R.E in School
Here at Cleadon Church of England Academy we feel that it is extremely important to develop children's spiritual, moral, social and cultural identities. We have a strong Christian ethos which we feel is reflected in many aspects of school life. Children also have the opportunity to explore other faiths and cultures. R.E is a vital element in the schools enhancement of its Christian character. Worship is at the heart of our school and the children speak positively about the impact that this has on their lives. During an inspection by the Durham Diocese, one grandparent commented that the atmosphere at school is "like the open arms of Jesus welcoming you".
Dr Rowan Williams (prior Archbishop of Canterbury) explains that the ethos of church schools runs deep: “A Christian school is one in which the atmosphere has that kind of openness about it, that sense that people are worth spending time with, that people need time to grow, need loving attention. The Christian Gospel says that every person has a unique task to do, with God, and for God, whether they know it or not.“It doesn’t necessarily mean than everyone involved has to share the same theology or philosophy. It doesn’t mean that everyone knows that they have this relationship with God, and is consciously working at it. But a Christian school is one in which the entire atmosphere is pervaded by the conviction that there is something mysterious, and potentially wonderful, in everybody.”
Here at Cleadon Church of England Academy we are proud of our Christian Values and strive to be the best young people we can be.
Inter Faith Week
In November, we celebrated Inter Faith Week.
Inter Faith Week is an opportunity to celebrate religious diversity and bring people with different beliefs closer together. It is also a chance to learn about one another.​
During the week, the children were set a challenge to design a new logo which could represent Inter Faith Week. All of the children worked incredibly hard and put lots of thought into their designs.
Year 6 Visit
Year 6 children visited Newcastle Cathedral to participate in a God and the Big Bang workshop.
Worship Response Question
The Question!
When have you persevered to complete a task even though it was difficult?
iSingPOP
This month, we are delighted to welcome iSingPOP back into school. Their last visit was in March 2022 which was a huge success. iSingPOP is a singing, performing and resourcing project that helps children and families engage in Collective Worship in school, church and at home. Since their last visit, children have been enjoying the use of the iSingPOP materials in their Collective Worship sessions each Tuesday and in singing sessions. Children will be learning and performing several special songs with actions, which support our school values as well as the children’s learning in a range of subjects including Music, RE and Citizenship. For more information about the iSingPOP experience visit: https://www.isingpop.org.
Concert Dates: Wednesday 16th October - Key Stage 1 Concert - 2:45pm
Thursday 17th October - Key Stage 2 ‘X’ Class Concert - 11am
Thursday 17th October - Key Stage 2 ‘Y’ Class Concert - 2:15pm
The concerts will allow us to join together as a community to celebrate the children’s achievements.
Spirited Arts Competition 2024
This year, we chose to explore the important theme of ‘Why do Animals Matter?’ We thought about how humans value and act towards other animals who share the world with us and explored a range of religious stories texts to find out further ideas and information. We all agree that kindness and compassion towards all animals is very important. Here is a selection of just some of the art, poetry and singing which demonstrates our empathy and insightfulness.
We hope the judges are very impressed with the ways in which we chose to demonstrate our awareness and understanding.
Our School Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for our love of learning each day,
Help us to flourish through work and play.
Let our values shape us in all we do and say,
May our futures be built on the paths we lay.
Help us to explore, reflect and wonder in all we see and do,
So, we can appreciate the world created by you.
Guide us all to work together as one,
In our Cleadon family, we all belong.
Amen
Year 6 Leavers Service
Our Year 6 children joined many school from around the region to take part in the Leavers Service at Durham Cathedral.
Pentecost
In school the children have been learning about Pentecost. This is an important time in the Christian calendar because it proves that Christianity didn't stop with Christ and that the disciples of Jesus were seen as worthy to spread the message of God, which is why He sent the Holy Spirit to gift them the ability to speak many languages.
Acts 2:1-4: When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Year 4 worked together to create these fantastic crosses showing the symbols of Pentecost.
Words of Faith
Year 4 children worked together to spell out words of faith.
Bible Group
In this week’s Bible session, we explored the theme of forgiveness through the story of the Prodigal Son. Helen and Marie then challenged us to sequence picture cards to retell the story. Some of the picture cards really made us think so we needed to give clear reasons for our decisions.
Easter Experience
The children from Years 3 and 4 were invited to All Saints Church to take part in the Easter Experience. Reverend Cuthbert and some of the members of the congregation told the story of Easter through a series of prayer and reflection activities.
Bible Group
This week, the Bible Study group explored the theme of love. We enjoyed creating and decorating a heart cutout to show all the people we love and who love us, including Jesus. We identified a range of Bible stories where love is a key theme before discussing a Bible passage where Jesus gave His disciples important advice about love.
Christingle Service
Year 4 were lucky enough to be invited to take part in a Christingle service at Newcastle Cathedral. Along with 6 other local schools they children took part in an act of worship which explained the significance of the Christingle. Individual children read prayers and everyone joined in with the hymns. Our favourite part was when we became part of a giant Christingle.
