We regularly visit St Peter’s Church for worship and special services including Mothering Sunday, Easter, Harvest, Christmas and Christingle.
Rev Brian Leathers:
I am Rev Brian Leathers, resident Vicar in the village of Alton. I have been a governor here for ten years and have been privileged to see many of the children born to couples I have married, come through the school.
The thing I love best about getting to know the children is their openness to questions, these are asked at our regular assemblies in school or church, or while I help in Maths lessons.
One of the distinctive parts of being a Christian school is that (with parental consent) children can do a course enabling them to take communion in the Church of England throughout the rest of their life. It is a sort of introduction to confirmation (which they are too young for at this school).
The school governors work throughout the three schools of the federation, and are a mix of church members, those who support our churches, and some who have no church background. We all work with the school to help the children to grow to their fullest potential, through tailoring their education to their particular needs and abilities. I support the staff as well as the children as we all learn together, particularly looking at love, friendship and respect.
Every blessing
Rev Leathers
Communion Before Confirmation
Reverend Brian Leathers comes into school to run communion before confirmation classes with the children. Those who feel that this is something they would like to learn more about explore Bible stories and questions about their faith. They finish the course by attending a communion service and taking their first Holy communion. Parents and friends are invited. It is a very special service.
Harvest 2023
The children talked about how Harvest is celebrated in other countries. Everybody got to sample a taste of food from the UK, Australia, Ukraine, Ghana and China.
A Coronation Gift
All the children at St Peter’s were very lucky to receive their very own Bible. This was a gift to mark the Coronation of King Charles III from St Peter’s church.
The Church Bells
We were lucky enough to visit church and see the new bells that are going in the church tower. We talked about how the bell ringers ring them and how heavy they are. We read the inscriptions on the bells.
Open Door in St Peter’s Church
The children enjoyed a day of activities in St Peter’s Church working alongside staff from school and several members of the church community. Activities included bell ringing, exploring the church tower and examining the enormous bells, making stained glass windows for each of our school values, a treasure hunt, singing songs and finding out about the church organ. The children had a memorable day learning new skills and exploring different areas of the church and its grounds.
We offer children in Year 3 and 4 the opportunity to complete a Communuion before Confirmation course. To enable the children to make an informed choice we take them to church to take part in a Communion Service.
