps to punctuate activity with a return to stillness.

Reconciliation and First Holy Communion

Preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion takes place in Infant 2 (Yr. 2). The celebration of these sacraments constitute the highlight of the year for the boys and families involved and for the school community as a whole.

Resources

These include:

• CTS materials for all age-groups from EYFS to Prep. 4;
• Links to associated websites/CD Roms;
• Prayer cards and candles for classroom use;
• Individual bibles for all junior pupils;
• A class set of New Testaments;
• Individual booklets for both Infants and Juniors to highlight liturgical seasons (Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter);
• A weekly newsletter, ‘The Wednesday Newsletter’ to be taken home for use by the whole family to help prepare the following Sunday’s Gospel;
• Copies of the Celebration Hymn Book for all juniors;
• Rosary beads supplied through school for infants and juniors;
• Children’s workbooks for Reconciliation and First Holy Communion;
• Parents’ booklets to support the sacramental programme in school;
• Video resources in support of the sacramental programme.