G.I.F.T. TEAM

Growing in Faith Together

The role of the GIFT Team is…

• To help the school family to be a living community of faith

• To encourage the pupils to live their faith through Gospel Values daily in their work and play

• To make sure that displays reflect the Catholic Life of our school

• To support liturgy, prayer and the spiritual life of the school

• To plan and lead assemblies and prayer services

• To lead lunchtime liturgy in classes or worship and Bible stories in the Prayer Area

• To help the teachers evaluate Catholic Life and RE at SSMJ

• To plan and involve other pupils in fundraising for charity

• To continue to develop strong links with our Parish and community

• To support the school in its Mission

2023 - 2024

Teamwork 

2/7/24 - At our meeting today we looked at some of the objectives we have not quite met on our action plan. On the plan we wanted to organise a celebration of the 'Liturgical Year'. This event has be planned to take place 16th July 2024 at 9am. We also organised for an additional learning experience for the children to organise activities that the classes could complete to find out about their House Team which is linked to the name of a local Abbey. 

Lots of work to keep us going for this week and next but a lovely way to end the term and for the old GIFT team have the support of the new GIFT team. 

Faith in Action Award June 2024

Well done to our current GIFT Team who has successfully been awarded the Faith in Action: Discovery Award! This is a representation of all the hard work they have shown throughout the year, organising charitable events, taking part in different forms of worship both at school and at Church as well as significantly contributing to the Faith life of the school! Well done GIFT Team!

GIFT Team 2024 25 - June

The passing of the torch! After some fantastic hand-written applications, the GIFT Team are delighted to accept the introduction of St Michael and St John’s RC Primary School’s GIFT Team for 2024 2025:

Scarlett, Eliza, Charlie S, Michael M, Annabel, Ava Rose, Penelope, Alba

These children will continue the hard work already shown by our GIFT Team and Grow in Faith Together!

On Tuesday 23rd April, the GIFT Team were invited to take part in a workshop morning at St Mary's in Clayton. During the workshop, our GIFT Team took part in activities, quizzes and a GIFT Team liturgy. It was a fantastic opportunity to witness Faith in action across another Parish and a way of connecting with other GIFT Teams!

Three Parish Event 29th Feb 2024

On Thursday 29th February 2024, a group of pupils from each of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic parish primary schools came together to learn more about our Diocese and our parish community. We began the day at the largest of our parish schools, St Michael’s & St John’s, followed by St Mary’s Sabden and finishing at Thorneyholme Dunsop Bridge. At each school, we joined in a Celebration of the Word and tour of the school, both led by the pupils. Parishioners Mr Vincent Murray and Mrs Anne Precious led the tours of our parish churches. All the children and staff enjoyed their day and found out so much about their parish schools and churches.

At St Michael and St John's RC Primary School the GIFT Team will be hosting a Month of Mary Club. This club will focus on particular Scripture linked to Mary, activities with Mary as its focus and the Rosary. This will take place on Tuesday lunchtimes throughout the month of May. On Tuesday 14^th May and Tuesday 21^st May, the GIFT Team will be hosting the club at 8:15am and would like to invite anyone from the Parish to join us in celebrating Mary.

Since our return in September 2023, we helped to write bidding prayers for our New School Year Mass and we read at Mass.  We led prayers for Saint Michael at our Celebration Assembly on 29th September.  We have launched Bible Band, which is a weekly Bible story club.

On the 3rd October 2023, some of our team were fortunate enough to meet Bishop John Arnold at the Hope in the Future Celebration at Wigan.