Reception Visit Church
Today Reception went to All Saints Church to celebrate the baptism of our baby dolls. We would like to introduce you to Laila Jane and Tristan Daniel. Reverend Vernon spoke to the children about baptism and carried out a baptism on our babies. We had 4 Godparents for each of the baby dolls. The children have promised to look after our babies and guide them as they grow up.
The Good Shepherd
This week, in Bible Study Group, we explored the parable of The Good Shepherd who takes responsibility for all his sheep. We understood how the Good Shepherd’s actions reflect God who loves and takes care of all people. We also discussed how we demonstrate responsibility in different ways in our lives. Janet and Caroline were very impressed with our thoughts and ideas.
Crib Festival
Today our Reception classes visited All Saints Church to look at the Nativity Crib festival. It was lovely to see so many different examples of the story of the birth of Jesus.
Experiance Harvest
Last week Years 3 and 4 visited All Saints Church for Experience Harvest. The children took part in different practical activities linked to harvest. It was a lovely afternoon where we all learned something new. A huge thank you to all of the volunteers who have up their free time to help us learn in such a fun and interesting way.
Bible Study
Janet and Marie from All Saints Church led a Bible Study session with a group of Year 1 and 2 children. To begin the session the children were challenged to show perseverance by working together to solve a fun problem before Janet shared a Bible story called The Lost Coin. The children then discussed how the main character had shown perseverance just as they had. They then discussed how Jesus encourages us all to show perseverance in all that we do. At the end of the session Marie and Janet gave everyone a special silver coin keepsake.
Pentecost
The children in Year 3 have enjoyed a trip to church this week to take part in the Pentecost experience. They visited different stations, learning about and giving thought to Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Our Prayer Tree
This term our Prayer Tree is dedicated to King Charles. Our Year 6 children created some God's Eyes to decorate our tree.
Judaism Inspired Art
The children in Year One enjoyed an art session led by a visiting artist. They created artwork inspired by the Star of David. The children thoroughly enjoyed the session and were very pleased with their work.
Wordle
The children in Year 5 have been thinking about how it must have felt to be a Hebrew slave.
The Last Supper
The children in Year 4 thought about the thoughts and feelings of Jesus and his Disciples. as they took part in the Last Supper.
Stained Glass Windows
Year 2 worked really hard to create these fantastic stained glass window pictures. Each one tells a story from the Bible.
Christmas Experience
Year 4 joined the congregation of all Saints Church for a Christmas Experience. The children moved around each station building up the story of the Birth of Jesus as they went.
Prayer Space Big Dreams
What are your BIG dreams?
What would you like to do with your life?
What would you like to achieve?
Where would you like to go?
Who would you like to be?
Sometimes, it’s hard to dream BIG because we feel small and unimportant. But, BIG dreams can change the world.
If you want to, you can write or draw a BIG dream onto a cloud-shape and stick it onto the cloud with everyone else’s.
“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”
Psalm 20:4
Diwali
Our Reception children have been learning all about Diwali.
Reception visit to Church
In November, Reception children went to visit All Saints Church for a special purpose. They took their new baby dolls to church for a Baptism ceremony. Reverend Vernon baptised Jessica Rose and Noah James. Four sets of Godparents were chosen who promised to take care of the babies. The children enjoyed this experience and have all promised to look after Jessica and Noah.
Work with All Saints’ Church
On Monday evening, staff enjoyed the chance to spend a staff meeting at Church. They met parishioners and had a tour of the church learning about its history and importance to the Cleadon community. We are looking forward to further developing links with the Church in the future.
Prayers for Queen Elizabeth
Prayers for Ukraine
Prayer Spaces Transformation
Changes happen all the time. Some people like change. Some people don’t like change.
Some people feel excited and others feel worried. It’s OK to feel both.
If a caterpillar doesn’t change, it will never become a butterfly.
Chose one of the paper butterflies. Write or draw something that you have really enjoyed last school year onto one of the wings. On the other write or draw something you are looking forward to this year.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Prayer Spaces
Prayer spaces enable children and young people, of all faiths and none, to explore life’s questions, spirituality and faith in a safe, creative and interactive way. Each classroom has its own Prayer Space.
Easter Worship
The children in Key Stage 2 visited Church for their Easter Service. It was lovely to all be back together in Church with wonderful singing from all of the children. A special mention has to go to the Choir who performed exceptionally well in front of everyone.
Year 3 joined members of the All Saints congregation for an Easter experience.
Prayers for the Ukraine
We live in a beautiful but troubled world. This week we send prayers to the people of the Ukraine.
This Prayer Space activity helps pupils to pray for the people who are risking their lives to offer help, support and protection in Ukraine e.g. medical staff, counsellors and carers, charity workers and other volunteers. This resource can be used at home or in schools.
Spirited Arts Week
Click the link below to view our project.
Learning About Other Faiths
Here at school we enjoy learning about lots of different religions, including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Judaism.
Our Spiritual Education
As you move around our school you will see many examples of our spirituality in classroom displays, Prayer Spaces and Reflection Areas. Please take some time to look through through our photographs.
