Prayer and Reflections
Our School Prayer
Our Learning Council ran a competition to create a new school prayer that reflects our values and motto. The winning prayer was chosen because it beautifully captures everything we cherish at High Hurstwood CE Primary School.
Prayer and Reflection Spaces
We believe it's important to give our children opportunities to think deeply and reflect on their experiences. To support this, we have created several dedicated spaces for prayer and reflection:
Whole School Prayer Space in the Corridor
Our corridor prayer space is a special area where children can:
- Write their own prayers
- Browse child-friendly books about prayers and Christian stories
- Sit quietly and reflect
The space features an old pew from Holy Trinity Church, complete with a cushion embroidered with bees to show our school motto: BEE - Belong, Enjoy and Excel. Above the pew is a beautiful decal with the words "Prayer Changes Things", which incorporates a cross above it from Holy Cross CE Primary School in Uckfield. This cross holds special significance as it came to us when Holy Cross School closed in December 2023, creating a meaningful link between our two school communities. We continue to enter a tree in the Festival of Trees event at Holy Cross Church in Uckfield every December.
Classroom Reflection Areas
Each classroom has its own reflection area where pupils can:
- Take time for quiet thought
- Reflect on their learning and experiences
We actively encourage our pupils to use these spaces whenever they need a moment of calm or reflect on one of the bigger questions on the board or write their own prayer in the classroom.
Outdoor Prayer Space
We are developing a permanent prayer and reflection area in our school house garden, featuring:
- A cross made from logs
- Colourful pebbles
- Additional crosses created in Forest School
This peaceful outdoor space provides children with a tranquil environment to pause and reflect.
Daily Worship and Prayer
Prayer is woven into our daily school life through Collective Worship and the end of each day. During these times, we will normally:
- Share our school prayer or
- Read/Sing the Lord's Prayer or
- Have a moment of refelction or
- Invite pupils to share their own prayers and reflections
By involving pupils in leading and sharing prayers, we help them develop their own spiritual voice and confidence.
