Church School links

As a Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School our links with St Mary's Church in Wilby are an important part of school life and support the school's Christian ethos

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The children are involved in preparing and attending services that parents and the community are warmly invited to enjoy also. These include: Harvest, Christmas, Easter and Christingle. They also organise CWL (Collective Worship Lead) assemblies in the middle of term times which parents are invited to attend.

We also try to ensure that Anglican church rituals and symbolism are reflected in our every day Collective Worship in school. Three important symbols used in our daily Collective Worship are: Candles, Signing The Peace and the use of Collective Worship Cloths which reflect the colours of the liturgical calendar. The children have created information sheets about these artefacts which are displayed in our school hall. Examples of these information sheets can be found by following the links below:

Signing the peace

candles

Collective worship cloths 

Displays in church reflect the work on the Church calendar studied in school. See below the work on the Holy Trinity that the children have expressed through their art work.

Wilby School has a close relationship with St Mary's Church in Wilby and each term school collective worship is held in the church. These worship times are well attended by parents and members of the community are encouraged to join us also.

The school also holds special events days in the church and in school which help us to celebrate develop a better understanding of key events in the Anglican church calendar

 We also aim to broaden our pupils understanding by learning about and supporting Christian charities across the world. In particular our chosen charity is Handinhand which works closely with a variety of organisations in Africa. It is through them that we have developed our link with Mogonjet Primary school in Kenya. As a school we have made a commitment to raise funds for the school each term. Fund-raising events are suggested, organised and run by the pupils themselves. The children have successfully raised enough money to purchase a variety of school equipment and even a much needed water tank. 

At Wilby School we also strive to teach tolerance and understanding about World Faiths. The images of Love Light and Light on this school calendar powerfully reflect the children's desire to unite faiths.

We also ensure that pupils have a variety of experiences of different places of worship. See below- Kingfisher Class visited the Bond Street Mosque in Ipswich to find our more about the role of prayer in the Muslim faith and what they do when they worship in a mosque.

Visit by Bishop Mike. The Bishop spent time with the children in their classes and taking part in Collective Worship. He also told the children lots about his current role and the history of being a Bishop. He explained the religious significance of his clothing and jewellery.

The school organises 'Experience your Church Days'  -organised by school staff, community and Church members these events enable children from all key stages  to find out more about the  religious symbols and artefacts in the Church and how they are used in Anglican worship.

Our Discover Advent day was organised and run by a cross section of the community including, pupils staff, church members and the Reverend Burrell. The children really enjoy this event:

"It made more sense in church-I really understand the Christmas story in a different way now' Y6.

The children get involved in all sorts of hands on activities aimed towards developing a better understanding of Advent and what it means to Christians

Christingle Service

Each year the children made Christingles as part of the service and we spend time thinking about the meaning behind each element the candle and holder.We also take time to refelct how we can bring light and hope into the world just as Christians believe that jesus does.

The school also fosters links with St Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury.

Our KS1 children enjoy the opportunity to discover advent in Bury Cathedral, taking part in a wide-range of active and story-telling activities. The education team from the cathedral organise a variety of actvities and discussions designed to develop their understanding and help the children to reflect on the true meaning on Advent.