Prayer is at the heart of daily life at St Theresa’s. It helps us to recognise God’s presence, grow in our relationship with Him and bring our joys, hopes and concerns before Him.

Children experience a rich variety of prayer, including traditional Catholic prayers, spontaneous prayer, Scripture, music, silence, meditation, the Rosary and prayer through art and symbolic action. We pray together as a school community, in our classrooms, at other spaces in our school grounds and in church. Children are also encouraged to develop their own personal prayer life.

As children progress through the school, they deepen their understanding of prayer and become increasingly confident in choosing appropriate ways to pray. Through prayer, we learn to listen to God and are inspired to live out our school mission: “To do the little things well and to do them with love.”

October – The Month of the Holy Rosary

October is traditionally dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, making it a special time for us to honour Mary, the mother of Jesus, and deepen our relationship with God through prayer.

Throughout October, our children have been taking time to pray the Rosary, with a particular intention for peace in our world.

Our younger children have been learning about Mary, exploring the Rosary beads and becoming familiar with the Hail Mary prayer. Our older children have been praying a decade of the Rosary, reflecting on moments from the lives of Jesus and Mary through the mysteries of the Rosary.

As we pray, we remember those affected by war, conflict and suffering, asking Mary to intercede for peace, compassion and understanding throughout the world.

Through these special moments of prayer, our children are growing in their understanding of our Catholic faith and learning how prayer can bring us closer to Jesus.

As a school family, we join together in asking Mary, Queen of Peace, to pray for us and for our world.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament - 5th October, 2026

On Monday 5th October, each class spent some quiet, prayerful time in church during the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

Exposition is a special time of prayer when the Blessed Sacrament (the consecrated host) is displayed in a beautiful vessel called a monstrance. As Catholics, we believe that Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

During their visit, the children had the opportunity to sit quietly in God's presence, reflect, pray and spend time with Jesus. It was a peaceful and meaningful experience, helping our children to deepen their relationship with God and grow in their faith.

A member of our parish commented on how lovely it was to see the children praying so reverently during Adoration. They shared how uplifting it was to witness each class spending quiet time in prayer.

 

International Day of Peace - 21st September, 2026

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

                                                                                                                                                       Matthew 5:9

Children across the school prayed for people affected by conflict and asked God to bring peace, comfort and hope to our world. Inspired by Matthew 5:9, they reflected on how they could become peacemakers through their own words, choices and actions.

Visit our Catholic Social Teaching page to discover how these prayers inspired our children to put peace, reconciliation and forgiveness into action.

Prayer Garden

Our prayer garden, blessed by Father Swanson, provides a peaceful outdoor space where children can pray, reflect and encounter God through the beauty of creation. At its heart are a cross-shaped planter, a hand-painted cross and a statue of our patron, St Thérèse of Lisieux. During Mission Day, children used the garden as a prayer station and created individual prayer stones to add to this special space. They continue to visit the garden for moments of quiet prayer and reflection.

Golden Box Prayer - Praying Through Storytelling

Golden Box Prayer is a special way of helping children encounter God through Scripture, storytelling and reflection. The golden box reminds us that the Word of God is precious and should be approached with care and reverence.

During Golden Box Prayer, the Bible and carefully chosen objects are slowly revealed from the box. These objects help bring the Scripture to life and allow children to see, hear and reflect upon the story in an imaginative and prayerful way. Children are invited to enter a time of sacred silence, respond to wondering questions and consider what God’s Word means for them.

Across the school, Golden Box Prayer has been used to explore Scripture including Creation, the Ascension and Pentecost. Children may respond through discussion and prayer.

This Scripture-centred approach helps children deepen their understanding of the Bible, develop their personal prayer life and recognise that God continues to speak to us through His Word.

Golden Box - Pentecost, 2025

 

Golden Box Prayer - Ascension, 2025