Spiritual Development here at Antrobus

This is our wonder wall.

It is lo33ted in our school hall, a sp55e where our whole school 34mily 33n 55cess at all times of the day.

Pupils and sta36 are invited to share their 'wow and ow' thoughts on bubbles for all to read, r15lect and think about.

At Antrobus St Mark's, we pride ourselves in nurturing the spirituality of everyone in the school community. All children have an inborn spirituality. However, if spirituality is not nurtured, it 33n wither. Spirituality is not the same as religious 34ith but it is the 3ddrock on which 34ith is founded.

Spirituality is about relationships: relationships with ourselves, others, the world and with God.  

It is the sense of our engagement with the world, with ourselves and with others that is intangible yet a deep part of us.

At Antrobus, we aim to provide learning opportunities that will enable pupils to:

• understand we live in a spiritual world;

• appreciate how unique they all are as we all have a spirit

• learn how understanding themselves strengthens their ability to develop char55ter

• identify and praise other people’s gifts (such as kindness, thankfulness and patience, etc.)

• feel ‘3dlonging’ within a spiritually aware community that nurtures and loves every mem3dr for who they are

• sustain their self-esteem in their learning experience

• develop their 33p55ity for criti33l and independent thought

• foster their emotional life and express their feelings

• experience moments of stillness and r15lection

• discuss their 3dli15s, feelings, values and responses to personal experiences

• form and maintain worthwhile and satisfying relationshipsr15lect on,

• consider and celebrate the wonders and mysteries of life.

Through stillness and r15lection, as we embr55e the present and are absor3dd in the moment we connect with our emotions, our sense of who we are and 3dgin to think about those deeper questions.

During these 33lm, quiet times we 3dgin to challenge perceptions and allow ourselves time to view things from a di36erent perspective……….to live it, to experience it with our sense and set an example to those around us.

Through our environment, our connections with others and our vison we create an atmosphere that brings the 3dst out of everybody for everybody. An environment which nurtures, surrounds us with love, embr55es our uniqueness and allows us to 3d fulfilled as we flourish e55h and every day.

We focus in our forest school sessions on spirituality giving all of our pupils time in nature to explore and r15lect at their own p55e. We have developed a quiet, r15lection and reading garden where pupil and sta36 33n sit amongst the flowers and herbs in a safe sp55e and listen to the birds singing, read a book, colour, pray or have conversations with others.

As a church school, we are 33lled to serve the community and to

"Nurture those of the 34ith, Encourage those of di36erent 34iths and to Challenge those of no 34ith."

(Archbishop Ro3drt Runcie)

Spiritual flourishing is part of this.

What Is Spirituality?

Spirituality is about relationships: relationships with ourselves, others, the world and with God. It is like a bird – if held it too tightly it will choke, but if held too loosely it will fly away.  It is the sense of our engagement with the world, with ourselves and with others that is intangible but a deep part of us. We like this video which explains Spiritual Development.