Collective Worship

What is Collective Worship?

 

In Church of England schools, collective worship reflects the traditions of the Church of England and develops the children's understanding of Anglican traditions and practices.  

 

At Cheapside School, we are lucky that the vicar for our local church (St Michael's & All Angels in Sunninghill) Reverend Tansley Jordan works with us to deliver and develop acts of worship that are reflective, spiritual and engaging.  We are also very aware of the diversity of belief among our children and their families and are flexible and inclusive in our provision to enable all pupils to benefit without compromising their own beliefs.

 

Collective Worship gives us all the opportunity to:

• Engage in an act of community
• Express praise and thanksgiving to God
• Be still and reflect
• Explore the big questions of life and respond to national events
• Foster respect and deepen spiritual awareness
• Reflect on the character of God and the teachings of Jesus
• Affirm our values and attitudes
• Share each other's joy and challenges
• Celebrate special times in the Christian calendar

 

Here at Cheapside School, we are also lucky to be able to visit and take part in acts of worship at St Michael's and All Angels Church.  The children often walk to the church and enjoy the opportunities that being part of the wider church community offer.

Please find below a link to Stephen's assembly for this week.  It tells the story of Jesus's walk along the road to Emmaus when some of His friends failed to recognise Him after His resurrection.

In lieu of having our assembly at school this week, we are lucky enough to have an online assembly from Stephen and his family.  Please click on the link below to enjoy this.  Below you will also find the words to Lord of the Dance, should you wish to join in.

Lord of the Dance

 

I danced in the morning
When the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon
And the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven
And I danced on the earth,
At Bethlehem
I had my birth.

 

Chorus: Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he.

 

I danced for the scribe
And the pharisee,
But they would not dance 
And they wouldn't follow me.
I danced for the fishermen,
For James and John 
They came with me
And the Dance went on.  Chorus.

 

I danced on the Sabbath
And I cured the lame;
The holy people
Said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped
And they hung me on high,
And they left me there
On a Cross to die.  Chorus.

 

I danced on a Friday
When the sky turned black 
It's hard to dance
With the devil on your back.
They buried my body
And they thought I'd gone,
But I am the Dance,
And I still go on. Chorus.

 

They cut me down
And I leapt up high;
I am the life
That'll never, never die;
I'll live in you
If you'll live in me -
I am the Lord
Of the Dance, said he.  Chorus.