Highcliffe St Mark’s Primary School/St Mark’s Church in cooperation.

St Mark’s Church welcomed children from years 1, 3 and 5, and their parents and carers to the church for the School Christingle Service in February.
The church was full for this joyous occasion and the singing was great.
 
Open The Book

The Open the Book team presented a weekly assembly to KS1 throughout this Autumn to Spring term .

The team have been telling stories about Old Testament characters.

Chewton Common Playgroup/St Mark’s Church in cooperation.

And Easter.

The children listened to a story about love, played an egg game and decorated crosses to take home.
 They were all given an age appropriate Easter story booklet to take home as well.

 St Mark’s church welcomed children from years 2, 4 and 6 to the school’s Easter service in April.
The children thought about the excitement on Palm Sunday and imagined how it would have felt to be there by thinking about when they themselves are excited about something.

The children in years 1 and 2 were given an Easter story booklet - a gift from the people at St Marks' church.
 
As always, the singing was joyful and loud! It is amazing that the church still had it’s roof! The children were taught the songs by Mrs Hedger

The service ended with some thoughtful prayers written by the children.

Some of the readings and thoughts that the children from Highcliffe St Mark Primary school shared during their Easter service:
After Palm Sunday we will celebrate Holy Week at home with our families and friends. In the midst of the celebrations of chocolate Easter eggs and bunnies, we must remember the life and love that Jesus gave us.

We give thanks to God that Jesus’ story doesn’t end with His death on the cross. Every Easter we celebrate that Jesus has risen and brings us new life and hope for all our futures.
 
After thinking about the excitement of Palm Sunday, some children thought about something that made them feel excited:
I am excited when it is my birthday because I get to spend time with my friends and family. I also get to go on adventures to special places that I get taken to on my birthday.

I was excited when I had to wait for football tournament because I couldn’t wait to play as part of the team.

I feel excited to come to school every day because I can’t wait to see my friends and learn more things. I look forward to seeing my teacher because he makes us laugh and is very funny.
 
After thinking about Jesus’ disciples, this is what some of the children wrote about friendship:
A good friend listens and shares. They are kind and caring and help you when you are hurt.

Friends show they care by being courageous and standing up for each other. They make you laugh and cheer you up when you are sad.

Friends are kind, helpful, hilarious, and fun to play with.

The year 6 children made crosses for the service

Chewton Common Toddler group meets every Monday morning in term time in St Mark's church hall.

Diana sang some action songs with the children and then looked at a counting  book about animals that are mentioned in the Bible. Then Diana took the children and their careres into the church for a sensory walk. The children were helped to feel smooth things and compare them with rough things. They also looked into the font to see the Holy Water.
Finally Diana lit some votive candles and said a prayer thanking God for all the children present. The children enjoyed blowing the candles out!

All personnel hold current and clear DBS certificates.